First "Open Innovation Cluster" in the Field of Process Engineering Established in Aachen
Over the last two years, a group of ten companies and four RWTH research institutes has been collaborating to establish the “Advanced Metals and Processes” open innovation research cluster (AMAP) in Aachen. The cluster focuses on the manufacture and processing of non-ferrous metals, with a initial emphasis on aluminum-based materials.
The medium term goal of the cluster is to conduct research, development, and educational activities in the areas of metal production and processing and the manufacture of products based on metallic materials. The cluster follows an “evolutionary,” interdisciplinary approach to research, jointly conducted by researchers from both academia and industry at one central location.
The RWTH-based initiators of the project are:
- The Department of Process Metallurgy and Metal Recycling (Prof. Bernd Friedrich)
- The Foundry Institute (Prof. Andreas Bührig-Polaczek)
- The Institute of Metal Forming (Prof. Gerhard Hirt)
- The Department of Physical Metallurgy and Metal Physics (Prof. Günter Gottstein)
Support is also provided by six RWTH departments from the AEC Aluminium Engineering Center. Participants from business and industry are the companies Aleris, Ford, Hydro, Magma, Nemak, Novelis, Simufact, SMS Group, and Trimet.
Earlier this month, the collaboration agreements for the research cluster have been signed.
The initial key research areas have been defined in five projects focusing on the topics of rolls, forging, casting, purity, and recycling. Initially, about thirty researchers from all participating institutions will be working on these projects. AWAP however seeks to recruit new partnering institutions and extend the range of research topics. Also, it is planned to integrate AWAP into the new RWTH Aachen Campus research park.