Modern materials
The Technology Region Aachen offers an outstanding environment for innovative enterprises that require excellent know-how in the field of modern materials for their products. Small and medium-sized as well as larger enterprises from a variety of branches profit from co-operation with renowned research institutions that sets a nation-wide example. In a closely-meshed research and development network, bespoke solutions can be found for the development, manufacture, processing and optimisation of glass, ceramic, steel, textiles, plastics or biomaterials.
Research and development
The wealth of institutes and faculties at Aachen University offer recognised solutions in various questions related to materials. Apart from famous institutes such as the Institute of Plastics Processing, the German Wool Research Institute and the Helmholtz Institute of Biomedical Technology, a variety of other university institutions - for example the Institute and Research Department for Material Sciences of the Institute of Materials in Electrical Engineering - meet the need for competent solutions. Professors from institutes at the RWTH and the Jülich Research Centre have got together in an interdisciplinary materials forum to concentrate the wide variety of competencies and carry out research projects together with the industry. The Materials Working Group concentrates the know-how which exists at the Fachhochschule Aachen.
Research and development projects are carried out for medium-sized enterprises, for example with an emphasis on material and component testing through X-ray analysis, metallography or ceramography. Atoms and polymers are examined at Jülich Research Centre so as to produce materials with defined properties. Not forgetting the further development of the supraconductor technology. The work at the two Fraunhofer Institutes of Laser Technology and Production Technology in Aachen is internationally recognised and in great demand. The interdisciplinary work and know-how that exists at these top-ranking research institutions has made the Aachen region into an outstanding research and development cluster for modern materials.
Companies
The Technology Region Aachen is an ideal location for highly specialised service providers, developers and producers from a variety of branches and fields of application. The concentrated local research competence is reflected in numerous university spin-offs. For example, CemeCon was founded here in Aachen. Today, the enterprise is the world's leading technology provider in the field of mechanically resistant and super-mechanically resistant material coatings. The firms of Hemoteq and AixACCT are also innovative Aachen start-ups. Hemoteq is active in the biomaterial sector and develops biocompatible coatings for implants. aixACCT systems GmbH produces high-resolution special electronic measuring systems for the semiconductor industry and for sensor/actuator manufacturers.
The numerous advantages of the region have also convinced larger enterprises: firms such as the high-performance ceramic manufacturer Cerobear, the glass specialist Saint-Gobain and Aixtron, the world market leader for plants to produce connecting semiconductors, are ideally positioned in the region.
Competence networks
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INTRA - Interest Group of Innovative Enterprises for Plastics Engineering in the Aachen Region e.V.
A unique combination of independent and technically highly specialized enterprises is operating in the Aachen region. They concentrate on different areas of interest in the plastics industry. The goal of the INTRA group is to make the special potential of the Aachen region apparent to potentially interested industrial partners.
Most INTRA participants are spin-offs of the Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV) and through a continuing cooperation can offer a combination of the scientific competence of the university with their specific know how.
The INTRA members cover the following areas:
• Consulting
• Design
• Research and Development
• Measurement
• Material Technology
• Production
• Quality Control
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