Zbornik 25. mednarodne multikonference INFORMACIJSKA DRUZBA Zvezek E Proceedings of the 25th International Multiconference INFORMATION SOCIETY Volume E 15. mednarodna konferenca o prenosu tehnologij 15th International Technology Transfer Conference Urednika  Editors: Spela Stres, Robert Blatnik Ljubljana, Slovenija 10.–14. oktober 10–14 October Ljubljana, Slovenia httpis.ijs.si Zbornik 25. mednarodne multikonference INFORMACIJSKA DRUŽBA – IS 2022 Zvezek E Proceedings of the 25th International Multiconference INFORMATION SOCIETY – IS 2022 Volume E 15. mednarodna konferenca o prenosu tehnologij 15th International Technology Transfer Conference Urednika / Editors Špela Stres, Robert Blatnik http://is.ijs.si 10.–14. oktober 2022 / 10–14 October 2022 Ljubljana, Slovenia Uredniki: Špela Stres Center za prenos tehnologij in inovacij Institut »Jožef Stefan«, Ljubljana Robert Blatnik Center za prenos tehnologij in inovacij Institut »Jožef Stefan«, Ljubljana Založnik: Institut »Jožef Stefan«, Ljubljana Priprava zbornika: Mitja Lasič, Vesna Lasič, Lana Zemljak Oblikovanje naslovnice: Vesna Lasič Dostop do e-publikacije: http://library.ijs.si/Stacks/Proceedings/InformationSociety Ljubljana, oktober 2022 Informacijska družba ISSN 2630-371X Kataložni zapis o publikaciji (CIP) pripravili v Narodni in univerzitetni knjižnici v Ljubljani COBISS.SI-ID 128659203 ISBN 978-961-264-252-5 (PDF) PREDGOVOR MULTIKONFERENCI INFORMACIJSKA DRUŽBA 2022 Petindvajseta multikonferenca Informacijska družba je preživela probleme zaradi korone. Zahvala za skoraj normalno delovanje konference gre predvsem tistim predsednikom konferenc, ki so kljub prvi pandemiji modernega sveta pogumno obdržali visok strokovni nivo. Pandemija v letih 2020 do danes skoraj v ničemer ni omejila neverjetne rasti IKTja, informacijske družbe, umetne inteligence in znanosti nasploh, ampak nasprotno – rast znanja, računalništva in umetne inteligence se nadaljuje z že kar običajno nesluteno hitrostjo. Po drugi strani se nadaljuje razpadanje družbenih vrednot ter tragična vojna v Ukrajini, ki lahko pljuskne v Evropo. Se pa zavedanje večine ljudi, da je potrebno podpreti stroko, krepi. Konec koncev je v 2022 v veljavo stopil not raziskovalni zakon, ki bo izboljšal razmere, predvsem leto za letom povečeval sredstva za znanost. Letos smo v multikonferenco povezali enajst odličnih neodvisnih konferenc, med njimi »Legende računalništva«, s katero postavljamo nov mehanizem promocije informacijske družbe. IS 2022 zajema okoli 200 predstavitev, povzetkov in referatov v okviru samostojnih konferenc in delavnic ter 400 obiskovalcev. Prireditev so spremljale okrogle mize in razprave ter posebni dogodki, kot je svečana podelitev nagrad. Izbrani prispevki bodo izšli tudi v posebni številki revije Informatica (http://www.informatica.si/), ki se ponaša s 46-letno tradicijo odlične znanstvene revije. Multikonferenco Informacijska družba 2022 sestavljajo naslednje samostojne konference: • Slovenska konferenca o umetni inteligenci • Izkopavanje znanja in podatkovna skladišča • Demografske in družinske analize • Kognitivna znanost • Kognitonika • Legende računalništva • Vseprisotne zdravstvene storitve in pametni senzorji • Mednarodna konferenca o prenosu tehnologij • Vzgoja in izobraževanje v informacijski družbi • Študentska konferenca o računalniškem raziskovanju • Matcos 2022 Soorganizatorji in podporniki konference so različne raziskovalne institucije in združenja, med njimi ACM Slovenija, SLAIS, DKZ in druga slovenska nacionalna akademija, Inženirska akademija Slovenije (IAS). V imenu organizatorjev konference se zahvaljujemo združenjem in institucijam, še posebej pa udeležencem za njihove dragocene prispevke in priložnost, da z nami delijo svoje izkušnje o informacijski družbi. Zahvaljujemo se tudi recenzentom za njihovo pomoč pri recenziranju. S podelitvijo nagrad, še posebej z nagrado Michie-Turing, se avtonomna stroka s področja opredeli do najbolj izstopajočih dosežkov. Nagrado Michie-Turing za izjemen življenjski prispevek k razvoju in promociji informacijske družbe je prejel prof. dr. Jadran Lenarčič. Priznanje za dosežek leta pripada ekipi NIJZ za portal zVEM. »Informacijsko limono« za najmanj primerno informacijsko potezo je prejela cenzura na socialnih omrežjih, »informacijsko jagodo« kot najboljšo potezo pa nova elektronska osebna izkaznica. Čestitke nagrajencem! Mojca Ciglarič, predsednik programskega odbora Matjaž Gams, predsednik organizacijskega odbora i FOREWORD - INFORMATION SOCIETY 2022 The 25th Information Society Multiconference (http://is.ijs.si) survived the COVID-19 problems. The multiconference survived due to the conference chairs who bravely decided to continue with their conferences despite the first pandemics in the modern era. The COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 till now did not decrease the growth of ICT, information society, artificial intelligence and science overall, quite on the contrary – the progress of computers, knowledge and artificial intelligence continued with the fascinating growth rate. However, the downfall of societal norms and progress seems to slowly but surely continue along with the tragical war in Ukraine. On the other hand, the awareness of the majority, that science and development are the only perspective for prosperous future, substantially grows. In 2020, a new law regulating Slovenian research was accepted promoting increase of funding year by year. The Multiconference is running parallel sessions with 200 presentations of scientific papers at eleven conferences, many round tables, workshops and award ceremonies, and 400 attendees. Among the conferences, “Legends of computing” introduce the “Hall of fame” concept for computer science and informatics. Selected papers will be published in the Informatica journal with its 46-years tradition of excellent research publishing. The Information Society 2022 Multiconference consists of the following conferences: • Slovenian Conference on Artificial Intelligence • Data Mining and Data Warehouses • Cognitive Science • Demographic and family analyses • Cognitonics • Legends of computing • Pervasive health and smart sensing • International technology transfer conference • Education in information society • Student computer science research conference 2022 • Matcos 2022 The multiconference is co-organized and supported by several major research institutions and societies, among them ACM Slovenia, i.e. the Slovenian chapter of the ACM, SLAIS, DKZ and the second national academy, the Slovenian Engineering Academy. In the name of the conference organizers, we thank all the societies and institutions, and particularly all the participants for their valuable contribution and their interest in this event, and the reviewers for their thorough reviews. The award for life-long outstanding contributions is presented in memory of Donald Michie and Alan Turing. The Michie-Turing award was given to Prof. Dr. Jadran Lenarčič for his life-long outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of information society in our country. In addition, the yearly recognition for current achievements was awarded to NIJZ for the zVEM platform. The information lemon goes to the censorship on social networks. The information strawberry as the best information service last year went to the electronic identity card. Congratulations! Mojca Ciglarič, Programme Committee Chair Matjaž Gams, Organizing Committee Chair ii KONFERENČNI ODBORI CONFERENCE COMMITTEES International Programme Committee Organizing Committee Vladimir Bajic, South Africa Matjaž Gams, chair Heiner Benking, Germany Mitja Luštrek Se Woo Cheon, South Korea Lana Zemljak Howie Firth, UK Vesna Koricki Olga Fomichova, Russia Mitja Lasič Vladimir Fomichov, Russia Blaž Mahnič Vesna Hljuz Dobric, Croatia Alfred Inselberg, Israel Jay Liebowitz, USA Huan Liu, Singapore Henz Martin, Germany Marcin Paprzycki, USA Claude Sammut, Australia Jiri Wiedermann, Czech Republic Xindong Wu, USA Yiming Ye, USA Ning Zhong, USA Wray Buntine, Australia Bezalel Gavish, USA Gal A. Kaminka, Israel Mike Bain, Australia Michela Milano, Italy Derong Liu, Chicago, USA Toby Walsh, Australia Sergio Campos-Cordobes, Spain Shabnam Farahmand, Finland Sergio Crovella, Italy Programme Committee Mojca Ciglarič, chair Nikola Guid Andrej Ule Bojan Orel, Marjan Heričko Boštjan Vilfan Franc Solina, Borka Jerman Blažič Džonova Baldomir Zajc Viljan Mahnič, Gorazd Kandus Blaž Zupan Cene Bavec, Urban Kordeš Boris Žemva Tomaž Kalin, Marjan Krisper Leon Žlajpah Jozsef Györkös, Andrej Kuščer Niko Zimic Tadej Bajd Jadran Lenarčič Rok Piltaver Jaroslav Berce Borut Likar Toma Strle Mojca Bernik Janez Malačič Tine Kolenik Marko Bohanec Olga Markič Franci Pivec Ivan Bratko Dunja Mladenič Uroš Rajkovič Andrej Brodnik Franc Novak Borut Batagelj Dušan Caf Vladislav Rajkovič Tomaž Ogrin Saša Divjak Grega Repovš Aleš Ude Tomaž Erjavec Ivan Rozman Bojan Blažica Bogdan Filipič Niko Schlamberger Matjaž Kljun Andrej Gams Stanko Strmčnik Robert Blatnik Matjaž Gams Jurij Šilc Erik Dovgan Mitja Luštrek Jurij Tasič Špela Stres Marko Grobelnik Denis Trček Anton Gradišek iii iv KAZALO / TABLE OF CONTENTS 15. mednarodna konferenca o prenosu tehnologij / 15th International Technology Transfer Conference ...... 1 PREDGOVOR / FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................. 3 PROGRAMSKI ODBORI / PROGRAMME COMMITTEES ..................................................................................... 4 ZAHVALE / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... 8 Technology transfer offices as a facilitator of knowledge triangle integration in the knowledge valorisation era: focus group discourse analysis / Vuka Ivana, Balić Nikola, Havasi Andras, Mifsud Marie ............................... 9 Proof of Concept typology: a method for classification of PoC activities according to a technology cycle timeframe / Eriksonas Linas ............................................................................................................................ 12 The “Incubator of Innovativeness” program driving technical readiness levels of the Cracow University of technology innovations / Kasz Jacek .............................................................................................................. 17 Science meeting the needs of entrepreneurs / Kukowska-Kaszuba Magdalena, Piotrowska-Kirschling Agnieszka, Kołakowski Paweł, Rutkowski Grzegorz ........................................................................................ 21 Commercialization of R&D results created with public funds in the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus / Uspenskiy Alexander, Uspenski Aliaksei, Prybylski Maxim ............................................................................. 25 Selection and evaluation of technologies for the transfer to the industry / Iatchevici Vadim ............................... 29 Subsidizing Knowledge Transfer with Public Funds / Belusky Michal ................................................................. 33 Effective collaboration and IP management / Pal Levin, Blatnik Robert, Stres Špela ......................................... 38 Project support services of a technology transfer office / Lutman Tomaž, Stres Špela ....................................... 40 Challenges of Legal and Regulatory Framework for Blockchain Technology in the EU / Fric Urška, Urbančič Jurij ................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Technology Transfer: Start and Stop of Deep Well Pumping Through GSM System / Maldonado Pedro, Sarabia Silvestre, Costilla Emmanuel, Avelino Roberto ................................................................................................ 50 Advanced 3D sensor system for visual control of geometrically complex products / Florjančič Urška, Žganec Mario, Malnarič Vili, Kurbegović Hidajet, Nikonov Anatolij, Žganec Gros Jerneja, Sevšek Tomaž ................. 53 DODATEK / APPENDIKS .......................................................................................................................................... 57 INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF THE CONFERENCE .......................................................................................... 58 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................................................................... 61 OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME .................................................................................................................... 63 WELCOME ADDRESSES ..................................................................................................................................... 64 KEYNOTE SPEECH: CEA’s experience in effective col aboration with industry .................................................. 67 PITCH COMPETITION: BEST INNOVATION WITH COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL .............................................. 71 Course of the competition................................................................................................................................. 72 Abstracts of the competing teams and their technologies ................................................................................ 75 Innovative equipment of intervention/service watercraft: Mobile Electromagnetic Mooring System and Batychron ............................................................................................................................................... 76 Antiviral surgical masks, gowns and drapes ............................................................................................... 78 MEEVA - Measurable Enhanced Virtual Reality platform for teens with Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders ................................................................................................................................................ 80 From polyurethane waste to high value added raw materials ..................................................................... 82 Water soluble cannabinoids with increased stability ................................................................................... 84 Rational y designed lutein esters: “The onset of improved and sustainable eye health remedy” ............... 86 Award announcement Best innovation with commercial potential ................................................................... 87 Award announcement: WIPO IP Enterprise Trophy ......................................................................................... 88 Opportunities arising from publicly funded research projects / presentations of successful scientific projects ..................................................................................................................................................................... 89 Award announcement: WIPO Medal for Inventors ........................................................................................... 90 Connecting education system with academia: Presentations of selected research topics from the Jožef Stefan Institute and proposals for cooperation ....................................................................................................... 91 Paper presentations: research papers on technology transfer and intellectual property ................................. 93 The Conference closing .................................................................................................................................... 95 CONFERENCE CEREMONY........................................................................................................................... 97 Overview of the Conference Ceremony ...................................................................................................... 98 Indeks avtorjev / Author index .............................................................................................................................. 101 v vi Zbornik 25. mednarodne multikonference INFORMACIJSKA DRUŽBA – IS 2022 Zvezek E Proceedings of the 25th International Multiconference INFORMATION SOCIETY – IS 2022 Volume E 15. mednarodna konferenca o prenosu tehnologij 15th International Technology Transfer Conference Urednika / Editors Špela Stres, Robert Blatnik http://is.ijs.si 10.–14. oktober 2022 / 10–14 October 2022 Ljubljana, Slovenia 1 2 PREDGOVOR / FOREWORD Spoštovani generalni direktor direktorata za znanost dr. Tomaž Boh, spoštovani direktor Instituta »Jožef Stefan«, prof. Boštjan Zalar, spoštovani udeleženci, lepo pozdravljeni in dobrodošli na 15. Mednarodni konferenci za prenos tehnologij. Today we are gathered technology transfer experts, researchers, students and post-graduate students with entrepreneurial ambitions, established and future entrepreneurs, investment managers, innovators and also representatives from governmental institutions and policymaking organizations. Najlepše se zahvaljujemo soorganizatorjem ter drugim partnerjem, ki so podprli konferenco. Začetni del konference s pozdravnimi nagovori bo v slovenščini, nadaljevali pa bomo v angleščini. Part of the participants is here in the hall at the Jožef Stefan Institute, the other part is with us on Zoom. The event, except the pitch section, is being recorded. Its parts will be made public in the next days. The welcome addresses will be held in Slovenian, later sections will be in English. Po pozdravnih nagovorih bo spoštovani gost Michele Neu predstavil kako sodeluje s podjetji The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. Sledilo bo tekmovanje raziskovalno-podjetniških ekip, ki se potegujejo za naziv najboljše inovacije iz javnih raziskovanih organizacij, nato bo razglasitev nagrade Svetovne organizacije za intelektualno lastnino WIPO IP Enterprise Trophy. Sledili bodo predstavitve odličnih projektov slovenskih znanstvenikov, razglasitev WIPO nagrade Medal for Inventors ter raziskovalni prispevki o prenosu tehnologij in intelektualni lastnini. Vzporedno bo izvedena še sekcija o povezovanju Instituta s šolstvom. Program je, kot vidite, res bogat, saj se dotika množice aktivnosti, pri katerih smo v pisarnah za prenos tehnologij osrednjega pomena. Organizacijski odbor 15.ITTC / Organizing Committee of the 15.ITTC 3 ORGANIZACIJSKI ODBOR, PARTNERJI IN SPONZORJI / ORGANIZING COMMITTE, PARTNERS AND FINANCERS The main organizer of the 15 ITTC Conference is Jožef Stefan Institute. The organizing committee: Dr. Špela Stres, MBA, LLM, Jožef Stefan Institute Robert Blatnik, M. Sc., Jožef Stefan Institute Marjeta Trobec, M. Sc., Jožef Stefan institute Urška Mrgole, Jožef Stefan Institute The scientiffic programme committee: Scientific papers on technology transfer and intellectual property Niko Schlamberger, President of Slovenian Society INFORMATIKA Doc. Dr. Tamara Besednjak Valič, Faculty of Information Studies in Novo Mesto Prof. Alexandru Marin, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest Co-financing The event is organized and co-financed in the frame of the Enterprise Europe Network (GA project number 101052776). 4 Collaboration The 15th ITTC Conference is organized in collaboration with the International multiconference Information Society (IS2022). Partners THE 15th ITTC CO-ORGANIZERS Slovenian Research Agency - ARRS Slovenian Intellectual Property Office Lithuanian Innovation Centre Camera di Commercio Industria Artigianato e Agricoltura di Torino 5 THE PROGRAMME PARTNER Slovenian Association of Technology Transfer Professionals THE ASSOCIATED PARTNERS Faculty of Information studies National Institute of Biology University of Ljubljana National Institute of Chemistry THE PROMOTION PARTNERS Center odličnosti za integrirane pristope v kemiji in biologiji proteinov 6 Razvojni center Novo mesto RRA Koroška – Regionalna razvojna Agencija za Koroško Inkubator Sežana ZRS Bistra Ptuj SIS EGIZ Namaste – Centre of Excellence 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The editors and organizing committee of the Conference would like to express cordial thanks to all who helped make the 15th International Technology Transfer Conference a success. We would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions to the members of the SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME COMMITTEE: • Niko Schlamberger, President of Slovenian Society INFORMATIKA • Doc. Dr. Tamara Besednjak Valič, Faculty of Information Studies in Novo Mesto • Prof. Alexandru Marin, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest for their contribution to the scientific programme and review of the scientific contributions and selection for publication in this Conference proceedings. Our special thanks go to the EVALUATION COMMISSION MEMBERS: • Alexandre Massart, co-founder and director, Blend Ventures, • Jurij Giacomelli, Investment Manager, META Ingenium, • Michel Neu, International Technology Transfer Expert, CEA Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, • Nina Urbanič, Adviser for equity investment monitoring and reporting, Slovene Enterprise Fund, • Vladimir Jančič, CEO, Publikum Korpfin, for their evaluation of written technology commercialization proposals and selection of winning teams, authors of inventive technologies with the best potential for commercialization of the technologies, developed at Public Research Organizations. We are particularly grateful to the members of the WIPO EVALUATION COMMISSION: • Alojz Barlič, Slovenian Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) • Nina Urbanič, Slovene Enterprise Fund • Christoph Kempf, IPEK – Institut für Produktentwicklung, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), for their evaluation and selection of the awardees of the WIPO IP ENTERPRISE TROPHY and WIPO MEDAL FOR INVENTORS. Special thanks go also to Slovenian intellectual property office for their help with the organisation, communication with WIPO and presence at the Award ceremony. We thank also to ARRS for their presence at the Award ceremony and WIPO for their video for the Award ceremony. 8 Technology transfer offices as a facilitator of knowledge triangle integration in the knowledge valorisation era: focus group discourse analysis * Ivana Vuka† Nikola Balić Andras Havasi Marie Mifsud Leandra Vranješ Department of Department of Corporate Corporate Markić Science and Science and Research and Research and Department of Innovation, Innovation, Knowledge Knowledge Physics Technology Technology Transfer Transfer University of Transfer Office Transfer Office University of University of Split Faculty of University of University of Malta Malta Natural Sciences Split Split Msida, Malta Msida, Malta Split, Croatia Split, Croatia Split, Croatia andras.havasi@u marie.mifsud@ leandra@pmfst. ivana.vuka@uni nikola.balic@un m.edu.mt um.edu.mt hr st.hr ist.hr ABSTRACT / POVZETEK stimulate its integration. Furthermore, TTOs are in the best position when it comes to the new European commission Knowledge triangle integration, together with knowledge knowledge valorisation policy aiming to transform the excellent valorisation era, positions technology transfer offices (TTOs) as research results and data produced in Europe into sustainable a central point in transforming research results into the products products and solutions for the benefit of society and economy. and solutions for the benefit of economy and society. The present TTOs, as intermediary organizations, are in a position of creating study was qualitative focus group analysis to explore issues and a channel for knowledge valorisation by improving the obstacles in communication, how they network and keep conditions for knowledge and technology transfer and serving as relationships with different stakeholders. Analysis showed that the first contact point for industry and researchers in the the majority of TTOs faced similar problems when it comes to commercialization process. Through the networking, mentoring, the communication and networking such as lack of resources and low interest or skipping TTOs in the innovation lifecycle. coaching and best practices exchange TTOs can also boost Showcasing success stories and storytelling are suggested as best research innovation potential [3]. tools to attract new beneficiaries in the knowledge triangle while Information flow and good communication are one of the key cultural change and top-down approach are key to gaining more enabling factors for building sustainable and long-term impact and success. cooperation and achieving social and economic benefits of knowledge triangle integration [2]. However, successful and KEYWORDS / KLJUČNE BESEDE effective communication largely depends on mechanisms of Technology transfer office, knowledge triangle, knowledge information, promotion and dissemination in addition to the valorization, focus group commercialization activities and setting ground for new collaborations [4]. Traditional activities to foster collaboration between universities and businesses are usually focused on 1 INTRODUCTION networking and matchmaking events. Recently, an ecosystem The knowledge triangle involves different stakeholders with approach including co-creation and open innovation platforms various interests trying to cover three main missions of higher was introduced, to achieve more concrete outputs [5]. However, education institutions: education, research and innovation. TTOs face the challenge of having to communicate with various Knowledge triangle as a concept also tackles different audiences, which includes businesses, other research interconnections and relations within the knowledge triangle [1]. organizations, governmental bodies, external partners, NGOs Finding synergies and creating new opportunities is of immense and other decision makers that require distinct key messages and importance for the successful knowledge triangle integration [2]. a different approach. TTOs should be the main contact point and Technology transfer offices (TTOs) are in the center of the the facilitators of these partnerships, however, this is not yet as knowledge triangle and therefore are in the best position to relevant to the external partners. The contribution of a TTO is crucial and brings value [3]. ∗Article Title Footnote needs to be captured as Title Note † The aim of the present study was to better explore different Author Footnote to be captured as Author Note aspects and situations of TTO functioning, how they network and Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or how they form and keep relationships with different stakeholders. classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full Furthermore, the aim of the study was to detect main obstacles citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must and opportunities for better communication within the be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). knowledge triangle. Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). 9 2 METHODOLOGY TTOs (1-2 employees), or very big with more than 15 employees (Table 1). The present study was qualitative focus groups discourse analysis and was done as a part of the EIT funded project called Table 1: Baseline characteristics of included participants CHIC - Creating holistic innovation capacity. Specifically, focus groups were part of the E3 initiative intending to explore issues and obstacles in communication within the knowledge triangle and empowering participating TTOs with the right communication strategies, tools, content and plan that could enhance their outreach. The three Es stand for three essential values: ENGAGE – networking and matchmaking people within the knowledge triangle by equipping TTOs with communication strategies that will; ENABLE – to raise their outreach and strength ties with stakeholders by giving them the right information and the necessary knowledge and actively participating in the knowledge triangle to EVOLVE – by facilitating interactions within the ecosystem and achieving higher engagement. The E3 initiative represents a set of activities and best practices with the main aim of driving the change for a more creative, constructive, collaborative and competitive innovation ecosystem. Focus groups were held during the international ASTP conference in Lisbon, from 18th till 20th of May 2022. Participants were recruited through a convenient sampling, after submission of an online registration form published on the Text analysis was done separately for each of the discussed official ASTP webpage. Prior to the focus group discussion, topics. Regarding the networking and KTT system participants participants were introduced to the CHIC project and the E3 stressed out the importance of organization of different events initiative and were asked to anonymously answer several serving as an opportunity to include different stakeholder groups. baseline questions using Mentimeter.com online tool. Furthermore, showcasing the success stories and storytelling was Participants were randomly distributed in 4 groups with an mentioned a number of times (Table 2). even number of participants discussing one of the following For the TTO added value services the majority of participants, topics: i) Networking and KTT ecosystem, ii) TT added value no matter how big or small TTO provides networking and activities, iii) Communication activities, iiii) Stakeholders matchmaking activities, access to finance and having teaching relationship. Each group participated in two discussions on activities on different topics, mostly innovation and different topics, to have the overall better input for each entrepreneurship, following managing of innovation funds and discussed topic. Each topic had one moderator, experienced in organizing specialized events such as hackathons (Table 2). the tech transfer field and one volunteer reporter taking notes When it comes to the communication activities participants during the discussion. Discussions lasted about 30 minutes after were very active in terms of defining main barriers in effective which the moderator changed the table and started the same set communication and suggesting the best tools to overcome those of questions with another group. barriers. Lack of resources in terms of time and people and Discussions were audio recorded and all participants were skipping the TTOs completely in the innovation ecosystem were asked to sign informed consent including recording the suggested as common barriers. Direct one on one communication, discussions. Efforts were made to elicit responses from all storytelling and having a system of awards or recognized participants. Recordings were transcribed for coding and all individuals at the university can help in communicating TTO participant information were anonymized to protect values (Table 2). confidentiality. Text analysis was done using Atlas.ti Web For the stakeholder relationship participants came up with the (version 4.0.0-2022-07-26) [6] while results were reported using conclusion that TTOs usually have very little impact on the COREQ 32-items checklist for qualitative studies [7]. policy making and funding mechanisms unless there are joint efforts on the i.e country level. Majority of the smaller TTOs are 3 RESULTS driven bottom-up while top-down approach is needed for cultural change and success (Table 2). Overall 40 participants were included in the focus groups, 27 female and 13 males, while each group had from 9 to 12 participants. Participants were from all over the world, mostly Europe, but also USA and South Africa (Table 1). Majority of participants, approximately 30% were from TTOs having between 6-10 employees, 22,5% were form TTOs having either from 3-5 or 11-15 employees, while rest were from very small 10 Table 2: Summary of topics with examples ACKNOWLEDGMENTS / ZAHVALA Authors would like to thank Petra Karanikić for helping in moderating focus group and Sara Lucija Dragičević and Tea Barbir for helping with transcripts. The research was funded under the EIT HEI Innovate initiative project CHIC-Creating Holistic Innovation Capacity. REFERENCES [1] Lassnigg, L. et al. (2017) Higher Education Institutions and Knowledge Triangle: Improving the interaction between education, research and innovation. Institut für Höhere Studien - Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) (IHS Sociological Series, 118). [2] Meerman, A. and Kliewe, T. (2014) UIIN Good Practice Series 2014: Fostering university-industry relationships, entrepreneurial univeristies and collaborative innovation. [3] European Commission (2020) Research & innovation valorisation channels and tools: boosting the transformation of knowledge into new sustainable solutions. Available at: https://op.europa.eu/publication/manifestation_identifier/PUB_ KI0120038ENN (Accessed: 29 July 2022). [4] Smol, M. and Kulczycka, J. (2019) ‘Towards innovations development in the European raw material sector by evolution of the knowledge triangle’, Resources Policy, 62, pp. 453–462. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2019.04.006. [5] Katzy, B. et al. (2013) ‘Innovation intermediaries: a process view on open innovation coordination’, Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 25(3), pp. 295–309. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2013.764982. [6] ‘ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development GmbH’ (2022). Available at: retrieved from https://atlasti.com 4 CONCLUSION (Accessed: 29 July 2022). TTOs can serve as valuable intermediaries in the knowledge [7] Tong, A., Sainsbury, P. and Craig, J. (2007) ‘Consolidated valorisation era and can be a first contact in establishing criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item networks and creating ecosystems. Showcasing success stories checklist for interviews and focus groups’, International Journal and storytelling are suggested as best tools to attract new for Quality in Health Care, 19(6), pp. 349–357. Available at: beneficiaries in the knowledge triangle. However, cultural https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzm042. change and a top-down approach are crucial for the healthy ecosystem and success that will be to the benefit of the entire society. 11 Proof of Concept typology: a method for classification of PoC activities according to a technology cycle timeframe FirstName Surname Linas Eriksonas FirstName Surname Department Name Technology and Innovation Department Name Institution/University Name Office Institution/University Name City State Country Center for Physical Sciences and City State Country email@email.com Technology (FTMC) email@email.com Vilnius, Lithuania linas.eriksonas@ftmc.lt ABSTRACT metaphorical expression) “Valley of Death”, which designates an initial stage in the technology life cycle where a gap between the The paper presents the results of an experimental study aimed at development of new scientific knowledge and the commercial creating a typology for the Proof of Concept (PoC) activities that development of new products can become fatal to new ideas [5]. could be more domain-specific and help practitioners to develop more effective PoC schemes. The typology has been developed 1.1 Study aims and research objectives by using real cases from the sample of the European Research Council (ERC) funded PoC projects. The automated subject The presented study has aimed to analyse one of the funding indexing helped to generate keywords that were matched with instruments that public funding institutions and, increasingly, technology descriptors from the Gartner Hype Cycles for also research and technology organizations plan, design, and Emerging Technologies to identify the timeframes for the employ to help scientific research-based inventions overcome funding gap according to a Hype Cycle. Accordingly, the PoC the funding gap and move closer to market. The funding scheme activities have been categorized into Pathbreaking PoCs, Mature in question is called the PoC programme or instrument, which PoCs and Catching-Up PoCs. The main characteristics have been provides on a competitive basis a certain fixed amount of money identified, and further steps for the typology validation presented. in the form of a grant, a subsidy, or an investment for the projects that need funds to validate and commercialize new technology. KEYWORDS The amounts can vary from ca. 20 to 60 thousand euros for initial PoC grants to more than 100 thousand for more advanced ones. Technology, innovations, finance, technological development, transfer of technology, typologies, research and development. Two research objectives have been established for this study. First, to create a method that could help categorize the PoC activities according to the logic of the technological life cycles. 1 INTRODUCTION Second, to test the approach on selected cases of the ERC PoC The quickening pace of technology developments has created an projects using publicly available data and create a typology of additional impetus to make the knowledge generation and PoCs providing the basic descriptors for individual PoC types. commercialization processes that lead to the creation of innovations faster, more agile and aligned with technological cycles. McKinsey predicts that more technological progress will 2 METHODOLOGY AND DATA come in the decade ahead than in a century [1], hence the urgency for assessing funding for upcoming technologies ahead of time. 2.1 Research design Any analysis of the PoC projects has a priori limitations due to It is a broad consensus among academics and practitioners [2,3,4] the confidentiality of the source material (let alone its availability that the main hurdle for increasing the generation and transfer of on a scale to allow a representative sample) and the complexity scientific knowledge resulting in intellectual property with a of the scientific, most often interdisciplinary, fields addressed. potentially high value to be realized in the emerging and existing Hence, the approach adopted for this pilot study on the typology markets is a funding gap. A gap stands between the need for of the PoCs has been based on using the following mechanistic funding to validate inventions on one side and the lack of market causal inference. If one can assume that the PoC activities can be demand for high-risk undertakings on the other. Both popular related to a specific technology life cycle timeframe, then one and academic literature often associate this gap with the term (a could categorize PoCs against the time expectancy of that cycle. Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or Three subsequent tasks have been formulated to meet these classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed objectives. The first task was to explore, using the existing for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full literature, the relationship between time and expectations that citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). define a funding gap and find a way of measuring a timeframe Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia for the current or perceived gap. The second task was to analyse © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). the actual cases of the ERC PoC projects (using the publicly available limited information about the project duration and 12 scope) and categorize them according to different timeframes of These and other academic contributions helped to map out the the expected funding gaps in each case. The third task was to rationale behind the PoC schemes and their current uses by describe the categories and discuss avenues for further research institutions from the perspective of a generic approach to the in validating the proposed typology and its uses for practitioners. R&D life cycle and innovation. The research completed to date helped to assess individual PoC instruments according to the 2.2 Data sets scope and size of funding, yet did not attempt to categorize PoCs. Three datasets have been compiled to complete the tasks. Below is a brief description of each. Due to the space limitation for this The academic interest in PoC schemes has mirrored the paper, the data has not been included in an appendix. They could institutionalization of this public funding instrument, which has be provided upon request or shared through a public repository. also been adopted by leading RTOs and universities. France has been the first to introduce PoC funding in its “Investing in the Dataset 1 in an Excel file contains details about 1225 PoC Future Programme” (2009-2011). The idea has been picked up projects covering the period from 2014 to 2023 [6]. The by other EU Member States (e.g., EXIST programme in following variables in the dataset have been used for analysis: Germany) before being adopted EU-wide. Since 2011 the project title, a project abstract, fields of science, and project start European Research Council has been running a PoC scheme as a and end dates. Dataset 2 in an Excel file contains the information top-up funding opportunity for the ERC grantees aiming to bring about the upcoming technology areas taken from the Gartner their research results closer to market. From 2011 until June 2022 Hype Cycles for Emerging Technologies for the period from ERC funded 1469 PoCs (the success rate stood at almost 30%). 2011 to 2022 (altogether 425 entries, of which 134 are unique ones); all accessed through Google search. The following At the same time, the research and technology organizations variables in this dataset have been used for analysis: technology (RTO), both public and private, have started experimenting with descriptor, year of appearance on a Gartner hype cycle, the different approaches to foster academic entrepreneurship and minimum and the maximum years remaining to reach “the commercialization by adopting a mixture of traditional product Plateau” (to be referred to as a market maturity) on a hype curve. development methods such as stage-gate processes and agile processes taken from lean management and startup development. Dataset 3 is a subset of Dataset 1 in an Excel file containing CEA, TNO, SINTEF, Tecnalia and other major RTOs have set information about 10 PoCs projects covering the period from up internal PoC schemes to provide extra funding and additional 2016 to 2022. The cases for analysis were selected from the first support (including mentorship and guidance with industry 300 search results filtered down by the scientific fields of expertise) to the selected teams of their researchers with credible “engineering and technology/electrical engineering, electronic ambition to create a viable commercial product or a spin-off [12]. engineering, information engineering/electronic engineering”. The following variables in the dataset have been used further: project title, URL (a reference to the project description on the 4 ANALYSIS Cordis website), five most relevant keywords generated from the 4.1 Timeframes in the technology life cycles abstract using a web-based automated subject indexing service Finto AI (see below), project start date, the matching emerging The literature shows that a funding gap for PoC activities can be technology descriptor, the earliest and the latest year for reaching expressed and measured in terms of technology or investment a market maturity (the latter two taken from Database 2). readiness levels, time-to-market, person-months, and other performance indicators [7, 8]. However, for simplicity, this study uses a single indicator: a PoC timeframe. A PoC timeframe is a 3 CURRENT STATE OF RESEARCH AND period from the start of the PoC activity until the market maturity DESIGN OF PoCs of the relevant emerging technology field. A mature market is considered a stage where the growth rate slows to almost zero. The existing PoC schemes, their design and their basic characterisation, have been recently quite extensively analysed According to the generally accepted definition, a funding gap is [7-11]. Bataglia et al. (2021a) analysed the operationalisation of the amount of money needed to fund the ongoing operations or PoC instruments in a selected higher education institution and future development of a business or project that is not currently looked at different enablers that contribute to implementing funded with cash, equity, or debt [13]. Funding gaps can be PoCs. Further, Bataglia et al. (2021b) compared different PoCs covered by investment from venture capital or angel investors, and analysed the determinants influencing commercialisation equity sales, debt offerings, bank loans, and public funding outputs in these cases. Munari and Toschi (2021) compared the programmes. Public and private investments attracted to address valorisation outcomes of those obtained with a PoC grant to a a particular funding gap are driven by various factors, of which group of projects that applied to the PoC scheme but were not the expectations about the potential of realising a substantial funded. The authors confirmed that the instrument was effective value out of the results of the R&D activities are of prime in the early valorisation of scientific discoveries. Munari and importance. Hence, one can argue that a funding gap is a function Wessner (2017) conducted an in-depth analysis of the ERC PoC of the perceived and experienced trajectory of the technological programme to understand better how well the PoC scheme cycle associated with technological breakthroughs and markets. contributes to maximising the value of ERC-funded research by facilitating its commercial and social potential development. 13 A hype cycle model introduced by Gartner Inc. in 1995 has online tool, and the obtained five most relevant keywords were become a standard approach to outline how the development of added to the project entry in Dataset 3. Then the keywords were technologies is perceived [14, 15]. It plots a generally applicable searched in Dataset 2 containing the Gartner Hype Cycle path a technology takes in terms of expectations or visibility of emerging technologies. The descriptor of the corresponding the value of the technology (y-axis) as related to time (x-axis). technology was included in Dataset 3 to identify the match. The The model incorporated two distinct equations/curves adopted keywords have been manually cross-checked with the emerging from behavioural psychology and technology management technology descriptors in Dataset 2, searching for matches. The studies, that is a hype curve shape for human expectations about matches have been identified if the wording was synonymous or any new technology and a classical technology diffusion S-curve related. The EuroSciVoc taxonomy has been consulted, where showing the proliferation of the technology on the market [16]. there was an additional need to clarify individual keywords. Most recently, a new approach based on the insights from The PoCs have been categorized according to the following neuroscience has been taken into consideration when analysing procedure. First, the start dates of the analysed PoC projects have the Gartner Hype Cycle [17]. The latest research has focused on been correlated with the remaining years of the corresponding exploring expectation dynamics in early-stage innovations to matching emerging technologies using the latest reported data explain the hype cycle phenomenon that precedes innovation from the annual Gartner Hype Cycles of Emerging Technologies. adoption. Different types of expectations (emotional and logical) The PoCs have been classified according to the following and speed of acceptance or abandonment of new technology have principle. If the start of the year of the PoC activity was behind been observed as being dependent upon time [17]. The faster the the estimated year for reaching the market maturity of the time-to-market, the more emotional and rapid the acceptance of corresponding emerging technology, then the PoC was assigned technology, which creates logical expectations and drives the to the category of “Catching Up PoC” (Type 3). If the start of the hype cycle of emerging technology. Hence, the duration of any PoC activity was ahead of the emerging technology reaching technology validation is hype cycle time and domain-dependent. market maturity by the earliest estimated date, then the PoC activity was assigned to the category of “Mature PoC” (Type 2). Any technology development is always a design process. The If the start of the PoC activity was ahead of the emerging philosophers of science agree that new technology becomes technology reaching market maturity by the latest estimated date accepted through five types of experiments, efforts aimed at by more than ten years, then the PoC activity was assigned to the empirically demonstrating the proper development and working category of “Pathbreaking PoC” (Type 1). of technology, including feasibility experiments, trial experiments, field experiments, comparative experiments, and Finally, to validate the approach, each categorized PoC activity controlled experiments [18]. The results of individual from Dataset 3 has been additionally researched using publicly experimentations thus lead to obtaining proof of concept, available sources, trying to find details about the follow-up understood as an artifact that acts in this role to demonstrate the activities confirming one of the patterns associated with these technology at a required level of complexity. The PoC activities categories. Namely, in the cases of Pathbreaking PoCs, include verification tasks and actions (evaluation of risk numerous scientific activities had to be observed, which are assessment, product and process capabilities, compliance with associated with the early stages of technology development. In requirements, proof of concept through analysis, modelling and the cases of Mature PoCs, more applied research activities could simulation, demonstrations and tests) and validation methods be expected, while in the case of Catching-up PoCs, the follow- (prototyping, demonstration, market tests, field trials) [19]. up in terms of research activities expected to be relatively minimal. Thus, a typology of PoC has been created consisting of 4.2 Subject indexing and categorization of PoCs three categories. Table 2 summarizes their main characteristics. The categorization of PoCs is an open-ended and ad hoc process. It relies on applicants' self-reporting and keyword assignment by Table 1: A preliminary typology of PoCs funding agencies' staff and expert bodies. The interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial nature of the PoC projects creates difficulties PoC Type in categorizing the PoCs due to their multidisciplinary, cross- Hype Cycle stage Time to market sectorial and both scientific research and market-oriented nature. maturity Type 1: Innovation/Technology Trigger 7-13 years Thus, for this study, the use of an automated AI-driven subject Pathbreaking Peak of Inflated Expectations indexing tool has been sought. The used system (Finto AI) is Type 2: Peak of Inflated Expectations 2-8 years based on the open-source AI-driven tool Annif for indexing and Mature Trough of Disillusionment classification developed by a national library consortium to Type 3: Trough of Disillusionment 0-4 years categorise text in several languages, including English [20]. The Catching Up Plateau of Productivity tool uses text classification algorithms and a neural network model based on TensorFlow trained on the General Finnish Ontology (linked to the US Library of Congress Classification). The subject indexing was done as follows. The text of each full abstract of the project in Dataset 3 was entered into Finto AI 14 Table 2: Main details of the analysed PoCs of a representative sample of PoCs. However, one can only achieve that on a limited scope due to confidentiality limitations. PoC No. Keywords generated by Gartner PoC Finto AI descriptor Type ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 196345 EEG, brain, signal Brain- Type The knowledge of the subject area would not be possible without processing, diagnostics, computer 1 the opportunity I had to participate in the ERC PoC evaluations measurement interface and meetings to understand better the design of this funding 200027 mobile communication Machine-to- Type instrument. 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DOI: 10.4403/jlis.it-12740. 16 The ''Incubator of Innovativeness '' program driving technical readiness levels of the Cracow University of Technology Innovations Jacek Kasz† Center for Technology Transfer Cracow University of Technology, Kraków, Poland jacek.kasz@pk.edu.pl ABSTRACT implementation. This is well known from the literature [1] and the tech transfer practice in various TTO environments. This paper presents the implementation of the Polish The road from idea to innovation leads through Proof-of- governmental “Incubator of innovativeness” program at the Concept, which is TRL level 3. Cracow University of Technology. It deals with the methodology As commonly defined by EU institutions [2] Proof-of-Concept of projects’ selection, management of Proof-of-Concept research, (PoC) is “1. the realization of a method or idea in order to intellectual property protection, and commercialization process. demonstrate its feasibility, or to verify that a concept or theory It presents the barriers and challenges encountered in the process has practical potential; 2. evidence, typically deriving from an and recommends the improvements for the next editions of the experiment or pilot project, which demonstrates that a design program. concept, business proposal, etc. is feasible; 3. a small exercise to KEYWORDS test a design idea or assumption. A desirable effect of PoC research is transition from prototype to innovation, technology, transfer, TRL, technical readiness level, a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) on the way to a fully blown Proof-of-Concept, research funding commercial product. 1 BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE 2 InIn PROGRAM OF THE POLISH One of the objectives of the Center for Technology Transfer MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND (CTT) of the Cracow University of Technology (CUT) in SCIENCE Kraków, Poland, is maximizing impact of scientific research Ministry of Education and Science in Poland has addressed through its successful commercialization. The capability of this issue by creating and maintaining the program called technology to be practically implemented is highly dependent on “Incubator of Innovativeness” (InIn), which started in 2014 and its development stage and is measured by the TRL level is currently continued in the 4th edition. (Technical Readiness Level). The objective of the program is to support entities active in the The critical advancement on the way of solution development is field of commercialization of the results of scientific research and moving from the basic technology readiness level TRL 1-2 (basic R&D, in initiating cooperation of academia with the business principles observed, technology concept formulated) to a higher environment and application in the specific market solutions. level, preferably 5-6 (technology validated and demonstrated in The "Incubator of Innovation 4.0" program initiated in 2020 relevant environment). While the former is typically financed by provides support to “Innovation Incubators”, i.e., universities universities and governmental scientific and R&D funds, the and their special purpose vehicles (SPVs) – wholly owned latter is just the beginning of VC and industry interest in university companies - or consortia established by universities, technology. This gap in funding of technology development is SPVs, scientific institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, often referred to as a “death valley”, since public institutions’ research institutes or international scientific institutions. The funding focuses on scientific results, while business investment support is provided for the following activities: is justifiable only in case of technologies ripe for • conducting pre-implementation (PoC) research, including additional laboratory tests or adapting the † invention to the needs of the interested buyer, the cost Dr. Jacek Kasz is Director of the Center for Technology Transfer of the Cracow University of Technology in Kraków, Poland. of which may not exceed PLN 100 k; • the analysis of the market potential of inventions and Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed the analysis of their readiness for implementation, as for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full well as the valuation of intellectual property rights citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must (IPR management); be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia • identifying entities interested in implementing the © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). research results and development works; 17 • technology portfolio management. commercialization work before the deadline. CTT has been working closely with the Patent Attorneys Office at CUT to In 2014 Center for Technology Transfer of CUT created a assure timely and effective IP protection. Potential international consortium with the SPV of CUT Intech PK (Intech) and patent extensions (PCT and protection in particular countries) since then has successfully applied for the governmental will be considered at the later stage depending on funding in all 4 editions of the InIn program. commercialization results. In 4 editions of the InIn program CTT has received 85 applications from the CUT research teams, out of which 43 3.4 Brokers and commercialization have been granted research funding up to 100 k PLN (Eur Apart from increasing the TRL level of the university 25k). Total program budget per edition at CUT was 2 MM technologies, the InIn program’s objective was improving the PLN (Eur 500k) on average. effectiveness of the activities of TTOs and SPVs in research organizations in the field of cooperation with business, including 3 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE InIn 4.0 commercialization of the results of R&D works. This involved also investing in Technology Brokers by their high-quality PROGRAM AT THE CRACOW training and by hiring the new ones. UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Broker’s major task in the InIn project successful direct and indirect commercialization of the technologies Already at the 3.1 PoC projects selection stage of PoC proposals selection by the Committee has been The PoC projects applications have been received and selected looking for the potential spin-off (start-ups with university/SPV by the Selection Committee, which comprised of the 4 external co-ownership) and spin-out (start-ups with university/SPV co- (non-CUT) members of the University Council (the controlling ownership) founders. Among 14 technologies we have identified body approving the university budget and discharging the Rector 2, which were showing the industrial potential of the solution and for his term), Vice-Rector for Science, CTT Director, SPV interest of scientists in running the business. The Ministry President, Head of Commercialization and Head of the accepted our proposal and our project indicators became 12 Academic Innovation Incubator. As one of the important InIn direct and 2 indirect commercializations. project indicators was successful direct and indirect Currently the technology transfer process is underway and we are commercialization of the technologies, the selection criteria were considering applying all forms of commercialization, including not only the uniqueness, novelty and feasibility of the proposed licensing, sale of patents and know-how as well as creating start- research idea, but also its commercialization potential. Out of 35 ups. The tangible results of the InIn project at CUT have been so applications in the 4th edition 14 PoC research proposal have far 4 spin-offs founded and 2 licenses granted. It is a lengthy and granted funding in the range of PLN 65-90 k (Eur 15-20 k). As a unpredictable process and it may (and certainly will) extend rule, the Committee did not grant the full amount applied for, but beyond the projects’ end. typically 90% of it, which allowed to accommodate more PoC projects. 3.5 Barriers and challenges 3.2 Research management 3.5.1. Barriers In the course of the project, we have encountered the following Within the course of the project, it was critical that research work barriers, that we were not able to break: has been carried out according to the planned schedule and at the steady pace. This allowed for the uniform money spending • Researchers’ conflict between fundamental science throughout the project term, which in turn guaranteed timely and applied research – publish or patent payments of installments by the Ministry, which were only made • Scientists’ lack of understanding of technology upon reaching the research spending milestones. Thus the CTT transfer – its objectives and methods; much training job was not only responsiveness to the researchers needs and needed requirements, but also exercising some discipline in money • Purchasing procedures in public institutions – slow, spending by the scientists. This was of special importance due to restrictive and complicated the fact that not only research cost, but also project management • Reporting – too detailed, too bureaucratic, too time remuneration was financed from the fund. Consequently, timely consuming salary payments of CTT employees were dependent on regular • Funding - the limit of Eur 20-25 k was in many cases researchers’ spending. too low. While in some disciplines this may be enough (SSHA – Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts) in 3.3 Intellectual property rights some technical disciplines it does not allow for the One of the critical issues was assuring timely protection of the fulfillment of the research plan. More flexible intellectual property of the university, According to Polish law spending limits should be considered. all IP resulting from employees’ work belong to the university (no “professor’s privilege”). Here the conundrum was applying for protection at the Polish Patent Office at the right time, i.e., 3.5.2. Challenges when all the important attributes of the technology have been In the course of the project, we have encountered the following already discovered, but early enough to be able to start challenges, which have been mitigated partially or in full: 18 • Different or opposed interests of the consortium • analysis of the possibility of obtaining patent protection and the members – internal competition possibility of commercializing the results of scientific research • Focus on customers and their needs - the concept not and development works before their publication liked by scientists, who value freedom of research. • targeted analyzes and business plans for a potential investor (up • Know-how vs. patent - the nuances often disregarded to 50% of costs) by scientists 7. Conducting PoC works, including additional laboratory tests • International IP protection – PCT procedures are rigid or adapting the invention to the needs of the interested buyer, the and costly. cost of which may not exceed PLN 100 k. The legal regulations at the different levels are generating This proposal has been a subject of discussion within the Polish most of the barriers and we are not able to change them technology transfer organization PACTT, whose member is CTT without legislative initiatives. As far as challenges, we have of CUT. mitigated or even liquidated some of them thanks to tech PACTT is an association of 82 major universities in Poland, transfer education and training of scientists. including technology and medical universities. It gathers together representatives of tech transfer offices (TTOs) responsible for protection, management and commercialization 4 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NEXT of universities intellectual protection. PACTT is the voice of EDITIONS OF THE PROGRAM technology transfer community in Poland. As a result of internal discussion, the comments and Based on the experience and results of the 4 editions of the InIn recommendations to the Ministry of Science and Education have program Polish Ministry of Science and Education came up with the proposal of the new program called “Development been formulated by PACTT, which are currently being Incubator” (DI), which is an extension and expansion considered. of the Our major stipulations pertained to: existing InIn program [4]. Its objective is support for the management of commercialization • Unit finding in excess of PLN 100k (Eur 25 k) per of R&D results in research organizations. The project will consist technology of 2 modules: • Spending allowed at any given moment of the project 1. CTT and SPV direct support module - program implemented • Simplified reporting in partnership – “Development Incubator” (DI); • Increased funding for training of brokers 2. Training module - E-learning platform prepared by the • PCT patents financing allowed from grant money. Ministry, customized training program. The current InIn 4.0 project ends April 30, 2023 and we expect The main tasks under the project have been formulated as the new edition, called “Development Incubator”, to start May 1, follows: 2023. 1. Initiating and strengthening cooperation between the scientific This governmental program has proven to be very effective in community and the economic environment, including searching supporting the Proof-of-Concept research at the Polish for entities interested in joint implementation of research projects universities and became a major instrument in financing and implementation of the results of scientific research and commercialization of the university technologies. development works, 2. Mapping the potential of research organizations to conduct ACKNOWLEDGMENTS joint research projects in industrial and scientific consortia. The comments of Ms. Marlena Marek and Ms. Joanna Szypułka 3. Promotion of research organization services aimed at the as well as assistance of Dr. Irena Śliwińska are greatly economic sector appreciated. 4. Preparation of commercialization projects for the results of scientific research and development works, including in REFERENCES particular the valuation of industrial property rights, analysis of [1] Leban Marijan, Stres Špela “Technology Transfer Fund - Central Eastern the market potential of inventions and analysis of their readiness European Technology Transfer (CEETT) platform”, 14th International for implementation. Technology Transfer Conference, Institut “Jožef Stefan”, Ljubljana, 5. Substantive preparation to conduct independent activity for Slovenia [2] Introduction to Proof of Concept, EU JRC project EU4TechPoC, 2020, research teams whose optimal commercialization path is the https://eu4tech.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/EU4TECH-Podcast-1- establishment of a spin-off company Introduction-to-PoC.pdf [3] Ministry of Education and Science (Poland), “Inkubator Innowacyjności 6. Managing the R&D portfolio of a given research organization, 4.0” (in Polish), https://www.gov.pl/web/edukacja-i-nauka/inkubator- including in particular: innowacyjnosci-40 • maintaining a database on ongoing research projects, including [4] “Koncepcja MEiN Inkubatora Innowacyjności”, PACTT document, 28.07.2022 monitoring and analysis of the results of scientific research or development works in terms of their practical usefulness, On the next page: • analyzes of market needs to select topics of research or development work and research on the state of the art before Figure 1: Technology Transfer Model in the “Incubator of starting research or work, Innovativeness 4.0” project at the Cracow University of Technology 19 20 Science meeting the needs of entrepreneurs Magdalena Agnieszka Paweł Kołakowski Grzegorz Kukowska- Piotrowska- Faculty of Navigation Rutkowski Kaszuba† Kirschling Gdynia Maritime Faculty of Navigation Technology Transfer Technology Transfer University Gdynia Maritime Office Jana Pawla II av. 3 Office University Gdynia Maritime Gdynia Maritime 81-345 Gdynia, Poland Jana Pawla II av. 3 University p.kolakowski@wn.um University 81-345 Gdynia, Poland 81-87 Morska St., g.edu.pl 81-87 Morska St., g.rutkowski@wn.umg. 81-225 Gdynia, Poland 81-225 Gdynia, Poland edu.pl biznes@umg.edu.pl biznes@umg.edu.pl ABSTRACT inextricably requires the involvement of an inventor. To obtain funds for the implementation of any project, scientists often use The rapid development of new technologies and innovations that various grant competitions. The idea itself is not enough to obtain we are seeing today means that it is most important that such a grant, but a thoroughly prepared action plan and, more inventions meet the long-term needs of industry. Without this, often than not, an industry partner are crucial. In other cases, there is a little chance for the successful commercialisation and some entrepreneurs have the required financial means but lack appearance of the innovation on the market. Research ideas to bring their business to the next level. Companies are to Business meetings and interviews are good practice for often in the market for new ideas or for the scientists who will allowing the representatives of companies and universities develop a given concept. This is where the relationship between to fully discuss inventions and commercially interesting science and enterprise comes in, like a system of connected technologies. The innovations dedicated to industrial partners, vessels, supported by Technology Transfer Offices together with together with interesting financial tools that enable higher TRLs innovation brokers. It is crucial to ensure that the core values for inventions and technologies to be achieved, ensure of both organizations promote the types of behaviour that an excellent basis for the development of future research strengthen and not hinder the development of trust-based cooperation and business synergy. relationships. It is worth highlighting that all research, The aim of this paper is to discuss the relationship between technology, and product development as well as professional science and enterprise in respect of science's response to the staff are becoming an element of competitiveness and needs of industry, and is presented in the form of a case study competence building enterprises oriented for innovation [1, 2]. of a project by scientists from Gdynia Maritime University The European Innovation Council (EIC) Advisory Board said (Poland). All the innovations within the framework of this that researchers must work closely with entrepreneurs to make project concern equipment for a mobile diving base, in particular, breakthrough research in Europe successful business the flexible diving bell Batychron and the mobile opportunities [3]. If so, the innovations coming from science will electromagnetic mooring system. not only meet the needs here and now, but also those in the future, which are more important for business from the economic point KEYWORDS of view. needs of industry, research to business, relationship between Great innovation should respond to the entrepreneurial need science and enterprise, knowledge & technology transfer so that it can be successfully commercialised. Furthermore, activities Aliasghar et al. highlighted that the entrepreneurs are really looking for both knowledge and innovation in science [4]. Therefore, scientific research must respond to the needs 1 INTRODUCTION of enterprises. The development of mutual benefits which facilitates scientific knowledge commercialisation is absolutely It is often claimed that it is the idea behind an invention that crucial [5] (Figure 1). is the most important, however, there is a long road from the A World of Knowledge Transfer is an international knowledge initial conception of an idea to its implementation. Creating new, transfer community gathering organization. In July 2022, the innovative inventions almost always involves investment and latest ASTP 2021 Survey Report on Knowledge Transfer †Author Footnote to be captured as Author Note Activities in Europe was published [6]. The data source for the report was 519 Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTOs) from Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed 26 countries for the financial year 2019. The ASTP 2020 Survey for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full Report on Knowledge Transfer Activities in Europe from citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). 512 KTOs (from 27 countries) for the financial year 2018 was Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia presented [7]. The main conclusions are presented in Figure 2 © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). 21 [6, 7]. The headline numbers from the ASTP 2021 Report are The total number of contract & collaborative research promising [6]. agreements and the total number of revenues for intellectual property has grown with time [6, 7]. The result is inspiring for the future. European KTOs indicated a total of 177, 784 agreements with the industry of which 69% were Consultancy Agreements, 21% Contract Research Agreements, and 10% Collaborative Research Agreements [6]. The total number of agreements in the financial year 2019 was slightly higher than in 2018 at about 7 020 agreements [6, 7]. In the financial year 2018, the distribution of the number of agreements was similar: 70% Consultancy Agreements, 21% Contract Research Agreements, and 9% Collaborative Research Agreements [7]. Among commercial contracts, KTOs reported more licenses, options, and assignments in the financial year 2018 [6, 7]. The biggest difference was in the case licenses (1, 853 in 2018 [7] Figure 1: The diagram presents the innovation occurs and 1, 338 in 2019 [6]). This fact could be the result of global directly as an industry need economic uncertainty. These observations confirmed the effective cooperation between industry and academic centers in commercialisation. However, in relation to the intellectual property aspect in the financial year 2019, the results were a bit worse. The total number of invention disclosures and the total number of priority patent applications had decreased [6, 7]. This trend may be due to the coronavirus pandemic, but innovation brokers from technology transfer offices are taking an increasing number of different steps to promote science in the economy and to encourage entrepreneurs to cooperate with universities [1]. Last year, the same innovation brokers from the Technology Transfer Office of Gdynia Maritime University as part of creating a network of relations between science and enterprises were actively involved in activities aimed at recognizing the needs of the industry environment. This action was carried out on various issues as part of: 1. Invitation to a meeting of companies from the database of companies run by Technology Transfer Office of Gdynia Maritime University. 2. Cooperation with the “Instytut Autostrada Technologii i Innowacji” consortium, which brings together scientific entities and entrepreneurs. Figure 2: Overview of Survey Main Outputs and Findings for 3. Launch of a new initiative of Pomeranian academic centers the financial year 2019 [6] – the black font (in compared under the name “Discovering needs for innovation” carried to the financial year 2018 [7] – the navy font) out in cooperation with different companies. In general, a cooperation between companies and universities As part of the third initiative, eight science and enterprise should generate economic activities such as purchasing meetings were held with micro, small and medium-sized or licensing research results, patents, etc. [1]. companies, in particular from the Pomeranian region. The KTOs’ staff in the financial year 2019 performed mainly The undertaken new action was to serve the development functions such as research support (31%), commercialisation of cooperation in the local innovation ecosystem. The main (24%), others (24%), entrepreneurship support (11%), and proposal of the action was to understand the needs of the business development (10%) [6]. This sees a change from the Pomeranian enterprises, identify their innovation potential, and financial year 2018 when KTO’s staff was more focused assess the barriers that prevent the growth of this potential. on commercialisation (31%) than research support (24%) [5]. Additionally, the opening of companies to the Pomeranian This reverse relationship could be the result of the COVID-19 academic centers is a new kind of communication between crisis. Additionally, the observation also confirmed the business and science. importance of Technology Transfer Offices in creating and In the next section of this paper, an example of increased maintaining relationships between science and entrepreneurs. cooperation science-enterprise will be described in more detail. 