Study about the entrepreneurship and large scale research

Study about the
entrepreneurship and large
scale research infrastructure
co-operation in the Baltic Sea
region
Riga, 2013, 1st
Researcher:
SIA „Baltijas Konsultācijas”
P. 673-388-04
Fax: 660-020-57
E-mail: [email protected]
www.balticconsulting.com
Contents
METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................................................................. 3
INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH IN BSR COUNTRIES .............................................................................................. 3
LARGE RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES IN BALTIC SEA REGION ....................................................................... 4
SWEDEN ..........................................................................................................................................................5
Max IV Laboratory ................................................................................................................................................... 5
BioBanking and Molecular Resource Infrastructure of Sweden (BBMRI) ................................................................ 6
European Spallation Source (ESS) ............................................................................................................................ 7
FINLAND .......................................................................................................................................................7
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland ............................................................................................................... 7
MTT Agrifood Research Finland............................................................................................................................... 8
POLAND ..........................................................................................................................................................9
National Synchrotron Radiation Centre “SOLARIS” ................................................................................................. 9
NOTHERN GERMANY ...................................................................................................................................... 10
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY............................................................................................................... 10
European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser Facility ......................................................................................................... 13
GEMS - German Engineering Materials Science Centre ......................................................................................... 11
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH ............................................................................. 12
INDUSTRIES AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN BSR COUNTRIES ........................................................... 22
NETWORKS AND LINKS BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE ....................................... 22
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Methodology
To identify industry collaboration with science institutions and draw conclusions on the use of research
infrastructure a two way approach is used. Firstly, all the state supported research institutions need to be
screened and identified the type of services theses research centres provide for the industry. As a second
step an analysis of the industries in Baltic Sea Region (BSR) countries will be carried out. The aim is to look
at those industries who invest substantially in research and development activities.
Investment in research in EU countries
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Percentage of GDP invested in R&D
4,50
4,00
Denmark
3,50
Germany
3,00
Estonia
2,50
Latvia
2,00
Lithuania
1,50
Poland
1,00
Finland
0,50
Sweden
0,00
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Large research infrastructures in Baltic Sea Region
The aim of this chapter is to screen the top state funded research institutes in BSR countries (Sweden,
Denmark, Finland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Northern Germany [Hansestadt Hamburg,
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein]) to identify their specialization, partnerships and
offered services for industry. The research centres were evaluated based on the following criteria, i.e.,
budget, publications and employees. At least three research institutions were described in each country.
Additionally in some countries the upcoming large research infrastructures with global impact will be
described. Based on the gathered information this section is summarized and hypothesis developed in
relation to Science Link project first and second call results (call for application to utilize large scale
research infrastructure). It was important to understand how that interlinks with the specializations of
research institutions and their services to be able to draw conclusions. Below is a representation of BSR,
countries and the described research institutions.
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Sweden
Max IV Laboratory1
MAX-lab was opened in late 1980s` and it is a national Swedish research
infrastructure, which is hosted by Lund University and founding bodies include the
university, Swedish Research Council, VINNOVA and Region Skåne. Different
research is executed, covering disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology, material science, geology,
engineering and medicine. MAX-lab is one of the most productive scientific infrastructures, since on
average it creates about one publication for every day of operation.
Specialization:

1
Research in synchrotron light and high-energy electrons.
Interim Evaluation of 11 National Research Infrastructures 2012; Swedish research council, 2012;
Available at:
http://www.vr.se/download/18.7257118313b2995b0f27204/1357820119599/Interim+evaluation+of+11+national+rese
arch+infrastructures+No10+2012.pdf
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Employees: Approx. 130
Publications: 240 yearly (5-10 PUBLICATIONS in top-ranked journals)
Total investment: approx. 23 MEUR in 2011
Partnerships: Collaboration among national and international research infrastructures with an aim to
expand the technological and scientific capabilities. The partners include such research organizations as
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, French synchrotron radiation facility SOLEIL, Polish synchrotron SOLARIS
(works as an advisor), however the outreach is mainly throughout Europe.
Services for Industry: MAX – IV laboratory serves wide range of industrial sectors, since light from the
infrared to hard X-rays can be used to study any type of material. Therefore the research facilities can be
used in chemicals, packaging materials, life sciences and many other industries, where different materials
and their nature need to be studied.
BioBanking and Molecular Resource Infrastructure of Sweden (BBMRI) 2
A national Swedish biobank infrastructure which focuses on addressing
important needs in medical and health sciences by pulling together the actors
(biobank operators) and main data (studies, patient data, studies) throughout the country. The main goal
is to create a national biobank, which will be able to handle and store protocols and catalogue molecular
analysis resources. The infrastructure will provide new opportunities to detect diseases at an early stage
to be able to identify the best treatment options.
Specialization:

