FTI-lab

Belgium: Flemish Region

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The FTI-lab is a leading provider of integrated product development services to the textile and clothing industry. We help companies and designers to develop and implement successful innovation projects. In order to do this the FTI-lab has extensive expertise in the field of (multi)functional and smart textile materials and related processing technologies, bio-chemistry based textile processing, digitisation and flexibilisation of product development and production processes, improving cultivation and processing and application aspects of EU-origin natural fibres such as hemp, garment manufacturing and thermophysiological and sensorial comfort. Furthermore the FTI-lab has unique competencies to think both creatively and deeply technical throughout the entire process.

We have 8 FTE researchers and +20 academics with various backgrounds: textile engineers, chemists, biochemists, biotechnologists and garment technologists. They gain their strength from the multidisciplinary and approach complex questions in… The FTI-lab has equipment for:

textile production: industrial weaving looms including jacquard, flat bed knitting machines, spinning equipment for the production of fancy yarns (hollow spindle), ...
textile finishing: (UV) coating, GRINP plasma system, Ahlbrandt corona, plasma torch, several digital printers for textile and paper (transfer printing), lab scale and semi industrial equipment for dyeing, printing  and finishing of yarns and fabrics, laser, ...
garment manufacturing: 3D body scanners, one ply automatic cutter, sewing equipment, ultrasonic welding, taping, plotter, 2D and 3D patterning software, ...
testing: Moisture managment Tester, Fabric Touch Tester, Martindale, Taber, QUV, tensile strength, Elmendorf, Hydrostatic head, air permeability, burst strength, colour fastnes to rubbing, washing, water, perspiration, ...

 
. The FTI-lab features a demonstration platform for digital processing and has extensive infrastructure for prototyping and testing. Additionally we offer on demand customized training. We therefor rely on our intensive expertise in digital printing, atmospheric plasma, (UV) coating, laser technology, 3D body scanning, fit & sizing, patterning and garment manufacturing.

The FTI-lab has an expert panel to evaluate fabric touch and feel and carries out in-depth interviews and questionaires in the context of user centered design.

 
. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence

Cyprus: Cyprus

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (KIOS CoE) operates within the University of Cyprus. The Center was established in 2008 and was subsequently selected by the EU to advance into a Research and Innovation Center of Excellence in 2017. With collaboration with Imperial College London, KIOS has succeeded in securing funding in excess of 40 million euros, as part of the EU’s strategic Horizon 2020 program for “Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation – Teaming”.

The KIOS CoE is the largest research and innovation center in Cyprus on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with an emphasis on monitoring, control, management and security of critical infrastructures such as electric power systems, water distribution networks, telecommunication networks, and transportation systems. The vision of the Centre of Excellence is to develop excellent interdisciplinary research on a global scale, as well as to produce new knowledge and important tools that can be applied to solve real… The KIOS CoE has several dedicated laboratories investigating different key enabling technologies in monitoring, control and security of critical infrastructures using cutting-edge equipment for experimental evaluation, testing and prototyping. A short description of each laboratory along with the main equipment facilities is provided below.

The Embedded and Application-specific System on Chip Laboratory focuses towards the design, development, implementation and verification of low-power, high-performance and highly reliable systems on chip, suitable for embedded and mobile environments. Equipment includes:

Multi-GPU supercomputers used for machine learning and computer vision applications
State-of-the-art low-end and high-end FPGA boards for acceleration of compute intensive applications (computer vision, image processing, machine learning).
Multi-SOC FPGA-Based BeeCube Platform for large-scale hardware emulation
Embedded Computing Systems (Raspberry Pi, Gumstix Boards, Odroid Platforms)
…. The KIOS Innovation Hub of the KIOS CoE provides research and innovation services, via an Industrial Membership Program, suitable for operators of critical infrastructure systems and regulators, related commercial and governmental organizations and innovative SMEs. The Industrial Membership Program includes the following services:

Basic research and development on monitoring, control and security of intelligent systems and networks
Customized software/hardware solutions for Critical Infrastructure Systems (CISs)
Cloud/Mobile/Web-based services
Technology evaluation (pilots) / Training / Demonstration on Critical Infrastructure System Testbed Platforms (including power transmission systems, telecommunication networks, water distribution systems, transportation networks, cyber-security)
Proof-of-concept and prototype product development
Custom hardware design for acceleration of compute-intensive algorithms
Prototyping and Emulation via Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)
Embedded…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN)

Spain: Asturias

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN) was created in November 2007 by a joint initiative of 3 institutions, the Spanish National Research Council  (CSIC), the Principality of Asturias and the University of Oviedo.