22 2 A CASE STUDY make all kindsof training, tourist, internship, recreational, and sports dives more attractive. This section presents a case study of a project by scientists from Gdynia Maritime University (GMU) (Poland). Innovations within the framework of this project concern the equipment of a mobile diving base, in particular, the flexible diving bell Batychron and the Mobile Electromagnetic Mooring System (MEMS). In December 2020, a micro company from Gdansk (Poland) was looking for a scientific unit to prepare an R&D report on technological innovation for the contracting authority on its Mobile Base of the Marine Emergency Diving Service Figure 3: a Batychron (MoB MEDS) project. Under the assumption, the MoB MEDS The second invention proposed in the mentioned project have to enable diving teams to quickly reach the vessel in danger, is the MEMS. The MEMS is an innovative mooring system as a result of various random maritime accidents (e.g., collision, designed to fit a small intervention/service vessel that moors contact, grounding). Without performing effective repairs related to the sides of larger vessels requiring intervention for repair, to the need to carry out control inspections of the underwater part servicing, or the transfer of cargo or people, without the need of the hull, and quick protection of the water area against to involve a large number of crew members during mooring potential oil and/or chemical spillage, a high-speed boat could operations (Figure 4). seriously endanger the safety of human life, the environment, The main disadvantages of the known electromagnetic or marine navigation [8]. The research group from the or vacuum mooring systems are, on the one hand, their extensive Navigational Department of the GMU, along with members dimensions, which prevent them from being used on smaller of the Student Special Interest Group of Underwater Research vessels and, on the other hand, the inability to move the moored “Sea Quest” undertook the task of creating the report. vessel horizontally along the other vessel. The MEMS solution, The research group proposed two solutions as innovative using a system of electromagnetic grippers with a unique set equipment for MoB MEDS. The company expressed its interest of mooring lifts ensuring constant rope tension, tackles the in implementing these systems in its newly built watercraft, problems and requirements of small intervention/service which resulted in the signing of a letter of intent. watercraft, including working dive boats, during mooring As a consequence of acquiring a business partner, in April 2021, to a larger serviced unit. The key elements in this solution are the GMU Research Group applied and was accepted into a grant not only mobility, time, and lower energy consumption but, programme called “Innovation Incubator 4.0″, implemented above all, safety - the risk of an accident with ropes on a serviced under the programme of the Ministry of National Education vessel is reduced. of the Republic of Poland (earlier the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland) as part of the non-competition project entitled „Support for scientific research management and commercialisation of the R&D work results in scientific units and enterprises” under the Intelligent Development Operational Programme 2014-2020 (measure 4.4). The project reference number for the pre-implementation work is UMG-03. The project name is The Innovative Equipment of the Mobile Intervention Unit and contains two inventions the Batychron flexible diving bell and the Mobile Electromagnetic Figure 4: a MEMS Mooring System. Batychron is a flexible underwater bell patented by Gdynia The application to the Polish Patent Office was filed by GMU Maritime University as a device applicable in hydro-technics for (No. P.437572) on 13/04/2021. In April 2022, the European underwater transport and diving while maintaining the safety application number EP22000102 was filed. Currently, as part of human life [9]. There are several solutions for diving bells of the project, the simulation and laboratory/model tests are in hydroengineering [10], however, the disadvantage of the carried out to develop a plan for the construction known solutions is the large construction of the bell and the of a demonstration model. weight. These devices were very heavy and needed to be moved Both inventions have been promoted externally at several trade together with the vessel, which required several people to be exhibitions and industry shows (e.g., at the 14th International serviced. Under this assumption, the Batychron should be light, Conference on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea handy, and portable. One of the goals of the above-mentioned Transportation Gdynia 16-18/06/2021, XXI International project was to build a new device called the Batychron Maritime Exhibition and Conference BALTEXPO 2021, Gdansk in a modular form with the new materials (Figure 3). The utility 6-8/09/2021). At the 15th Edition of International Invention and model for this device was submitted to the Polish Patent Office Innovation Show INTARG® 2022 Katowice 11-12/05/2022, (No. W.130766) on 05/05/2022. As a result of the research, the GMU Research Group presented ‘Innovative Floating it was confirmed that the Batychron device can be used not only Intervention Unit Equipment: A Mobile Electromagnetic as the equipment for intervention units but also to secure and Mooring System and a Batychron for which they were awarded a silver medal in the category Transport and Logistics. 23 At the same time, one of the small local companies from economy. In this respect, the relationship between science and Gdynia offered to cooperate with GMU by offering enterprise is of prime importance. Science is important to meet apprenticeships. The company was also looking for a wider the needs of entrepreneurs because it is precisely this that cooperation related to R&D projects in their field. The stimulates their interest in the development of new technologies. company’s marine automation department is involved These dependencies are crucial to conducting R&D focused in wide-ranging cooperation with shipyards and directly with on the needs of entrepreneurs. shipowners around the world. They design and manufacture their A good example of cooperation between science and enterprises. systems in the field of power engineering and ship automation, is the project referred to in this paper involving GMU scientists. as well as in servicing existing systems. Once acquainted with the Mobile Electromagnetic Mooring System, the company had Innovations within the framework of this project concern the no doubt that this was a project closely related to their industry, equipment of the mobile diving base, in particular, the flexible and one in which they wanted to be involved. The cooperation diving bell Batychron and MEMS. The cooperation between agreement was signed as part of the R&D activities. Currently, science and enterprise contributed to the creation of new the level of technological maturity was determined innovations, their protection by patents, and further plans for as 5 – validation of the technology was performed in a near their commercialisation. This case study highlights the real-world environment (prototype) thanks to support from the importance of scientific work that corresponds to the needs “Innovation Incubator 4.0” grant programme. The small local of industry. company specializing in marine automation in order to scale the solution and demonstrate the willingness to conduct joint implementation works as part of applying for external funds. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS GMU extensively work together with Gdynia company to obtain Research financed by the “Innovation Incubator 4.0″ grant funding to carry out an R&D project, as a consequence of which programme implemented under the programme of the Ministry a fully certified MEMS device is to be created. of National Education of the Republic of Poland (earlier the As shown in this case study, ideas for technological solutions Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic can be developed and realized by effective cooperation between of Poland) as part of the non-competition project entitled science and enterprises. Such a relationship is a win-win situation “Support for scientific research management and - the scientists from the University can conduct scientific commercialisation of the R&D work results in scientific units research and realize their ideas, the entrepreneurs can generate income and develop their brand, and in this case, a Gdynia-based and enterprises” under the Intelligent Development Operational construction company can be the first to build the invention, and Programme 2014-2020 (measure 4.4). the previously mentioned company can use it. Working together they can offer a new technology to the market. The enterprises REFERENCES have noticed that those ground-breaking solutions have a global [1] Dariusz Trzmielak, 2012. Współpraca ośrodków naukowych reach. Both devices can be used in sectors such as marine i przedsiębiorstw we wdrażaniu wyników badań. Prace Instytutu services, repair interventions of other marine vessels, diving Lotnictwa/Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz, 225(4), 19-36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5604/05096669.1077678. services – recreational, training, repair or excavation work, [2] Michał Majczak, 2016. Centra Transferu Technologii w Polsce. Analiza, underwater transport, cargo, and people transfer in the offshore bariery i perspektywy rozwoju. Studia Ekonomiczne/Uniwersytet area. Ekonomiczny w Katowicach, 8(306), 81-96. The GMU Research Group is still working, gaining [3] Article of European Commission. 2019. Turning science into business is about recognising opportunity. https://ec.europa.eu/research-and- momentum, and creating new ideas based on the needs innovation/en/horizon-magazine/turning-science-business-about- of entrepreneurs. In April 2022, the members of the Student recognising-opportunity (accessed on 10/10/2022). Special Interest Group of Underwater Research “Sea Quest” [4] Omid Aliasghar, Elizabeth L. Rose, Sylvie Chetty, 2019, Where to search for process innovations? The mediating role of absorptive capacity and its operating at the GMU would like to continue their research at the impact on process innovation, Ind. Mark. Manag. , 82, 199-212, DOI: Batychron installation. For this purpose, they applied to the 10.1016/j.indmarman.2019.01.014. Ministry of Science and Higher Education for funding for a new [5] Diana Nadine Boehm and Teresa Hogan, 2013, Science-to-Business project called the MUDS Base, the Mobile Underwater Diving collaborations: A science-to-business marketing perspective on scientific knowledge commercialization, Ind. Mark. Manag. , 42(4), 564-579, DOI: Support Base. This project was submitted as part of a scientific 10.1016/j.indmarman.2012.12.001. competition organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher [6] ASTP A World of Knowledge Transfer. 2021. 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Analysis of Maritime Accidents in the Context of Demand for MoB MEDS the of carrying out research in young research teams. Mobile Base of the Marine Emergency Diving Service. TransNav, Int. J. Mar. Navig. Saf. Sea Transp. , 15(1), 209–214. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12716/1001.15.01.22. 3 CONCLUSIONS [9] Julia Kosiek, Jan Nasur and Grzegorz Rutkowski, 2022. Analysis of the Batychron Research Project. Sci. J. Gdynia Marit. Univ. , 121(22), 20–27. Creating new and innovative solutions is always associated with DOI: https://doi.org/10.26408/121.02. financial investment and building interdisciplinary research [10] Robert F. Marx. 1990. The History of Underwater Exploration. Dover Publications, Inc., New York. teams ready to take on the difficult challenges of the current 24 Commercialization of R&D results created with public funds in the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Alexander Uspenskiy Aliaksei Uspenski Maxim Prybylski Republican Centre for Republican Centre for Republican Centre for Technology Transfer Technology Transfer Technology Transfer Center for System Analysis and Center for System Analysis and Center for System Analysis and Strategic Research of the National Strategic Research of the National Strategic Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Academy of Sciences of Belarus Academy of Sciences of Belarus Minsk, Belarus Minsk, Belarus Minsk, Belarus uspenskiy@mail.ru auspen79@gmail.com m.pribylsky@hotmail.com ABSTRACT The paper informs on organizational structure, the current state Table 1 – Obtained national patents in 1993–2020 of commercialization of R&D results created with public funds in the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB), Establishment No. of patents Pct., % difficulties to involve private capital in the process of NASB 5 132 34,0 commercialization and proposes ways to address these Ministry of Education 4 600 30,5 problems. Ministry of Health 2 763 18,3 Ministry of Industry 1 520 10,1 KEYWORDS Ministry of Agriculture and Food 1 057 7,0 Technology transfer (TT), legislation, intellectual property Total: 15 072 100 rights (IPR), spin-off, start-ups, R&D contracts Table 2 – Registered with the National Center of 1 INTRODUCTION Intellectual Property license agreements in 1993–2020 Founded in 1922, the NASB is the primary state scientific No. institution and the leading R&D center of Belarus. It Establishment of Pct., % agreements incorporates over 110 organizations (incl. production, design, NASB and 80 R&D institutions), and employs about 14 550 19,8 000 persons Ministry of Industry (incl. 5 501 18,0 000 researchers, 100 academicians, 120 corresponding Ministry of Agriculture and Food members, 400 doctors of sciences and 1 499 18,0 600 candidates of Food sciences) [1, 2]. industry concern 468 "Belgospishcheprom" 16,8 Between 1993–2020 the NASB registered nationally and Ministry internationally over 8 of Transport and 800 objects of industrial property rights: 71 Communications 2,6 inventions (66,3%), utility models (25,2%), plant varieties Ministry of Education (4,6%), trademarks (3%), industrial designs (0,7%). At the end 66 2,4 Light of 2020, only 558 objects remained in force [3]. industry concern "Bellegprom" 60 2,2 Other state bodies and state NASB ranks first by the number of national patents (table 1) -owned 563 enterprises 20,3 and the number of registered license agreements (table 2) [3]. Total: NASB licensing income for 12 years (2009–2020) amounted 2 778 100 to 6 mln USD or about 500 000 USD per year, and as shown in table 3, the plant variety is licensed the most – 59%. In recent Table 3 – Number of license agreements in NASB years, NASB exported annually ca. 50 mln USD of goods and organizations in 1994–2020 services, which means that licensing revenue amounts to 1% of total export [3]. Licensed IP No. of agreements Pct. , % Inventions 52 9,5 Utility models 41 7,5 Industrial designs 5 0,9 Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or Trademarks 28 5,1 classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and Plant varieties 328 59,6 the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this Know-how (until 2013) 96 17,5 work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia Total: 550 100 © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). 25 The reason for such low licensing income is that the results - Execution level includes organizations of the NASB. of scientific and technological activities (STA), created with The Expert council on IP management exists since 2010. Its government funding, de facto belong to the state, and not to main activities, specified by the Regulations on the Council organizations of the NASB [4, 5]. This is also the reason why (approved in 2014) are to: the NASB does not create spin-off and start-up companies. - develop and update IP management strategy of the NASB; The best results of the NASB in patenting and licensing - coordinate organization's activities in the field of IP activities is due to the organizational structure of the intellectual protection and management; property (IP) management system in the NASB. - considerate proposals by NASB organizations to improve legal mechanisms for IP protection and management; 2 ORGANIZATONAL STRUCTURE OF IP - examine issues related to acquisition of IP rights, and the MANAGEMENT SYSTEM disposal of those rights; Organizational structure of IP management, technology transfer - approve payment of remuneration to the heads of and commercialization of STA results in the NASB consist of organizations; four levels (see figure 1): - contemplate other IP issues that require collegial decision- making. - Top management level is the Chairman of the Presidium of NASB and the Deputy Chairman, supervising IP matters; The structure also includes: - two WIPO Technology and Innovation Support Centers - Regulation and coordination performs Expert council on IP management; (TISC): on the basis of Yakub Kolas Central Scientific Library of the NASB (since 18 Nov 2021) and on the basis of RCTT - Management and control is carried out by the Main department of scientific, scientific (since 31 Jan 2022) [6, 7]; -technical, and innovative- production activities, the Main department of international - specialized structural divisions in organizations (patent scientific and technical cooperation, the State scientific service, scientific and innovation division, marketing division); institution "Centre for System Analysis and Strategic Research" - specialists of non-specialized structural divisions with (CSASR), which includes the division "Republican Centre for advanced professional training in the field of IP and technology Technology transfer" (RCTT), the Departments of sciences (7) transfer. and the Departments of the NASB apparatus; Figure 1: Organizational structure of IP management, technology transfer and commercialization of STA results in the NASB 26 Services offered by the TISC based on RCTT include: (according to internal regulation approved in 2014). - access to online patent and non-patent (scientific and Organizations, not later than 15th April, provide the results of technical) resources and IP-related publications; inventory to NASB apparatus on five sheets: - assistance in searching and retrieving technology - Sheet No. 1 "Sole rights on objects of industrial property"; information; - Sheet No. 2 "Sole rights on objects of copyright"; - training in database search; - Sheet No. 3 "Organization's rights on STA results obtained - on-demand searches (novelty, state-of-the-art and via agreements"; infringement); - Sheet No. 4 "Organization's rights on potentially patentable - monitoring technology and competitors; STA results"; - basic information on industrial property laws, management - Sheet No. 5 "Organization's rights on STA results, which and strategy, and technology commercialization and marketing; are not objects of exclusive rights" (know-how). - support of training seminars on TISC activities organized After the adoption of Presidential Decree No. 59 in 2013, by NCIP, WIPO, European IP Helpdesk and others, including almost all STA results subject to mandatory commercialization assistance in the appointment of external speakers from the are commercialized at state enterprises. After mandatory network of European IP Helpdesk partners (for example, the commercialization for STA results begins period of indefinite European Network of National Intellectual Property Offices – use – organization does not know when and who will show INNOVACCESS, European Patent Office / Academy) for interest in created technology, and for what amount the specific activities in the field of intellectual property. organization will be able to sell it. From accounting point of view the STA results represent intangible assets. Putting STA 3 COMMERCIALIZATION ISSUES results on accounting can proof that they belong to When commercializing the STA results the NASB organization. This procedure is described in the Law of the organizations follow: Republic of Belarus "On accounting and reporting" No. 57-Z from 12 Jul 2013 and in National standard of accounting and reporting "Individual Accounting Statements" (approved by 1. Regulation on the commercialization of the results of scientific and technical activities created at the expense of Decree of the Ministry of Finances No. 104 from 12 Dec 2016). state funds (approved by the Presidential Decree No. The above documents do not allow putting the STA results 59 on 5 Feb. 2013, amended in 2018); (intangible assets with an indefinite useful life) on accounting 2. Strategy of the Republic of Belarus in the field of with zero value, and if any private organization wants to intellectual property until 2030 (approved by the Decree of purchase the technology, then the minimal license cost should the Council of Ministers No. 672 on 24 Nov. 2021). The be the sum of all expenses for creation and patenting the Strategy specifies main directions for improving the technology. As a result, organizations have no interest putting national IP system, the goals and objectives of the state STA results on accounting and concluding license agreements. policy in this area, which provide for the transformation of Technology transfer with private enterprises and foreign IP into an effective tool for innovative and socio-cultural companies occurs under commercial agreements with technical development of the Republic of Belarus. assistance, technical cooperation agreements, R&D agreements, and joint ventures. Belarusian legislation also does not allow The Regulation defines commercialization as "introduction "gratuitous" transfer of technologies created with public funds into civil circulation and (or) use for own needs of the results of to SMEs to attract private investments. scientific and technical activity or goods (services) created (performed, rendered) using these results, ensuring the 4 FURTHER DEVELOPMENT achievement of economic and (or) social effects". The Regulation stipulates strict deadlines for the commercialization In order to proper and on-time implement the Strategy of the of STA results (created with public funds) subject to mandatory Republic of Belarus in the field of intellectual property until commercialization, i.e. within three years after the creation. 2030, the NASB approved "Plan of the National Academy of Failure to commercialize means violation of budget legislation, Sciences on the execution of priority measures in 2022–2023 and so received public funds should be recovered from legal for Strategy's implementation" (NASB Order No. 18 from 19 entities in an indisputable manner to the budget with interest Jan. 2022). The Plan contains actions directed at the: that equals to refinancing rate of the National Bank set on the - development of institutional system in the field of IP; date of collection. - development of IP infrastructure; To keep the list of IP rights on STA results subject to - improvement of incentive mechanisms for the creation, mandatory commercialization and its outcomes the State legal protection and use of IP; Committee on Science and Technology (SCST) and the - development of IP management system; subordinate organization – Belarusian Institute of System - improvement of legal culture and education in the field of Analysis and Information Support for Scientific and Technical IP. Sphere (BelISA) – maintain the State register of rights to the The improvement of IP management system, in particular, results of scientific and scientific and technical activities. State provide for "Development and adoption of institutional IP customers supervise the commercialization and maintain local policies in scientific organizations of the NASB". According to registers of STA results. Plan's schedule, all 80 R&D institutions should adopt IP Committee, created by order of organization's head, carries policies: 24 in 2022, 18 in 2023, 17 in 2024, and 21 in 2025. out annual inventory of SDA results in the NASB in 1st quarter 27 5 CONCLUSIONS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS After the adoption of Presidential Decree No. 59 in 2013 in We would like to thank the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, almost all STA results subject to mandatory Belarus and the State Committee on Science and Technology of commercialization are commercialized at state enterprises. the Republic of Belarus for their constant support of RCTT After mandatory commercialization for STA results begins activities and express gratitude to all our colleagues who work period of indefinite use – organization does not know when and in technology transfer for their help and advice. who will show interest in created technology, and for what amount the organization will be able to sell it. REFERENCES To allow de facto access of private SMEs to technologies [1] National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Available from: developed with public funds, after their mandatory https://nasb.gov.by/eng/about/glavnaya/ (visited October 5, 2022). [2] Национальная академия наук Беларуси / А.И. Иванец [и др.]; под commercialization at state enterprises, and attract private capital общ. ред. В.Г. Гусакова. – Минск: Беларуская навука, 2020. – 92 с. to adoption of such technologies in SMEs, it is necessary, in [3] Нечепуренко Ю.В. Рынок объектов промышленной собственности, addition to recommendation given in [4], to enact legislation созданных в Республике Беларусь. – Минск: БГУ, 2022. – 147 с. [4] Alexander Uspenskiy, Aliaksei Uspenski, Maxim Prybylski Technology that: Transfer in Belarus // Proceedings of the 24th International Multiconference INFORMATION SOCIETY – IS 2021 Volume E – 7 October 2021 Ljubljana Slovenia. – p. 62–64. – ISBN 978-961-264-224- 1. allows putting the STA results (intangible assets with an 2. indefinite useful life) on accounting with zero value, [5] Политика и законодательство в сфере трансфера технологий: зарубежный и национальный опыт / Д.М. Вильтовский, Е.П. similar to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Машонская, А.А. Успенский; под общ. ред. А.А. Успенского. – (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards Минск : Ковчег, 2010. – 60 с. – ISBN 978-985-6950-40-0. (IFRS); [6] TISC Derectory: Belarus, Available from: 2. https://www.wipo.int/tisc/en/search/search_result.jsp?country_id=27 gives the contractor-organization the right to (visited October 5, 2022). independently determine the cost of license agreements [7] The WIPO Technology and Innovation Support Center was established based on the market value of the created technologies; on the basis of RCTT, Available from: 3. stimulates the involvement of private capital to https://www.ictt.by/eng/home/news/4804/ (visited October 5, 2022). commercialization of technologies in SMEs. 28 Selection and evaluation of technologies for the transfer to the industry Vadim Iatchevici Department of innovative projects National Agency for Research and Development Chisinau, Republic of Moldova vadim.iatchevici@gmail.com ABSTRACT to reflect and can only produce an optimal result in its own particular framework. The paper refers to the study of the issue of selection and A technology screening method can thus be a valuable tool for evaluation of technologies for their transfer to the industry. For an organization to help choose technologies, especially if it can low-income countries such as the Republic of Moldova, where generate useful information in a timely manner and at an the potential for technology generation is low, it is very important acceptable cost. There are various concerns to consider when to create policies for selecting and evaluating technologies that selecting a method, as well as several different types, which are would facilitate the transfer of technologies that can be discussed below. assimilated in that country, taking into account human resources and existing technological and financial potential. This article highlights 27 methods used to select and evaluate 2 CHARACTERISTICS AND PRINCIPLES technologies, the decision-making issues for which those OF TECHNOLOGY SELECTION AND methods are applied, and the strengths and weaknesses of some EVALUATION METHODS methods. Some challenges arise in the process, because the After studying the literature presented in references, the available methods are usually too simple or too elaborate for following five aspects are considered the most important in a most managers and companies to be systematically understood method of selection and evaluation of technologies, which and applied. To continue the research, there is a need to combine propose the following characteristics and definitions: methods or develop a new method. KEYWORDS Table 1: Characteristics and definitions of technology Innovation, technology transfer, methodology, criteria, selection and evaluation methods descriptors of performance Characteristics Definitions 1 INTRODUCTION Realism The accuracy of the representation of The process of selecting and evaluating technologies is an the real world and in the reflection of indispensable component of technology transfer and responds to the company's decision on the situation, the issue of identifying the most optimal technologies proposed objectives, limitations, risks, etc. for transfer within enterprises and industries. This statement is Capacity Ability to analyze different types of made by the author of this article based on his experience in decision variables and deal with technology selection and evaluation for at least 10 years. several factors (multiple time periods, Various methods of selecting and evaluating technologies from changes in interest rates, etc.) simple ones, such as financial methods, to the most complex Flexibility Applicability to different types of ones, such as mathematical programming, have been developed technologies and issues and ease of and used to address this issue. change in response to changes in the The methods are used to extract and process relevant information business environment about a problem, because the reality is also too complex to Use Ease of understanding and application manage in its entirety. Therefore, any method, no matter how of the method. Clear, easy to sophisticated, will always be only a part of the reality it intends understand by all members of the organization and executed quickly Cost The costs of setting up and using the method should be less than the potential Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed benefits of the technology and relatively for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full low in the cost of the technology citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). 29 Easy Easy collection, storage and handling Multiatributive analysis in Selection and evaluation of computerization of information with readily available combination with regression technologies for the public software (such as Excel®) models sector Multicriteria selection and Aggregation of expert In the literature there is an extensive list of "good practice" evaluation judgments principles for technology management tools observed by several The method of fuzzy Technology selection and authors, some of which apply in particular to technology preferences evaluation selection and evaluation tools, such as: Fuzzy logic Selection and evaluation of • Robust (theoretically possible and reliable) software technologies • Economical, simple and practical to implement Mathematical programming The decision to select and • Integrated in other business processes and tools evaluate the technology • Flexible (adaptable to suit the particular context of the business provider and its environment) Gray Selection and evaluation of There are a wide range of methods that have been used to select the technology offer and evaluate technologies, from simple cost analysis to full and TOPSIS Decision making for tenders linear programming or more flexible methods such as fuzzy Fuzzy stochastic Technology selection and mathematical programming. evaluation Research on the selection and evaluation of technologies dating ELECTRE I Technology selection and back to 1959, where several criteria and methods of evaluation mathematical programming were already used. Reference is The theory of possibility Technology investment made to works that use the following methods: scoring, ranking, decision decision trees, theoretical approach to the game, Delphi Mathematical programming Selection and evaluation of technique, fuzzy logic, hierarchical analytical process (AHP), research and development goal programming, dynamic programming, linear programming technologies 0-1, programming quadratic and nonlinear programming. Some Network Analytical Process Selection and evaluation of methods can even be used together, which further increases the (ANP) research and development number of possible techniques to be used for the selection and technologies evaluation of technologies. Fuzzy-logic Selection and evaluation of The table below shows several methods for selecting and new product development evaluating technologies, which have been used in various technologies decision-making issues, such as evaluating technology offerings, ANP Technology selection and information systems, and research and development. evaluation Packing method - several Selection and evaluation of Table 2: Various types of technology selection and boxes research and development evaluation methods for certain decision-making issues technologies AHP and multi-attribute Selection and evaluation of Technology selection and The decision-making decision making technique industrial technologies evaluation method problem Mixed integrated Optimal selection and Programming the selection of programming method evaluation of the research Net present value method investments in technologies and development portfolio Zero-one integer Random selection and Cost analysis (e.g. VNV, Technology selection and programming methods with evaluation of technologies DCF and reimbursement) evaluation limited chance Unweighted ranking and Decision to select and model evaluate investments in As can be seen, there are different methods that are used for technologies different decision issues. Therefore, it can be concluded that The analytical ranking Selection and evaluation of there is no specific method for a particular situation, but rather process (AHP) industrial technologies that there is a wide range of possibilities and applications. The Multiatributive utility theory Technology selection and advantages and disadvantages of the methods must be weighed in combination with PRICE evaluation against the particular issue of the available decision, in order to Linear and full programming Technology selection and choose the most appropriate method. The table below explains evaluation some of the above methods, the corresponding advantages and Utility method-theory Bidding decisions disadvantages. The fuzzy overtaking method Technology evaluation Competitive bidding strategy Technology selection and model evaluation 30 Table 3: Comparison of technology selection and evaluation decisions to process is methods be taken into harsh, account which Decision Description of Advantage Disadvant cannot be method the method age used for Cost analysis Use Controls high (eg VNV, accounting costs and It focuses precision DCF and data and other prevents only on in return on relevant waste and costs and decision investment) information to losses ignores making identify ways the cost- ANP It is a It can deal It to reduce Easy for benefit mathematical with requires costs and then decision principle decision- technology large choose the makers making evaluation amounts technology technique issues of data that works similar to and the best AHP decision Linear Get the best depends Linear programming result in a An on the programming is a technique mathematic optimal experienc for optimizing al model, solution e of the an objective give a list of may not experts linear requirement be found Gray Target Gray Target It does not function, s decision decisionhas need a large subject to represented some original number of linear equality as linear effect on the samples and and inequality equations problem of the samples constraints recognizing do not need Integrated Type of It greatly More the model to be The programming mathematical reduces difficult with small regularly optimal programming time and to solve samples, distributed solution whose space for than insufficient It can may not variables are solution linear information describe in be a (in whole or program and data and more depth global in part) ming in uncertain the nature of optimizat integers in the conditions things with ion problem low situation Fuzzy logic Fuzzy logic is It is a Fuzzy computation a form of powerful logic al load multivalent tool for difficult The results logic derived managing to of the from fuzzy inaccurate achieve quantitative theory, it data on a large and deals with scale qualitative reasoning that analysis will is be more approximate consistent rather than It can be accurate used for AHP A Reduce It short and mathematical complex depends long term decision- decisions in on the predictions making a series of experienc and is technique that individual e of the highly allows the comparisons expert accurate qualitative and then The and summarize comparis While return on investment (ROI) is one of the primary factors quantitative the results on and for prioritizing technology, other issues should be considered, aspects of the trial 31 such as alignment with strategy, balance between maintenance evaluation and selection approach, the new method permits to technologies and technology investments, allocation efficient use obtain of complex results with fewer efforts and special skills of resources and other non-financial benefits. from the company technology managers. It is impossible to define a set of criteria suitable for all To avoid further selection of technologies "Losers", the key lies circumstances, as they will differ greatly from one another in in the objectivity of the selection and evaluation process, through different companies and technologies. As a result, there are an a method that incorporates both financial and non-financial endless number of criteria mentioned in the technology selection criteria and by the awareness that each method may be and evaluation literature, which vary depending on the type of appropriate in certain situations for a particular company and for technology and methods used for selection and evaluation, where the circumstances of the technology. Such a method is proposed scoring methods present the most extensive and extensive set of in the research conducted by the author of this article in his PhD criteria, including more than just financial and strategic issues. Thesis „Selection and evaluation of technology for the There are also different ways in which criteria can be organized, technological transfer”. such as by the type of criterion, which is the most common. REFERENCES [1] Badri, M., Davis, D., Davis, D., 2001. A Comprehensive 0-1 Goal 3 CONCLUSIONS Programming Model for Project Selection. International Journal of Project Management, 19(4):243 – 252. Studying the literature has allowed us to understand the [2] Bretschneider, S., 1993. Evaluating R&D Impacts: Methods and importance of selecting and evaluating technologies for the Practice. Chapter Operations Research Contributions to Evaluation of R&D Projects (Chapter 7). Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, success of innovation and technology transfer in companies, but New York. also the decision-making issues they face in applying the [3] Kerr, C., Farrukh, C., Phaal, R., Probert D., 2013. Key principles for methods of selection and evaluation of technologies. The developing Industrially Relevant Strategic Technology Management Toolkits. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 80(6):1050 – challenges arise because the methods available are usually too 1070. simple or too elaborate for most managers and companies to be [4] Souder, E. W., 1972. A Scoring Methodology for Assessing the Suitability of Management Science Models. Management Science, systematically understood and applied. In order to tackle these 18(10). challenges, the author developed a proprietary method, that [5] Souder, E. W., 1972. Comparative Analysis of R&D Investment Models. AIIE Transactions, 4(1):57–64. includes criteria divided into several groups like financial, [6] Wang, J., Xu, Y., Li, Z., 2009. Research on Project Selection System of strategical, technological, marketing, and external factors, which Pre-evaluation of Engineering Design Project Bidding. International could be adjusted for a concrete case. Due to the multicriteria Journal of Project Management, 27(6):584 – 599. 32 Subsidizing Knowledge Transfer with Public Funds Michal Belusky Technology Transfer Center Czech Academy of Sciences Prague, Czechia michal.belusky@pm.me ABSTRACT organizations to society. I believe that this obstacle is mostly superficial, and the aim of my paper is to convince the reader of European state aid law is an important cornerstone enabling the this as well. functioning of the European single market and thus the I suggest the main aim of the paper is to contribute to realization of the four basic European freedoms (the movement understanding the reality of the state aid law of the European of goods, persons, services, and capital within the EU). At the Union. This issue is already, in my opinion, sufficiently same time, as the EU strives to stay competitive in the globalized elaborated in the works of other authors like Wendland, world ruled by rapid technological advancements, it needs to find Nicolaides and Schwendinger2. This paper may conversly serve ways of facilitating interactions between traditionally publicly as a state aid reference intended for experts in the field of funded research and the private sector, which could accelerate knowledge transfer and management of public research our economy and fuel it with new inventions and technologies. institutions, but also for experts oriented to the issue of industrial This, of course, invokes the ‘specter of state aid’ as the typically property within the academia and also for patent representatives non-profit organizations start to enter the market, albeit only and lawyers whose professional activity falls in this area. offering their knowledge as a product. To balance these forces, a complex system of rules and exemptions is emerging. In this paper I argue that sometimes the ‘spectre’ is being summoned by 2 STATE AID the research organizations themselves and that the current rules Many authors consider the doctrine of neoclassical political of state aid law regulating the field of research, development and economy to be the fundamental ideological source of state aid innovation do not present a major obstacle in knowledge transfer law [1]. A fundamental place in this ideology is occupied by the efforts of the European public research sector. phenomenon of a self-regulating market, which should be KEYWORDS protected from the efforts of states to intervene in it with public subsidies. Such interventions are justified only in borderline state aid, research, development, innovation, European union, cases, such as market failure or the pressing need to level certain competition law, European single market, public subsidies, geographical and especially social inequalities. knowledge transfer, effective collaboration, contract research, The first and arguably most important arena in which the licensing negative externalities of selective favoring of international competitors are manifested is the global trade. For this reason, state aid is regulated in relative detail by the World Trade 1 INTRODUCTION Organization, particularly on the basis of the Agreement on The aim of this paper is to bring the regulation of state aid in the Subsidies and Compensatory Measures, which deals on the one European Union closer to readers working in the field of publicly hand with the rules governing the provision of subsidies, i.e. state funded research and knowledge transfer. In addition to the aid, and on the other hand with the application of so-called introductory general interpretation of the law of state aid, the compensatory measures to compensate for the damage caused paper focuses on the issue of state aid of research organizations, subsidized imports, both in order to maintain healthy especially in connection with their interactions with companies, international competition. particularly when dealing with intellectual property belonging to The European Union (‘Union’), unlike the World Trade these organizations. These issues raise a number of practical Organization, has more effective tools for enforcing its standards problems that are relevant for research organizations, especially and similarly uses state aid regulation as a tool to protect the from the point of view of fulfilling their role in the dissemination health of economic competition. Articles 107 and 108 of the of knowledge1 . These problems also affect those corporations Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) and entities that seek to collaborate with research organizations governing the provision of state aid by member states can be in the area of knowledge dissemination or transfer. I plan to found in the chapter dedicated to the competition law. Those address this subject in relative detail in this paper and subsequent subsidies that bring negative externalities manifested in the work. In the field of knowledge transfer, at least in Czechia, the property right of competitors from other member countries are European regulation of state aid is perceived as an obstacle to the identified as problematic. The main goal here is the protection of effective transfer of knowledge from public research the European single market. 1 Knowledge dissemination, according to Framework, means to widely disseminate 2 See references below. the results of research activities by way of teaching, publication or knowledge transfer. Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia 33 © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). The European single market is based on four fundamental market. This fact is also reflected in the wording of the old freedoms that enable the free movement of people, goods, framework for state aid for research and development and services and capital. It is precisely the above-mentioned Article innovation, or its point 4, regulating the compatibility of support 107 and 108 of the TFEU which, through the prohibition of state according to Article 87 paragraph 3 letter b) of the EC Treaty aid, creates the environment for its unobtrusive operation. For (today's Article 107 paragraph 3 letter b) of the TFEU). example, the realization of the free movement of goods will not Typically, however, state aid for R&D&I will be evidenced by be quite possible in a situation where the goods in question are an exception pursuant to Article 107 paragraph 3 letter b), competing with an alternative that the subsidized entrepreneur according to which aid intended to facilitate the development of can afford to sell at prices that do not reflect the costs of its certain economic activities or economic areas can be considered production. compatible with the European single market, if they do not On the other hand, there is a need to clearly define the rules change the conditions of trade to such an extent that it would be applicable to all (member states) for exceptions to the above state contrary to the common interest. aid ban. This happens, for example, in areas where there is an The beginnings of state aid regulation of R&D&I go back to obvious market failure, i.e. for example when supporting the so- the 1980s, when the Commission issued the first framework called Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI). In defining the conditions for the compatibility of public R&D&I connection with the system of exceptions to the prohibition of support with the common market. The importance of research public aid, this area of legal regulation is thus enriched by an and development as a general interest of the Union has also been essentially political aspect. These aspects appear both at the level enhanced by the revision of the founding treaties, the of the Union (for example, the exception for significant projects consequence of which is the above-mentioned wording of Article of common European interest listed in Article 107(3)(b) of the 179 of the TFEU. The political dimension of the importance of TFEU) and at the level of the Member States. R&D&I is the reason for the Commission's favorable approach to authorizing public subsidies in this area. This is manifested on the one hand within the current Framework for State aid for 3 STATE AID OF R&D&I R&D&I (‘Framework’) 4 which represents and examplary of The European Union generally favors research, development soft-law instrument, in which the Comission reveals its opinions and innovation (‘R&D&I’). In its Article 179, the TFEU contains regarding the interpretation and application of R&D&I state aid a provision according to which the Union aims to "strengthen its law. According to the current wording of the Framework, state scientific and technological foundations by creating a European support for R&D&I can thus be compatible with the European research area in which scientists, scientific knowledge and single market if it can be expected to mitigate market failure by technology move freely". For this purpose, according to this supporting an important project of common European interest or article, it is necessary to support businesses and research by facilitating the development of certain economic activities, organizations in their efforts to cooperate. However, this and if the subsequent distortion of economic competition and objective may be in conflict with another important objective of trade is not contrary to the common interest [2]. the Union. It is the above-mentioned effort to build and protect In 2012, the Commission also decided to modernize state aid the health of the European single market, protected from the law. The aim of this modernization was to regulate those state negative impact of state or public subsidies. and public aids, that have the greatest impact on the European R&D&I subsidies can therefore potentially distort single market, so that even after limiting the negative effects of competition in the European single market. This happens aid, it is still possible to achieve the main priorities of the Union, especially in cases where the state aid does not induce additional which are the growth and competitiveness of the Union. At the activities on the part of the beneficiaries beyond those that the same time, the new rules were supposed to be “streamlined”. The recipient would have carried out even if such aid did not exist. logic behind this justification is that the regulation of state aid The effect of state aid can thus be perceived as an increase on the can help the efficiency of public budgets and correct the so-called input side (i.e. supported companies invest more of their own market failure. The process of revising the existing rules lasted resources in R&D&I as a result of state aid) or an increase on the almost two and a half years, from the first public consultations at output side (i.e. more outputs or R&D&I results are created the end of 2011 until the adoption of the new rules in May 2014. precisely as a result of state aid). Regulation of state aid can Recently, Commission launched a public consultation ensure its increased effectiveness by requiring providers to focus inviting all interested parties to comment on a proposed targeted state aid on projects that would not have occurred in the absence revision of the Framework. Interested parties were called to of their state aid[1]. participate in a public consultation which lasted eight weeks According to the Commission 3 , State aid of R&D&I is (until 3. June 2021). The goal of this new revision is, according enabled by the wording of the TFEU itself, specifically in two Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, further simplyfication of places. State aid of European R&D&I is enabled by Article 107 existeing State aid rules. New framework, which shall be the paragraph 3 letter b), according to which aid intended to help the result of this latest modernization effort, shall concern itsfef with implementation of a significant project of common European the following: interest can be considered compatible with the European single 3 The European Commission is the executive of the European Union. This text uses 4 Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation was the abbreviation “Commission” hereinafter. published by the Commission in the Official Journal of the European Union (2014/C 198/01) on 27.6.2014. 34 • Clarification of definitions, particulary public financing of RO’s economic activities can also be • innovation clusters, allowed. These are cases where the economic activity is purely • industrial research and experimental secondary (ancillary). According to the Commission, such development as well as organizational secondary economic activity is an activity that meets the innovation, following conditions: • innovation activities of SMEs. • the same inputs (e.g. material, equipment, labor and fixed • Compatibility criteria to allow support for technology capital) used for this economic activity are used for other infrastructures to reflect market and technology non-economic activities, evolution and to incentivize research, development and • the economic activity in question is directly related to the innovation investments [3]. operation of the research organization and • is necessary for its operation or • is inextricably linked to its main non-economic use, 4 RESEARCH ORGANIZATION AND • the scope of this activity will not exceed 20% of the total KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER annual capacity of the given entity. Accordign to EU law a ‘research and knowledge-dissemination According to Wendland, we can classify the above criteria into organisation’ (‘RO’) means an entity (such as universities or qualitative criteria and quantitative criteria [5]. The result of the research institutes, but also technology transfer agencies or othe qualitative view is thus the answer to the question whether the innovation intermediaries, etc.), irrespective of its legal status research organization is really used almost exclusively for non- (organised under public or private law) or way of financing, economic activity and the economic activity is directly related to whose primary goal is to independently conduct R&D&I or to and necessary for the operation of the research organization, or it disseminate the results of such activities (e.g. by teaching, is intrinsically linked with its main non-economic use. Based on publications or knowledge transfer activities) [4]. As stated a quantitative perspective, we then determine whether economic above, these can be private organizations as well. Nevertheless, activities consume exactly the same inputs (such as material, companies that can exert a decisive influence upon a private RO, equipment, labor and fixed capital) as non-economic activities in the quality of, for example, shareholders or members, shall not and the capacity allocated each year to economic activity does enjoy preferential access to the results generated by it [4]. not exceed the above-mentioned 20% of total capacities. In addition to the primary activities of the RO (education, basic In this context, however, Wendland, in my opinion, rightly research, etc.), according to the Commission, the public reminds us that it is necessary to assess quantitative and dissemination of research results (typically in the form of qualitative criteria cumulatively and that the 20% limit has no publications, open access databases, or open software) also has a support in the decision-making activities of the Commission or non-economic nature and can be thus subsidised [2]. Part of the EU courts5 . In the end, the qualitative criteria mentioned knowledge dissemination activities are activities in knowledge above will always be decisive. transfer (‘KT’). However, according to the Framework, KT activities are considere non-economic, only if the profit from these activities is reinvested in the primary activities of the ROs. 5 (NON) ECONOMIC INTERACTIONS OF Knolwedge transfer is definied in the Framework very ROs AND COMPANIES extensively as any process which has the aim of acquiring, According to the Framework, independent research conducted collecting and sharing explicit and tacit knowledge, including with the aim of obtaining new knowledge and a better skills and competence in both economic and non-economic understanding of a given topic is the primary activity of a activities such as research collaborations, consultancy, licensing, research organization, which is considered non-economic. spin-off creation, publication and mobility of researchers and However, according to the Framework, under certain other personnel involved in those activities. Besides scientific circumstances it is considered permissible that even research that and technological knowledge, it includes other kinds of is financed by private means is not considered an economic knowledge such as knowledge on the use of standards and activity in the sense of the state aid rules. Such situations are in regulations embedding them and on conditions of real life the case of research that takes place within the framework of operating environments and methods for organisational effective collaboration between a research organization and a innovation, as well as management of knowledge related to company or companies (i.e. in the words of the Comission identifying, acquiring, protecting, defending and exploiting “undertakings”). intangible assets [2]. In such research cooperation, both partners contribute to the The most important takeaway here is that ROs meeting the success of a joint research project. Both partners in these projects conditions set out in the GBER and the Framework are, de-facto, also share the risks and subsequently also the outputs (i.e. project outside of the scope of state aid law regulation. However, the results). Compared to the above, contract research is conditions here are, (1) the above mentioned reinvestment and characterized by the fact that the industrial partner (undertaking) (2) no cross-susidization of their economic activities. Even this unilaterally assigns research tasks to the RO and bears the full rule though, has its exemptions. Under certain circumstances costs of this activity, including the usual margin. 5 Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) consists of two separate courts: the Court of Justice and the General Court. Hence the abbreviation “EU courts” is used. 35 Collaboration is considered to be ‘effective’ if at least two may consider documents that were created (and are being independent parties cooperate: created) within the professional circles of organizations dealing • for the purpose of exchanging knowledge or technology or with the cultivation of relations between the academic and • to achieve a common goal. private sectors. As an example, the Commission's In order for the qualitative sign of effectiveness according to recommendation of 10 April 2008 on the management of the Framework to be fulfilled, the above-mentioned purpose intellectual property in knowledge transfer activities and on the should be achieved on the basis of the division of labor between code of good practice for universities and other public research the parties involved. Collaborating parties should jointly organizations (notified under number K (2008) 1329) is given, as determine the scope of the joint research project, jointly well as the recommendation entitled "Responsible partnerships ” contribute to its implementation and share not only its results, but published by European associations of universities (EIRMA and also the associated risks. On the other hand, according to the EUA), non-university research organizations (EARTO) and Commission, the collaboration is effective even if the costs of the knowledge transfer professionals (ASTP – Proton). aforementioned research project are borne in full by only one or Another example of non-economic interaction of RO and more parties, thus effectively relieving the other parties of their business (i.e. undertakings) is knowledge transfer. Knowledge financial risks. Contractual research and the provision of transfer in its current form is closely related to the adoption of research services are not considered forms of cooperation. the so-called Bayh-Dole Act in 1980 in the United States of In contrast to effective collaboration, research carried out on America. For the first time in that environment, this law allowed behalf of a company is usually carried out on the basis of an universities to own the results of state-funded research and assignment, or contractual conditions set by the company, or by development. The transfer of knowledge thus resulted from the the customer. The company also owns the results of research obligation of proper management of the newly acquired property. activities and bears the risk of the potential failure of the research The passage of this law was part of a long-term vision of the or the possibility of non-application of the results. Such research United States government, in addition to the Bayh-Dole Act, a will therefore be the economic activity of the RO and its, even number of new laws were adopted (for example, the Stewenson- partial financing from public budgets (typically in connection Wydler Act on Technological Innovation), and the goal of this with the use of equipment or employees' working time), is only reform was to increase the rate of use of publicly funded research possible if it is a purely anciliary activity (see above). Otherwise and their transfer to the private sector. the status of an RO (i.e. non-undertaking, exempted from the The aim of knowledge transfer activities is to convey state aid rules) could not be maintained. knowledge, ideally protected by some sort of intellectual The Issue Paper to the Framework also brings a more detailed property, into new or improved products and services. consideration to the topic of the definition of collaborative Schematically, the above-described path from an idea to a real research. According to the Commission, effective cooperation innovation can be described, for example, using the well-known does not happen in cases where clearly defined tasks are Technology Readiness Level ('TRL') scheme. Following this performed within the framework of a contract. Collaborative scheme, it could be said that the mission of knowledge transfer research is usually of a long-term nature. It is an "open-ended" is the transformation of knowledge into technologies and/or collaboration. The Commission emphasizes that it is practically products and the subsequent increase of their technological (and impossible to talk about collaborative research in cases where it market) maturity. was not preceded by a proper contract. Otherwise, the risk or, Pracitically, most of the knowledge trasnfer deals are enabled conversely, the benefit of the given cooperation could be by some sort of a license agreement in which the RO grants the retroactively allocated to the more powerful of the cooperating business partner rights, enabling it to use the knowledge partners [6]. generated by the RO legally. Especially with regard to the In my view, the key feature of contract researsch is that, provision of licenses, the Commission's statement contained in unlike in research collaboration, the company solely determines the so-called Issues Paper on the Framework can be considered the research assignment. The fact that the ownership of the slightly confusing. According to the paper, the transfer of results remains with the research organization and the company knowledge should primarily take place on a non-exclusive basis. was "only" granted access rights does not deprive such Non-exclusive licensing is, or should most certainly be the cooperation of the character of contractual research, but on the research organization's preferred way of commercializing other hand justifies the reduction of its price. The same is true in intellectual property. Especially when this type of licensing has cases of co-ownership of results. These considerations flow from the potential to maximize the economic benefits. In practice, the text of the Framework, which in point 26, within the chapter however, the situation where several partners are willing to dedicated to research on behalf of businesses (and in this context, compete with each other as non-excklusive licensees occurs only contract research or research services), deals with issues of rarely. In addition, it follows from the above consideration retention of ownership rights to intellectual property. The contained in the explanatory report that the non-exclusivity of the Framework literally states that "if the research organization or transfer is meant in relation to the primary activity, or the mission research infrastructure retains ownership of the intellectual of the research organization, which is the public dissemination of property rights or the relevant access rights, their market value research results on a non-exclusive and non-discriminatory basis may be deducted from the price to be paid for the services - for example through teaching, open access databases, publicly concerned". accessible publications or open software. The Commission also suggests that for the interpretation, or the definition of the term "effective collaboration in research" it 36 6 CONCLUSION Finally, it can be recommended that the RO should always reserve at least the right to use licensed invetions for its internal The enforcement of the european definition of RO and the ,non-commercial research and educational activities. Licensing emphasis on compliance with the state aid rules brought with it should also not jeopardize the fulfillment of the primary mission an interesting benefit (at least in Czech Republic where the of RO’s, which is the dissemination of knowledge in the true author is based) in that the organizations are forced to prove the sense of the word, i.e. to the general public. existence of their IPR norms and processes, which typically also deal with the application of rights to inventions. However, the REFERENCES state aid law continues to remain a scarecrow that keeps domestic research organizations in uncertainty regarding the acceptable [1] Bacon, Kelyn and QC, Kelyn Bacon, 2017. European Union Law of State Aid. . Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-878736-5..Google-Books- level of their knowledge transfer and application-oriented ID: p1njDQAAQBAJ. activities. [2] European Commission, 2014. Communication from the Commission — Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation. Public dissemination of R&D&I results is the mission of a Online. 2014.. Available from: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- research organization. Therefore, the goal of knowledge transfer content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A52014XC0627%2801%29. cannot be only the achievement of profit, but a wider, societal [3] European Commission, 2021. Explanatory note - Revision of the State aid rules for RDI Online. European Union. Available from: effect. 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European State Aid Law Quarterly. 2015. competition law. Vol. 14, no. 1, p. 25–50 Non-exclusive licensing is, or should most certainly be the [6] European Commission, 2012. Issues paper - Revision of the state aid rules for research and development and innovation Online. Brussels: European research organization's preferred way of commercializing Commission - Competition DG intellectual property. In my view though, an exclusive patent [7] Wendland, Bernhard von, 2015. New Rules for State Aid for Research, license which resulted from ‘arm’s length’ negotiation, i.e. the Development and Innovation. European State Aid Law Quarterly. 2015. Vol. 14, no. 1, p. 25–50.; transaction between the contracting parties does not differ from [8] Nicolaides, Phedon, 2016. The Pricing of Access to Publicly-Funded those which would be concluded between independent Research Infrastructure and State Aid Rules. European State Aid Law Quarterly. 2016. Vol. 15, no. 1, p. 9–15. enterprises and with no element of collusionm, is perfectly non- [9] Schwendinger, Gerd, 2013. State Aid and Intellectual Property in Contract economic in nature. As mentioned above, all profits from such Research and R&D&I Collaboration. European State Aid Law Quarterly. activities need to be reinvested in the primary activities of the 2013. Vol. 12, no. 4, p. 685–698.. RO. 37 Effective collaboration and IP management Levin Pal Robert Blatnik Špela Stres Center for technology transfer Center for technology transfer Center for technology transfer and innovation and innovation and innovation Jozef Stefan Institute Jozef Stefan Institute Jozef Stefan Institute Ljubljana, Slovenia Ljubljana, Slovenia Ljubljana, Slovenia levin.pal@ijs.si robert.blatnik@ijs.si spela.stres@ijs.si ABSTRACT innovation (R&D&I) [3], which has a status of EC communication and as such does not have a direct legal impact. This article summarizes the main findings of the national project As the content of the R&D&I framework is based on the GBER, entitled “Evaluation of IP as a basis for proposing a long-term it makes sense to consider the points of the R&D&I framework sustainable state aid model to promote science-business as if they were legally binding in practice. cooperation” (project V7-2145 of the targeted development According to the terminology of GBER [2] and R&D& I [3] the programme - CRP 2021) supported by the Slovenian Research term "undertaking" is used describing an entity carrying out an Agency and the Slovenian Ministry of Education, Science and economic activity consisting of offering products or services on Sport) [1]. a given market (point 17 in R&D& I [3]) such as small, medium-The research was focused to the situations related to the sized and large enterprise (point 15 in R&D& I [3]). Intellectual Property (IP) management in collaborative projects The abbreviation “RKDO” stands for "Research and Knowledge of the following characteristics: Dissemination Organization or Research Organization” as (i) effective collaboration between undertakings and RKDOs defined in article 2, paragraph 83 of GBER [2] and point 15 (ee) takes place and; of R&D& I [3]. (ii) the project is financed by the state (e.g. cohesion funds The phrase “collaborative project” means the project carried out through ministries, agencies etc.) and; through “effective collaboration” as defined in point 27 of (iii) the results of project are expected to contain IP that due to R&D& I [3] (see the full definition in the following text). possible commercial interest may or may not be published and The “aid intensity” is the maximum gross amount of state aid widely disseminated, but rather protected (e.g. as a business that can be granted per beneficiary (undertaking or RKDO), secret, patent application or other form of IP).The aim of this expressed as a percentage of eligible costs, before any deduction study was to determine (i) meaningful guidelines for intellectual of tax or other charge (point 15 c in R&D& I [3]). property (IP) management in collaborative projects and (ii) the For the purpose of this article the term “consortium” means a most typical way of assessing the market price of IP for the case group consisting of at least one or more undertakings and one or of licensing or selling IP to third parties interested in using it for more RKDOs that “effectively collaborate” among each other in commercial purposes. the framework of national collaborative project funded to certain KEYWORDS extent by the state (the type of collaboration as described in article 25, paragraph 6 (b) (i) in GBER [2]). Effective collaboration, collaborative projects, IP - Intellectual Property, Background IP, Results, Foreground IP, State Aid, 2. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Undertaking, RKDO - Research and Knowledge Dissemination Organization, GBER - General Block Exemption Regulation [2], Key characteristics of collaborative projects taking place through R&D&I - Research & Development & Innovation framework [3] effective collaboration between research and knowledge dissemination organizations (RKDO) and companies 1. INTRODUCTION (undertakings) associated to the maximum allowed intensities of The General Block Exception Regulation (GBER) of EC [2] state aid funding were followed by general guidelines regarding declares certain categories of aid compatible with the internal management of IP in such projects and more detailed description market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on referring to the management of Background IP – owned by one the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Aid for research or more project partners before the beginning of collaborative and development and innovation is one of the GBER categories project; and Foreground IP – jointly created by the partners in the and the principles of its proper implementation are explained in course of the collaborative project. Typical and less common Framework for State aid for research and development and ways of IP commercialization in accordance with the state aid rules were schematically represented along with the types of recommended agreements at individual steps of Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed commercialization. Different options are further described for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full regarding the IP transfer and market price determination. citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia 3. CONCLUSIONS © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). The most important findings are: (i) the relations between the partners regarding the ownership and access of Background IP 38 have to be well regulated in advance prior to the start of the Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02014R0651-20170710&from=EN collaborative project; (ii) the typical and most useful path for the (last accessed August 7 2022) transfer of IP includes the following steps: valuation of IP, [3] R&D&I - Framework for State aid for research and development and effective negotiations; determination of the IP market price and innovation. Information from European Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. European Commission. Communication from the conclusion of IP license or IP sales and/or IP exploitation and/or commission. (2014/C 198/01). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- new collaborative project consortium agreement. content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52014XC0627(01)&from=EN (last accessed August 7 2022) [4] Guidance How to draw up your H2020 consortium agreement. 2020. European Commission. Directorate-General for Research & Innovation. https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/other/gm/h2020 -guide-cons-a_en.pdf (last accessed September 30, 2022) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: [5] Kaiser L., Neu M., Teernstra, F. 2020. State Aid on R&D&I – The Right Way. EARTO - European Association of Research and Technology Slovenian Research Agency and the Slovenian Ministry of Organisations. Brussels. https://www.earto.eu/wp- Education, Science and Sport are greatly acknowledged for content/uploads/EARTO-Report-on-State-Aid-on-RDI-The-Right-Way- Final.pdf (last accessed August 7 2022) supporting the project CRP 2021 Nr. V7-2145. In addition, we [6] Kebapci, H., Von Wendland, B., Kaymaktchiyski, S., State Aid Rules in would like to thank sincerely to the project content supervisor Research, Development & Innovation. Addressing Knowledge and Mateja Struna and the legal experts, especially Lorenz Kaiser, Awareness Gaps among Research and Knowledge Dissemination Organisations. Decision Tree, Kaiser, L. (Ed.), Neu, M. (Ed.), Teernstra, Michel Neu, Folkert Teernstra and Stoyan Kaymaktchiyski for F. (Ed.), Nicolaides, P. (Ed.), EUR 30436 EN, Publications Office of the valuable and useful discussions, patience and help in European Union, Luxembourg, 2020, ISBN 978-92-76-25081-4, understanding the complex state aid rules and pleasant company doi:10.2760/675525, JRC122304: at the workshop in Bratislava [15]. https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC122304/kjn a30436enn.pdf (last accessed September 11 2022) [7] Andonova, E., Barrada, M., Bole, D., Gulda, K., Hudson, J., Jimenez, V., LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Karanikic, P., Kaymaktchiyski, S., Kokorotsikos, P., Koycheva, C., The authors of this paper used reasonable efforts to include accurate Mladenov, T., Rizzuto, C., Shvarova, O., Taylor, S., Teernstra, F., Strategic evaluation of the Bulgarian Centres of Competence and Centres information on the state aid rules related to the collaborative projects, of Excellence and recommendations for their further development: but we, however, make no warranties as to the accuracy of the content https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/studies/pdf/bulgari and statements and assume no liability or responsibility for an error or an_centres/bulgarian_centres_report.pdf (last accsessed September 11 omission in the content of this article. 2022) [8] Law on employment related inventions (ZPILDR), Uradni List RS, št. Please be advised that nothing in this article constitutes legal advice. If 15/07. http://pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO361. (last there are any particular concerns to be addressed, please contact a accessed October 4, 2022) lawyer directly so that your specific circumstances can be evaluated. The [9] Slovenian accounting standard – SRS, Uradni List RS, šr. 95/15. authors of this article will not be held liable for any decisions one may http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=DRUG4192. (last take pursuant to the information and observations provided in this accessed October 4, 2022) [10] International Valuation Standards Council. 