Research in life sciences
Employees: 41
Publications: 28 in 2011
Total investment: 20.6 MEUR from 2010 to 2014
Partnerships: Collaboration with all the medical faculties in Sweden and a partner of European biobanking
programme. Additionally participates in other subject related international projects.
Services for Industry: No specific services for industry have been identified.
2
Interim Evaluation of 11 National Research Infrastructures 2012; Swedish research council, 2012;
Available at:
http://www.vr.se/download/18.7257118313b2995b0f27204/1357820119599/Interim+evaluation+of+11+national+rese
arch+infrastructures+No10+2012.pdf
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European Spallation Source (ESS)3
The ESS is planned to be a multi-disciplinary research centre based on the
world`s most powerful neutron sources. It will be the largest research facility in
the fields of life science, energy, environmental technology, cultural heritage and fundamental physics. In
the facility state of the art equipment will be utilized, such as linear proton accelerator, heavy-metal
target station, neutron instruments and other advanced research tools. The centre will be built by at least
17 European countries, with Sweden and Denmark as host nations. It is planned that most of the users will
be based in European institutes. Already more than 60 partner laboratories are working on updating and
optimising the design and structure of ESS facility.
Specialization:

Research in neutrons
Employees: Currently around 130 employees, plus a number of consultants, post-docs and guest
researchers.
Publications: N/A
Total investment: Construction costs 1, 47 BEUR
Partnerships: Currently 2 countries Sweden and Denmark are hosting and supporting the development of
ESS. Additionally more than 60 partner laboratories are working together on creating the design of the
campus and facilities.
Services for industry: The ESS is committed to working closely with industry partners to leverage the
unique properties of neutron beams. A dedicated industrial R&D site will be established and staffed by
expert scientists and engineers. Industrial sectors such as manufacturing, petrochemicals, conventional
energy production, electronics, polymer, health and life sciences, green energy can be supported and
influenced through research in neutrons.
FINLAND
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
It is a globally networked multi-technological applied research centre,
which is the biggest in Northern Europe. It provides a high-end technology
3
European Spallation Source, 2012, Available at: http://europeanspallationsource.se/
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solutions and innovation services. The centre was established already in 1940s and has evolved to become
an important cluster for technological expertise and generator of new innovations. VTT Technical
Research Centre of Finland as an organization has always been able to meet challenges evolving over time
and adapting to changing environment. It has an international scientific and technology network, which
allows VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland to produce information, upgrade technical knowledge
and identify other benefits to add value to all its stakeholders.
Specialization:

Applied materials

Bio- and chemical processes

Business and innovation research

Energy

Industrial systems management

Microtechnologies and electronics

Information and communication technologies

Services and the built environment
Employees: 2818 employees
PUBLICATIONS: 1780, over 1200 patents and patent applications, 600 scientific articles
Total investment/Budget: In 2011 278 MEUR
Partnerships: The research centre is collaborating across their speciality areas with universities and
research facilities worldwide. Actively participates in European projects such as CHANCE, FP7 and others.
In 2011, 506 international public research projects were under way.
Services for industry: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is a true applied research centre providing
services that enhance the competitiveness of companies. Services for the following industries are
provided; biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food industries, electronics, Energy, ICT, real estate,
construction, machines and vehicles, services, logistics, forest industry, chemical industry and
environment. In year 2011 in total the centre serviced 1290 companies, of which 930 were domestic and
360 were foreign companies.
MTT Agrifood Research Finland
MTT Agrifood Research Finland is the leading research institutes in Finland in
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developing sustainable and competitive solutions for the food system. The research centre is devoted to
their two main research trends, i.e., sustainable and responsible bioeconomy of the food chain and
advancing agrifood sector production and rural development (sustainability, profitability and well-being).
MTT Agrifood Research Finland aims to become an internationally recognized research institute that
focuses on producing new operating models and technologies for use in food and energy production. As
well as emphasises sustainable and effective use of resources.
Specialization:

