Insights

Pekka Koponen, Spinverse CEO, writes about the value of patents. This column was originally published in Kauppalehti on the 3rd of October 2011:

Aurubis Finland Oy (former Luvata Pori Rolled Products) has developed a novel solution for energy efficient buildings. Their Nordic Solar concept now demonstrated in full scale in the Pori swimming hall opened September 24th, 2011 comprises solar thermal collectors embedded directly within the prepatinated copper façade elements. Their development on new absorption coatings made in the Tekes Functional Materials Programme guarantees effective heat transfer, but more widely it shows how target-oriented material R&D combined with understanding of the application needs opens new business opportunities in a short time frame, says Dr. Markku Heino, Spinverse, Coordinator of the Functional Materials Programme.

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.

Spinverse has been selected by the European Commission to contribute to the REACH study on the development of new technologies

Together with Gaia Consulting and Attorneys at law Borenius, Spinverse in conducting a study on REACH contribution to development of emerging technologies. The project started in June 2011 and final results will be published in February 2012.

The right tools to boost R&D for technology-driven companies

European sources can provide very substantial support for company’s investment in R&D. For example, compared to TEKES, the percentages of allocated funding can be larger: 50% for demonstrations, 75% for research activities and 100% for the coordination of projects. On the other hand, the competition in all EU-funding is tougher, and the amount of bureaucracy higher.

Pekka Koponen, Spinverse’s Managing Director, writes about the revival of the Finnish mining industry. This column was originally published in Kauppalehti on 22nd August 2011.

Heat which would otherwise be lost can be saved by converting heat into electricity via Seebeck effect. Thermoelectricity has enjoyed a renewed interest. Novel research includes e.g. new materials and the structuring of matter at nanoscale. The most promising applications of thermoelectricity are found in energy saving and transport applications.

Finnish-Russian Innovation Alliance on Nanotechnology announce new members

Five leading universities and research institutes already have joined Finnish-Russian Innovation Alliance on Nanotechnology, adding cutting edge competence to the Alliance on both sides of the Finnish-Russian border.