The CINN pursues the creation, characterization and understanding of the behavior of new multifunctional materials on the nano, micro and macro scale, overcoming thereby the performance constraints that limit present-day materials and processes and the research is focused on five applications fields: Energy, Health, Homeland Security and Defense, Industry and Information and Communication Technologies.

The CINN is specialized in the preparation of raw materials, particularly ceramics. The starting materials can be both micrometer size and nanometer. The laboratory is equipped to perform:

Preparation stable ceramic slurries . Rheological characterization.
Attrition milling of ceramic powders
Atomization of ceramic slurries in aqueous medium
Atomization of… Spark Plasma Sintering

The CINN has two Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) facilities:

A laboratory equipment for samples with a size up to 80 mm in diameter
An industrial scale research equipment for the fabrication of blanks up to 400 mm in diameter. Additionally, this equipment allows to carry out sintering in a hybrid Hot-Press / SPS mode.

The CINN has also a nanotechnology unit fully equipped with:

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) with pseudo-atomic resolution on metallic surfaces.

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) for the observation of magnetic domains.

Optical Lithography

Electron Beam Lithography

Reactive Ion Etching and Ion Beam Etching

The CINN has a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) microbiology laboratory fully equipped with the instrumental required to carry out a wide variety of standardized antimicrobial tests used in industry (type III biosafety cabinets, incubators, ovens ... ).
. The CINN offers the following services:

Fabrication of micro-and nanostructures using optical and electron beam lithography techniques
Characterization of micro-and nanostructures at the nanoscale using scanning microscopy techniques
Conditioning of raw materials, especially ceramics, to be used in forming and sintering processes (Preparation of Stable Ceramic Slurries, Attrition Milling, Spray-Drying, Freeze Drying)
Thermal treatments and sintering (Dilatometric Studies, Calcination Processes, Sintering)
Mechanical characterization (Hardness, Bending Strength, Compressive Strength, Toughness, Creep Resistance)

Electromagnetic Characterization. Since 2009, the CINN has used ellipsometry and related optical and magneto-optical techniques for the study of a wide variety of materials, both as thin films: metals, semiconductos, dielectrics and bulk materials: dielectrics, metals, composites, ferromagnetics.

Biocompatibility tests. The CINN offers tests for biological evaluation of…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

CROSS-TEC

Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

CROSS-TEC laboratory of ENEA, situated in Bologna, in the northern Italy, is one of the TECNOPOLO ENEA laboratories dedicated to the industry and addresses five main areas corresponding to 5 units:

1) technologies for interoperability and supporting technologies and standards with a special focus on adoption in networks of enterprises (mainly manufacturing SMEs in textile-clothing, tiles, agrofood and mechanical industry) and smart cities (X-Lab unit).

2)  CAD/CAM technologies, with a special focus on CAD 3D modelling, rapid prototyping (additive manufacturing) and reverse engineering, with the aim of raising the technological level and competitiveness of enterprises both from the point of view of product development and production; the target is on  design based industry (fashion, accessories, jewelry) and historical heritages (museums, archives)  (PROTO-Lab unit)

3) methodologies and technologies for demonstrative projects for urban solutions, with the purpose to structure, experiment and… - Virtualised servers managing an Interoperability Test Bed system plus a number of tools thought to support standard adoption and inter-company interoperability

- 3D data acquisition systems for small highly precise scale (Tele mode with scanning resolution on X,Y,Z= 0.16, 016, 0.04 mm on area X,Y,Z = 111 x 84 x 40 mm) as well as large scale (buildings, archaeological areas,..) systems

- 3D printing systems with different technologies (3DP, MJM, DOD)

- high performance computing facility (HPC ENEAGRID/CRESCO, indicatively 150TFlops)

- polymeric membrane technology (PEM) components for hydrogen production (laboratory scale)

 
. All the units of CROSS-TEC carry on industrial research and technology transfer activities though:

collaborative projects on specific objectives within the frame of regional, national or European programs in partnership with other research institutions;
commissioned activities: industrial research and technology transfer projects carried out to fulfill special requirement by the customer

More specifically the performed activities are

training on methodologies, technologies or standard specification
coaching to the adoption of new technologies (in this case a project is managed jointly with the personnel of the commissioning company); for example feasibility studies for specific productive/design processes for 3D design technologies or 3D printing
3D prototypes
3D mechanical component tolerance checking
Interoperability testing of software solutions for specific use profiles for data exchange standard
software prototypes development
collaborative research projects
High…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (IMM) - Section of Bologna

Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (IMM) of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) is composed of 7 sections, located in Milan, Bologna, Rome, Napoli, Lecce and Catania. The Section of Bologna (IMM-BO) (http://www.bo.imm.cnr.it), whose staff comprises more than 50 people (researchers, technicians, administrative staff), is a multi-disciplinary research center that has been working on the study of materials and devices for microelectronics and MEMS for over 30 years. Thanks to the synergy between physics, engineers and chemistry IMM-BO provides a global and flexible approach to the development of innovative technologies for application specific areas.