Biotechnology and food research

Animal production research

Plant production research

Economic research
Publications: 1096
Total investment/budget: 56, 7 MEUR
Partnerships: Research centre is involved in scientific cooperation with national and international
research institutes and universities. It has strong collaborations with industry, educational institutions and
authorities. International collaboration developed in 2011, were with Teagasc in Ireland and the Chinese
Academy of Agriculture Science. Also participates in EU COST and ERANET networks.
Services for industry: The centre offers several different services for the agriculture and food industries.
Services include testing of plant protection products. For machine manufacturers of food and agriculture
industries it provides measurement, standardization and certification of machinery. Also there is a
possibility to test field crops, however that is only available in Finland.
Poland
National Synchrotron Radiation Centre “SOLARIS”
This will be the first synchrotron built in Poland, whereas the idea was born
in 1998. The project is developed in close collaboration with MAX-lab, which
has extensive experience in the area. It is planned that the synchrotron will be launched by the September
of 2014. Current activities include training of staff at MAX-lab, P SI and ALBA, construction works and
equipment purchase. This is planned to be one of the largest research infrastructure projects developed in
Poland in the last decade and undoubtedly affect the entire image and effectiveness of science in Poland.
It is announced that the SOLARIS centre will be launched in the beginning of 2015.
Specialization: Research in synchrotron light and high-energy electrons.
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Employees: N/A
Publications: N/A
Total investment: 40 MEUR investment approved in 2010.
Partnerships: The main collaboration partner is MAX-lab, which is supporting the SOLARIS staff with
execution and knowledge in utilization of the equipment. Other important collaboration partners are
Swiss Light Source, ELLETRA and ALBA. Early collaborations with the industry have not been identified (not
counting the equipment providers and contractors). Nationally 36 research institutions form the Polish
Synchrotron Consortium.
Services for Industry: SOLARIS will be able to serve wide range of industrial sectors, since the same
technologies as in MAX-lab will be used to conduct research. Therefore the research facilities can be used
in chemicals, packaging materials, life science and many other industries to test new materials.
Northern Germany
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Research centre was established in 1959 in Hamburg and currently is a part of the
HelmHoltz Association. It is one of the world`s best research facilities for X-ray
operations, research in particle and astroparticle physics and photon science. DESY
is an international pioneer in all the three afore mentioned areas, therefore scientists all over the world
perform research in medicines and nanotechnology of tomorrow using powerful X-ray radiation sources.
The centre actively collaborates with industry to facilitate development of new technology that can
enhance the lives of people. One of the most critical issues for DESY is attraction of young talent,
therefore collaborations with universities of the Hamburg region is critical.
Specialization:
Accelerators (X-Ray facilities)
Particle and astroparticle physics
Photon science
Employees: Approximately 2000 (Guest researchers and students are not included)
Publications: More than 1000 in 2011
Total investment/Budget: 2011, 192 mil. EUR
Partnerships: One of the closest partners for DESY is University of Hamburg. Besides that the research
institute has hundreds of other partnerships and collaborations across all five continents. In accelerator
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division new partnership with Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (India) was established in 2011. For
particle physics division partnerships were identified in most of their main projects, i.e. ZEUS, H1,
HERMES, OLYMPUS and others. In the three divisions they are collaborating with China, USA, Canada,
India, Russia and many other countries.
Services for industry: DESY have established a technology transfer office to facilitate new technology
implementation in a market. Additionally DESY provides contract research for wide range of industries
spanning from agriculture and food science to construction, engineering, material science, chemicals and
life sciences.
GEMS - German Engineering Materials Science Centre4
The German Engineering Materials Science Centre (GEMS) is the central user
access platform, where Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht provides a worldwide
unique infrastructure for complementary research with photons (Outstation of Helmholtz-Zentrum
Geesthacht at DESY in Hamburg) and with neutrons (Outstation of Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht at the
FRM II in Garching near Munich), especially in the field of engineering materials science. After the
shutdown of the FRG-1 at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht in 2010, GEMS is the new major point of
access for users in scientific and applied engineering materials research with photons and neutrons. A
common proposal system will enable the users to fully exploit the complementarities of the different
probes. The users will also have access to the “Engineering Materials Science Centre (EMSC) at DESY as a
part of GEMS, providing additional essential user support facilities (laboratories, workshops) for
preparation and analysis of the samples in the vicinity of the GEMS beamlines.
The German Engineering Materials Science Centre (GEMS), a part of HZGs Institute of Materials Research,
provides a worldwide unique infrastructure for complementary research with photons and neutrons.
GEMS runs the High Energy Materials Science Beamline (HEMS) and the Imaging Beamline (IBL) and shares
parts of the BioSAXS Beamline, operated at DESY in Hamburg. Some of the services provided to industrial
users are custom in-situ sample environments (friction stir and laser welding, dilatometer) and industry
specific user support by scientists of the Institute of Materials Research at HZG.
Specialization:
4

