AMOLF's Store for Science: a new bridge between science and SMEs
Today, the FOM Institute AMOLF launches its new website www.storeforscience.nl. Through this innovative webshop, AMOLF is making its research facilities and range of expertise available to high-tech companies. With this approach, AMOLF aims to create low-threshold knowledge transfer for SMEs.
Store for Science is more than just a knowledge portal. As its name suggests, Store for Science is based on a retail concept. A representative from a SME can enter keywords and an advanced search engine will provide an overview of relevant publications and research apparatus, along with details of the relevant expertise available among AMOLF's scientists. If desired, the SME can contact the scientists and technicians through the store manager to arrange a breakthrough session or to obtain access to facilities.
The Store for Science is based on an idea by Professor Ad Lagendijk, inspired by the realization that knowledge transfer to SMEs is in need of a boost. "Store for Science represents a new approach to this kind of knowledge transfer," explains Professor Lagendijk. "It is an instrument that enables us to be of service to high-tech entrepreneurs in solving innovation issues." The store has been developed in such a way that other knowledge institutes can also join the initiative by making their knowledge and facilities available.
FOM institute AMOLF is one of the research institutes of the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM), which is part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). AMOLF carries out cutting-edge fundamental research in the field of nanophotonics and the physics of biomolecular systems, two areas with huge potential for technological innovations. AMOLF employs about 130 scientists working in 16 research groups. The institute is located in the Science Park Amsterdam.
More information can be found on www.storeforscience.nl.
Contact
Bart van Leijen (Institute Manager), FOM institute AMOLF, +31 (0)20 754 71 00.