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The Projects
Barrier films for flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules:
re placement of the rigid glass covering in thin­film solar modules
by a barrier film based on PleXiGlAS® that offers permanent
protection against the effects of weather, shows a transparency
to sunlight comparable to the glass, and acts as a barrier
against water vapor and oxygen. Status: transferred to the
business unit; available by the roll from production tests; samples
sent to customers.
Luminescent solar concentrators:
A concentrator based on PleXiGlAS® sheets to increase the
yield of conventional solar cells. it does this by shifting some of
the sun’s rays that would not activate the semiconductor material
of the cells because of its defined bandwidth into a wavelength
range where the solar cells can absorb it. Status: Demon
strator available.
Flexible printed circuit boards based on polymer films:
De vel opment of a cost­efficient copper­polymer laminate
based on high­temperature plastics that can be used to produce
flex ible circuit boards. Status: transferred to the business unit;
pilot plant for sample production.
Coated rubber granulate as infill for artificial turf:
Development of a rubber granulate based on shredded scrap
tires, to be used as infill for artificial turf. A newly developed
two­component coating enables the production of granulate
“For each transfer, the business line would appoint a
mentor to look after the project, and then the product,” explains
Ackermann. “And in 2011, for the first time, these
mentors will also give a report on the progress in the business
unit to the steering committee,” adds Schmidt.
According to Ackermann, four factors determined the
success of the project house:
• Consistent project and portfolio management
• The decision whether to fundamentally build competencies
internally and/or externally
• Under the keyword “open innovation,” contact with
coop er ation partners that ranged from formal R&D cooperation
agreements to the use of test and production
facilities
• And formation of an effective and, above all, highly motivated
team.
Ackermann selected his employees to create a diverse group:
experienced researchers, but also university gradu ates; the
young and not-so-young, men and women, physicists, engineers,
chemists and material scientists.
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i n n o v A t i o n M A n A G e M e n t
with considerable advantages over today‘s conventional offerings.
Status: expan sion of the business by creavis technologies
& innovation; scale­up to production scale at customer.
Surface functionalization of PLEXIGLAS®:
Development of a technology platform for inline functionalization
of PleXiGlAS® semi­finished products, which allows
high­gloss or matt­finished surfaces with high abrasion resistance—integrated
into the production process. Status:
transferred to the business unit; pilot plant for sample production.
Abrasion-proof matt-finished PLEXIGLAS®:
Development of a tech nology platform for the production of
matt­finished coatings for PleXiGlAS® semi­finished products
that show a haptic effect and are extremely abrasion­resistant—
integrated into the production process. Status: transferred to
the business unit; scale­up to production scale.
Prismatic PLEXIGLAS® elements for light management:
Development of a technology platform for microstructuring
PMMA surfaces, which can be used to produce PleXiGlAS®
light covers with highly precise prismatic struc tures for uniform
ambient lighting without glare. Status: transferred to the business
unit; presentation of the product at the light+Building
trade fair in April 2010.
While the focus of the first year was on forming a real
team, the second year was devoted to the questions of where
a member stood in the project and also personally, and how
the team functioned. “My project managers often presented
their results to the steering committee and the business
units personally. After all, it was their work. And they had
to support it themselves.” That increased their motivation to
make the project a success, but also their pride in the joint
achievement. After all: “You’re nothing without your team,”
says Ackermann. l
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