international - Bergische Universität Wuppertal

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Dr. Werner jaCkstäDt Center for
interDisCiplinary entrepreneUrship
anD innovation researCh
Flexible organic light-emitting diodes (oLEDs) on steel foil
03_UW_RESEARCH
the energy revolUtion
UW’s 9 Interdisciplina-
ry Centers are dedica-
ted to cross-faculty research
into future topics and technologies.
Among them is the Institute
of Polymer Technology,
whose newly constituted
team is dedicated above all
to alternative energy production
and the development of
energy-efficient light sources.
But another aspect of the
institute’s work is developing
didactic methods that will
readily convey innovative research
of this sort to the coming
generation of scientists.
Two scientists from the Faculty
of Electrical, Information
and Media Engineering, Prof.
Dr. Thomas Riedl (Electronic
Components) and Prof. Dr.-
Ing. Ulrich Jung (Printing
Process Technologies), have
recently joined the Institute’s
team of seven chemists, electrical
engineers, physicists
and printing and media engineers,
giving new impetus
to current research into new
materials and components,
above all for applications in or-
ganic and printed electronics.
organic light-emitting diode
(oLED) displays are already
well established today, due to
their low energy consumption,
wide-angle emission, and
rapid reaction and brilliance in
the presentation of moving
images. However, the ability
to print these, as well as solar
cells, on flexible materials
opens fascinating new possibilities
both in energy production
and in lighting. Instead of
an array of rigid roof-mounted
panels, transparent solar foil
covering an entire façade
might be used in future to produce
electricity, enhancing
not only the energy factor but
also the architectural profile
of a building. And a new generation
of oLEDs may one
day provide us with windows
that glow at night, using the
energy of the sun that has
shone through them during
the day, or – even more futuristically
– with TV screens
integrated into the wallpaper.
As a competence center in
the field of functional printed
materials, the Institute of
Polymer Technology is fast
establishing itself as a key
partner for industry as well
as academic institutions. It is
already cooperating actively
with Philips, Aixtron and the
University of Cologne in the
development of NRW’s Center
for organic Production
Technologies (CoPT), and is
also closely engaged in the
organic Electronics Forum of
the Federal Ministry of Education
and Research.
Prof. Dr. Ullrich Scherf
Faculty of Mathematics
and Natural Sciences
Institute of Polymer
Technology
Gauss Str. 20
42119 Wuppertal / Germany
Tel. +49 (0)202 439-3871
kwww.ifp.uni-wuppertal.de
Entrepreneurship has
a long tradition in the
Bergisch Land, home of the
so-called hidden champions,
medium-sized companies
whose products have been
successful for generations,
not infrequently at the forefront
of the global market. The
list is long: firms like DuPont
(paints division) or Delphi, the
world’s biggest automotive
supplier, Draka (heat resistant
cables), Coroplast (industrial
adhesive tapes) and the metal
enhancement specialist
Hühoco.
Situated between Wuppertal
and Cologne, the Bergisch
Land is the center of the German
automotive supply industry,
but it has a lot more
to offer – the world’s number
one door hinge manufacturer
is Edscha in Remscheid,
the Sympatex brand comes
from Wuppertal, as does the
leading European supplier
of woodchip paper, Erfurt.
A number of health-related
companies are also based in
the area: Wuppertal’s Bayer
Research Center is one of
the biggest in the world, GE
Healthcare, world leader in
X-ray contrast agents, has its
German HQ in Solingen, and
Barmer Health Insurances
has more general patients
on its books than any other
German provider. Knipex,
Knirps, Schmersal, Vaillant,
Vorwerk, Zwilling – the list
of household names located
in the Bergisch Triangle – the
adjacent cities of Remscheid
Solingen and Wuppertal –
could be extended by at least
25 more companies.
Where, then, if not here,
should a Center for Entrepreneurship
and Innovation
Research be established?
The Bergisch Land, cradle of
German manufacturing and
home to some of Europe’s
earliest industries, has kept
its innovative spirit alive right
into the present. Honoring
this spirit, the Dr. Werner
Jackstädt Foundation has
granted the center that bears
its founder’s name €1.5 million
over a period of five years
to fund its research.
Working closely together with
regional enterprises, associations,
and decision makers,
the Dr. Werner Jackstädt
Center will conduct research
in four related areas: entrepreneurial
aspects of business
administration, regional
and industrial economic
contexts, entrepreneurship
and innovation training, and
business-directed politics.
Research results from the
entire economic and business
spectrum of entrepreneurship
and innovation will serve
the future development of regional
companies, politicians
and society as a whole.
Research Center Directors
Prof. Dr. Werner Bönte
(Industrial Economics
and Innovation)
Prof. Dr. Michael J. Fallgatter
(HR Management
and organization)
Prof. Dr. Christine Volkmann
(Entrepreneurship
and Economic Development
– UNESCo-Chair
of Entrepreneurship and
Intercultural Management)
Prof. Dr. Peter Witt
(Technology and Innovation
Management)
Prof. Dr. Christine Volkmann
Faculty of Economics –
Schumpeter School of
Business and Economics
Tel. +49 (0)202 439-3982
E-mail volkmann@wiwi.
uni-wuppertal.de
kwww.wiwi.uniwuppertal.de
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