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Prof. Dr. hc Wolfgang Eberhardt, member of the board and speaker of the 'Non-university Research Institutions at Adlershof' (IGAFA), scientific director of the Helmholtz Centre Berlin and professor at the TU Berlin.

Berlin Adlershof was once the most important site of the East German Academy of Sciences. Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Adlershof is one of the 15 largest technology parks in the world. Some 400 private businesses, 11 non-university research institutes and the departments of computer science, physics, chemistry, geography, mathematics and psychology at the Humboldt University (HU) benefit from the modern technology park. Today, Adlershof is home to more than 20,000 staff, researchers and students.

Many companies, university research institutes and independent research facilities are based in Adlershof. How did the concept for the technology park evolve?

Adlershof has a long-standing tradition of attracting people with an inquiring mind and an exploratory spirit. This year, we are celebrating "100 years of innovation from Adlershof". Back in 1909, the first motor airfield in Germany was opened here. It soon developed into a major centre of aeronautic research. During the years of German separation, Adlershof was the largest site for the natural sciences under the aegis of the East German Academy of Sciences. After the fall of the Wall, quite a few new companies were started by the creative scientists and engineers who had previously developed scientific instrumentation for the Academy of Sciences. Federal and state governments jointly decided in 1992 to specifically develop Adlershof into a site where science and industry could create close ties. Thanks to strong political and administrative support, the technology park was off to a good start. The park quickly expanded as new facilities were established, such as the Bessy II synchrotron source, and the natural sciences faculties of the HU were relocated to Adlershof. Today, Adlershof is a real showcase project. We have experienced more than 10% annual growth over the past years and Adlershof will continue to grow despite the present economic situation.

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How do new focal topics become apparent in this process? Do the institutions here generate a kind of "pull effect"? Or is some sort of settlement policy giving financial support to specific areas of research or research institutions?

Both is true. In our main research areas of "light", "materials", and "models", we conduct excellent research that draws national and international attention. This applies particularly to such areas as photonics, optics, materials, microsystems, information and communication. Our institutes, one might say, create a "critical nucleus" that attracts new potentials, new talents and new collaboration partners. On the other hand, strategic activities by the site developers also play an important role. Centres of excellence are created and developed, partly with financial support from the Federal Government and the European Union. These centres of excellence devote themselves to key research topics. At present, for example, a new centre of excellence for thin-film photovoltaics (PVcomB) is starting operations.

One of the objectives of such technology parks is to link science and industry. The idea is, among others, that this would encourage scientists to establish new companies. Are there any concrete examples in Adlershof?

Adlershof itself is the best example. More than 400 high-tech companies are based here. Together they generate tax revenues that far exceed the amount the state of Berlin has to invest to operate the scientific institutions. Seriously, the fact is that we have quite a record of highly successful spin-offs. Take Sulfurcell, for instance, a spin-off company from the Helmholtz Centre Berlin for Materials and Energy. Sulfurcell develops and produces solar modules and employs some 300 staff. Another example is the solid-state laser fabrication established by the Ferdinand-Braun-Institute (FBH). In Adlershof, we have the know-how and the necessary infrastructure to foster such developments.

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Can networks and clusters control such processes? What is your experience with networking in Adlershof?

We are committed to fostering innovation from Adlershof. And we have found out that networking is the first essential step in this direction. This is why the non-university research facilities have merged to create such a network (IGAFA). It ensures a continuous and efficient exchange between member institutes and representatives of industry. Furthermore, it not only provides its members with a scientific infrastructure, but also facilitates good public relations. These strategic activities are one side of the story. The other side is that the scientific community is alive and well. That is why it is so important to bring competent and enthusiastic researchers to Adlershof and encourage them to participate in a vibrant network.

What opportunities does Adlershof offer visiting researchers from abroad?

In addition to the interaction with more than 1,500 scientists at the HU and the non-university research centres, we operate the modern generation synchrotron radiation facility Bessy II at the Helmholtz Centre Berlin and the laser facilities at the Max Born Institute for international collaborators. IGAFA and the Helmholtz Centre Berlin operate three international meeting centres of science (IBZ) on the site. Each year, more than 1,000 researchers from all over the world find accommodation here for short-term stays and some 250 even stay longer than three months. At the IBZs, they benefit from short distances to their workplaces, excellent contact opportunities and competent advice in all matters related to working, researching and living in Berlin.

Thank you very much for this insight into Adlershof.

Contact:
Head of Science Office
Dr. Ursula Westphal
Rudower Chaussee 17
12489 Berlin
Tel.: + 49 30 6392-3583

igafa@igafa.de

More information: www.igafa.de/en