Associação Fraunhofer Portugal Research25.8.2016
The president of the largest applied research organization in Europe, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, visited this Wednesday (August 24), and for the first time, the Fraunhofer Portugal headquarters. Reimund Neugebauer was accompanied by the Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Manuel Heitor.
The visit provided knowledge about the evolutionary path of Fraunhofer Portugal and the presentation of some of the current projects developed at the Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS research centre. Being the first legally independent branch of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft to be implemented outside Germany, Fraunhofer Portugal is the result of a collaboration established between Portugal (through the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, FCT, and the Agência para a Sociedade do Conhecimento, UMIC) and the Fraunhofer Society.
In the words of Reimund Neugebauer, "the quality of the research developed by Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS is excellent. At the same level as the research developed by the German institutes”.
Manuel Heitor emphasised the agreement between Portugal and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft as “a reference at European level geared to the social and economic development. The Fraunhofer Portugal started as a small project, but currently attracts foreign and direct investment and the connection to a vital business environment for the country's progress".
The program of the event was composed by the presentation and the demonstration of projects which, by their relevance and innovative nature, are a reference of Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS’ remarkable technology. It were distinguished solutions to reduce comorbidity and mortality associated with certain contexts: for detection and prevention of falls (FCC), and technology for pre-diagnosis of tropical diseases (MalariaScope). Projects that aim to increase the quality of life of society and the effectiveness of daily activities – indoor location technology (PIL) and inertial sensors to monitor different specific actions (Pandlets) – were also highlighted.
The event was completed with a visit to the Fraunhofer Portugal facilities, which recently received the 2016 Green GOOD DESIGN™ Award in the field of sustainable architecture.
Besides Professor Reimund Neugebauer, the German delegation was represented by six members of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft – Georg Rosenfeld, Executive Vice President Technology Marketing and Business Models; Frank Treppe, Director of Corporate Strategy and International Affairs; Raoul Klingner, Director of Research; and Marion Früchtl, Scientific Advisor of the President – and Eberhard Alles, Chancellor of the Technical University of Chemnitz, Germany.