2022. International valuation article. The content of this article will not constitute an official position, standards,.https://propertyinstitute.nz/Attachment?Action=Download&A decision, legal advice or guidance from the authors, nor from the “Jozef ttachment_id=5117 (last accessed October 4, 2022) Stefan” Institute, nor from the experts listed in the acknowledgments [11] Flignor P., Orozco, P., 2006. Intangible Assets & Intellectual Property section. Valuation: A Multidisciplinary Perspective, IPthought.com, https://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/sme/en/documents/pdf/ip_valuati on.pdf. (last accessed October 4, 2022) REFERENCES [12] Trade Secrets Act (ZPosS), Uradni List, št. 22/19. http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO7758. (last [1] Pal L., Stres Š., Blatnik R., Lutman T., Justin T. 2022. Evaluation of IP as accessed October 4, 2022) a basis for proposing a long-term sustainable state aid model to promote [13] Copyright and Related Rights Act (ZASP), Uradni List, št. 16/07. science-business cooperation. Final report of the project nr. V7-2145 of http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO403. (last the targeted development programme - CRP 2021. Jozef Stefan Institute, accessed October 4, 2022) University of Primorska, Slovenian Research Agency and the Slovenian [14] Industrial Property Act (ZIL-1), Uradni List RS, št. 51/06. Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. (Slovenian language only and http://www.pisrs.si/Pis.web/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO1668 not published yet) [15] Innovation and Technology Transfer in Central and Southeast Europe, [2] GBER – General Block Exemption Regulation. COMMISSION European Commission, Knowledge4Policy. Bratislava, 19.5.2022 REGULATION (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/event/innovation-technology- categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of transfer-central-southeast-europe_en 39 Project support services of a technology transfer office Tomaž Lutman Špela Stres Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation Jožef Stefan Institute Jožef Stefan Institute Ljubljana, Slovenia Ljubljana, Slovenia tomaz.lutman@ijs.si spela.stres@ijs.si ABSTRACT 1 INTRODUCTION The Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CTT) at the Technology transfer offices and project support offices at the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) offers not only services related to technology transfer, but also project support services. Database public research organizations are sometimes two units (i.e. of project calls established by CTT serves as an important tool to National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia) and sometimes inform researchers about relevant calls. Establishing a merged in one unit (i.e. KU Leuven, Belgium). Experience in consortium of project partners or joining one that is already creating impact, management with intellectual property, established is also an important step in project work. Further technical background and good connections with researchers support such as writing of project proposals, identifying and should be values of each technology transfer unit. These kinds of planning impact of the project, managing data, providing gender expertise are useful also in preparing R&D project proposals and equality, management, financial, legal and administrative management of the project consortia. Using national/regional support is crucial for successfully acquiring and running a project. funding is also one of the most common pathways to raise In June 2022 we performed a survey which targeted researchers Technology Readiness Level and transfer technology to industry. at the institute. It provided quantitative and qualitative analysis of project support services available at the JSI. If technology transfer support and project services are carried out at one unit, a one-stop-shop service can be offered to researchers, KEYWORDS which we see as an advantage. Further specialized knowledge in project management is needed, such as legal, financial and other project support services, management, technology transfer, expertise. project’s impact, public funding POVZETEK 2 PROJECT SUPPORT SERVICES The following project support services are offered at the CTT, Center za prenos tehnologij in inovacij (CTT) na Institutu Jožef JSI. Stefan (IJS) poleg storitev, povezanih s prenosom tehnologij, ponuja tudi storitve za podporo projektom. Baza projektnih 2.1 Finding right call razpisov, ki jo je vzpostavil CTT, je pomembno orodje za obveščanje raziskovalcev o relevantnih razpisih. Pomemben Getting a project can result from two options. In the first option korak pri projektnem delu je tudi vzpostavitev konzorcija ali the organisation identifies a call, suitable for its expertise and pridružitev k že vzpostavljenemu konzorciju. Nadaljnja podpora, builds a project idea and project partner consortium based on kot je pisanje projektne prijave, prepoznavanje in načrtovanje guidelines in the call. The second option occurs when a vpliva projekta, upravljanje s podatki, zagotavljanje enakosti consortium is already established and the project prepared. In spolov, upravljanje, finančna, pravna in administrativna podpora, that case the consortium looks for a call that would fit their je ključnega pomena za uspešno pridobitev in izvedbo projekta. consortium and project proposal. Often modifications are made Junija 2022 smo izvedli anketo, ki je bila namenjena in order to correspond to the call. raziskovalcem inštituta. Z njo smo pridobili kvantitativno in In both cases a good overview of published and forthcoming calls kvalitativno analizo storitev projektne podpore, ki so na voljo na as well as their conditions and deadlines is needed. This can be IJS. delivered to researchers in different ways – using internal KLJUČNE BESEDE database, newsletters, direct communication, etc. In 2017 CTT established database of research and innovation storitve projektne podpore, upravljanje, prenos tehnologij, vpliv calls, which is still active [1]. The database is searchable and projekta, javno financiranje different filters such as technical field, financer, deadline, opening data, can be applied in order to optimize the set of calls a user is looking for. The database includes calls which are Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed directly relevant for JSI which means that JSI can apply as an for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full applicant. Furthermore, indirectly relevant calls where JSI’s role citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must could be in subcontracting are included in the database. The be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia database contains calls published by Slovenian, European and © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). other authorities and bodies. It is designed in a way that calls are automatically archived when the deadline passes. In order to 40 keep the database up to date, once per month relevant sources are Enterprise Europe Network and it represents an important tool reviewed and new calls inserted in the database. It is offered only for establishing partnerships. to JSI’s employees, which is arranged by limited access with Partners can be found also by several other means such as institutional Internet Protocol address. other networks, platforms and communities, brokerage events, Beside the infrastructure (database) relevant information about direct contact by email/phone – targeted or by e-blast – and other. the suitable calls should be delivered to researchers. This is done Once contacts between possible partners are established, in different ways – through more systematic way using video-call or personal meeting is advised to be organized in order newsletter and mailing lists or for specific technology. to establish personal relationship and discuss cooperation It is necessary that conditions of the calls are studied and most directly. suitable are identified. It is also advisable to establish a link with The further discussions can require concluding written a contact person or national contact point (usually ministries and agreements such as non-disclosure agreements, letters of intent, agencies) in order to discuss the compatibility of expertise, material transfer agreements etc. which requires legal support in organisation status and other characteristics with the call. For drafting, negotiating and signing such contracts. example, the Horizon Europe programme has a helpful and well organized network of National Contact Points. This is useful for 2.3 Writing the project proposal companies as well as research organizations. Usually it is crucial Public authorities expect very well prepared project proposals for for small companies without experience in project proposals and published calls. One of the reason is that a financer doesn’t want dedicated units. to take the risk of financing unclear and not well planned projects. 2.2 Establishing partnership A project proposal can be defined in different ways. It can be: Most of the research and innovation projects are done in • A document which includes all the information needed by cooperation with more partners. Sometimes JSI is in position to relevant stakeholders to make management decisions. coordinate the project and in other cases its role is more suitable • A document that transforms an “idea” or “policy” into an as a partner, associated partner or subcontractor. The partnership effective/doable project. for project proposals can be established with existing partners • A document used to convince a “sponsor” to finance a from past projects or other types of cooperation. It is also good project or to let you implement it. to look for new partners in order to bring new ideas to the project. • A document which serves as a key management tool (“road- This can be done in different ways. map”) for the implementation of a project. Enterprise Europe Network is the largest European network that connects industry with research organizations, operated by Project proposals of Horizon Europe and other research and the chambers of commerce, technology transfer offices, innovation funding calls normally consist of three parts: 1) innovation agencies and similar nodes [1]. Its main tool is a Excellence; 2) Impact; and 3) Quality and efficiency of the publicly available anonymized brokerage database with implementation. As a rule, researchers prepare scientific parts of business/technology offers/requests as well as partner search the proposal in part 1) and 3). In part 1) it is usually expected to publications. Specific guidelines must be followed in order to explain also how the data will be managed and how gender prepare such publications. This results in well prepared equality will be provided. Sometimes also some other non- publications so dissemination activities are normally easy and technical content is expected such as interaction with initiatives, suitable companies, research institutions and other organizations living lab concepts etc. Researchers are often not familiar with across Europe are quickly informed. CTT-JSI is a member of these parts. This is usually the case also with chapter 2) Impact. Figure 1: Pathway to impact, example by European Commission [3] 41 A one-stop-shop service to support these sections of the project In order to achieve expected impact, suitable measures must is needed. It should be noted that there is no single standardized be taken. Dissemination, communication and exploitation must way/text suitable for all projects. In order to prepare these parts be effective and well coordinated. Public dissemination and to fit well into the project, suitable partners with relevant communication is normally an obligation in publicly funded expertise should be found and the strategy prepared with projects. This request is reasonable, since the public (including effective communication. For a successful project proposal relevant stakeholders) funds the research and development different analysis such as state-of-the art and market analysis activities and should be informed about them. The Open Science should be prepared. Often a research group already has a lot of principles are gaining on importance. Not just publications about important information gathered, so having an interview with research, but also related data that was acquired during the them is a good start. project is expected to be published. With the help of open science, all stakeholders in society will gain important access to 2.4 Impact knowledge. Generally, a project applicant should describe the qualitative and Communication activities are constantly changing and quantitative impact of the project as well as what measures will adapting to new trends. In the past, physical promotion materials be implemented to reach it. such as flyers and brochures were more significant. Nowadays, The term impact describes all the changes which are expected social networks, new internet platforms and other forms are to happen due to the implementation and application of a given gaining importance. This trend was accelerated during the intervention. Such impacts may occur over different timescales, COVID19 pandemic. affect different actors and be relevant at different scales (local, Although dissemination is expected from project partners, national, etc.). Impact is the last link in the results chain suitable protection of intellectual property (IP) and exploitation according to the theory of change: inputs–>activities– of results should also be accomplished. In order to accomplish >outputs(results)–>outcomes–>impact. An illustrative example both dissemination and protection of IP, the best way is to file with artificial intelligence for a forecasting system in airports is patent applications for developed inventions. Sometimes the shown in Figure 1. generated knowledge is not patentable or patent protection is not Project proposals usually include scientific, economical, reasonable. In case such know-how has a big commercial value societal, and environmental impacts. Scientific impact includes or is expected to have one, it should be protected as a secret creating quality new knowledge, strengthening human capital in know-how. Important part of exploitation activities is to have a research and development, and encouraging the spread of suitable business model, partners and end-users which are knowledge and open science. In EU projects, societal and interested in accepting new technologies. environmental impacts are expected to be reached by addressing EU policy priorities and global challenges through research and 2.5 Data management innovation as well as strengthening the acceptance of research In comparison with Horizon 2020 projects, it is expected to better and innovation in society. Economic impact involves creating manage data in Horizon Europe projects. The data management growth based on innovation, creating more and better jobs, and should follow FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, utilization of investments in R&I. Reusable) principle. Already in the project proposal, the project consortium should have a good picture of what type and size of Figure 2. Need for project support service by JSI researchers according to internal survey 42 data will be generated in the project. The data generated in with financial reporting and support with project management laboratories and other locations should be well structured and when JSI is coordinator. labelled. Metadata should be generated. An appropriate trustworthy repository with possibility to assign persistent Table 1. Project support of different units at the JSI. Service identifiers should be chosen and used to upload the data. Good providers at the JSI in the survey were as follows: U1 - Director's practices for these activities are advised to be reviewed and Office; U6 - International Project Office; CTT; SRIP TOP - Strategic followed. By consistent upload of data to repository, an effective Research & Innovation Partnership Factories of the Future; SRIP PMiS dissemination is accomplished. These activities should be well - Strategic Research & Innovation Partnership Smart Cities and Communities. Other*: 1) They haven't needed help so far. 2) They were aligned with IP protection strategy. An important aspect is also not aware of the possibility of internal assistance. 3) Help from external safety which has to be assured in order to protect sensible data consultants. 4) They did not apply to this group of calls. ERC - including personal data from cyber attacks. European Research Council; EIC - European Innovation Council; MSCA - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions; ESA - European Space Agency; ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency; MIZŠ - Ministry of 2.6 Gender equality Education, Science and Sport; MGRT - Ministry of Economic Articles 2 & 3 of the Treaty of Amsterdam (1997) and other EU Development and Technology. policy directives (i.e. COM (96) 67 final) foresee principles of gender mainstreaming which should be incorporated in every project [4], [5]. Gender equality in projects is targeted in two ways. Firstly, the consortium team is expected to be gender balanced in the terms of equal number of women and men. Secondly, the content of the project must take into account gender balance. An example is assuring gender balance of tested persons in clinical trials during validation of a new drug. Another example would be to design an algorithm for car safety which corresponds to a man and woman driver. Gender equality is also empowered by stimulation to establish a gender equality plan. Beginning with Horizon Europe calls in 2022, public bodies, We were also interested to get feedback from research organisations or higher education establishments surveyees, from which units at the JSI they get most support for (including private research organisations and higher education a specific group of projects. The results are shown in Table 1. establishments) must have an established gender equality plan Based on the survey, major project support providers are CTT, [6]. Different projects, initiatives and platforms such as U6 and U1 and in a smaller portion SRIP TOP. The notable results not shown in Table 1 are following: There is no need for ATHENA, RePower Women are established to promote gender support within the JSI: most prominently in ARRS calls (49%), equality [6], [8]. MIZŠ/MGRT calls and other Slovenian agencies and ministries (39%), and projects from other agencies (21%). Researchers are 2.7 Management, financial and administrative familiar with the possibility to turn to someone within the JSI support for help: between 93% (ERC calls) and 77% (ARRS calls). Use Management of the project is an important task in performing the of external consultants’ services is following: a) mostly for Horizon Europe 3rd pillar (EIC, Pathfinder) and the ARRS project, especially for a coordinator. Planning, monitoring, scheme (8%) b) rarely for MIZŠ/MGRT calls and other executing and reporting are activities which should be mastered Slovenian agencies and ministries (3%). When external by a good manager. In case of bigger projects, tasks should be consultants were sought, researchers used different approaches divided and researchers should be supported with management. to find them (Figure 3). Different IT tools can be used for the management such as Microsoft Project. Finances should be well planned and expenditure tracked. 3 DEMAND FOR SERVICE, SURVEY AT THE JSI In June 2022 we performed a survey, in which we asked JSI researchers which project support services they use and by which JSI’s unit, which services are important to them and what improvements do they suggest for the future. 44 researchers have filled out the survey. 90% of them expressed their need for Figure 3. Looking for external consultants to prepare the support and 95% said that they would like to have an overview project application of services available at the JSI. 44% of researchers expressed their willingness to Figure 2 shows the rate of importance of each service participate in the design of future project support at the JSI. They for researchers on scale 1-5, where 1 is not important and 5 is also proposed some suggestions for improvements: very important. As most important the researchers have • identified support with the writing section ‘impact’, assistance Better definition of the services of individual providers of project support services at the JSI. 43 • Providing comprehensive support in the "non-scientific" REFERENCES parts of the application (impact, finance, GEP, promotion) and faster response regarding contracts (e.g. NDA). [1] OVERVIEW AND SEARCH OF CURRENT PUBLIC CALLS. Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation at the Jožef Stefan In • stitute. Available Possibility of internal review of the entire project 2.9.2022 on webpage http://tehnologije.ijs.si/?page_id=3028 application and advice for improvements by a person with [2] ENTERPRISE EUROPE NETWORK. Available 2.9.2022 on webpage experience in EU project reviews. List/analysis of the most https://een.ec.europa.eu/ common reasons for project rejection. [3] Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Version 2.0. 11 April. Available • Better support in the financial part of the project, review of 30.8.2022 on webpage https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding- finances, consulting for certain types of projects tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/programme- guide_horizon_en.pdf • Support in finding suitable calls (which are more suitable, [4] Treaty of Amsterdam amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties in what composition of consortia, which are the priority establishing the European Communities and certain related acts - Contents topics). Official Journal C 340, 10/11/1997 P. 0001 – 0144 Main findings of the survey are that (i) researchers need support [5] COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION "INCORPORATING with project management, (ii) CTT is recognized as the main EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN INTO ALL COMMUNITY POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES Available 2.9.2022 on service provider, but also other units at the JSI are very webpage https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/- important, (iii) project support services of JSI’s units should be /publication/3fc7ca58-d2a7-418c-b02d-1f075b50619c/language-en better represented and communicated. [6] Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022. 13. General Annexes. The pre-grant project support services provided by (European Commission Decision C(2022)2975 of 10 May 2022). Available CTT are currently not charged to researchers. Financing of this 2.9.2022 on webpage https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding- is not adequately addressed and is expected to be properly tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2021-2022/wp-13- general-annexes_horizon-2021-2022_en.pdf resolved. In October 2022 Slovenian Ministry of Education, [7] Implementing gender equality plans to unlock research potential of RPOs Science and Sport published a call for project support service, and RFOs in Europe (ATHENA). Grant agreement ID: 101006416. which is a good start to improve this field. European Commision. Available 2.9.2022 on webpage https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101006416 [8] RePower Women. Possibilities for Women in Technologies and Innovation. Available 2.9.2022 on webpage https://www.gov.pl/web/ncbr- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS / ZAHVALA en/repower-women-possibilities-for-women-in-technologies-and- innovation We acknowledge the colleagues at the Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation CTT, Director's Office U1, International Project Office U6 for preparing the survey and exchanging views in suitable project support services at the Jožef Stefan Institute. 44 Challenges of Legal and Regulatory Framework for Blockchain Technology in the EU Izzivi zaščite tehnologije veriženja podatkovnih blokov v EU Urška Fric Jurij Urbančič Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office Laboratory of Organic Matter Physics Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto University of Nova Gorica Rudolfovo – Science and Technology Centre Novo mesto Nova Gorica, Slovenia Novo mesto, Slovenia jurij.urbancic@ung.si urska.fric@fis.unm.si ABSTRACT KLJUČNE BESEDE While blockchain is one of the crucial emerging technologies Tehnologija veriženja podatkovnih blokov, pravice shaping Europe’s digital future, blockchain protection in the intelektualne lastine, zaščita, izzivi, EU domain of IPR is not clearly defined. This status quo, therefore, necessitates an examination of this field – to arrive at a clear legal basis which would regulate blockchain 1 INTRODUCTION technology protection it is necessary to define and address Blockchain technology as one of the technologies of the crucial points. The following paper presents the Industry 4.0 significantly affects how businesses operate challenges of blockchain protection in the EU. It starts by while revolutionizing numerous innovation ecosystems1 [1]. introducing blockchain technology from theory to practice, In 2018, 21 Member States and Norway agreed to sign a followed by the existing conditions of the current legal and declaration to establish a European Blockchain Partnership regulatory framework and the most common challenges for (EBP) and to work together to establish a European blockchain technology protection, and concludes with Blockchain Service Infrastructure (EBSI) to support the proposals for further research in this field. delivery of cross-border digital public services with the highest standards of security and privacy. Since then, eight KEYWORDS more countries have joined the partnership [3]. EBP Blockchain Technology, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), nowadays consists of the EU 27 Member States, Protection, Challenges, EU Liechtenstein, and Norway. The European Union (EU) and Europe have taken a step POVZETEK forward in balancing the legal, regulatory and policy Četudi je blockchain tehnologija oz. tehnologija veriženja frameworks of the EU Member States in crypto assets [4]. In podatkovnih blokov na eni strani ena izmed ključnih (še 2020, the European Commission (EC) has published a new vedno nastajajočih) tehnologij, ki oblikuje digitalno proposal for " Regulation of the European Parliament and the prihodnost Evrope, na drugi strani njena zaščita na področju Council on markets in crypto assets" [5]. This proposal is part pravic intelektualne lastnine še vedno ni povsem jasno of the Digital Finance Package, a comprehensive package of opredeljena. Da bi v prihodnosti prišli do vsem deležnikom measures to further enable and support the potential of jasne pravne podlage, ki bi urejala zaščito tehnologije digital finance in terms of innovation and competition while veriženja podatkovnih blokov, je zato treba opredeliti in mitigating risks [6]. In addition to the proposal, the Digital obravnavati najpomembnejše kritične točke. V prispevku Finance Package also includes a proposal to pilot the predstavljamo izzive na področju zaščite tehnologije regulation of market infrastructures using " Distributed veriženja podatkovnih blokov, ki jo predvideva trenutni Ledger Technology" (DLT), a proposal for digital operational pravno-formalni okvir EU. Najprej se osredotočamo na resilience and a proposal to clarify or amend specific related tehnologijo veriženja podatkovnih blokov od teorije do EU financial services rules. The EC’s priorities ensure that the prakse, nato na obstoječe pogoje veljavnega pravno- EU regulatory framework for financial services is innovation- formalnega okvira ter najpogostejše izzive pri zaščiti, na friendly and does not produce barriers to use of new koncu pa podajamo predloge za nadaljnje kritične točke, ki technologies. The proposal to pilot DLT regulation zahtevajo raziskave tega področja . represents the first concrete action in this field. [4] The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) points out that blockchain technology affects all industries and it is in the interest of the intellectual property (IP) 1 Given that this paper is written in the context of the innovation substitute relations, that are important for innovative operation of an actor ecosystem it should be understood as the evolving set of actors, activities, or a population of actors [2]. and artifacts, the institutions and relations, including complementary and 45 community to investigate the impact of blockchain which is shared among and agreed upon a peer-to-peer technology on IP and to find appropriate models for the network. It consists of a linked sequence of blocks, holding application of blockchain technology in the field of IP [7]. timestamped transactions secured by public-key Blockchain technologies impact every industry and have cryptography and verified by the network community. Once been extensively used in IP; the WIPO Member States have an element is appended to the blockchain technology, it established a blockchain technology task force under the cannot be altered, turning a blockchain technology into an Committee on WIPO Standards (CWS). Its purpose is to immutable record of past activity". The concept of develop reference models for the use of blockchain decentralized blockchain technology has been firstly technology in the field of IP and to propose a new WIPO introduced by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 to provide standard that would support the potential use of blockchain technological support for Bitcoin – a peer-to-peer (P2P) technology in IP ecosystems. [1] electronic cash system [11]. Even though blockchain technology is recognized as a A schematic illustration of the blockchain technology technology with a relatively low maintenance cost, increased basics is shown in Figure 1, based on a very general transparency, reduced administrative burden, resilience to introduction [12]. One can broadly define blockchain fraud, and as versatile technology deployed in many sectors technology as a distributed system to record transactions. and businesses [8]; there are crucial questions which guide After a transaction is issued, it is announced inside the P2P us in this review-oriented paper: network made of nodes that record transactions in 1. How is blockchain technology prepared for IP? blockchain technology. The validator nodes decide if the 2. How is IP prepared for blockchain technology? transaction is valid or not based on the consensus protocol, 3. How can blockchain technology help protect IP? i.e., a set of defined rules implemented by all nodes that Irrespective of the three questions above and crucial for the regulate how new transactions are added. If the transaction paper is the status quo, as follows: the number of inventions is deemed valid, it is grouped with other recently approved involving blockchain technology (in the EU) is increasing [9]. transactions inside a new block linked to the previously At the EU level, those responsible for this field have taken this approved block. A completed transaction is made public on status quo seriously – even though the growth of blockchain blockchain technology. patent applications started in 2016. The official beginnings of blockchain technology Figure 1: The flow of the transaction confirmation protection in the EU date back to 2018 when the European process in the blockchain [12]. Patent Office (EPO) organized the first conference on blockchain technology [9]. At the conference, the EPO expressed its desire for organization of blockchain technology to ensure that patent-granting authorities grant blockchain patents that are legally robust in a predictable manner [9]. The EPO has highlighted computer-implemented inventions (CII) as the challenge researchers in this field face today regarding IPR. When we talk about blockchain inventions, we are talking about CII. The EPO has therefore developed stable criteria in this respect based on the case law The primary and most known application of blockchain on CII. " Blockchain patent applications" refer to a group of technology is in the field of cryptographic digital currency. generic patent applications related to blockchain technology There are over 10 thousand cryptocurrencies as of 2022 [13] [9]. This group can be divided into two sub-groups: (Figure 2a) with the total market cap of all currencies 1. patent applications related to core blockchain reaching more than 1 trillion dollars (as of August 2022 technologies (e.g., public key decryption, access [14]). The two leading cryptocurrencies Bitcoin (BTC) and control and block construction), and Etherium (ETH) alone both have market caps above 200 2. patent applications related to application (use) of billion dollars and have a market share of 38 % and 19 %, blockchain technologies (e.g., drug tagging, audit respectively (Figure 2b). These data show a growth of registration and food tagging). blockchain-based cryptocurrencies. In the following part of paper we, therefore, pay attention to both sub-groups – chapter 2 contains the introduction of blockchain technology from theory to practice. 2 BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE Based on the available peer-review literature, blockchain technology can be defined as [10]: "A distributed database, 46 enabled markets are to mature, policymakers and businesses must create the rules of engagement together [22]. EC emphasizes that the EU supports an EU-wide rule for blockchain to avoid legal and regulatory fragmentation. The EC, therefore, adopted a comprehensive package of legislative proposals for regulating crypto-assets to increase investments and ensure consumer and investor protection. This package updates specific financial market rules for crypto-assets and creates a legal framework for regulatory Figure 2: a) Number of cryptocurrencies and b) market sandboxes of financial supervisors in the EU for using cap (in billion dollars) of Bitcoin and Etherium, together blockchains in trading and post-trading securities. [23] with their respective percentages of the total market cap As noted by Timsit and Herian (2019), while the overall (as of August 2022) [13, 14]. goal in the EU is clear, there is the crucial question of how to achieve the goal [22]. These proposals in the context of legal Since the technological benefits of blockchain and regulatory relate, as a matter of priority, to the need for technology can be implemented into many services, it has legal and regulatory clarity for blockchain technology and stimulated the interest of many industries. Some proposals less to blockchain protection – a field with recognized for applications of blockchain technology also include [15] challenges. We therefore briefly present some of these the Internet of Things (IoT), Healthcare, Supply Chain and challenges which from our perspective are crucial for even Tourism [16]. However, despite the growing interest, clarifying legal and regulatory framework in the future [22]: there are few business solutions [17]. Examples of promising 1. Challenge no. 1: Legal Value of Blockchain live blockchain solutions are presented in Table 1. Technology as Registers Slovenia is, for example, recognized worldwide for its This challenge assumes the prerequisites for blockchain companies. The Member State promotes its blockchains acquiring legal status would be the economy as "Green, Creative, Smart" and one that leans legal recognition of blockchain-based signatures, towards higher adoption of blockchain technology. Slovenia timestamps, validations, and "documents". ranks second in the world for the number of searches for the 2. Challenge no. 2: Territoriality term Initial Coin Offering (ICO) – surpassed only by This challenge assumes that cross-jurisdictional Singapore. The country is also home to the second-largest harmonization is crucial. In turn, it requires bitcoin scene within Europe based on Google search queries. regulators and legislators to work together across [4] borders to harmonize legal and regulatory regimes and manage potential risks, including monopolies Table 1: Examples of successful blockchain technology and market manipulation. Addressing them would applications outside cryptocurrencies [17, 20, 21]. require significant legal and organizational changes and a cooperation mechanism to ensure Name Application Field Reference harmonization. 3. Challenge no. 3: Enforceability TradeLen Supply Chain [17] This challenge assumes the possibility of Solve Care Healthcare [20] pseudonymity and, in some cases, complete Slock.it IoT [21] anonymity in blockchains has given rise to the impression in some quarters that they can be used One of the reasons for this backlog in other areas is that to create law-free zones for the benefit of criminals. – from a development point of view – blockchain technology 4. Challenge no. 4: Liability is in its early rudimentary stage, still actively seeking new This challenge assumes core developers make cryptographic algorithms to build reliable, flexible, secure, attractive access points for enforcement laws and and stable systems [18]. Another issue is the handling of regulations. Depending on their role in the design, sensitive data that is highly regulated to ensure the privacy development, and maintenance of the blockchain of the customer (for example medical patients). Thus, for platform, they are also accessible enforcement blockchain applications to operate within the EU, they are targets for accountability issues. Although it is required to be compliant with regulatory frameworks such generally – not always – possible to identify the as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) [19]. actors in a blockchain network, this takes time and The status quo in this field is presented in the following effort and is therefore not always practical. This can chapter no. 3. consequently be an obstacle to enforcing accountability for actors in blockchain-based networks. 3 STATUS QUO OF LEGAL AND REGULATORY 5. Challenge no. 5: Data Protection FRAMEWORK FOR BLOCKCHAIN Although the GDPR is supposed to consider TECHNOLOGY IN EU: CHALLENGES significant developments in the field of the online world, it was written before blockchain was The EU is convinced that blockchain technology can implemented and was therefore designed with play a crucial role in building Europe’s Single Digital Market more traditional, centralized data processing and drive essential market innovations. If blockchain- paradigms. This has led to, what many believe, 47 several tensions between blockchains and the technologies, its legal and regulatory foundation is still in the GDPR. early phase of development. 