Luxembourg's materials and manufacturing players can rely on a dedicated web platform to exchange information and expertise. Start-ups are also welcome.
Jean-Michel Gaudron
Luxembourg's materials and manufacturing players can rely on a dedicated web platform to exchange information and expertise. Start-ups are also welcome.
For a year now, the materials and manufacturing community has had access to an online platform designed for networking among specialists, sharing expertise, and facilitating contacts. This Materials Virtual Lab, managed by Luxinnovation, meets the expectations of professionals in the sector who were looking for such a collaborative tool. The resulting database is unique in Luxembourg and connects technical materials experts from production companies and research laboratories.
Access to this dedicated space is primarily reserved for players in Luxembourg's materials and production sectors. "It is not a commercial platform, but a trusted environment where everyone feels free to exchange," says Caroline Muller, business relationship manager at Luxinnovation and lead for this community. "No one is trying to sell anything. Once their registration is approved, users gain full access to a database of laboratory and measurement equipment in Luxembourg, dedicated to materials and managed by local companies. The goal is to pool this equipment to avoid high investments and encourage the exchange of expertise between partners."
It is not a commercial platform, but a trusted environment where everyone feels free to exchange. Caroline Muller, Luxinnovation
To date, more than a hundred pieces of equipment are listed, covering a wide range of analyses (morphological, compositional, mechanical, physicochemical, etc.). The platform also features more specialized production facilities, such as a cleanroom for R&D and electronic equipment manufacturing.
The Materials Virtual Lab goes beyond simply listing equipment. Members can also interact directly with experts from various companies and sectors in a lively, dynamic environment. "The topics can be very specific, such as the analysis of certain metal alloys, but also include scanning technologies, surface treatments, or sample preparation," adds Ms Muller. "The platform also provides information about upcoming events and thematic workshops, and gives manufacturers a space to speak through a dedicated forum."
Since its launch, the platform has continued to evolve and expand. Start-ups are therefore welcome—both to showcase their own equipment and to seek future technical partners. "The Virtual Lab allows us to fulfill several of Luxinnovation’s missions in one place: to inspire and connect, by fostering this network of experts. Innovation also comes through spaces for exchange and sharing."
