Oulu Region Centre of Expertise
The Oulu Region's core area of expertise within the Nanotechnology Cluster Programme involves multitechnical integrated micro- and nanotechnology products.
The Oulu Region's strong research activities have already created significant international business operations. Around 850 high-technology companies operate in the Oulu Region employing 18,400 people (Oulu Growth Agreement, Annual Review 2005). In addition, the Northern Finland region includes the Ii, Kajaani, Kemi-Tornio and Ylivieska clusters that are home to other high-technology companies and research activities.
In line with Oulu's innovation strategy, the Oulu Region Centre of Expertise is participating in the operation of the five clusters: Ubiquitous ICT, HealthBio, Wellness, Environmental Technology and Nano. By participating in the Nanotechnology Cluster Programme, the goal is to effectively utilise national expertise and through vertical integration allow research results to be commercially utilised as fast as possible.
Research and education
The focus of photonics and micro- and nanotechnology R&D operations at the University of Oulu and VTT in Oulu is on integrating nanoscale photonics, electronics (organic FET and OLED components) and biomedical components and biosensors, and intelligent materials into a functional entity. Over 100 people at the University of Oulu (Microelectronics and Material Physics Laboratory, Optoelectronics and Measurement Technology Laboratory and Electronics Laboratory within the Department of Electrical and Information Technology, plus the Chemistry Department) and 100 people at VTT in Oulu are active in research in this field.
The Oulu Region Centre of Expertise's core areas of expertise are related to the production and integration of micro- and nanostructures and the testing of nanoelectronics.
- Roll-to-roll manufacturing, electronics/optics/bio and the above-mentioned combinations
- Biosensors
- Organic electronics components
- Production and integration of micro- and nanoscale structures into functional systems
- Electroceramics (RF ceramics, MIT-, piezo- and and ferroelectric ceramics)
- Design and production of nanoelectronics.
Business activities
The business activities of the electronics industry within the cluster programme's areas of expertise in Northern Finland are strongly concentrated in and around Oulu. Among companies with annual turnover of over a billion euros, Nokia has significant operations in Oulu. Among companies with annual turnover of over a hundred million euros, Aspocomp, Elektrobit and Polarelectro are strong actors within their business sectors, and all have experienced rapid growth in recent years. All of the aforementioned companies rely on a global strategy in which the world's leading experts are sought as partners, and being local does not represent sufficient grounds for co-operation.
Links:
http://www.ouluinnovation.com
http://www.micropolis.fi