6. Challenge no. 6: Competition From the EU perspective, the crucial challenge is the Should competition policy be implemented, new lack of a single legal and regulatory framework for protecting norms or tools will depend on the nature and IP, resulting in disputes between countries. effects of economic activity that will take place in While it is difficult to predict all potential IP-related blockchains. No two cases are likely to be the same, applications of blockchain technology (especially if we don't so in any case the assessment of competition law know all the pitfalls of IPR), we found three specific fields of will depend entirely on the specific circumstances application pertinent to technology transfer and IP of each blockchain and the relevant market. professionals and relevant for our further work [8]: As blockchain technology becomes increasingly widely 1. Blockchain technology can help with IP rights used to support new types of decentralized applications and management and technology transfer and platforms, legislators and regulators will increasingly be commercialization practices. confronted with the complex issues dictated by the above 2. Blockchain as an IP registry. challenges [22]. The challenges illustrated above 3. Establishing authorship, proving ownership and undoubtedly result in challenges related to the protection of provenance of creative works. blockchain technology – especially when it comes to the Although the idea of creating a more efficient following cases where we address CII: blockchain-based system for managing and monetizing IPR 1. Patent applications related to core blockchain is still new, new applications of blockchain-based IPR technologies, and management continue to emerge with remarkable frequency 2. Patent applications related to application (use) of [8]. blockchain technologies. However, several challenges remain unresolved, As a reminder, the CII presents any invention that especially the necessary processing power of blockchains, involves the computer, computer network, or other the compatibility and interoperability of different blockchain programmable apparatus, the invention having one or more platforms, legal issues such as data ownership, privacy, features that are realized wholly or partly using a computer liability, and one of the crucial challenges – jurisdiction [8]. program or computer programs [24]. In the EU there is still However, on the one hand, it should also be borne in no appropriate legal instrument governing such inventions mind that technology transfer created using blockchain which are highly specific and for which demonstrating technology positively impacts company performance. In technical contribution and industrial applicability may pose 2021, Ceptureanu and colleagues, in a study entitled different interpretations – for the inventor and the end user. ‘ Influence of Blockchain Adoption on Technology Transfer, The lack of such a legal and regulatory framework results, Performance and Supply Chain Integration, Flexibility and among other things, in challenges related to blockchain Responsiveness: A Case Study from IT&C Medium-Sized technology protection. Enterprises’ showed that entrepreneurs have a perception There is no single legal and regulatory framework for that the adoption of blockchain technology will help them protecting intellectual property rights and this can lead to increase technology transfer, they will have better potential disputes between different countries. Blockchain traceability of research, development and production phases, technology does not necessarily provide a check on the and reduce the likelihood of technology transfer failures that integrity of the information initially entered – it only can lead to better business performance [26]. provides assurances that this information has not been On the other hand, Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) compromised or altered. [25] are closely involved in technology and knowledge transfer At the outset, a certain level of internal trust needs to activities and, as such, are key link members between be established between the parties to ensure that there are research organizations and companies. We believe TTOs no underlying issues with the original information that based on their experience in helping researchers with triggered the blockchain. As industries continue to rely on inventions, IP protection and capitalization of inventions blockchain technology, IP law will need to address the could also contribute to the development of legal and relevant legal issues arising from this new "language" of regulatory frameworks. Initially, could provide practical authentication and verification. [25] examples of researchers developing CIIs and thus contribute Although the idea of creating a more efficient to a constructive decision-making process on the future of blockchain-based system for managing and monetizing IPR blockchain technology protection in the EU. However, it is still new, new applications of blockchain-based IPR would be necessary to further explore how they could management continue to emerge with remarkable contribute to the development of legal and regulatory frequency. 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Today’s Cryptocurrency Prices by Market Cap. https://coinmarketcap.com/ 49 Technology Transfer: Start and Stop of Deep Well Pumping Through GSM System Pedro Maldonado† Silvestre Sarabia Emmanuel Costilla Mechanotronics Mechanotronics Mechanotronics University of Tecamachalco University of Tecamachalco University of Tecamachalco Puebla, México Puebla, México Puebla, México psuarez7449@gmail.com silversarabia@hotmail.com emmanuel.costilla.perez@gmail.c om Roberto Avelino Mechanotronics University of Tecamachalco Puebla, México ravelinojr@hotmail.com ABSTRACT economic cost and the lack of resources. However, when the project and the appropriate materials are chosen to cover a need, The aim of this project was to create a long-distance control the project turns out to be viable. The project developed in through a cell phone in order to turn on a water pump or any kind collaboration between students and teachers, was an automated of machine. The present work documents the low-cost start-up system via remote using (Global System for Mobile technology transfer (TT) project of a three-phase deep-well Telecommunications GSM technology, for a three-phase deep pumping system for drinking water supply at the Technological well pumping equipment, which is a considerable distance away, University of Tecamachalco, (TUT) this project was achieved and which supplies drinking water to the Technological through the collaboration of teachers and students of the University of Tecamachalco*. At first place, the importance of Technological University of Tecamachalco of the Mechatronics the TT, the concept, and the considerations to have according to career, in itself of daily interaction, focused on solving a need for different authors and perspectives, the communication system the benefit of the university community, taking advantage of the via GSM is described. Then, its characteristics as, applications, experience of the teachers and the impetus and attitude of the standards, and their comparison with other communication students who collaborated, It also managed to make learning protocols. Finally, the methodology for the development of the significant and thereby strengthen professional academic training, project is described, starting with the identification of the successfully achieving and, where appropriate, reproducibility of problem, the bibliographical research, the technical proposal of the project. It is important to mention the use of the Arduino the solution, the operation tests, improvement actions and finally platform and devices for the design and development of the the start-up of the communication and control system for the project with which the cost was accessible, since for budget deep well three-phase pumping equipment. In conclusion, the reasons it was necessary to optimize economic resources. commissioning of the system was successfully achieved, KEYWORDS remaining in operation without any problems except for a failure of the GSM network and a power outage, which makes it GSM Communication, Arduino Platform, Technology Transfer. necessary for the system to be restarted. 1 INTRODUCTION 2 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER The development of collaborative projects in the Public Higher TT is strongly related to knowledge transfer. [1] The country's Education Institutions (PHEI, where the collaboration of teachers public PHEI seek, to the extent of the availability of material and and students, to obtain both an academic impact and also solve a human resources, to promote the development of the area of need, is usually not very common, especially because of the influence, and to achieve this effectively, it is necessary to ∗ Tecamachalco Puebla Mexico efficiently carry out technology transfer activities, all PHEI must † Principal Author distinguish the next five items [2] • The generator of knowledge or technology, being the institution Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed that has generated and seeks its transfer. for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full • The beneficiary of the knowledge, in this case the beneficiary citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). will be some public institution if the objective of the project is a Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia social benefit © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). 50 • The resources used to carry out the transfer, which can be a operation, such as integrating components to be able to make a license, creation of a company, etc. control card at the same time. Customized and with a unique • The object of transfer, which can be scientific knowledge, design, it can be programmed in Windows, macOS and equipment, know-how, etc. GNU/Linux. • The intermediary agent, which is the body in charge of putting A project that promotes the philosophy 'Learning by doing' the parties in contact. (Interactive Design Institute of IVREA) [6] • The facilitators of the process, being the institutions that do not intervene directly in the transfer process, but that stimulate or service it. [3] 3 METHODOLOGY Technology transfer can take place between universities, companies, government in a formal and informal way with the 3.1 The Problem aim of sharing skills, knowledge, technology, manufacturing processes and more. [4] The area where the Technological University is located is part of the Tecamachalco Valley aquifer, according to data from the National Water Commission (CONAGUA), the aquifer has 2.1 Communication System through GSM severe problems of contamination, overexploitation. For this System (global system for mobile reason, it is considered a water risk, so it is important to consider communication) actions for water care, in the case of the University to have a constant supply. Actions have been considered to supply water They are digital systems capable of supporting voice, short for the service of the students and collaborators of the University, messages (SMS) and data transmission, which allows; large user at some point water pipes were bought, but the cost was high and capacity, wide coverage, efficient use of the spectrum, based on the supply insufficient, so it was considered to bring the water cellular technology, allows the use of a SIM card (Subscriber from a well that is removed from the premises. Identity Mode). At the moment GSM cells are not being This implies that University personnel will have to travel to put deactivated, there are too many security and automation applications based on this technology, [4] in use, in Figure 1 we into operation and after supplying the vital liquid return to close the well, this gives an opportunity for Mechatronics career can see the characteristics of the different technologies. collaborators and students to collaborate on a knowledge transfer proposal. that implies the collaboration between teachers, students and the administration to carry out the implementation of a solution that simplifies the task of turning the well on and off. In figure 2, in the first stage the students supported by a teacher, identify the problem, analyze the solution and make the technical proposal, in the next stage the proposal is compared with the existing technical solutions and a feasibility analysis is carried out. Finally, once the proposal is made, the prototype is made, functionality tests and experimental tests are carried out to detect areas for improvement, once the prototype is tested, it is implemented in the system to be solved. Figure 1: Standards used for Mobile communications (taken from Mobile Communications. GSM, UMTS and LTE Systems, José Manuel Huidobro Moya) Figure 2: Development process diagram 2.2 Arduino Platform It is a low-cost, free access technology that allows the implementation of electronic projects through the use of predesigned boards, with the advantage of using free access 3.2 Starting and stopping system of a pumping software. It has a graphical development environment that uses a system via GSM, based on the Arduino processing/wiring programming language and a bootloader; Platform (IEEE specctrum 2011) regarding the hardware is composed of a microcontroller and input and output ports, through the Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) software. [6] It is Due to the need to bring the water supply to the University from possible to develop automation projects, one of the a considerable distance, a remote start-up system is necessary for disadvantages that it presents is that when using free access tools, the personnel in charge of maintaining the water service to the it is not possible to patent a development based on this type of facilities from their cell phone with wireless technology. [8] platform, it is recommended for its low cost and a not so complex 51 Therefore, the objective of the technology transfer project is to not simple due to the needs that had to be covered. This part of develop a remote control system based on the GSM the programming code for the microcontroller was modified communication platform capable of turning on the well to pump several times to fulfill with the functions required for the correct water to the University, from the cell phone of the technician operation of the pumping system. responsible for the pumping equipment or the staff of the During the development of the project, involving the students Technological University of Tecamachalco, by means of a text turns out to be a strategy that, through constructivism, achieves message, from any location within the range that the technology significant learning in them and that this low-cost technology allows, which must be effective, easy to use and low cost. transfer project also meets the needs that exist in this institution. For this system, the GSM 800l module was used, this allows a Managing to successfully develop and apply to a need in global communication network to be connected to the GSM collaboration between teachers and students to investigate, network, the module has a tray where a SIM card is placed, which document and execute a remote start-up system using free will allow coverage of a mobile telephone company, this depends platforms and GSM technology that although many of the on which company telephone is the SIM card. industrial automation applications are based on this is why there is still time left that, although in the medium term, will give an opportunity to the process of improving and updating the system. 3.3 Materials We learned that the technology development with materials For the development of the project, materials and devices were available of low cost y human resources in formation, is feasible used for the implementation of the power, control, to applied to cover our need and to low cost. communication and protection stages of the starting system and for remote means using GSM communication technology, for the communication stage a DC Voltage Converter was used. -DC, 6 FUTURE WORKS GSM 800l Module, Arduino Uno Card, LED display, for the As a result of this project, the stated objective was achieved, but communication and control stages, in the power stage the use of GSM technology that, although it is still in force due Thermomagnetic Switches, Contactors, Fuses, single-phase and to the enormous number of industrial applications that are three-phase, were selected, according to the specifications of the developed under this technology, it will be necessary in the short pumping equipment that is held for operation or medium term to update the system. of communication according to the availability and characteristics of the project to be necessarily accessible, viable, economic and functional. 4 RESULTS change the Arduino devices for Microcontrollers to be able to Once the materials and equipment to be used were selected, they carry out the patent application, this is because these devices are were all integrated to proceed with operation tests, but not in site generic and their programming is done in free access software, due to the problem of not having the availability of the well, once as an experience in Mexico, a university generated a project the operation tests were carried out, improvements were made to based on Arduino devices and the company when patenting they the system, once these improvements were made, the operation made the observation of the use of free platforms. tests were carried out to verify the operation and that it was in accordance with what was required, these tests turned out to be satisfactory since the device did not present any failure with a REFERENCES repeatability of 100%. [7] [1] WIPO, «World Intellectual Property Organization,» [En línea]. Available: https://www.wipo.int/portal/en/index.html. [Último acceso: 11 After carrying out the operation tests and improvements to the 05 2022]. system, the assembly of the system continued in the cabinet that [2] B. B, «Technology Transfer and Public Policy: A Review of Research contains the entire system, communication, control and power and Theory,» Research Policy, vol. 29, pp. 627-655, 2000. [3] W. S. X. P. X. S. Xiaopei Gao, «Technology Transferring Performance stage to be protected and functional. of Chinese Universities: Insights from Patent Licensing Data,» Advances Once the above was done, on-site tests were carried out, because in Applied Sociology, vol. 4, nº 12, 2014. [4] J. M. H. Moya, « Sistemas GSM, UMTSy LTE,» de Comunicaciones the pumping system was already in operation and the proposal moviles. Sistemas GSM, UMTSy LTE, Ra-Ma, 2012. was made subsequently, it was not possible to carry out these [5] twi-global, «TWI LTD,» TWI Ltd (Head Office), [En línea]. Available: tests, so they had to be carried out and verify the proper https://www.twi-global.com/. [Último acceso: 14 06 2022]. [6] IVREA, «interactionivrea,» [En línea]. Available: operation. of the integrated system, which was satisfactory, being https://interactionivrea.org. [Último acceso: 16 06 2022]. able to turn on the pumping equipment remotely using [7] W. A. L. German L. Cuzco, «Sistema de Alarma, Automatizacion y control de equipos a distancia a traves de linea telefonica y pagina web,» communication via GSM. Universidad Politecnica Salesiana, Ecuador, 2012. [8] D. J. Bolaños, «APUNTES DE ELECTRONICA - INFORMATICA - TECNOLOGIA,» 15 03 2021. [En línea]. Available: https://www.bolanosdj.com.ar/index2.htm. [Último acceso: 05 02 2022]. [9] J. B. Conejos, «Sistema de seguridad perimetral Inteligente,» UPV, 5 CONCLUSIONS Valencia, 2014. Finally, we conclude that the development of the project was hard work since the development of the programming code, was 52 Advanced 3D sensor system for visual control of geometrically complex products Urška Florjančič† Mario Žganec Vili Malnarič Center for Technology Transfer Alpineon d.o.o. TPV Automotive d.o.o. and Innovation Golnik, Slovenia Novo mesto, Slovenia Jožef Stefan Institute mario.zganec@alpineon.si v.malnaric@tpv.si Ljubljana, Slovenia urska.florjancic@ijs.si Hidajet Kurbegović Anatolij Nikonov Jerneja Žganec Gros TPV Automotive d.o.o. Faculty of Industrial Engineering Alpineon d.o.o. Novo mesto, Slovenia Novo mesto Golnik, Slovenia h.kurbegovic@tpv.si Novo mesto, Slovenia jerneja.gros@alpineon.si anatolij.nikonov@fini-unm.si Tomaž Savšek TPV Automotive d.o.o. Novo mesto, Slovenia t.savsek@tpv.si ABSTRACT 3D scanning technologies are increasingly being used as suitable for quality control in industrial environments [2,3]. Most A prototype of an advanced 3D sensor system for visual bypass scanning procedures for 3D geometry control of the products, quality control of geometrically complex products was currently present on the market, work on the principle of 3D developed using an innovative combination of 2D and 3D image derivation by means of trigonometric processes of machine vision methods. We present this optical measuring triangulation [4], using a large number of cameras, e.g., FARO system named EAGLE and its implementation into a simulated [5], Smarttech 3D [6]. As a source of lighting, lasers systems, industrial environment. We emphasise the importance of e.g., ZEISS [7] are used in active procedures, while in most cases vibration analysis for efficient quality control. the projection of structured light patterns on the scene is made with a projector, e.g., Shining 3D [8], GOM [9]. The technology KEYWORDS has already been actively integrated in production processes and visual control, geometry, 3D sensor system, machine vision, quality control as part of smart factories [10]. vibration 2 PROBLEM STATEMENT 1 INTRODUCTION An important part of industrial processes is constant inspection The automotive industry took up the smart factory initiative (i) of products to assure required quality. The leading partner of the to improve the productivity of old factories through modernizing EAGLE project, TPV Automotive d.o.o., uses geometry and and digitizing their operations, (ii) to deal with the quality issues visual surface control of their products on a daily basis. In the that are difficult for people to detect, (iii) to incorporate made- production of stamping parts, being geometrically highly to-order or mass-customization capabilities [1]. Repetitive and complex objects with cavities, embossments and notches, the exhausting work operations are being replaced by automated and dimensional control is demanding and time-consuming process. robotized systems. At the same time, customers' habits have The established procedure for periodic verifications of the changed as customers give more priority to quality and reliability product dimensions requires specially-made and maintained of vehicles. This is the reason why the assurance and automated mechanical inspection instruments. The weakness of this method quality control of components have become of the utmost is a time-consuming and expensive manufacturing of measuring importance. instruments, periodic wear testing of these tools, and rather long testing time for each inspected product. The stamping parts, †Corresponding author made of sheet metal, are sometimes also painted. Despite an Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work for personal or accurate examination, controllers are facing big problems due to classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed light reflection, e.g., missing a poor-quality part, which may in for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for third-party components of this work must turn lead to a quality claim. This is the reason why needs have be honored. For all other uses, contact the owner/author(s). arisen for new approaches and concepts in terms of visual quality Information Society 2022, 10–14 October 2022, Ljubljana, Slovenia © 2020 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). management of products. 53 The objective of the EAGLE project was to develop a prototype object in specific positions according to the optical image of an advanced 3D sensor system for automated frequency acquisition system. geometry control of complex products, by using novel machine The system allows the accuracy of distance measurement of 20 vision approaches. μm order. The product verification is carried out in 10 sec order time and involves storage of measurements for further statistical analysis and reporting. This procedure does not affect the 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION inspected product and contain wear resistant elements which do not require frequent maintenance or recalibration. The 3.1 Machine vision EAGLE system preparation of the procedure for new type of product to be Optical measurement methods represent a modern approach in inspected takes less than 1 hour and does not require assigned dimensional and geometrical inspection. The project partner equipment. Dimensions not visible on the parallel projections of Alpineon d.o.o. has got rich experience in developing innovative the product shall be checked by additional optical measurement user interfaces and machine vision systems, being a patent holder procedures, which are slightly slower and less precise, but they of geometry control of tubular objects and innovative 3D sensor record the entire 3D model of the product. [11,12]. In the EAGLE project we explored the usefulness of the combination of 2D and 3D measurement methods. The 2D 3.2 Sensor system EAGLE in industrial measurement method is based on a parallel projection of the environment product image on the camera image plane (see Fig. 1). Such a The prototype of the measuring system EAGLE consists of the projection is achieved by using a system of telecentric lenses and following components: 2D and 3D scanning and measuring transmissive lighting with parallel light beams. The 3D systems, robotic arm with grips (mechanical and magnetic tongs, measurement method is based on a binary pattern projection quick rotation clutch), measuring system base, carriers for using an industrial HD projector, two high-resolution cameras components, dump for inspected parts, and computer with and blue LED lighting (see Fig. 1). The 2D method allows communication, process and measurement software. accurate measurement of cut-outs and comparison with 2D In addition to the measuring system, we virtually designed the drawing, and the 3D method enable shape and surface periphery of the future industrial measuring cell, which intends measurement and comparison with 3D model. to be placed into industrial environment, namely: the energetic system (electricity, compressed air), the protection rail and conveyor belt for delivering inspected parts. We also envisaged the possibility of integrating the EAGLE measuring cell with the system for picking inspected parts from the conveyor belt, resulting from joint development between TPV and Alpineon. Figure 2: A virtual model of advanced sensor system EAGLE in industrial environment In Tecnomatix, a tool for modelling and simulation of production processes, a model system according to the following assumptions was designed (Figure 2): - inspected products are transported by conveyor belt, - the system for picking scattered inspected parts recognizes Figure 1: (up) 2D and (down) 3D measuring method and locates products on a conveyor belt, - a robot with magnetic grip picks a product from a conveyor The computer analyses the acquired images, determines the belt and place it onto a special base, specific areas of interest on the product, measures predetermined - a robot with mechanic grip picks a product from the base and tolerance distances, and determines whether the product is within transfer it to the sensor system EAGLE to perform geometry the tolerance range. In order to register the corresponding and surface measurements, projections of the measured object, the robotic arm places the 54 - a product with desired specifications is placed to the working process. It is crucial to understand the vibrations conveyor belt, while the unsuitable product is removed. propagation process over the whole production area also for proper design and manufacturing of improved industrial building 3.3 The influence of environment on the constructions and hardware of industrial processes. measuring method The specific conditions of real industrial environment in which Before the mechanical integration of the components, we the EAGLE system is supposed to be operating, pose a serious integrated components in a virtual environment. We simulated challenge in ensuring the appropriate quality and reliability of different environmental influences, such as light and vibration. optical measurements. This advanced 3D sensor system, We also simulated different paths of the robotic arm and designed to carry out quality control of geometrically complex accelerations. Optimal movements and turns of the robotic arm products, shall be subjected, for example, to vibrations caused by depending on the mass of inspected object were determined with heavy devices (e.g., presses) continuously operating in the the aim of making the measurement as fast as possible and industrial surrounding in which the sensor system is installed. minimizing vibration. The model was prepared using the final A basic starting point for planning and implementation actions in element method (FEM) on the basis of the 3D Solid robot model, industrial environment is established methodology for and simulations were performed using the Abaqus software tool. determining vibrations which includes the determination of the The results of the simulations were tested using measurements following characteristics: on the prototype measuring system (Figure 3). A single-axle - eigen frequencies of the ground, accelerator was installed on the robotic arm in the directions of - the levels of acceleration amplitudes, all three axes, which is connected to the computer with - locations in the industrial area, most suitable for the appropriate software for capture and display measurements via a installation of measuring equipment as regards vibrations, data acquisition and processing device (DAQ). - vibrations at the point of measuring equipment installation. We established a measurement methodology to analyze the impact of vibrations or disturbances on the quality of product optical control by implementing a system for simulation of disturbances propagation in the industrial environment. A model system, developed at laboratory level, was developed to simulate key elements from the industrial environment that cause vibrations, transmit vibrations and respond to vibrations. It consists of piezoelectric accelerometers, signal analyzer and experimental data evaluation system. As a basic model, simulating the ground in the industrial area, we used a measuring plate of 150 cm in length and 75 cm in width, with the thickness of 18 mm. The plate consists of a chipboard base to which the plastic plate is glued. The simulator of the press allows falling of the weights from five different positions, which are 10 cm incremental. The lowest position is Figure 3: Vibrations during motion of robotic arm for single mass (1x) and triple mass (3x) at half speed (50%) thus at 10 cm and the highest at 50 cm. The location of the and full speed (100%) attachment of the impulse exciting simulator to the base plate is shown as a red frame in Figure 4. We measured and analyzed the vibrations of the robot's motion, the robot's eigenfrequencies for different masses of inspected object, and the impact of vibrations caused by the robot's servo drives, on the accuracy of measurements. A comparison with the situation when the robot's brakes are turned on for resting was also made. In this way, we were able to compare the results from the simulation model and the prototype. 3.4 Experimental investigation of industrial vibrations with simulator The vibrations which occur in an industrial environment cannot be completely avoided, therefore it is important to control and manipulate them properly. This requires appropriate vibrations levels determination and further consideration of structural dynamics in the evaluation of quality of products or processes. Figure 4: The location of an impulse excitation simulator and signal acquisition on the measuring plate In the area where some devices cause vibrations, while others require stable surrounding due to precise measurement At impulse excitation of the measuring plate, caused by the techniques, it is necessary to understand how these vibrations weight falling on the plate, the energy that causes wave propagate throughout the room and how they can affect the propagation over the plate surface is released. The measurements 55 of oscillation which occurs after the impulse excitation with two eigenfrequencies do not affect the speed and the accuracy of the different loading masses, i.e., 632 g and 1085 g, having the same measurement method. height, were performed at four measuring points in accordance We also established an experimental methodology for with the mapping shown in Figure 4. The black dots in Figure 4 multiparametrical analysis of structural dynamics which enables represent signal acquisition locations with coordinates E12, E18, investigation and evaluation of the effect of vibrations on the H12 and H18. technological processes in the industrial environment. For that By analyzing the measured signals of response, it was observed purpose, a model system for simulating disturbance sources and that the intensity of the impulse, caused by heavier weight, is monitoring disturbances, which propagate over the base plate, as higher in comparison to the intensity of the impulse, caused by appear in different locations in real time, was developed. This lighter weight, as expected (see Figure 5). Figure 5 shows the model system, developed at the laboratory level, enables measured average acceleration values which correspond to the simulation of the key elements from the industrial environment maximum impulse amplitudes at each measuring point for lighter that cause vibrations, transmit vibrations and respond to and heavier weight. Higher amplitudes of impulse excitation vibrations. increase the final accelerations which consequently affect the operation of simulated device, representing optical measuring ACKNOWLEDGMENTS system in real industrial environment. The research work within the EAGLE project was financially supported by European Regional Development Fund in the Operational Programme for the Implementation of the EU Cohesion Policy in the period 2014 – 2020. The authors thank student Bojan Lupše for his involvement in vibration experimental analysis with simulator. REFERENCES [1] Chris Middleton. 2020. Smart factories - driving the automotive industry into the fast lane. Diginomica (Feb 14, 2020). https://diginomica.com/smart-factories-driving-automotive-industry-fast- lane (cited: Aug 10, 2022) [2] K. R. Srinivas. 2017. Blue Light Optical Scanning for High Resolution 3D Measurement. Quality magazine (Sept 1, 2017). https://www.qualitymag.com/articles/94202-blue-light-optical-scanning- for-high-resolution-3d-measurement (cited: Aug 10, 2022) Figure 5: The influence of the location of signal acquisition [3] Andrei Vakulenko. 2017. The Future of 3D Scanning and Its Impact on Industrial Quality Control. Manufacturing Business Technology (July (E12, E18, H12, H18) and the weight mass on the dynamic 18, 2017). response of the measuring plate https://www.manufacturing.net/industry40/article/13227099/the-future- of-3d-scanning-and-its-impact-on-industrial-quality-control (cited: Aug The experimental analysis shows that the eigenmodes of 10, 2022) [4] Francesco Malapelle, Diego Dall’Alba, Denis Dalla Fontana, Ivano measuring plate oscillation affect the experimental results, and Dall’Alba, Paolo Fiorini, Riccardo Muradore, 2017. Cost Effective therefore the measured values of the oscillation accelerations at Quality Assessment in Industrial Parts Manufacturing via Optical Acquisition. Procedia Manufacturing, 11, 1207-1214. the impulse excitation with the same weight differ in measuring https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2017.07.246 points. The eigenmodes of measuring plate oscillation therefore [5] http://factory-metrology.faro.com/us/ (cited: Aug 10, 2022) [6] have significant influence on the development of the resonance http://smarttech3dscanner.com/ (cited: Aug 10, 2022) [7] http://optotechnik.zeiss.com/ (cited: Aug 10, 2022) oscillation response. [8] https://www.shining3d.com/ (cited: Aug 10, 2022) [9] https://www.gom.com/ (cited: Aug 10, 2022) [10] Bruce Morey. 2016. Why Optical Metrology Is on the Move. Advanced Manufacturing. SME (Mar 16, 2017). 4 CONCLUSSIONS https://www.sme.org/technologies/articles/2017/march/optical- metrology-move/ (cited: Aug 10, 2022) The EAGLE measurement robot cell represents a complete [11] Mario Žganec, Jerneja Žganec Gros, Alpineon. 2016. Method and novelty in the global market. It enables visual bypass quality equipment for monitoring suitability of a tubular object geometry. Patent EP2950042 (B1) - 2016-12-14. Munich: European Patent Office control of the geometry of complex objects using the innovative [12] Mario Žganec, Jerneja Žganec Gros, Alpineon. 2011. Active 3D design of the machine vision system. As a use case we chose triangulation-based imaging method and device. Patent EP 1997322 metal stamping parts, i.e., geometrically complex products in the (B1), 2011-12-28. Munich; Hague; Vienna: European Patent Office. US7483151 (B2) automotive industry which are technologically attractive due to [13] Mario Žganec, Aleš Mihelič, Stanislav Gruden, Boštjan Vesnicer, Žiga their innovative lightweight design. Some breakthrough Golob, Jaka Kravanja, Černe Tomaž, Žganec Gros Jerneja. 