Scientific and applied engineering

Materials research with photons and neutrons
http://www.hzg.de/central_departments/gems/index.html.en
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Employees: The staffs of the working groups "Structural Research on New Materials" and "Structural
Research on Macromolecules" together operate the instruments at the German Engineering Materials
Science Centre (GEMS).
Approximately 60 staff members (GEMS)
A total of about 860 employees are involved in coastal and materials research at the Helmholtz-Zentrum
Geesthach (HGZ)
Publications: 70 in 2009
Total investment/Budget: Approximately 80 million euro for Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthach (HGZ)
Partnerships: GEMS is linked to many other research centres and universities worldwide
Services for industry: The GEMS instruments are applicable to many industries. They can be used to
characterise the structure of functional materials such as metals, ceramics, polymers, soft matter and thin
films. Also it can be used to identify properties like textures, residual stress and magnetism. These
activities are needed by developers in the steel and metal industry, chemical industry and IT to design e.g.
new alloys, polymers, nanocomposites or data memories.
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH
The Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) operates two large scale scientific facilities
for investigating the structure and function of matter: the research reactor BER II
for experiments with neutrons and the synchrotron radiation source BESSY II, producing ultrabright
photon beams ranging from Terahertz to hard X-rays. HZB is now one of the few centres world-wide to
offer the whole range of instruments for neutron and synchrotron radiation within one laboratory
structure. The structure-property relationship of materials is a focus area, as are the inner dynamics and
phase transitions in condensed matter. Topics which contribute to the development of instrumentation
and methods, particularly within materials research and analysis, are a major area of investigation. HZB is
already the largest institutional unit in Germany in the area of thin films, not only developing new
materials but also investigating innovative technologies in parallel. The large scale facilities are used to
develop the materials of tomorrow, look into next generation solar cells and research possibilities of solar
fuel.
Specialization:

Magnetism

Functional materials
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
Materials for solar cell

Solar fuel research
Employees: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) employs approximately 1,100
Publications: 280 in 2011
Total investment/Budget: 110 MEUR
Partnerships: HZB works in close cooperation with universities and technical colleges in the BerlinBrandenburg region. Outside the Berlin-Brandenburg region, HZB cooperates with some 400 partners at
German and international universities, research institutes and companies.
Services for industry:
Materials
Researchers develop materials or components with desired properties, for example designing materials
that are more compact, more flexible, more robust, lighter or more efficient than those that are used in a
large variety of industrial sectors.
Energy
Fundamental research done by HZB scientists ensures that future generations of solar cells will become
the market standard. This provides the basis for developing new materials for thin-film solar cells and for
producing solar fuels. Thin-film technologies are developed up to a stage where industrial research ties in.
As co-founder of the Photovoltaic Competence Centre (PVcomB), HZB helps to accelerate the transfer of
new findings to industry and offers many activities to promote young scientists.
European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser Facility
This is a large X-ray laser research project currently under commissioning and will be
operational by the end of 2015. Twelve countries participate in constructing the
accelerator which is located near Hamburg. The XFEL facility will open up areas of
research that previously were not accessible, using the technology scientists will be able to map the
atomic details of viruses, take 3D images of nano particles and other activities. The total construction
costs of the facility amount to 1 bill. EUR. Germany (54 %) and Russia (23 %) take up most of the costs for
the construction. Compared to other research centres it is clear that XFEL performance will make it an
outstanding research facility worldwide, since it is superior in accelerator technology, size and many other
parameters.
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Specialization:

