Programmes

Mid-IR science and technology 

Humboldt University, Berlin

29 Feb - 6 March 2016

Preliminary programme:

• Day 1-3: Basic lessons on mid-IR Quantum-Cascade Lasers (HUB), Solid-state Optical Parametrical Oscillators – continuous wave and picosecond (ICFO) in the mornings, group work on preselected problems in the afternoon, invited talks (QUA, EAP) on hot mid-IR QCL/OPO topics and applications.
• Day 4-5: Basic lessons on mid-IR detection and upconversion technology (DTU and FBH) in the mornings, group work on preselected problems in the afternoon, invited talks on mid-IR detection, upconversion topics and their applications.
• Day 6: Field trip to associate partners and university (HUB, FBH, and EAP).
• Day 7: Social network event

The PhD students will learn:

• Basic physics of mid-IR light sources and mid-IR detection from leading European researchers
• Physics of key applications
• Limitations and options in mid-IR instrumentation
• To work on and solve real problems in these areas, both in a group and as individuals

Entrepreneurship in mid-IR technologies

Helsingør, Denmark

15 - 21 August 2016

The course will cover entrepreneurship, linking technological inventions and applications to commercialisation.

Prior to the Summer School, the PhD students will individually prepare a mid-IR case (a 1 page description of a mid-IR invention or application). An example could be “on-line measurements of trichloroethylene (from polluted dry clean sites) and related toxic gases”. Secondly, the students will as a self-study read a 120 page text book on applied entrepreneurship.

• Day 1: At the summer school the student will be introduced to “identification of business opportunities” (DTU). A following exercise will create 3-4 groups working one case each. The groups will throughout the summer school work on a business plan using this selected case. In the evening 2 industrial partners will give invited talks (FOSS and HTAS).
• Day 2-5 will address the different elements of a business plan, including IPR, value-proposition, and market projections (see skills below). The training is organized so that lectures take place in morning (speakers from technical universities, business schools and industry), group work in the afternoon and invited talks in the evening (IRS, NKT, HTAS).  
• Day 6-7 is dedicated to communication and pitching of the business plans under professional supervision. All ESRs will receive individual feed-back from their pitches. A field trip to 2 companies will be included (e.g. NKT and IRS).
• Day 8 will include a pitch of the business plan in front of a board of investors, who will select the best business plan (IRS will be responsible).

The students will learn to:

• Identify business opportunities in industrial challenges 
• Analyze customer value creation
• Understand IPR (Patent, Copyright, Trademark and Trade Secrets)
• Conduct an initial novelty screening and draft a patent application
• Establish cash flow projection and capital requirements
• Work with venture capital investors (IRS and RADI will present their cases/experiences)
• Draft a business plan on a selected mid-IR subjects
• Pitch a business plan for nontechnical business people
• Work with tech trans officers and other IPR professionals
• Communicate complex commercialization projects
• Understanding the ‘grant world’ and learn how to write a grant application for public funding programmes – from both a science and commercial perspective (own and external experts)