Tampere Region Centre of Expertise
Within the Nanotechnology Cluster Programme the Tampere Region Centre of Expertise is divided into photonics (including nanophotonics, optoelectronics and laser technology) and advanced composite materials. Both areas of expertise play a central role in the cluster programme. Various units of Tampere University of Technology (Optoelectronics Research Centre - ORC, Institute of Materials Science) and the Technology Centre Hermia have been primarily active in defining the content of the programme. The region's key companies, the City of Tampere and the region's other municipalities, including the Council of Tampere Region, have committed themselves to the selected areas of expertise.
Research and education
Tampere is home to an important photonics, thin-film technology and future materials expertise cluster, and the goal is to continue strengthening this cluster internationally. This expertise is based on strong material, nanotechnology and laser research at Tampere University of Technology (ORC, Institute of Materials Science, Institute of Biomaterials, Institute of Chemistry and Institute of Physics) and VTT.
Business activities
Research into optoelectronics has created in Finland and primarily in Tampere entirely new industrial activities and several new companies (Coherent Finland, Modulight, EpiCrystals, Corelase, Cavitar, Reflekron) that currently employ over 150 people and whose combined turnover in 2007 exceeded EUR 25 million.
The Laser Competence Centre Finland (LCC Finland) is co-ordinated by the Technology Centre Hermia. Its key research partners are ORC and the Department of Production Engineering at Tampere University of Technology. LCC Finland's activities range from basic technology research along the development chain through integration to the testing of lasers and end-user applications, as well as education and transferring technology to industry. LCC Finland also serves as a co-operation network for companies and university education and research.
Links:
http://www.hermia.fi/
http://lccfinland.nettisivut.fi/
http://www.orc.tut.fi/