Accelerator (X-ray free electron laser)
Employees: During development employs 250 people
PUBLICATIONS: N/A
Total investment/Budget: 1082 mil.EUR/2011, 133 mil.EUR
Partnerships: In total currently 12 countries are collaborating in this project (Denmark, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland). Additionally XFEL has
cooperation with other research institutions in the same field, e.g., Spanish Centre for Ultrashort
Ultraintense Pulsed Lasers (CLPU), DESY, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), the FreeElectron Laser for Multidisciplinary Investigations (FERMI), Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and 9 other
research institutions. Also XFEL participate in the following EU programs BioStruct – X and CRISP. The
company is a member of five research partnerships.
Services for industry: As of now specific services for industry have not been identified. However, the
collaboration with companies worldwide is emphasised and research can be utilized in wide range of
industries such as construction and engineering, chemicals, life science and many other industries.
LATVIA
Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (IOS)5
The Institute of Organic Synthesis was established in 1957 with an aim to carry out
research in organic chemistry, molecular biology and bioorganic chemistry. The IOS
has a considerable experience in discovering new pharmaceutical forms through
development of new medicines and performance of commissioned studies (contract research). The IOS is
continuously cooperating with both Latvian and foreign pharmaceutical companies. In total the company
has 11 long-standing cooperation partners. The institute have received several awards as well as managed
to attract European structural funds to acquire newest testing equipment. Over the years IOS have
worked on drug design and technology development, overall 17 original drugs have been discovered and
introduced into the market.
Specialisation:
Design and organic synthesis of medicinal substances
Pharmacology and biological studies
5
www.osi.lv
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Clinical studies
Applications of new organic synthesis technologies
Analytical services
Number of employees: 312
Number of publications: In total the IOS employees have developed 8, 775 publications, and registered
200 patents together with cooperation partners.
Total investment/Budget: current assets of 7 MEUR in 2010
Cooperation partners: Works in close collaboration with other research institutes
Services for industry: Institute performs contract research in their specialization areas mentioned above,
for any interested industry actor. Currently IOS has active projects with 11 pharmaceutical companies.
Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment (BIOR)6 7
The activities of the BIOR Institute are directed towards contribution to public and
animal health. Additionally support competitiveness of companies that are involved in
food circulation and solutions of scientific issues of sustainable use of environmental
and fish resources in Latvia. Research activities of the institute include basic and applied research,
development, approbation and implementation of new methods and technologies. The Institute itself
regularly organises conferences of international level, inviting researchers and branch experts from
various countries to take part with their presentations and stand lectures. Researchers from Finland,
Estonia, Germany and Russia regularly attend the conferences of the institute. Also the institute have
participated in in 6th Framework Programme in 6 projects and in 7th framework program in one project.
Additionally the centre has established collaborations with industry in Latvia, Lithuania, Kazakhstan and
several other countries.
Specialization:
Food and environment
Veterinary medicine
Fisheries
6
http://www.bior.gov.lv/lv
7
Annual Report of the Scientific Institute BIOR. Available at:
http://www.bior.gov.lv/uploads/files/Publiskais%20parskats%20BIOR%202011.pdf
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Number of employees: 100 - 50 full time scientific employees with degrees of Doctor and Master of
Science in natural sciences, food technologies.
Number of publications: 165 since 2003
Total investment/Budget: The funding allotted in 2011 amounts to EUR 790 000
Cooperation partners: Largest universities in Latvia, institutes in Germany, Norway, Lithuania, Finland,
Estonia and Great Britain. BIOR cooperates with the largest food producers in Latvia.
Services for industry: The institute provides services for the use of their laboratory equipment, testing
materials as well as conducting contract research in relation to their speciality.
Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre89
Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BMC) is a leading research
institution in molecular biology, biomedicine and biotechnology in Latvia. Since its
establishment in 1993 it has evolved into a powerful scientific centre performing
basic as well as applied research. The BMC maintains tight collaboration with pharmaceutical companies
in Latvia and abroad (AS Grindeks, Cytos Biotech GmbH), thus participating in the formation of new
medicinal products. The developed knowledge is applied in biotechnological services provided through
SIA GENERA and SIA ASLA BIOTECH - companies managed under the guidance of the research centre.
Latvian Biomedical Centre is closely integrated into economic structures, educational and health
protection systems and it is expected to have high further development potential.
Specialisation:
Biomedical research
Molecular biology and genetics
Recombinant biotechnology
Number of employees: 165, with 31 senior researchers, 27 researchers, 56 research assistants and 51
science technical and support employees
Number of publications: 38 in 2011.
Total investments: 2.5 MEUR in 2011
8
http://bmc.biomed.lu.lv/
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Cooperation partners: In 2011 the Centre has internationally cooperated with New Visby Network on
Hepatitis C, Uppsala University, Sweden, USA grant with the University of Michigan, ViroGen Corporation
in Boston, USA.
Services for industry: For the industry the centre is providing specific services and facilities to conduct
necessary research in the above mentioned specialization areas. BMC has the following services
sequencing, DNA amplification, genotyping, use of pipetting device, use of microarray equipment, use of
fluorescent,
confocal, electron microscopy, bioreactor and microplate readers. Additionally
chromatography, ultracentrifugation, protein crystallography, flowcytometry are provided as services at
BMC.
Institute of Electronics and Computer Science10 11
Institute of Electronics and Computer Science is a state research centre, which is
dedicated to fundamental and applied research in computer science, information,
communication and electronic technologies. One of the research institutes aim is to
