Mainz and Kaiserslautern to supply technologies to businesses

Two large-scale research projects in materials science and spintronics have been initiated at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and the University of Kaiserslautern with the objective of promoting rapid transition from university research to industrial application in the Rhineland-Palinate region.

Both projects, STeP and TT-DINEMA, have a financial volume of more than EUR 3.8 million and are receiving support through the "Wachstum durch Innovation" (Growth through Innovation) programme to the tune of some EUR 2.37 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the state agencies for science and commerce.

"The two projects will not only enable us to ensure that our universities remain at the cutting edge in the fields of materials science and spintronics in future, but will also make a very important contribution to helping companies in Rhineland-Palatinate gain quick and easy access to innovation-relevant expertise in these high-tech areas," claimed Minister of Science Doris Ahnen.

The Spintronic Technology Platform will promote the sustained build-up of technical competencies and support regional companies working in the spintronics sector. The platform has been specifically designed to bolster research into and the development of magnetic coating systems.

The aim of the TT-DINEMA ("Technologietransfer-Dienstleistungszentrum für Neue Materialien" or Technology Transfer Service Centre for New Materials) project is to establish an internationally competitive and independent service centre that can provide original new material and is likely to be of particular benefit to small and medium-sized companies, a report said.