The institute can embrace a wide area of knowledge, spanning from material characterization to the study of technological processes and from the design and fabrication of integrated devices to their integration in high TRL systems.

IMM Bologna is equipped with a wide range of facilities for design, manufacture, characterization of… Technological Facilities & Equipments:

Ion Implantation (medium and high energy; different species)
Rapid Thermal Process (RTP) (Lamp; Si and SiC)
Ultra-High Temperature Annealing (RF; Si and SiC)
Furnace Treatments (dry and wet oxidation, annealing and doping)
Low Pressure Chemical Vapour Deposition (LPCVD) (polySi, silicon nitride, TEOS and LTO)
Catalytic Chemical Vapour Deposition (CNT and graphene)
Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (SiC, a-Si, silicon nitride, doped microcrystalline Si)
Electron Beam Evaporation, Sputter Deposition
Etching Processes with Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) and Deep Reactive Ion Etching
Anisotropic Silicon Wet Etching
Optical and Deep-UV Lithography
Nano-Imprint UV-assisted
Electron Beam Lithography
Focused Ion Beam Etching and Lithography
Wafer Bonding (different types)
Wire Bonding (ultrasonic)
High Precision Dicing Saw. 

Structural Characterization:

Transmission Electron Microscopy (Tecnai F20 TEM/STEM, JEOL ARM200F…. Services and activities under contract are possible at IMM Bologna in the fields of Technological Processes, Structural Characterization and Sensors and Electrical Characterization.

Structural characterization by Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM) and X-Rays scattering techniques
Design and Simulation
MEMS - Proof of concept fabrication
Customized MEMS sensors small-sale production
Packaging
Metrology and Electrical characterization
Optical characterization
Sensors and Microsystems Characterization
R&D support

The main facilities available and the related services, have been described above and are listed here: https://www.bo.imm.cnr.it/unit/resource-service.
. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

MediCon Ingegneria srl

Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

MediCon Ingegneria is a Research and Development center active in the field of embedded electronics,hardware and software.

Our aim is to perform research, design and consulting with the best technologies, respecting laws and standards, making use of state-of-the-art methodologies for research and development, risk management, and documentation.

Our main fields of application are: Medical Devices, Hydraulic mobile machinery, Industrial machinery. Since 20 years we have developed hundreds of innovation projects with industry and SMEs in particular, and allowed our customers to place on the market successful and reliable products. We have a strong experience in system safety and functional safety.

Our activity include entire Industrial Research projects, customer R&D support, complete research and design of devices, including industrialized prototyping and certification.

 

Emilia-Romagna High Technology Network

MediCon Ingegneria is part of Emilia-Romagna High… Oscilloscopes:

TEKTRONIX DRT TDS2014
TEKTRONIX THS720A
TEKTRONIX DPO3034
PicoScope 2205
PicoScope 5444B

Waveform generators:

TTI waveform generator TG315
TTI waveform generator TG5011
PicoScope 5444B

Multimeters:

FLUKE Digital multimeter 179
FLUKE Digital multimeter 287

Transducers:

FLUKE Temperature probe 80T
Delta Ohm Temperature Pressure transducer HD2304.0
Delta Ohm Pressure probe TP704-2BAI
Delta Ohm sicram module PP471
LTL Electronic centesimal gauge
Testo Termoigrometer 608-H1
Chauvin Arnoux Current Probe E3N

Debug Probes:

IAR Systems I-jet
Microchip ICD3
Microchip ICD4
Microcip REAL ICE
Segger J-Link
Freescale CodeWarrior USBTAP
Renesas E8a

Protocol Analyzer:

TRIDONIC PC interface for DALI systems 24138923
Kvaser CAN analyzer CG150
Picoscope 2205
PicoScope 5444B

Power Supplies:

RND Power supply 320-KD3005D
LYTRON Power supply NG-2500

Measuring instruments for leakage currents,…. Hardware design of electronic embedded boards and systems

Software design for microcontrollers and embedded microprocessor

Hardware, software and system Verification and Validation

Risk management according to standards applicable to medical devices, machinery and other field of application.