foster and support the development of a knowledge based economy in Latvia. Also it envisions becoming
one of the major ICT sectors` research institution in Europe. The centre gained recognition by creating
world class high precision time measurement equipment Event Timers
Specialisation:
Signal processing systems (methods, hardware and software)
Integrated data acquisition, transmission and processing systems
Number of employees: 90
Number of publications: 38 internationally available publications in 2011
Total investment/Budget: Current assets of 1.5 MEUR in 2011
Cooperation partners: Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Science; The Changchun
Observatory of national Astronomical Observatories, China; The Finnish Geodetic Institute Masala,
Finland; Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, China. Cooperation with University of Latvia, Riga Technical
University, Ventspils University College and the largest scientific institutes in Latvia.
10
11
www.edi.lv
Annual Report of the Institute of Electronics and
http://www.edi.lv/media/uploads/UserFiles/pub_parskati/pp_2010_edi.pdf
Computer
Science.
Available
at:
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Services for the industry: IECS provides three main services to industry partners, i.e. image processing,
event timing and digital alias-free signal processing.
Institute of Solid State Physics12 13
Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia was established in 1978. Since
1986 the Institute had the legal status of an independent institution (non-profit
organisation attached to the University of Latvia). On 12 April 2006 the Institute of
Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia was reorganized as the agency of the University of Latvia Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia. The major objective of the Institute is to become the
leading research centre in the field of functional materials and nanotechnologies in Latvia and
acknowledged research institution in the scientific community in Europe. Up to now it has taken part in
number of international projects within the scope of EUREKA, COST and other programmes. Research
institutes staff regularly participates in more than 200 various conferences and seminars all over the
world, as well as they host their own international The centre has an international supervisor board that
consists of researchers all over the world from Russia, Japan, USA, Sweden and many other countries.
Specialisation:
Electronic and ion processes in wide-gap materials with different degree of structure ordering;
Inorganic materials – single crystals, ceramics, glasses, nanostructured surface coats for
application in optics, electronics and renewable energy;
Multifunctional, hybrid and organic materials for photovoltaic elements, coatings of solar
batteries, hydrogen storage, fuel cell devices, light emitting diodes (LED, OLED), photonics and
organic electronics;
Scientific instruments, analytical devices and sensors for environmental monitoring;
Vision science, new technologies for psycho-physical studies and vision care technologies.
Number of employees: 153
Number of publications: 143 publications in 2011
Total investment/Budget: 3.9 MEUR in 2011
Cooperation partners: In 2011 the Institute has collaborated with SIA GroGlass, A/S Sidrabe, SIA AlarmLat,
A/S Latvijas Kuģniecība (JSC Latvian Shipping Company) and other 11 companies from different indsutries.
12
13
http://www.cfi.lu.lv/
Annual Report of the Institute of Solid State Physics. Available at:
http://www.cfi.lu.lv/fileadmin/user_upload/lu_portal/projekti/cfi/Publiskie_parskati/CFI_publiskais_parskats_2011.pd
f
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Although the centre has an international supervisor board, cross boarder collaborations with other
research institutes or universities were identified.
Services for the industry: ISSF offer services for wide range of industries, that are interested in doing
measurements using their equipment (e.g. Facility for Vacuum Ultraviolet Region and Laser Spectroscopy,
"Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive detector for X-rays (EDX) and with an option
of Electron Beam Lithography (EBL) ), also executing specific contract research. It is not defined precisely
what specific services are provided.
Institute of Physical Energetics14 15
The Institute of Physical Energetics (IPE) was established in 1946. It is the leading
Institute in Latvia specialising exactly in energy sector research. The research activities
cover wide scope of physical energetics issues, such as modelling and analysis of the
energy - environment interactions, the energy - environmental policy studies, the pricing and tariff policy
in the energy sector, the energy efficiency improvement and energy conservation programmes. The IPE
collaborates widely with scientific institutions both nationally and internationally. Since 2006 the IPE
researchers have taken part in the following programmes, FP6 and FP7, IEE, Interreg, EC JRC, IAEA, COST,
Twinning, SmartGrids ERA-Net and several others. The research institute has managed to continuously
attract funding from variety of funds, especially from European Regional Development Fund.
Specialisation:
Regional energy sector analysis and optimisation;
Energy saving management;
Energy-environmental policy studies;
Renewable energy resources;
Energy efficiency;
Electrical networks and electricity supply systems;
Clean fossil energy technologies;
Electrical devices and equipment;
Research in advanced materials and solid state physics problems.
Number of employees: N/A
14
http://www.innovation.lv/fei/default.html
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Annual Report of the Institute of Physical Energetics. Available at:
http://www.innovation.lv/fei/Projects/FEI_gada_2011.pdf
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Number of publications: 57 scientific publications developed in 2011
Total investments/Budget: 2.8 MEUR in 2011
Cooperation partners: 2011 totalled in 8 contract works in collaboration with companies in Latvia, such as
SIA GroGlass and SIA Eko gāze. Although participation in international projects is quiet extensive no
collaborations with universities or research institutes both locally and internationally were not identified.
Services for the industry: The research institute is providing services in form of applied research,
consultations, desk research in their specialization areas mentioned above.
Institute of Polymer Mechanics16 17
Institute of Polymer Mechanics was established in the middle of last century. It is a
centre, where high level and internationally recognized research in material mechanics
are being conducted. Thereafter the institute fully supports the development of
knowledge based economy and focusing of competitive product development with high added value.
Additionally the centre researchers have gained several state and international awards and their research
have been recognized.
Specialization:

