VTI: The european virtual tribology institute

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 01.0344

Key words (English)

Tribology; adhesion; Friction; lubrication; wear; Scientific Research

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: G7RT-CT-2001-05062

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.3.9 Support for research infrastructures

Short description (English)

See abstract

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Vito, Mol (B)

Abstract (English)

The goal of the project is to bring together European competencies and thereby establish an integrated pool for improved interaction between industry and to foster transfer of technology and exploitation of results to industry. CSEM's role within this network is to act as a competent partner within the network, mainly in micro and nanotribology and micro and nano characterizations of tribological systems.
The first years objectives were concentrated on setting up the VTI up as a complete virtual institute. As a partner in the VTI CSEM took part in assisting members of the steering committee of the on various issues. These issues were related to various objectives :
1) Establishment of a market study questionnaire for identifying focusing points of the VTI
2) Logo for the VTI and preparation of a brochure to explain the objectives and task of the VTI
3) Developing the concept of forming cluster projects for research brokering
4) Development of a partner agreement contract to serve as a platform for existing partners and for new partners
5) Establish a web-presence of the VTI including an interactive system with which people interested in the VTI and its activities could easily contact the relevant party
6) Form a competency matrix of all partners based on discussed parameters

The objective for 2003 is now to concentrate on selling the concept of the VTI to the outside. This will now involve going out to companies with the idea of the VTI and to be represent the VTI at key conferences and trade fairs all over Europe with the intention of generating business for the VTI. This will fulfill the objective of driving the VTI to eventual independency.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 01.0344