2021. Priprava za samodejno preverjanje dimenzij kovinskih odpreškov, solutions, contributing to the significant state-of-the-art progress Zahteva za podelitev patenta, št. 202100067, Urad RS za intelektualno in technology, were developed [13,14]. lastnino, Ljubljana, April 2021 [14] The advantages of the advanced 3D sensor system EAGLE for Anton Juratovac, Mateja Koblar, Jurij Kranjc, Hidajet Kurbegović, Vili Malnarič, Rajko Marinčič, Anton Petrič, Boštjan Piletič, Tomaž Savšek, geometric inspection of complex products are: (i) successive Urška Florjančič, Anatolij Nikonov, Stanislav Gruden, Jaka Kravanja, implementation of several optical measurement methods on the Aleš Mihelič, Boštjan Vesnicer, Jerneja Žganec Gros, Mario Žganec, Žiga Golob et al. Robotska merilna celica za nadzor kakovosti EAGLE. same inspected object without intermediate intervention by the Produktna inovacija. Novo mesto: TPV AUTOMOTIVE, 2021. Srebrno operator, (ii) fully autonomous operation, (iii) accuracy and time priznanje za inovacije Gospodarske zbornice Dolenjske in Bele Krajine, Otočec, 2021. stability due to fixed optical measuring components, (iv) a https://www.gzdbk.si/media/pdf/projekti/inovacije/2021/gzdbk_katalog_i robotic arm movement and measurement system novacije_2021_webpdf.pdf (cited: Aug 10, 2022) 56 DODATEK / APPENDIX 57 INTRODUCTION AND AIM OF THE CONFERENCE Conference topic: The role of TTOs in maximizing impact of science, technology and innovation on society. Objectives of the Conference The Conference brings the awareness of importance of professional technology transfer activities which must be appropriately placed in a national innovation system. The Conference program includes exchange of knowledge, good practice, and opportunities for collaboration between representatives of academia, industry and government about cooperation and transfer of knowledge and innovations from publicly funded research labs into industrial exploitation. The Conference goal is also further strengthening the knowledge base and experiences of technology transfer professionals at public research organisations. Since 2008, we hosted more than 2600 participants from Slovenia, Europe and the world, including researchers, students, inventors, technology commercialization and intellectual property experts, investors, start-up funders, industrial development experts etc. Since 2009 we have successfully organized fourteen annual international competitions in which till this year have participated a total of ninety-three (93) teams from PROs throughout Europe with their technology and business proposition with the biggest commercial potential. We are particularly proud some of them made their first steps at the Conference and have later advanced to spin-out companies and licensing agreements. Biannually we organise pre-scheduled Research2Business (R2B) meetings. The meetings are additional matchmaking opportunity for representatives of industry and researchers to meet and identify opportunities for collaboration, cooperation and business synergies. Additionally, in a special session, the researchers are presenting their work which is being financed by Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS). This is another opportunity for enterprises to get insight to recent discoveries in the PROs and development opportunities. Conference prize for the best innovations in 2022 The main objective of the special prize for innovation is to encourage commercialization of inventive/innovative technologies developed at PROs and to promote cooperation with industry. One of the main objectives is also promoting the entrepreneurship possibilities and good practices in the PROs. Researchers are presenting their technologies and business models to an international panel of experts in a pitch competition. They need support in many aspects of their path from research to industrial application. The researchers and their team need assistance, knowledge and tools to develop business models, find appropriate partners, form a team, and secure financial resources to bridge the gap from publicly funded research to the market, either in their own start-up (spin-out) company or by licensing out their technology. How shall they do it and how can we help them? The Conference pitch competitions in the last fourteen years led to the establishment of a spin-out company, conclusion of a licensing agreement or further development of a business opportunity in at least one case per competition each year. In many cases, young researchers that participated in the pitch competition in the past years, have been involved for the first time in an organized and structured development of a business model around their technology 58 and preparation and delivery of the targeted (pitch) presentation about their planned venture to investors and technology commercialization experts. WIPO IP Enterprise Trophy The aim of the WIPO IP Enterprise Trophy is to stimulate Slovenian enterprises to intensify their cooperation with public research organisations. We wish to expose as a good practice those enterprises that are constantly and methodologically using the IP system in their business activities. WIPO Medal for Inventors The goal of the WIPO Medal for Inventors is to award inventive and innovative activity of Slovenian public researchers and to recognize their contribution to national wealth and development. Opportunities arising from publicly funded research projects / presentations of successful scientific projects Researchers are presenting their work that is being financed by Slovenian Research Agency. Scientific papers on technology transfer (TT) and intellectual property rights (IPR) Experts on TT, IPR, researchers that cooperate with industry and others have been invited to submit their scientific papers. The accepted papers have been presented by the authors. This year’s topics were: Key factors for successful technology transfer from different points of view (researchers, knowledge transfer experts, enterprises); The role of TTOs in maximizing impact of science, technology and innovation on society; IP value vs price; Incentives for contract and collaborative research / cooperation with industry; IP negotiation with industry; State Aid in contract and collaborative research; Current status of public investments into research and technology infrastructures; European or national frameworks to transform breakthrough technologies developed for fundamental research purposes into breakthrough innovations with strong industrial applications and societal added value; Examples of IP protection in Artificial Intelligence; Other, chosen by the contributor Connecting the education system with academia A parallel section “Connecting the education system with academia: Presentations of selected research topics from the Jožef Stefan Institute and proposals for cooperation” took place. The section was aimed at primary and high school teachers where selected research topics from the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) and proposals for cooperation were presented. Key stakeholders The conference involves different key stakeholders in the process, public research organizations as knowledge providers, technology parks as infrastructure providers, business accelerators, intellectual property offices, IP attorneys, agencies, consultants, capital (venture capital companies, agencies, business angels, development banks), SMEs, international enterprises, private innovators, and others. The key stakeholders co-create the conference and share with other co-organisers, partners and audience their knowledge, expertise and thoughts. They also spread the word about the conference among their contacts. Through their activities the awareness about knowledge transfer and IPR is rising in their organisations, in Slovenian and European innovation eco-system. 59 Target audience and benefits Target audience of the conference are researchers, students and post-graduate students with entrepreneurial ambitions, technology transfer managers, representatives of industry, established and future entrepreneurs, innovators and also representatives from governmental institutions and policy-making organizations. Organization of the International Technology Transfer Conference The International Technology Transfer Conference (ITTC) is organized by the Jožef Stefan Institute (Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation) for the 15th year in a row. The first ITTC was organized in 2008. The ITTC has, through the years, been presented in different formats and it is currently organized as part of the International multiconference Information Society (IS2022), organized by the Jožef Stefan Institute. The Conference has been organized with the support of partners from the Enterprise Europe Network project (EEN). The project's mission is to help businesses innovate and grow on an international scale. It is the world’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions. The Network is active worldwide. It brings together experts from member organisations that are renowned for their excellence in business support. The ITTC is complementary to the mission of the EEN project which is to support SMEs and researchers through a) finding appropriate business partner, b) international technology transfer and c) finding partners/coordinators to apply to EU calls, while providing support on IPR, Access to finances, regulation and legal support. 60 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The editors and organizing committee of the Conference would like to express cordial thanks to all who helped make the 15th International Technology Transfer Conference a success. We would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions to the members of the SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME COMMITTEE: • Niko Schlamberger, President of Slovenian Society INFORMATIKA • Doc. Dr. Tamara Besednjak Valič, Faculty of Information Studies in Novo Mesto • Prof. Alexandru Marin, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest for their contribution to the scientific programme and review of the scientific contributions and selection for publication in this Conference proceedings. Our special thanks go to the EVALUATION COMMISSION MEMBERS: • Alexandre Massart, co-founder and director, Blend Ventures, • Jurij Giacomelli, Investment Manager, META Ingenium, • Michel Neu, International Technology Transfer Expert, CEA Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, • Nina Urbanič, Adviser for equity investment monitoring and reporting, Slovene Enterprise Fund, • Vladimir Jančič, CEO, Publikum Korpfin, for their evaluation of written technology commercialization proposals and selection of winning teams, authors of inventive technologies with the best potential for commercialization of the technologies, developed at Public Research Organizations. We are particularly grateful to the members of the WIPO EVALUATION COMMISSION: • Alojz Barlič, Slovenian Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) • Nina Urbanič, Slovene Enterprise Fund • Christoph Kempf, IPEK – Institut für Produktentwicklung, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), for their evaluation and selection of the awardees of the WIPO IP ENTERPRISE TROPHY and WIPO MEDAL FOR INVENTORS. Special thanks go also to Slovenian intellectual property office for their help with the organisation, communication with WIPO and presence at the Award ceremony. We thank also to ARRS for their presence at the Award ceremony and WIPO for their video for the Award ceremony. 61 Day 1 62 OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME 12 October 2022 (hybrid teleconference, virtual and live) MAIN SESSION 08.30 – 09.00 Registration Welcome address (in Slovene language) Dr. Tomaž Boh, Director-General Science Directorate, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport 09.00 – 09.15 Prof. Dr. Boštjan Zalar, director, Jožef Stefan Institute Dr. Špela Stres, Jožef Stefan Institute, EIC Board member Keynote speech: CEA’s experience in effective collaboration with industry 09.15 – 10.00 Michel Neu, International Technology Transfer Expert, CEA Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission 10.00 – 12.00 Best innovation with commercial potential: pitch competition 12.00 – 13.00 Lunch break Award announcement: Best innovation with commercial potential 13.00 – 13.20 Award announcement: WIPO IP Enterprise Trophy Opportunities arising from publicly funded research projects / presentations of successful scientific projects (partly in Slovene, partly in 13.20 – 14.30 English) Award announcement: WIPO Medal for Inventors Paper presentations: scientific papers on technology transfer and 14:30 – 16:50 intellectual property 16.50-17:00 Closing PARALLEL SESSION Connecting high-school education system with academia: Presentations 13:20 – 14:30 of selected research topics from Jožef Stefan Institute and proposals for cooperation 63 WELCOME ADDRESSES From 9:00 to 09:15 Honourable Speakers: Dr. Tomaž Boh, Director-General Science Directorate, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport / generalni direktor Direktorata za znanost, Ministrstvo za izobraževanje, znanost in šport Povzetek uvodnega pozdrava / Abstract of the Welcome address Hvala lepa za povabilo. Spoštovani direktor, spoštovana kolegica Špela, spoštovani raziskovalci in raziskovalke, spoštovani domači gostje in gostje iz tujine. V veliko veselje in čast mi je, da sem lahko danes tule v imenu Ministrstva za izobraževanje, znanost in šport in vas pozdravim na 15. Mednarodni konferenci o prenosu tehnologij. Pomembno je oboje, petnajst in prenos tehnologij. Število petnajst pomeni, da je vaša institucija ena tistih, ki na področju prenosa tehnologij, inovacij in znanja že dolga leta orje ledino, postavlja nove standarde in nenazadnje postavlja protokole kako in na kakšen način povezovati raziskave z gospodarstvom. Iz vašega znanja in iz sadov preteklih konferenc se lahko vsi iz širše raziskovalne sfere v Sloveniji marsikaj naučijo. S tega vidika je izjemno pomembno, da sodelujete, da ste ena izmed vodilnih institucij tudi v inštrumentih, ki jih ministrstvo v tem kontekstu financira in ki jih bo podpiralo tudi v prihodnje. V naslednji kohezijski perspektivi si zelo želimo, da povečamo obseg, da damo novo kvaliteto temu, kar je bilo v dosedanjem obdobju že narejeno in naredimo še pomemben korak naprej. Prenos tehnologij kot drugi del besedne skovanke je ključnega pomena zaradi tega, ker v zadnjem času vedno bolj pridobiva na pomenu, čeprav je moje prepričanje, da za raziskovalce in tiste, ki se s prenosom tehnologij ukvarjate na institucijah, pravzaprav to ni nekaj novega, s čimer bi se začeli ukvarjati in s čemer bi sledili temu kar je politično zaželjen besedni termin na področju raziskav. Ravno zaporedna številka petnajst v imenu konference kaže, da je zavedanje o pomenu prenosa tehnologij bistveno daljše kot pa je to postala moderna politična beseda. Pa vendar, tudi politični odločevalci se vedno bolj zavedajo, da je potrebno podpirati ne samo bazične raziskave, ki so brez dvoma osnova in temelj vsega, in ne samo gospodarstvo v smislu direktnih spodbud nepovratnih sredstev, ampak da je polje prenosa tehnologij tam nekje v sredini. To mejno področje oz. področje na sredini, ki se ga žal pogosto obravnava kot da ni pristojnost nikogar (a upamo, da se stvari izboljšujejo), je pravzaprav pristojnost obeh, tistih ki podpirajo gospodarstvo in tistih, ki imamo pristojnosti financiranja znanosti. Ravno tovrstne konference kot je današnja pokažejo, da je svet tam vmes še kako živ, da še kako dobro veste kako in kaj početi v tem kontekstu. Tudi današnji program, ki je sestavljen iz predstavitev dobrih primerov, tekmovanja, ocenjevanja najboljših dosežkov kaže na to kako zelo je to področje živo. Z vidika Ministrstva za izobraževanje, znanost in šport in predvsem z vidika našega Direktorata za znanost lahko rečem, da bo tudi v prihodnje prenos tehnologij oz. prenos znanja ena izmed 64 pomembnih aktivnosti in sestavni del znanstveno-raziskovalne dejavnosti. V kontekstu stabilnega financiranja raziskovalnih institucij verjamemo, da bomo v letih, ki sledijo, vzpostavili tudi ustrezne načine sodelovanja kako to zapisati v strateške cilje institucij, kaj od tega lahko tudi centralno država, ministrstva v procesu pogajanj oz. bolj v dogovoru naredimo kot pomemben korak k stabilnosti financiranja, k stabilnosti upravljanja tega področja in k stabilnosti podpore, ki jo v tem kontekstu potrebujete. Želim vam uspešno konferenco in uspešno delo še naprej. Before I finish I would like to welcome all the guests from abroad while it is important to also have a mirror to compare our national system with systems abroad and learn from your experiences. Because of that I would in the name of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport warmly welcome you in Slovenia and thank you for all the work, for all the cooperation with Slovenian institutions. Prof. Dr. Boštjan Zalar, Director, Jožef Stefan Institute Povzetek uvodnega pozdrava / Abstract of the Welcome address Dear guests, dear researchers, dear technology transfer experts, we are very glad to have you here again at this annual event. Two years ago, we were fighting with the covid epidemy, last year there’s the situation in Europe that has changed a lot the geostrategic points of view of development of our scientists. So, it seems to be that we will be encountering different troubles on and on. Maybe you read a few weeks ago there was a report that NASA was trying to crash a satellite into an asteroid so one would think that probably it’s the next crisis that is coming that an asteroid would hit our earth. Anyway, from the technology transfer view crashing a bunch of pounds of high technology into a rock this is what you call technology transfer I would say. Our institute has been hosting this event for several years and we are really glad to have you here again. I wish you a lot of fruitful discussions and as a part of the technology transfer debates I anticipate and I really hope that there will also be in all these debates suggestions how to improve the transfer of common sense that our humanity really needs in recent years. Thank you very much. I am glad to have you here again and I wish you all the best in your work. Dr. Špela Stres, Jožef Stefan Institute, EIC Board member Povzetek uvodnega pozdrava / Abstract of the Welcome address I would like to welcome everyone from my heart. Through the years we had a lot of collaboration in particular with many famous institutions from the western part of Europe or from the USA. We had guests from MIT, Leuven RD, Cambridge. I am very pleased to see that in particular our scientific section is expanding a lot towards the widening countries. The 65 internationalization of the efforts in the field of professionalization of knowledge transfer is really an important step for all of us, because knowledge transfer in itself is not just a profession, it’s a scientific field in itself. As soon as we are ready to acknowledge that fully also in the widening countries it will be much easier to establish a professional system of knowledge transfer and valorization. We’ve had fifteen years of this conference and not all events that happened during that time were totally happy. For example, I remember when we’ve first asked whether we can organize such an event in the field of technology transfer and whether we can award a prize for best innovation from public research organizations the answer was - a simple no. But here we are fifteen years later and we’ve organized numerous business to research meetings. We’ve published many scientific articles in this field. We’ve had twenty-eight teams awarded. And those teams did not just receive an award here, they went on and received several other awards elsewhere and they attracted venture capital and they took the name of all the major public research organizations that they came from in the first place to the Slovenian economy and also wider, some of them even won very prominent European funding. But the story does not end here. As we’ve heard from the Director General I do also acknowledge the fact that knowledge transfer and valorization is in a transitional period right now. That’s also influenced by the fact that we have the new legislation. The new legislation does imbed knowledge transfer a bit more into the system of the public research organizations, but it does not assure that it’s going to really be imbedded. So, I think that in this transitional period it’s really important that additional funds are available for knowledge transfer that should be used in particular to connect different efforts and to professionalize those efforts. Also, it would make so much easier if the Slovenian system of financing the research would follow the steps that were taken by the European Commission. The European Innovation Council is an example of that how the research throughout the technology readiness levels can be supported in an integrative connected way throughout the TRLs. Improving our own system in such a way would give our researchers much needed security to become more imbedded in the innovation part of their efforts. And last but not least it’s important that the Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation keeps up the good work at the institute in whichever form it will continue because the researchers need the professional assistance in this field. In fact, in Slovenia we don’t have the gap between academia and industry, we just somehow need to learn how to shake hands between the two fields and that’s also a question of the professionalization that I spoke before about. So welcome everyone here and I hope that after fifteen more years we’ll be looking at the totally different situation. Thank you. 66 KEYNOTE SPEECH: CEA’s experience in effective collaboration with industry From 09:15 to 10:00 Michel Neu, International Technology Transfer Expert, CEA Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission Abstract of the Keynote speech The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation collaborative partnerships in defence and security, low carbon energies (nuclear and renewable energies), technological research for industry and fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences. CEA comprises of 9 research centres with 21.148 employees CEA filed 710 priority patents filed in 2019, created 228 start-ups since 1972 and operates a 5,6-billion-euro budget. The CEA is one of the leading patent applicants in France and Europe having 6,980 active patent families. CEA is 1st patent-granting research organization in France and 1st French patent applicant in Europe. As a major player in innovation, the CEA promotes the technologies it develops and transfers them to industry. CEA supports business competitiveness, job creation and national and European technological sovereignty. By encouraging spin-offs, it has supported and promoted creation of start-ups for the past twenty years. Management of intellectual property is a key element of CEA’s strategy, used for the benefit of innovation transfer to companies. CEA has chosen to retain ownership of the results (Foreground) obtained by its sole researchers during collaborative partnerships financed by industry. The Foreground created in a given RDI collaborative partnership with one company is therefore added to CEA’s IP portfolio and can be used by CEA as Background for other collaborative partnerships with other companies, for very diverse applications. The model of Industrial RDI Collaborative Partnerships enables a wide technological dissemination, not only benefiting strategic industrial sectors but also smaller enterprises (SMEs, start-ups) that gain easy access to technological IP Portfolio without having to finance their development. The company finances only the new RDI collaborative partnerships where new Foreground is created from CEA’s Background. This model contributes to CEA’s autonomy in its research and valorisation policy, while preserving its industrial partners’ competitive advantage through the implementation of adapted and secured exploitation rights. “Post RD” licence after a collaborative RDI Partnership, covering results of the collaboration carried out with a partner, as well as the pre-existing knowledge required to use these results, is the most frequent mean of transferring CEA’s technologies to industry. It represents more than 70% of CEA’s commercial licences whilst licences to start-up companies represent 20% and 10% regarding “straight” licences” with existing companies, where no prior RDI collaboration has taken place . 67 CEA licensing terms (field of use, exclusivity, duration, etc.) are adapted on a case by case basis to meet the needs and exploitation prospects of its partners. CEA grants a licence to the partner on the Foreground and Background needed to exploit the Foreground after a given collaborative Partnership. Licences may also be granted where no prior collaboration has taken place (“straight” licences). Access to Foreground (or a part of it) can be exclusive in a particular field, with mandatory exploitation thresholds. In the case of insufficient exploitation, the licensee loses exclusivity in its domain. In the event of absence of exploitation, the license is terminated and CEA can then seek a new partner in the Public Interest. In general, access to Background needed to exploit particular Foreground, is non-exclusive. Commercial and industrial exploitation licences always give rise to payment. The budgets of CEA's collaboration activities only take into account the costs of the R&D work. Licence remuneration must therefore not only cover CEA's IP costs but also contribute to a fair return, for CEA and its inventors, on the value created by the exploitation. This also enables CEA to comply with European legislation on State aid. CEA royalties’ policy is very compliant to the article 28 d) of the EC Framework: “The research organisations or research infrastructures receive compensation equivalent to the market price for the IPR which result from their activities and are assigned to the participating undertakings, or to which participating undertakings are allocated access rights. The absolute amount of the value of any contribution, both financial and non-financial, of the participating undertakings to the costs of the research organisations or research infrastructures’ activities that resulted in the IPR concerned, may be deducted from that compensation”. CEA shares royalties with researchers whilst participating in licensed knowledge. CEA envisages different payment modalities (lump sum, proportional royalties, minimum, caps, conditional upon an event, etc.) and combine them to meet its partners’ business prospects. Large enterprises with sufficient financial resources prefer lump sum payment term whilst start-ups and SMEs prefer proportional royalties. CEA undertakes to apply preferential remuneration conditions for post R&D licenses compared to “straight” licenses to ensure a differentiation with a licensee who has not participated in the R&D program. In order to comply with point 29 (compensation at market price), CEA uses generally point 29 c). In those cases, the arm’s length negotiation is often based either on a method of comparable royalty fees in the field of the license (there are international databases for that) or by carrying out a detailed study of the provisional exploitation of the company: turn over, margin…. Generally, the international good practice is that the amount of the compensation for CEA (owner) is 1/3 of the margin of the licensee when exploiting IP. The valorisation of CEA’s technologies has also occurred through the creation of new companies, with 228 spin-offs created (89 over the last 10 years) including 2 with more than 1.000 employees (SOITEC and LYNRED) that enabled 5.500 direct jobs created. CEA start-ups accomplished record fundraising in 2018 accounting to 144 million euros whilst record fundraising of 120 million euros in 2020 was achieved by only one (Aledia). 68 7 start-ups arising from the CEA are listed on the stock exchange: Soitec, Kalray, Theranexus, Fermentalg, Tronics, Pixiumand Arcure. 70% of the 200 start-ups created over the past 20 years are still active. Since 2000, 50% of CEA start-ups have raised funds, for a total of nearly 1,2 billion euros (excluding SOITEC). CEA invests significant sums, directly via its internal development/incubation programme (before creation of the start-up) or, at the creation of the start-up by taking equity in the startup via its CEA Investissement private subsidiary. CEA is therefore a significant stakeholder in the creation and development of these start-ups and shares in the risks. Success story of CEA start-ups is based on challenging requirements for creating a start-up: • Innovation must be disruptive and protected by strong exclusive IP (patents, secret know how, copyright for software…); • Marketing study must have been done showing good market prospects (sometimes start-up creates a new market); • Research organization must have a sound process to support the creation of the start-up; • Researchers who participated in the development of the technology transferred to the start-up when it was created and who wish to carry out the start-up project, must have a strong entrepreneurial spirit. For an R&D partnership with a start-up, CEA applies the same principles of strong IP management and protection as for its other partners with regard to attributing ownership of research results. CEA keeps the ownership of this IP and grants a license on it to the start-up, generally exclusive in a field (for a part of the technology) since most often start-ups don’t have financial resources to pay IP fees for patent costs. On the other hand, start-ups may be developing very fast and be counterfeited by their competitors. In this case, CEA protects (and enforces when needed), its patents effectively. In the event of an infringement lawsuit, the exclusive licensee (the start-up) has the same rights as an owner to assert its rights. The advantage for the exclusively licensed start-up is that in this case, the CEA could also be part of the lawsuit where it intervenes to defend its patents with convergent interests with the start-up. The CEA was thus able to defend several of its start-ups in lawsuits for infringement by big international companies of its patents used exclusively by its start-ups. Of course, a single start-up would have had a much harder time defending itself in these lawsuits in the case where CEA would have waived its ownership to the start up. CEA has an internal marketing department carrying out a detailed marketing study for each start-up creation. CEA runs regular (4 times per year) internal seminars to increase awareness of researchers in start-up creation and empowering their entrepreneurial spirit. CEA internal PoC fund may be engaged if necessary, depending on the TRL of the technology. CEA has an 100% owned affiliate CEA Investissement that takes equity in the start-up at creation. Most of CEA’s start-ups have a RDI collaborative partnership with CEA and enjoy RDI support post-creation. Therefore, improvements of the first licensed technologies or additional technologies can be licensed later to the start-up. 69 Collaborative partnerships may be very different regarding IP background and foreground, having very versatile content or government rules. Thus, CEA does not have developed model contract/ articles for collaborative partnerships or a model process for creating start-ups. 70 PITCH COMPETITION: BEST INNOVATION WITH COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL From 10:00 to 12:00 Moderator: Marjeta Trobec, Jožef Stefan Institute, Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CTT) Evaluation commission: Alexandre Massart, co-founder and director, Blend Ventures Jurij Giacomelli, Investment Manager, META Ingenium Michel Neu, International Technology Transfer Expert, CEA Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission Nina Urbanič, Adviser for equity investment monitoring and reporting, Slovene Enterprise Fund Vladimir Jančič, CEO, Publikum Korpfin Presentation of six (6) selected business model proposals from public research organizations to the members of the evaluation commission. 71 Course of the competition Robert Blatnik, Jožef Stefan Institute, Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CTT) The 14th annual competition for the best innovation in 2022 at public research organizations (PROs) aims at stimulating the researchers from PROs to develop business models for commercialization of their inventions. Each year the competition is initiated with a public call for the teams with inventive technologies. Eligible authors are individuals, employed at PROs, which are developing innovative technologies into a viable business model. The proposed business models are either licensing the technology to industrial partners or commercialization in their spin-out company. The teams have prepared description of their technology and the key discoveries that underpin the commercial activity (licensing or spinning-out). An important part of description is the proposed business model and customer value proposition. The pitch presentations are following the guidelines, which were introduced by the Organizer of the Conference at the dedicated preparatory webinar and individual consultancy which was organized for the teams. At the webinar and consultancy, the researchers learned the guidelines to prepare their pitch presentation and improvements of their business model. In a series of individual consultation and rehearsal of the pitch session we went through the process of preparing a pitch of their invention and business model to a potential investor or a partner in a future venture; either licensing the technology to an industrial partner or via commercializing of the technology in their own spin-out company. We have discussed which are the stronger points in the specific business model of participants and how to prepare an effective and appealing presentation for the intended audience of their pitch. The guidelines for preparing a pitch included the following elements: Cover / Introduction slide (name & compelling tagline); Deal (what you are selling, to whom, for what price); Market & segmentation (target customer, market size, trends); Customer value proposition and why now; Product (the solution); Financials; Impact; Competitive advantage; Team & founder’s/inventor’s dream; Summary / three key points to remember. The written description of the proposed invention/innovation included the following chapters: Title of the idea with a brief commercial tagline; Summary; The Science; The Opportunity (problem and solution); The Plan (Development stage and Business model); The Team; Impact. The teams and their applications with the proposed business models were evaluated by an international panel of experts which constituted the evaluation commission. The members of the evaluation commission are the following experts: Alexandre Massart, co-founder and director, Blend Ventures, Jurij Giacomelli, Investment Manager, META Ingenium, Michel Neu, International Technology Transfer Expert, CEA Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, Nina Urbanič, Adviser for equity investment monitoring and reporting, Slovene Enterprise Fund, and Vladimir Jančič, CEO, Publikum Korpfin. The experts evaluated the proposals in two phases. The 1st phase was the evaluation of written descriptions and the 2nd phase was the evaluation of the five-minute pitch at the Conference. The evaluation experts used the predetermined evaluation criteria which were already defined in the public call. The Criteria for evaluation are Application with weight of 10 points, Value Chain with weight of 3 points, Market size and development costs with weight of 2 points, Competition with 1 point, the Team with 3 points, IPR and Regulatory with one point. All criteria together bring at the most 20 points for written application. After the pitch 72 the experts exchanged their views and opinions and selected the winner(s). The Criteria is presented in the Table 1. The traditional pitch competition, which this year had its 14th anniversary, motivated six innovative and entrepreneurial research teams to prepare their pitch and apply for competition. Members of the teams have participated in the preparatory workshop and rehearsal to develop their pitch and receive comments for improvements of their proposed business model. The workshop was organized by Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation as part of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) project, financed by European Commission. Members of the teams are entirely or partly employed at the following PROs: Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Gdynia Maritime University, National Institute of Chemistry, National Institute of Biology, University of Ljubljana and its Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology and Jožef Stefan Institute. Max. Criteria Short description of the criteria points Which problem is the technology solving? Has this been verified with end users? What is the Technology Readiness Level (TRL)? How many different applications can the technology be used for? Is there a well-defined end-user for this technology? Is there any barrier to the end-user adopting this solution? Application 10 Is there a clear existing end user need for this solution? How well does this solution match the users’ needs? When will this solution be ready for market? Will this solution have a social impact or bring other benefits to people? Where does the technology fit in? Value chain 3 How well does the technology fit the existing value chain? How is the market size in relation to the development costs? How large is the potential customer community for this product? 1000, 100K, 1M, 100M? How strong is the competition in this market? How receptive will the market be to your idea? What total market share do you expect to get in 5 years? How aligned are the market drivers to the proposed solution? What Is the perceived value by the end user? Market size What is the perceived Strength level overall? and What is the perceived Weakness level overall? 2 development What is the perceived Opportunity level overall? costs What is the perceived Threat level in your overall? Only limited development is required before an investor will commit. Funds are available to complete the development investor or other sources (e.g. PoC). The time to market Is shorter or comparable to the time scale for any competition. For VC’s: The costs associated with taking the product to market is at least 25 times smaller than the value of the market. 73 What do the end users use today? Any other technology underway? Which is the expected competition level when you will hit the market How good is the present solution (not yours) in solving the Competition 1 problem? How good will any expected future solutions (not yours) be in solving the problem? How good will your solution be in solving the problem? How strong is your market differentiator? Are the inventors, members of the team, dedicated to the idea? The researchers have unique skills, have experience with tech transfer, and are enthusiastic about following the project through The team 3 The team has the technical, business, marketing, financing skills needed to understand and develop the idea into a marketable product? Can the intellectual property of the technology be protected? How strong is the patent likely to be? How dense is the IPR landscape in this technology area in terms of IPR & pending and granted patents? 