Growth and cooperation in Region Zealand

	The publication is available electronically here (in Danish) Read more about Risø Innovation Activities Read more about the controllable rubber trailing edge Read more about polymer solar cells for children in developing countries Risø is also involved in the project Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster

11 staff members at Risø Innovation Activities are working with innovation from different approaches: the technological approach, the needs-driven approach and the network-based approach. The aim is to improve interaction between knowledge institutions and businesses, making the road as short as possible from technological and research-based knowledge to start-up businesses and to the implementation of new technologies in existing businesses.

In a recent publication, Risø Innovation Activities summarises the results from the last 2 ½ years, looking at how the mix of 'research, innovation and business' is so unique about this project. Both researchers and companies have shown great interest.

"Gap funding is becoming a familiar concept to Risø's scientists. Concrete ideas and exciting research can receive funding with the purpose of turning a research project into a commercial product. The funds are included in the three-year cooperation agreement that Risø signed with Region Zealand in 2008. Many have applied for the funds but only the best projects have received funding," explains Innovation Coordinator Henriette Hansen.

Examples of these technological and needs-driven projects are polymer solar cells that are to provide children in developing countries with reading lights, and a controllable rubber trailing edge for wind turbines that is to reduce the considerably dynamic loads that large wind turbine blades are exposed to during operation.

"Workshops and network meetings for scientists, specialists and companies have also been held in order to solve specific challenges. For instance, one workshop has resulted in the development of a new kind of hip brace for newly operated hip patients, "says Henriette Hansen.

Since the start of the project at the end of 2007, Risø DTU has been involved in:

• 11 events for groups of Zealand companies
• contact with 103 companies in the region
• contact with 30 players and trade associations inside and outside the region
• cooperation with four hospitals in the region
• 33 events with individual companies from the region
• the identification of 94 possible projects at Risø and in regional companies