Crossover research and valorisation key points during the Conference on Functional Materials
Hasselt University, KU Leuven and VUB joined forces to organise the Conference on Functional Materials Engineering in Diepenbeek, Belgium. More than 60 PhD and postdoctoral researchers got the chance to attend different masterclasses, keynotes, and present their own research during this four-day event.
Not your traditional academic conference
Conferences are usually linked to one topic or application. This one focussed on four different aspects: organic and perovskite electronics, printed and flexible electronics, durable coatings and the interaction between liquids and solid surfaces. Researchers got the opportunity to learn from experts, but also from each other, and on top from fellow academics who have made the transition to industry.
Valorisation
On the final day of the conference, the focus was on valorisation. A very important, but sometimes forgotten, part of research. How can you translate a study into something that is also interesting socially and/or industrially, how to start a spin-off, and what about intellectual property?
Partners
At the same time, the conference also wanted to involve industrial partners to explore valorisation of academic research into industrial applications. Wim Deferme, professor at the Institute for Materials Research imo-imomec (Hasselt University/imec) is taking the lead, together with David Seveno (KU Leuven), Tom Haufmann (VUB) and Iris De Graeve (VUB), in creating a unique cross-pollination between PhD and postdoctoral researchers, academic experts, tech-transfer colleagues and industry contacts.
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