A whole host of different technologies are used in analytics. Although numerous biological, chemical and physical methods are available, development and application potential is far from exhausted. The challenges involved in processes such as human diagnostics, food testing and environmental monitoring include on-site analytics, real-time analysis and the networking of different analytical methods. The smart analytics project is designed to encourage cooperation between users and developers from various sectors with the aim of exploring the options for developing synergies, automating processes and utilising artificial intelligence. In addition to linking industries and technologies, another goal is to create both national and international networks of companies and research institutes. New partnerships are to be forged, synergies leveraged and state-of-the-art technologies combined to develop innovative analytical methods and applications for the healthcare sector, industry and research.

A total of 14 businesses and research establishments are joining forces with BioRegio STERN Management GmbH and the ISOCS (International Society for Olfaction and Chemical Sensing) as founder members of the smart analytics network. BioRegio STERN Management GmbH is acting as coordinator and contact for the German participants. The Dijon-based ISOCS is the international coordinator and is contributing its expertise in the field of artificial olfactory sensing, that is to say using chemical sensors to analyse odours. This highly innovative discipline opens up pioneering possibilities such as diagnosing diseases from the breath of patients and using olfactory sensors for quality control
purposes in the food industry. "Artificial olfactory sensor technology is just one of the many exciting innovations we can expect to see in analytics," explains Nina Zabel from the project management team. "In the coming months, smart analytics will enable us to devise new strategies for developing trendsetting prospective applications and business models with our partners," adds project manager Dr. Verena Grimm.

The smart analytics project was launched back on May 1 and is initially being funded for 18 months by the BMWi with a sum of 177,000 euros. Other companies are welcome to join the network's 14 founder members as project partners. This will give them access to targeted support, if required, to submit their own promising ZIM research and development applications.
 

German SMEs:
JLM Innovation GmbH, Tübingen;
LuxFlux GmbH, Reutlingen;
KWO Kunststoffteile GmbH, Offenau;
Synovo GmbH, Tübingen;
4base lab AG, Reutlingen;
Micro-biolytics GmbH, Esslingen
 

German research partners:
Hahn-Schickard Institute for Micro Assembly Technology, Stuttgart;
Hahn-Schickard Institute for Micro Analysis Systems, Freiburg;
Natural and Medical Sciences Institute (NMI) at the University of Tübingen;
Research Institute for Women's Health at Tübingen University Hospital
 

International partners:
Nano Sensor Systems NASYS S.R.L., Italy;
RUBIX S&I, France;
IONICON Analytik GmbH, Austria
 

Coordinators:
ISOCS, France;
BioRegio STERN Management GmbH, Germany