Second Network Day of the Cluster Nanotechnology

With its various networks, the Cluster Nanotechnology has become a central point of contact for specialist information on nanotechnology, but also for professional technology transfer. A central focus of the Cluster's work has always been crosslinking all of its stakeholders, as well as the initiation, support and management of specific projects in the field of nanotechnology. Over the last 13 years, the Cluster Nanotechnology has successfully founded and managed cooperation networks on varied topics, thereby bringing together hidden champions and core players from different industries and research areas.

The aim of the Network Day 2024 was to create and deepen connections between these different networks and to extend or establish cooperation activities among the network partners. For the first time, the Network Day was also open to non-network members, who could find out more about the partners, goals, and activities of the different cooperation networks and exchange ideas, projects, and developments directly with the respective experts.

The focus of the first day was on personal networking, introducing and getting to know each other. After an initial comprehensive introduction to the networks NanoCarbon, NanoGeoTherm, NanoAnalytics, nanoInk, and Nanonetz, each network partner briefly introduced themselves and presented their current focus and activities. Finally, all non-network partners also had the opportunity to introduce themselves briefly. In the evening, the newly established personal contacts were further deepened at the joint evening event with a cellar tour, wine tasting, and Bavarian Brotzeit at the Juliusspital in Würzburg. Offering plenty of time and room for personal exchange with all participants, the first day was a great success.

The second day’s focus was on project-related networking, including the presentation of concrete project ideas in short pitches on the topics of Sustainability (including research and development of bio-based Materials, as well as Recycling and Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) concepts) and Digitalisation (including AI, Machine Learning and more). The topics were diverse and ranged from “Recycling and Degradation concepts of Carbon Nanotubes” to “Optimization of Dispersion Processes through Digitalization” and “Machine Learning in geothermal Energy use” as well as “Digitalization and AI in Research and Additive Manufacturing“. Based on the participants’ very positive feedback, we plan to organize a further Network Day next year to ensure sustainable exchange among the expert networks of the Cluster Nanotechnology.