Promoting research into nanotechnology, networking science and companies more closely, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in their ability to innovate – these are the goals of the North German Initiative Nanotechnology Schleswig-Holstein (NINa SH e.V.). The association celebrated its tenth anniversary on 18.08.2023 with numerous guests from science, business and politics at the “Haus der Wirtschaft” of the Kiel Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).
Robert Semkow of the Kiel Chamber of Industry and Commerce, State Secretary Julia Carstens of the Ministry of Economics of Schleswig-Holstein, Dr. Bernd Roß of the Ministry of Science Schleswig-Holstein and Dr. Hinrich Habeck, Managing Director of the Business Development and Technology Transfer Corporation of Schleswig-Holstein (WTSH) welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of NINa for technology transfer in Schleswig-Holstein and the entire Baltic Sea region. In his talk, Prof. Horst Weller offered a multifaceted overview of the role of nanotechnology in medicine from its beginnings to current breakthroughs in research and future potentials. The former managing director of the Fraunhofer IAP Center for Applied Nanotechnology CAN in Hamburg is considered a pioneer in nanotechnology.
Afterwards, Prof. Franz Faupel and Dr. Rainer Döhl-Oelze, 1st and 2nd chairmen of NINa SH, looked back on the history of the association, which goes back up to 20 years in total. Thus, an initiative initially limited to Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg became a network for nanotechnology and new materials, which now organizes conferences for science and industry throughout the Baltic Sea region and initiates cooperations and spin-offs. “We are proud to make an important contribution to technology transfer and innovation capacity, especially of small and medium-sized enterprises. Thanks to many years of close cooperation with partners, members and supporters, we are firmly established in the field of nanotechnology,” says Faupel, Professor of Multicomponent Materials at Kiel University (CAU) and a founding member of the association.
Dr. Ulrich Wesselmann, managing director at LOGO tape Management GmbH & Co. KG in Harrislee, emphasized the importance of innovation management, especially for medium-sized companies. Rainer Adelung, Professor of Functional Nanomaterials at CAU, spoke about the close links between academic research and industry and emphasized the mutual benefits of this knowledge transfer – including through institutions such as the “Science and Technology Academy”, which arranges sponsorships between students and local companies in close cooperation with NINa.
In addition to past developments, one focus of the evening was on discussions about current technology trends and the association’s vision for the future. At the event, Dr. Christian Ohrt, NINa-SH managing director and moderator, looked back on the successes of the past decade and emphasized, “This evening has shown us that our network is very well equipped to further strengthen technology transfer and innovative capacity in Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic Sea region.”