Certification of medical device, machinery, and other devices/directives

Training related to the above mentioned topics

Prototyping, form concept design up to industrial prototype for certification and production reference of electronic boards and entire devices or systems

Production of electronic boards and entire devices or systems, with quality management system
. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

CRAST (Spatial Analysis and Remote Sensing Research Center)

Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The CRAST (Spatial Analysis and Remote Sensing Research Center) is a research center of the Agricultural Sciences Faculty of the  Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), the largest Italian free academic institution. Thanks to half a century of research work, teaching and training activities the Agricultural faculty of Piacenza and Cremona has achieved a reputation of prestige that extends well beyond Italy. In recent years, research has been concentrated on certain particularly important contexts including: genetics and food safety, vegetable and animal products, crop and food protection, milk and dairy production, viticulture and wine production, agri-food economy and environmental protection.

The CRAST center has been involved in several research and operational activities addressing the spatial characterization and distribution of agricultural systems. CRAST carried out research activities in the general application of Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing to the agricultural and… Remote sensing Lab with workstations and main software packages for the analysis of remotely sensed data (PCI Geomatica, ENVI, e-Cognition). Complete equipment for field spectroradiometry (FieldSpecHH and HH2 VIS-NIR spectroradiometers with contact probe, CROPSCAN MSR16 VIS-NIR spectroradiometer) and measure of vegetation biophysical parameters (Licor LAI2000, Decagon AccuPAR LP-80 Ceptometer, Minolta SPAD 502 chlorophyll meter; portable gas-exchange meter ADC LCi and CIRAS 2; Thermal Imaging camera FLIR).

Animal farming activities are also performed by using Ruminometer SCR Heatime® Pro for monitoring of rumination activity, Individual feeding station "Calan Broadbent Feeding System" for dairy cow.

Software SimaPro for LCA in agricultural systems.
. The CRAST centre offers several services to SMEs: 

Remotely sensed images and mapping;
Application of remotely sensed data to in agricultural systems;
Designing and management of variable rate application protocols in annual crops, orchards and vineyards (e.g. fertilization, irrigation and selective harvesting);
Experimental facilities to carry out nutritional/performance trials on livestock (dairy cows, sheep, swine, poultry);
LCA;
Real-time monitoring of food processing.

These services are, amongst others, interesting for SMEs active in sensors (like meteo sensors, soil sensors, canopy sensor, etc.), smart machinery for the agriculture industry, and digital mapping from proximal and remote sensing. 
. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

CertiMaC soc. cons. a r.l.

Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

CertiMaC is an Italian private no-profit Research Centre and Material Innovation Lab boosting the innovation processes of the Building and Construction Industry through Research & Development, Testing and Certification of advanced and innovative materials, products and solutions, particularly on Energy Efficiency, Building Envelope and Durability.

It was founded by ENEA (National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) and CNR (National Research Council) – the two main Italian Research bodies - in order to offer to the building industry a support to innovation and to competitiveness. This is provided by means of an innovatively conceived lab, empowered by know-how, expertise, instruments and infrastructures available at the two founder institutions, but, at the same time, characterized by speed and flexibility typical of private organizations.

CertiMaC is recognised by EU and Italian Ministry as Notified Body n° 2685 according to The Construction Products Regulation … In the field of Quality and Product Certification, CertiMaC provides solutions with high innovation content  for the experimental and numerical characterization of raw materials and development of new ones.

Over 300 different kinds of experimental tests and numerical simulations in thermal environment, humidity, mechanical, physical and chemical are available in the Laboratory.

Several Universal testing machines are operative in order to evaluate mechanical and thermo-mechanical performance of many kind of materials. Compressive, Flexural, Tensile and Shear strength could be evaluated by means of ad hoc clamping and gripping systems and applying specific load cells (up to  5000 kN- 500 tons) and deformation control system able to operate in steady and dynamic load conditions.

Three fully automated climate chambers are available  (humidity and temperature control) for assessing the durability of materials and components subject to different environmental stresses: freeze / thaw, deicing salts, rain…. CertiMaC supports materials manufacturers, designers, builders, real  estate assets managers with solutions and services for energy efficiency, high performance envelope  and durability of materials.

In the field of Energy Efficiency, certification services are aimed at both new buildings and existing assets. Energy audits and customized diagnosis are held through diagnostic methods of experimental, numerical and energy management to rationalize the consumption of primary energy due to the building shell and its subsystems.

A pioneer in Italy in the field of energy efficiency and materials, CertiMaC has a business unit entirely dedicated to energy efficiency: qualification, study and development of materials for high energy performance and optimization of energy consumption both in existing buildings and new ones.

