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02 Annual Report 2008 Management report Structural report 22 Annual Report 2008 Research is being conducted on new concepts for neuromorphic image sensors and algorithms for real-time data processing. Neuromorphic circuits process information by electronically mimicking biological structures. Image processing algorithms that are feature rather than pixel-based can capture and interpret image content more quickly and reliably, and it is hoped that this will enable intelligent optical sensor systems with far better performance than existing products to be developed. The research findings are being marketed in cooperation with sensor manufacturers and system integrators. Novel technological approaches and electronic circuits which open the way for extremely quick and sensitive high-resolution image sensors have been developed. Light sensitivity, which is crucial to practical usability, declines as the speed of the sensor increases. ARC has therefore developed and patented a „digital multi-exposure process“ which counters this characteristic. The new xposure1 high-speed line sensor is compatible with extremely high sensitivity. The specifications of the xposure1 high-speed line sensor as an FIP technology demonstrator were completed in 2008. To minimise technological and commercial risk, test chips were produced in advance for functional verification of the subassemblies. The first test chip has now been successfully tested and the measurement results are already being incorporated into the xposure1 sensor. Digital preservation Preserving the availability and reliability of digital information over time is a constant problem for private individuals, public authorities and industry alike. The Digital Memory Engineering (DME) working group, previously operated as research studios, was incorporated in the department in 2008. The group has recently been focusing on digital preservation, mainly as part of PLANETS — an FP6-IST project. PLANETS is working on developing a sustainable framework for the long-term archiving of digital content, in order to increase Europe‘s ability to ensure long-term access to its cultural and scientific heritage. The project will enable organisations to optimise their long-term archiving activities, safeguard long-term access to valuable digital content and keep archiving costs under control through increased automation and scalable infrastructure. In 2008 DME succeeded in raising the profile of digital preservation in the Austrian research scene by making a successful application under the FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency) Research Studios Austria programme in cooperation with the University of Vienna and Vienna University of Technology. The aim of this project is to refine the strategies and services for professional long-term archiving at libraries and archives developed by the PLANETS project so that it will also be possible to use them in other areas, such as large-scale industry, commerce and SMEs. Reducing complexity, applying established best-practice strategies and developing simple, automated services will play an important part in guaranteeing long-term access to digital data collections. 2.1.6.5 Foresight & Policy Development In both business and scientific terms, 2008 was one of the most successful years ever for the Foresight & Policy Development Department. The department posted an 11% increase in revenue compared with 2007, and intellectual capital performance was equally impressive: 11 publications by department staff (37.6 full-time equivalent) in peer reviewed journals. Another 16 articles were submitted and nine were accepted for publication. Departmental staff also published five books and numerous contributions to books, as well as speaking at international conferences. The department hosted the International Conference on Science and Technology Indicators in Vienna in cooperation with the University of Vienna. Foresight & Policy Development was responsible for scientific organisation at the conference, and the staff’s speeches and publications made a significant contribution to the success of the event.
In order to maintain this record of success, ARC and the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration signed a cooperation agreement entitled “Innovation Economics Vienna (IEV)” at the department’s initiative. Over the next five years selected students who are writing masters or doctoral theses on innovation economics will receive funding from several sponsors, including the Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology, and expert advice from mentors in the department. As education takes place at the front end of scientific activity, the programme is likely to provide a useful stimulus for the Austrian innovation system as a whole. A number of distinct project clusters emerged in the department’s research into innovation and sustainability in 2008. This was true of the contract, cooperative and independent research projects. Network research is one of the main thrusts, and today the development is one of the top three European research organisations in the field. NEMO project on network models, governance and R&D collaboration networks (sixth Framework Programme) The Network of Excellence on Micro-optics (NEMO) project is the backbone of the department’s network research activities. Its primary aim is to carry out an empirical analysis of the structure and dynamics of R&D collaboration networks in Europe. This will involve adapting and applying conventional social network analysis techniques and various statistical physics and econometric methods to the area of research. However, developing new approaches to network modelling is also an integral part of NEMO. The findings arrived at to date have significantly increased understanding of the structure, dynamics and development of R&D collaboration under the EU’s Framework Programmes. The project outcomes are likely to have a major impact on the strategic direction of future Framework Programmes. One important area of research under the NEMO project is identifying and analysing the factors that determine the choice of partners from the various organisations participating in EU Framework Programmes. The impact of individual determinants — arrived at on the basis of economic network formation theories — was identified and evaluated with the aid of a separate decision-making model. The latter estimates the probability of partnerships between two organisations according to selected determinants and their influence on decisions. The findings revealed that relationships based on past project cooperation are the most important factor in selecting research partners. The research focus of the organisations also plays an important part in decisions. The greater the similarity between the research profiles of a pair of organisations, the more likely they are to enter into a partnership. Geographical proximity and the importance of the organisations’ roles in the network are also statistically significant factors. Research into networks is important because it generates models which are ideally suited to analysing complex systems and reveal similarities in network characteristics, structures and development. We believe that these are among the few models suitable for the management of complex social systems. The department’s research will contribute to achieving this objective by providing new insights into the relationships between network activities and structures, and between network structures and network management. Department staff have been looking into the design and implementation of foresight processes for several years. Most of the research into process implementation has been carried out on behalf of the European Commission, but the establishment of AIT marks a vital step towards institutionalising foresight processes in Austria. The following is an example of the foresight projects conducted in 2008. 02 Annual Report 2008 Management report Structural report 23 Annual Report 2008
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