1 Regulatory How strong is the IPR competition? How complex is the regulatory system in this area Is the technology ready for investment? Table 1: Criteria for evaluating the applications (source: Jon Wulff Petersen, TTO A/S, Denmark) 74 Abstracts of the competing teams and their technologies 75 Innovative equipment of intervention/service watercraft: Mobile Electromagnetic Mooring System and Batychron Authors/inventors: Paweł Kołakowski, Grzegorz Rutkowski PRO: Gdynia Maritime University Abstract: The innovative equipment is designed for use on a floating intervention unit coming to the aid of a vessel in danger (collision, grounding) or a ship requiring a specific service (underwater inspection, cleaning, or cargo and crew transfer). This comprehensive solution includes two inventions: a Mobile Electromagnetic Mooring System and a Batychron. The Mobile Electromagnetic Mooring System is used for mooring the service unit at the side of the serviced ship using a system of electromagnetic grippers with a unique set of mooring lifts ensuring constant rope tension. The invention enables the service unit to move quickly along the side of the serviced vessel, shortening the time needed for mooring and unberthing, limiting the crew's involvement in mooring operations, improving safety, and accelerating intervention to provide proper service. The Batychron is a flexible underwater bell used for underwater transport and diving with high safety standards. Thanks to the lightness and portable structure resulting from the use of new generation materials and integrated systems, it can be used in open and internal waters for underwater transport and various types of diving. These ground-breaking solutions have a global reach and no competition in this field yet. Despite improvements in maritime safety, maritime accidents occur daily around the world. Moreover, both devices can be used in sectors such as marine services, repair interventions, cargo and/or people transfer offshore, diving services - recreational, training, repair or excavation work, and underwater transport. The wide range of use of these devices creates promising opportunities for their manufacturers. Figure 1: The Batychron. G.Rutkowski. 2022. 76 Figure 2: Batychron main components A) transparent dome, B) openwork mesh, and C) flexible diving bell – the Batychron. P.Kolakowski. 2022. Figure 3: Research conducted in a real environment on the invention of Batychron. G. Rutkowski. 2022. Figure 4: Mobile Elecromagnetic Mooring System (MEMS) – laboratory model in scale 1;30. P.Kolakowski. 2022. 77 Antiviral surgical masks, gowns and drapes Authors/inventors: Mark Zver, Rok Zaplotnik, Miran Mozetič, Alenka Vesel, David Dobnik, Arijana Filipić, Polona Kogovšek, Maja Ravnikar and Gregor Primc. PROs: Jožef Stefan Institute, National Institute of Biology Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic showed we lack methods to prevent the spreading of airborne pathogens. Face masks and covers are currently employed to protect the wearer from pathogenic organisms. The issue lies in the survivability of pathogens, which remain viable on medical textiles for several hours or even days, serving as a potential source of infections. Our team has developed a technique to prepare functional textiles which successfully inactivate viruses upon contact. These are standard materials (non-woven textiles) for production of disposable medical masks, which are treated according to our method of invention. The treatment does not disrupt the filtering efficiency. We performed biological tests, demonstrating that the final product is safe. The innovative method is safe, low-cost, and scalable, addressing the single-use medical face mask market with a total size of over 5 billion EUR (Y2029, futurebusinessinsights.com). We believe that our innovative technology will be instrumental in combating current and future airborne infectious diseases, resulting in over 1 million mortalities yearly (World Health Organization, 2022). As experts in plasma technologies, developing custom plasma systems, and virology, we are an excellent partner for co-developing a commercial-scale production system and see that it fulfils the necessary regulatory requirements of the medical sector. At present, the technology is at TRL 4. The current team consists of academic staff at the Jozef Stefan Institute (JSI) and the National Institute of Biology (NIB). We seek for a partner to possibly establish a joint venture or to license the technology to producers of respiratory masks and medical textiles. Alternatively, we consider establishing a company for producing medical textiles according to our method – the patent application was filed recently. Figure 1: Facial masks value chain. Our solution is implemented in the space marked in red (Adapted from Findlay et al. 2021). 78 Figure 2:Proposed treatment process for producing antiviral textiles. Gregor Primc. 2022. Figure 3: Our department at JSI is a great partner for designing robust and precise plasma treatment systems. Showcase: quadruple inductively coupled plasma system. Dane Lojen. 2022. 79 MEEVA - Measurable Enhanced Virtual Reality platform for teens with Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders Author/inventor: Elio Salvadori PRO: Fondazione Bruno Kessler Abstract: The rate of kids diagnosed with Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders (NDD) is increasing worldwide together with the demand for psycho-behavioral therapies provided by Specialised Centers (SC). However, the current operation of SC suffers from lack of scalability both in term of therapists involved and space occupied. Moreover, the recent pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in all sectors; in healthcare, novel solutions for telemedicine are emerging where Virtual & eXtended Reality (VR/XR) is expected to play a major role, e.g. to perform mental health therapies from remote. VR-based mental health therapy (VRT) for people with NDD is a well-studied subject in research which has proved to be effective in improving their life quality. MEEVA is building a teletherapy platform exposing children and teens with NDD to role-play XR games aimed at improving their social skills. The solution increases the geographical reach of SC and optimizes their operations, while families of NDD individuals can save travel time and costs. The unmet need addressed by MEEVA is twofold: (i) excess demand of psycho-behavioral therapies to people with NDD (ASD, ADHD,...), not matched by capacity for therapeutic services by the Specialised Centers; (ii) current teleconference systems are highly ineffective with these individuals, as demonstrated in the experiences during the pandemic. The developed platform is composed by: (i) an app running on top of a VR headset exposing NDD teens to role-play games aimed at improving their social & emotional skills in a playful environment; (ii) a data-analytics software analysing biometrics data collected via wearables and correlating the emotional status of an NDD teen with the experience s/he is having during the session. The aim is facilitating ex-post session assessment by the therapist while enabling predictive therapy methodologies based on quantified data. Compared to existing VR-Therapy tools (like C2Care, Amelia Virtualcare, Floreo) dealing with general mental health issues in settings where the patient is alone, we focus on NDD-specific treatments by engaging small groups of patients in VR based multi-player games performed under the supervision of a therapist properly tuning the scenarios. MEEVA business model is based on subscription agreements with SC (such as private clinics, Foundations and social cooperatives) which provide tele-therapy service to families of NDD teens. For each teen receiving the remote therapy, MEEVA will charge a monthly fee (pay-per-use) to the SC plus a flat yearly fee to cover maintenance and updates of the service. The economic benefits obtained by both SC (in terms of additional earnings enabled by the extended reach, without increasing their headcount) and the families (in terms of time & transportation costs savings) can compensate the costs incurred by adopting our solution. The team behind MEEVA is currently involved in a project supported by EIT Digital (XR4A, www.xr4a.eu) coordinated by FBK with the involvement of Xenia Reply (Italy) and iED (Greece). An MVP has been released at the end of June 2022 (TRL4-5) and a preliminary validation pilot has been organised already which involved 30+ kids and teens with the support 80 of a rehabilitation center. The MVP is currently being enriched with new functionalities and we plan to organise further pilots in Italy and in Greece within the end of 2022. Figure 1. An excerpt of VR scenes from MEEVA platform: (left) Coin hunt (right) Space station. E. Salvadori, M. Dianti. 2022. 81 From polyurethane waste to high value added raw materials Authors/inventors: Maja Grdadolnik, Blaž Zdovc, David Pahovnik, Ema Žagar PRO: National Institute of Chemistry, Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology Abstract: Extensive use of inherently non-biodegradable plastic leads to an excessive accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, which is associated with related climate change. In Europe, the production of about 1.1 million tonnes of polyurethane foams (PUFs) results in more than 600,000 tonnes of PUF waste per year. PUFs are used in a variety of durable applications such as upholstered furniture and insulation. The most common way of PUF waste disposal is landfilling, which is, along with incineration, unacceptable from environmental pollution point of view. An alternative is chemical recycling, which converts PUF waste into high value-added raw materials. Our solution for PUF waste management is an energy- and cost-efficient microwave-assisted chemical recycling process using a small amount of specialty reagents. Our innovative process enables highly efficient PUF degradation in a short time, which results in about 80% lower energy costs compared to recycling processes based on conventional heating of reaction mixtures. State-of-the-art chemical recycling technologies for PUF waste produce low-quality recycled polyols, while our technology is distinguished by high-quality polyols with properties comparable to the corresponding commercially available polyols. This enables production of high-quality flexible PUFs exclusively from recycled polyols, which has not been possible up to now. Behind the innovation is a team of experts in polymer synthesis, degradation and characterization, with extensive experience in working with industrial and research partners. Our plan is to transfer IPR to companies dealing with PUF recycling and/or manufacturers of polyols or PUFs. 82 Figure 1: Recycling of polyurethane foams as proposed in our innovation. Maja Grdadolnik. 2022. Figure 2: The high quality of recycled polyols produced by our method was confirmed by Repsol in Spain, a multinational company that produces commercial polyols for the synthesis of polyurethanes. Repsol synthesized flexible PUFs that were tested for their mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of PUFs made from our recycled polyols are comparable to PUFs made from virgin polyols. Company Repsol. 2021. 83 Water soluble cannabinoids with increased stability Authors/inventors: Mitja Križman, Jure Zekič, Primož Šket, Alojz Anžlovar, Barbara Zupančič, Jože Grdadolnik PRO: National Institute of Chemistry Abstract: Our technology relates to the field of water-soluble cannabinoids. Cannabinoids have become an important global commodity, and found their place in the food & beverage, food supplement and cosmetics industry, but also elsewhere (e.g. pharmaceutical industry). The major inherent problem related to cannabinoids is their very low water solubility. Our invention provides cannabinoid and hemp resin water solutions, with increased stability and bioavailability. We seek to commercialize the technology through spin-out company on EU market (waterborne cannabinoids and hemp resin with increased stability), taking our share of the 2 billon USD worth EU market (2021) with expected annual growth of 30 % (CAGR), and through licensing with technical assistance for US, Canadian, Australian and Asian markets (selling knowledge and IPR so companies in these geographic areas can utilize local hemp production and develop their own products). The global market is estimated at 13 billion USD (2021) with CAGR at 20 %. Since the market for cannabinoids is well established and growing we will be able to take the advantage of existing marketing and distribution routes to reach our customers and business partners. The team of highly qualified scientists that has developed present patent pending technology is supported by NIC’s Knowledge Transfer Office, by Ljubljana University Incubator and by a local CBD utilizing company. The technology is currently at TRL 5. We also have the capability and facility for production quantities of the final product(s) in multi-kilogram quantities. Figure 1: Schematics of our process. Mitja Križman. 2022. 84 Figure 2: Comparison in water solubility between unmodified (left) and modified (right) hemp resin. Mitja Križman and Jure Zekič. 2022. 85 Rationally designed lutein esters: “The onset of improved and sustainable eye health remedy” Authors/inventors: Alen Albreht, Valentina Metličar, Krištof Kranjc PROs: National Institute of Chemistry; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology Abstract: Lutein and other carotenoids are natural antioxidants with many beneficial effects on human health. Lutein is especially efficient in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, which currently affects 15% of the EU population alone (67 million). The global lutein market was valued at $354 million in 2022 and is predicted to double by 2032.1 The existing lutein-containing products are sold mainly as food supplements, but owing to lutein’s intrinsic physicochemical properties, these products have limited shelf-life and bioavailability. Additionally, the main ingredient is obtained through processes that are harmful to humans and to the environment. The overarching motivation behind our innovation is the production of an improved line of lutein supplements that overcome the above hurdles by chemically tweaking lutein’s structure in a sustainable manner through esterification. The main targeted partners (customers) are large food supplement producers that aim to introduce improved products into their portfolio and/or integrate a green, inexpensive, and sustainable technology into their manufacturing process, reducing carbon footprint. The partners’ financial and market gain stems also from the revenues of unique, efficient, and trustworthy lutein-based ingredients, backed by scientific research. The founding team, consisting of three scientific researchers from two PRO’s backed by their TTOs, established a means to various lutein ester compounds with improved chemical stability (over 20-times). Future efforts will be focused on the determination of activity and bioavailability of lutein esters which will drive further technology development and demonstration at a higher TRL level, promoting technology transfer and product commercialization, predicted for 2026. Figure 1: Sustainable platform for the production of lutein esters; Step 1: Extraction, Step 2: Synthesis, Step 3: Purification. Authors: Alen Albreht, Valentina Metličar, Mirica Karlovits. 2022. 1 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/lutein-market 86 Award announcement Best innovation with commercial potential 13:00 to 13:10 Moderator: Marjeta Trobec, Jožef Stefan Institute, Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CTT) Evaluation commission members: Alexandre Massart, co-founder and director, Blend Ventures, Jurij Giacomelli, Investment Manager, META Ingenium, Michel Neu, International Technology Transfer Expert, CEA Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, Nina Urbanič, Adviser for equity investment monitoring and reporting, Slovene Enterprise Fund, Vladimir Jančič, CEO, Publikum Korpfin. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNERS The evaluation commission weighed all the criteria in the evaluation process and selected two equally ranked winning teams. The award of 2000 Euro goes to the team members: Maja Grdadolnik, Blaž Zdovc, David Pahovnik and Ema Žagar, National Institute of Chemistry for from polyurethane waste to high value added raw materials. The award of 500 Euro goes to the team members: Paweł Kołakowski and Grzegorz Rutkowski, Gdynia Maritime University for Innovative equipment of intervention/service watercraft: Mobile Electromagnetic Mooring System and Batychron. Congratulations! 87 Award announcement: WIPO IP Enterprise Trophy From 13:10 to 13:20 Moderator: Marjeta Trobec, Jožef Stefan Institute, Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CTT) ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNER WIPO IP ENTERPRISE TROPHY By celebrating the achievements of inventors, creators and innovative companies around the world, the WIPO Awards aim to foster a culture in which innovation and creativity are encouraged and appreciated at every level of society. Two years ago, at the 13th International Technology Transfer Conference the WIPO awards were given in Slovenia for the first time. The members of the selection committee were Mrs. Nina Urbanič, Slovene Enterprise Fund, Mr. Alojz Barlič from the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office and Christoph Kempf, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT). The WIPO IP Enterprise Trophy is awarding a Slovenian enterprise for its good practice in constant and methodological use of the IP system in its business activities. The main criteria for the selection were the following for the last 10 years: - the number of cooperations with public research organisations, - no. of employments of your PhDs from public research organisations, - new products or services launched to the market based on TT and IP protected, - public campaigns to promote the appreciation of companies’ IP assets, - encouragements for creative and inventive activity among staff, - programs to use the IP-based business also for public goals and - commercial/marketing strategies based on effective use of the IP system. Among the applications, the jury has decided to give the IP Enterprise Trophy to company Elan, d. o. o. . Short justification: Elan is actively cooperating with several public-research organisations. Their products have a suitable IP protection and are promoted at different fairs and events. Through the social responsibility programs, they cooperate with schools and youth clubs and are having a Reducing carbon footprints program. And finally, they constantly and methodologically encourage the creativity and innovativeness among their staff. 88 Opportunities arising from publicly funded research projects / presentations of successful scientific projects From 13:20 to 14:20 Moderators: Tomaž Lutman, Jožef Stefan Institute, Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CTT) France Podobnik, Jožef Stefan Institute, Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CTT) Katja Cergol, University of Ljubljana, Knowledge Transfer Office Successful Slovenian scientific projects were presented in short popular lectures. The goal of the presentations is to further promote the science to economy and general public. The future steps towards higher TRLs were also discussed in order to stimulate researchers to bring their technologies closer to the market with different steps that can take place like networking with other PROs to create interdisciplinary teams, by applying for additional EU or national funds. Title Presenter(s) Organization Assoc. Prof. Nataša Karst Research Institute, Karstology in the Classical karst Ravbar, PhD ZRC SAZU Antecedents of environmentally and Prof. Žabkar Vesna, Faculty Of economics, socially responsible sustainable PhD University of Ljubljana consumer behaviour Institute of Slovenian Why the World Needs Anthropologists Prof. Dan Podjed, PhD Ethnology, ZRC SAZU Faculty of pharmacy, New halogen bonds in biological Assoc. Prof. Martina University of Ljubljana & systems Hrast National institute of Chemistry Faculty of Mathematics and Ionically charged topological defects in Physics, University of Prof. Miha Ravnik, PhD nematic liquids Ljubljana, Jožef Stefan Institute Table 1: List of presentations of successful scientific projects 89 Award announcement: WIPO Medal for Inventors From 14:20 to 14:30 Moderator: Marjeta Trobec, Jožef Stefan Institute, Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CTT) ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNER WIPO IP MEDAL FOR INVENTORS The WIPO Medal for Inventors is awarding a Slovenian public researcher for his contribution to the national wealth and development. The selection committee members were Mrs. Nina Urbanič, Slovene Enterprise Fund, Mr. Alojz Barlič from the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office and Christoph Kempf, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT). The entry criteria for the selection were granted patents or utility models in the last 10 years. Further the patented invention had to show a significant economic and technological impact in Slovenia via: - creation of a new company or - creation of new jobs in the companies that cooperate with the researcher or - the number of new products and services launched to the market. The committee ranked all applications and decided that the "WIPO Medal for Inventors" goes to Prof. Dr. Miran Mozetič. Short justification: Prof. Mozetič has over 10 granted patents with examination in the last 10 years and additional 5 without the examination. He is a co-founder of a company Plasmadis. His inventions had impact also on 4 new jobs created in different companies. 90 Connecting education system with academia: Presentations of selected research topics from the Jožef Stefan Institute and proposals for cooperation Parallel session from 13:20 - 15:00 Moderator: Urška Mrgole, Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation, Jožef Stefan Institute About In accordance with the Jožef Stefan Institute’s mission, the Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation promotes scientific work and research accomplishments among young people and the rest of the interested public. The event At the 15th International Technology Transfer Conference a parallel section “Connecting education system with academia: Presentations of selected research topics from Jozef Stefan Institute and proposals for cooperation” took place. The section was aimed at primary and high school teachers where selected research topics from the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) and proposals for cooperation were presented. For the introduction the development of breakthrough technologies at the Jožef Stefan Institute video was presented. After the video, activities for the promotion of science and research work, which Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation at the Jožef Stefan Institute carries out independently or in cooperation with the research departments at JSI, were presented. School visits: every Thursday during the school year, the Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation, with the help of other JSI departments, organizes visits to the Institute that are intended for primary and high schools, faculties and everyone else from the school sphere. Open day at JSI: each year at the end of March, traditional Stefan’s Days take place at the Institute, marking the birthday (24 March) of the great Slovenian scientist, Jožef Stefan. In the scope of Stefan’s Days, the Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation, in cooperation with the JSI research departments, organizes the Open Day at JSI. Visitors can choose from a number of visit programmes and look at the laboratories at Jamova cesta in Ljubljana and at the Reactor Center near Ljubljana. Open Week at JSI: In the scope of Stefan’s Days an open week at JSI is organized, where every day of the week one school is welcomed to JSI for a visit. Participation in various European projects and initiatives such as “Science with and for Society”: the Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation at the Jožef Stefan Institute enthusiastically participates in various European projects and initiatives with the aim of promoting science and research work among Youth, e.g. the research festival Znanstival, the European Researchers’ Night, and European projects such as STEM4Youth. Within the STEM4Youth project nine chemistry modules were prepared and implemented in 19 Slovenian primary and secondary schools, with 20 mentors and over 500 elementary and 91 high school students participating. The modules are now available online for all schools to implement them. In the second part researchers from various research departments presented their work. Rok Novak, mag. inž. teh. var. okolja, Department of Environmental Sciences, O2: The multidisciplinary research of the Department of Environmental Sciences focuses on the combination of physical, chemical and biological processes that influence the environment, man and human activities. One of the presented ongoing research projects was related to the investigation of the presence of mercury in the environment. As part of the presentation, various possibilities for cooperation with schools were presented, such as: mentoring, technical day and similar. Žiga Ponikvar, mag. kem, Materials Synthesis Department, K8: The research at the Department is devoted to the development of advanced materials. Their main focus of the research are nanoparticles, especially magnetic nanoparticles which can be easily influenced from a distance with a magnet. dr. Janez Kokalj, The Reactor Engineering Division, R4: The Division, who plays a leading role on the nuclear energy stage in Slovenia, is focused mainly on fundamental and applied nuclear engineering and safety research, with special emphasis on the safe operation of the Krško nuclear power plant. At the conference various interdisciplinary researches were presented, that integrate thermal-hydrodynamical, structural and probabilistic safety analyses. Mark Zver, MSc, Department of Surface Engineering, F4: The main activities are focused on plasma generation, sustenance and characterization of the plasma which is later used for tailoring surface properties of various materials. Plasma is the most common state of matter in the visible universe. Low-temperature plasmas are usable for substance removal, surface cleaning, compound application, etc. Junoš Lukan, MSc, Department of Intelligent Systems, E9: The principal goals of the Department are to contribute to the computational theory of intelligence and to develop high-impact practical applications in various areas such as intelligent information systems, data analysis, intelligent web retrieval, intelligent agents, language technologies, etc. Main focus of the presentation was about the Artificial intelligence and its use in the education. Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation at the Jožef Stefan Institute and similar organisations in Europe represent a bridge in connecting researchers on the one hand and education system on the other. One of our goals is to bring the scientific work and accomplishments as close to the youth, teachers and other interested public as possible, believing that nothing can beat the personal experience and direct contact with the laboratories and top-level researchers. The event proved to be very useful and instructive for teachers who gained new ideas for the implementation of lessons at schools and learned new opportunities to cooperate with the Jožef Stefan Institute. 92 Paper presentations: research papers on technology transfer and intellectual property From 14:30 to 16:50 Moderator: Tomaž Lutman, Jožef Stefan Institute, Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CTT) Technology transfer officers presented the research papers on technology transfer and intellectual property. The research papers comprised the following topics: • Key factors for successful technology transfer from different points of view (researchers, knowledge transfer experts, enterprises) • The role of TTOs in maximizing impact of science, technology and innovation on society • IP value vs price • Incentives for contract and collaborative research / cooperation with industry • IP negotiation with industry • State Aid in contract and collaborative research • Current status of public investments into research and technology infrastructures • European or national frameworks to transform breakthrough technologies developed for fundamental research purposes into breakthrough innovations with strong industrial applications and societal added value • Examples of IP protection in Artificial Intelligence • Other, chosen by the contributor The papers as presented in the Table 1 are published in the main part of the 15.ITTC proceedings. Title Authors Technology transfer offices as a facilitator of Ivana Vuka, Nikola Balić, Andras Havasi, knowledge triangle integration in the knowledge Marie Mifsud, Leandra Vranješ Markić valorisation era: focus group discourse analysis Proof of Concept typology: a method for classification of PoC activities according to a Linas Eriksonas technology cycle timeframe The “Incubator of Innovativeness” program driving technical readiness levels of the Cracow University Jacek Kasz of technology innovations 93 Magdalena Kukowska-Kaszuba, Science meeting the needs of entrepreneurs Agnieszka Piotrowska-Kirschling, Paweł Kołakowski, Grzegorz Rutkowski Commercialization of R&D results created with Alexander Uspenskiy, Aliaksei public funds in the National Academy of Sciences of Uspenski, Maxim Prybylski Belarus Selection and evaluation of technologies for the Vadim Iatchevici transfer to the industry Subsidizing Knowledge Transfer with Public Funds Michal Belusky Effective collaboration and IP management Levin Pal, Robert Blatnik, Špela Stres Project support services of a technology transfer Tomaž Lutman, Špela Stres office Challenges of Legal and Regulatory Framework for Urška Fric, Jurij Urbančič Blockchain Technology in the EU Technology Transfer: Start and Stop of Deep Well Pedro Maldonado, Silvestre Sarabia, Pumping Through GSM System Emmanuel Costilla, Roberto Avelino Urška Florjančič, Mario Žganec, Vili Advanced 3D sensor system for visual control of Malnarič, Hidajet Kurbegović, Anatolij geometrically complex products Nikonov, Jerneja Žganec Gros, Tomaž Savšek Table 1: List of research papers on technology transfer and intellectual property Scientific Review Programme Committee representative has selected and ranked the best three papers of the Conference: 1st place: Advanced 3D sensor system for visual control of geometrically complex products for a great example of knowledge transfer. 2nd place: Subsidizing Knowledge Transfer with Public Funds for deep and wide knowledge and understanding of technology transfer processes 3rd place: Challenges of Legal and Regulatory Framework for Blockchain Technology in the EU for competent insight into the perspective area of blockchain technology. 94 The Conference closing From 16:50 to 17:00 Moderator: Marjeta Trobec, Jožef Stefan Institute, Center for Technology Transfer and Innovation (CTT) Overview of the conference: In 2022 the conference took place at the Jožef Stefan Institute and via Zoom and attracted 100 participants. Among them 30 attended the section Connecting education system with academia. The key note speaker, Mr. Michel Neu from CEA French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission presented their experiences in collaboration with companies and spin-out creation. Two awards for the best innovation with the business potential from PROs were given to the two winning teams (out of six competing). The six competing teams consisted of 25 team members all together. Two teams came from the PROs abroad. This year, for the first time, the team from abroad was awarded. WIPO IP Enterprise Trophy and WIPO Medal for Inventors were given. 12 research papers on TT and IPR from several countries and 5 successful scientific projects of Slovenian researchers were presented. 95 Day 2 96 CONFERENCE CEREMONY 97 Overview of the Conference Ceremony 14 October 2022 Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia Location: Main Lecture room at the Jožef Stefan Institute (A-building) 12:00 – 12:05 Musical performance / Glasbena točka 12:05 – 12:10 Welcome Speech Prof. Dr. Boštjan Zalar Director of Jožef Stefan Institute 12:10 – 12:20 Opening Speech / Slavnostni govor dr. Igor Papič Minister za digitalno preobrazbo Republike Slovenije Minister for Education, Science and Sport 11:20 – 12:25 Greetings / Pozdravni govor prof. dr. Mojca Ciglarič Chair of the Programme Committee of IS2022 / Predsednica PO IS 2022 Dean of Faculty of Computer and Information Science / Dekanica FRI Ljubljana 12:25 – 12:55 Awards of IS2022 / Nagrade IS2022 prof. dr. Mojca Ciglarič, IS Programme Chair prof. dr. Matjaž Gams, IS Organization Chair prof. dr. Sašo Džeroski, SLAIS President Niko Schlamberger, President of Slovenian Society Informatika prof. dr. Andrej Brodnik, President of ACM Slovenia dr. Mark Pleško, President of Slovenian Academy of Engineering Awards “Hall of fame of Slovenian Computer Science and Informatics” prof. dr. Borut Žalik, president of “Hall of Fame” 15. ITTC: Awards ceremony – competition for the best innovation with commercial potential in the year 2022, WIPO Medal for Inventors and WIPO IP Enterprise Trophy 98 15. ITTC Organising Committee World Intellectual Property Organisation representative / Slovenian Intellectual Property Office representative 12:55 – 13:00 Musical Performance / Glasbena točka 99 100 Indeks avtorjev / Author index Avelino Roberto ........................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Balić Nikola ................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Belusky Michal ............................................................................................................................................................................ 33 Blatnik Robert .............................................................................................................................................................................. 38 Costilla Emmanuel ....................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Eriksonas Linas ............................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Florjančič Urška ........................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Fric Urška ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Havasi Andras ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Iatchevici Vadim .......................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Kasz Jacek .................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Kołakowski Paweł ........................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Kukowska-Kaszuba Magdalena ................................................................................................................................................... 21 Kurbegović Hidajet ...................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Lutman Tomaž ............................................................................................................................................................................. 40 Maldonado Pedro ......................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Malnarič Vili ................................................................................................................................................................................ 53 Mifsud Marie .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Nikonov Anatolij .......................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Pal Levin ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 38 Piotrowska-Kirschling Agnieszka ................................................................................................................................................ 21 Prybylski Maxim .......................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Rutkowski Grzegorz ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Sarabia Silvestre ........................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Sevšek Tomaž .............................................................................................................................................................................. 53 Stres Špela .............................................................................................................................................................................. 38, 40 Urbančič Jurij ............................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Uspenski Aliaksei ......................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Uspenskiy Alexander ................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Vuka Ivana ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Žganec Gros Jerneja ..................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Žganec Mario ............................................................................................................................................................................... 53 101 102 15. mednarodna konferenca o prenosu tehnologij 15th International Technology Transfer Conference Urednika  Editors: Spela Stres, Robert Blatnik Document Outline 02 - Naslovnica - notranja - E - TEMP 03 - Kolofon - E - TEMP 04 - IS2022 - Predgovor - Koncna verzija 05 - IS2022 - Konferencni odbori 07 - Kazalo (komplet) - E 08 - Naslovnica - notranja - E - TEMP 09 - Predgovor podkonference - E 10 - Programski odbor podkonference - E 01 - JSI_paper_final_Vuka 02 - Linas Eriksonas_final 03 - Jacek Kasz- 15 ITTC final 04 - Kukowska-Kaszuba et al. manuscript after_final 05 - Uspenskiy_RCTT22_10_07_2 06 - Iatchevici Vadim - final 07 - belusky_state_aid_rdi_final 08 - 22.10.24_Article_LP_RB_SS_ITTC_IP management in collaborative projects-final 09 - Project support ITTC_Lutman_final 10 - Urska_Fric_Jurij_Urbancic_final 11 - Proyecto GSM_Slovenia_Ingles - urejeno 12 - ICTT 15 Florjancic_final Zbornik_ITTC_2022_DODATEK - ML 12 - Index (komplet) - E Blank Page Blank Page Blank Page Blank Page Blank Page