Thanks to its flexible organizations and lean processes, the Laboratory works alongside companies with specialized services in the field of Quality and Product Certification: the…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

Laboratory of Materials Technologies Faenza - ENEA - SSPT-PROMAS-TEMAF)

Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Laboratory of Materials Technologies Faenza (TEMAF) of ENEA conducts R&D and engineering activities, mainly in the field of advanced ceramic materials, for several applications: energy production, energy recovery, transports, aerospace, biomedical, agro-food, construction, chemical and manufacturing industries. The applications-oriented research activities involve:

R&D of structural and functional ceramics (monolithics, composites and coatings) and development of the related production processes up to the manufacturing of prototypes and small series
R&D of biobased materials and biomass valorisation
innovative components engineering and technology transfer of manufacturing processes
thermomechanical characterisation of materials and qualification of components
microstructural and physico-chemical characterisation of ceramics, composites, advanced metals, biomasses and fertilizers

The Laboratory of Material Technologies Faenza provides qualified consultancy and services to enterprises… Research activities and services are carried out using the experimental facilities and plants of the Faenza Research Laboratories. Several experimental tests and scale-up processing are performed, from the development of a specific material to the production of components, prototypes and small series. There are too some plants on a pilot and demonstration scale, in addition to laboratory equipment, that are of primary importance to the technology transfer actions. Moreover, the activities of characterization, engineering and qualification are an integral part of new processes and materials development.

Laboratories

Development of powders, advanced ceramics, nanostructured/functionalised materials and coatings
Development of processes for ceramic components production
Microstructural and physico-chemical characterisation for the development of innovative materials and processes
Thermomechanical characterisation
Characterisation of traditional ceramics

 

Plants

Pilot-sized CVD…. The Laboratory of Material Technologies Faenza provides qualified consultancy and services to enterprises and public administration, offering its specific expertise and its instrumental equipment.

In particular, the provided services include:

thermomechanical characterisation of materials and component qualification
physico-chemical characterisation and microstructural investigations
materials and processes engineering
pre-feasibility study for the new material applications

 

Services are provided on behalf of third parties or through research contracts and agreements.

All services services could range from scale-up level to prototyping and small series production.
. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology

ISTEC Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics

Italy: Emilia-Romagna

Overview

Mission/Objectives of the cluster organisation

The Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics is a multidisciplinary research institute at the National Research Council of Italy, with his headquarter in Faenza (IT). It has a recognized excellent competences in the field of research and development of new advanced ceramic materials for application in aerospace, medicine, energy and environment. ISTEC has expertise in the development of materials with smart and “stimuli-responsive” surfaces and is able to cover all activities ranging from design to prototype realization. ISTEC has many collaborations in Europe, USA and Japan and is involved in international research and training programs, with the coordination of several European projects. Interaction and collaboration with industry are developed and supported by numerous technology transfer projects by creating spin-offs and / or licensing of patents related to new processes and products developed in ISTEC. In this regard, ISTEC has generated 3 spin-offs in the field of bioceramic (Finceramica),… Synthesis and processing of powders

Ball mill, vibrating mill, planetary mill, attrition mill, mixing rollers, ultrasonic milling, spray driers, freeze drier, mixer with 3D motion, rotary evaporator, vibration screening systems, ultrasonic probe dispersion equipment, electric heaters, atomiser .

Forming technologies

Extruder, slip casting, pressure casting, low pressure injection molding, tape caster, linear hydraulic presses, cold isostatic press, extruder dyes.

Sintering technologies

Furnaces in air up to 1800°C, furnaces in vacuum or controlled atmosphere up to 2150°C., hot pressing in vacuum, tubular furnace for thermal treatments up to 1600°C in reducing atmosphere.

Microstructural, physical and chemical characterisation  

Optical and stereo microscopes, scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffractometers (high temperature device), plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), particle size analysers, mercury porosimeter, specific….
  RANGE OF SERVICES

ISTEC offers the following services to external users:

Customised services

namely commissioned or publicly funded research activity in partnership with other research centres.

Terms of service: customer request, agreement on objectives and activity, signing of the contract, periodic billing.
Terms of service: request for offer, offer, order, invoice.

Standard services

the following standard services are quoted in the price list:

instrumental analysis
laboratory test
measurements
use of special equipment
technical consultancies
bibliographical surveys
technical surveys.

Information and promotion services

Organisation of events aimed to promote the research activity of ISTEC.
Terms of service: free events , promoted by the event calendar on ISTEC website.

For further information please get in touch with the contact point.

  SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF THE ACTIVITIES

…. Yes. service.

Sectors
Technology