Theoretical and experimental studies of deformation and fracture of materials;

Mechanics of composite structure, numerical estimation methods and optimisation;

Prediction of long-term deformation and strength of materials, effect of environmental factors on
their exploitation properties;

Non-destructive testing methods for determining physical and mechanical properties;
Number of employees: 97
Number of publications: 20 in 2011
Total investments/Budget: 1.8 MEUR in 2011
Cooperation partners: The institute have collaborations in Sweden with Chalmers University of
Technology, Lulea University, also have had collaborations with USA, Japan, Russia and Spain based
universities. Additionally the centre has close collaborations with industry, specifically companies that are
16
17
http://www.pmi.lv/index.html
Annual
Report
of
the
Institute
of
http://www.pmi.lv/Assets/Files/LU_PMI_gada_parskats_2011.pdf
Polymer
Mechanics.
Available
at:
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dealing with new composite material development and production, such as “Primekss” or “Baltic
Instruments”.
Services for the industry: The research institute is providing services in form of applied research,
consultations, desk research in their specialization areas mentioned above.
The Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Latvia
The institute was established in 1959 as Computing Centre of research character.
Apart from research, IMCS UL has always been involved in commercial software
development. IMCS UL is also one of the largest Internet service providers in Latvia
(SigmaNet, earlier known as LATNET). Besides that IMCS UL houses the Master's Degree Studies in
Computer Science at the University of Latvia.
Specialization:

Mathematical fundamentals of computer science;

Complex system design methods and tools;

Graph theory and visual information processing;

Semantic Web Technologies;

Computer linguistics, bioinformatics;

Real time systems;

Computer networks and grids;

Mathematical methods for theoretical studies;

Mathematical modelling of engineering and science;

E – infrastructure development.
Number of employees: 200
Number of publications: 155 in 2011
Total investments/Budget: 4.3 MEUR in 2011
Cooperation partners: The institute have collaborations lasting collaborations with the largest universities
in Latvia. Additionally it has cooperation with more than ten industry actors in relation to
commercialization of scientific results. Such companies as CISCO Systems, Telos Systems are part of the
network.
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Services for the industry: The research institute is providing services in form of applied research,
consultations, desk research in their specialization areas mentioned above. Additionally the institute
supports the registration of LV domain names.
Industries and technology development in BSR countries
Networks and links between industry and research infrastructure
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