Insights

Spinverse started managing the Demo2013 project of The Federation of Finnish Technology Industries in August 2011.

The objective of the Demo2013 project is to create an integrated and comprehensive area in Port of Helsinki, Vuosaari Harbour based on fuel cells and to gain insight on usage of fuel cells in energy production. Demo2013 is an umbrella project for several company R&D projects. The aim is to have different fuel cell applications of several companies in simultaneous operation during the latter part of year 2013 and demonstrate a collaborative long term field test of noiseless and emission-free energy applications. Results will be based on user experience and feedback the field tests. Applications include power plant, material handling equipment, backup power, light vehicles and a hydrogen refueling station.

Woikoski is building a hydrogen refueling station in Finland

A critical factor for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is the existence of a hydrogen distribution infrastructure. The Finnish company Woikoski Oy is building the first hydrogen refueling station in Finland at the Arctic Driving Center in Rovaniemi, Finland. A similar station will be used in the Demo2013 project in Vuosaari Harbour, demonstrating simultaneous operation of different fuel cell applications and long term field tests of noiseless and emission-free energy applications.

Co-operation between enterprises and universities requires substantial improvement

A study for Estonian Materials Technology Programme, ordered by the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication, has been completed. The result is, due to the weak cooperation between universities and companies in Estonia, a big gap between university research & development and real business needs.

Canatu, a spin-off from Aalto University (since 2004), is developing cost-effective manufacturing of transparent flexible conductive films based on carbon nanomaterials needed for touch screens, sensors and solar cells. Their R&D project done within the Tekes Functional Materials Programme aims to provide a superior alternative to indium tin oxide (ITO), which is brittle and difficult to process and based on scarce natural resources.

The Annual Seminar of the Tekes Functional Materials Programme arranged by Spinverse in Helsinki on October 20th, 2010 gathered together the Finnish Materials Society. Among several discussion themes, the importance of life-cycle thinking and material and energy efficiency was raised up as a topic connecting the participants of several branches of industry and academia. Including these aspects already as part of the research and development phase is becoming more and more crucial for the competitiveness of the industry.

Spinverse Oy has been selected to conduct a broad feasibility study for an Estonian Materials Technology Programme. Materials technology is identified as one of three strategic key technology areas in Estonia’s research and development and innovations strategy. The study was ordered by the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication.

The chameleon, the symbol of the Tekes Functional Materials Programme, reminds us that nature knows how to effectively make and use functional materials.

International Millennium Youth Camp (MY Camp) was organised first time in Finland in June, 2010. The MY Camp gathered talented 16-19 year-olds to do international science in the Helsinki metropolitan area. Around 1000 youngsters from 62 countries applied to the MY Camp. In the end, 30 youngsters from 14 countries were chosen in the two-phase selection process. The aim of the week was to increase young people's interest in natural sciences and technology. The participants got to know the research and studying opportunities in Helsinki metropolitan area universities, they visited Finnish companies and networked among each other.