EU and developing countries to light one another's way in laser research collaboration

19 February 2007

The CSIR National Laser Centre has been selected to lead four of the world's top developing countries in a laser materials processing research collaboration with the European Union (EU).

The collaborative project, termed EUDEVLAS, is aimed at revitalising established European research, stimulating innovation in Eastern European (where the need for economic growth through increased productivity is acknowledged), while benefiting participating developing countries through dissemination of EU knowledge and skills development. This two-year project is supported as a specific action in terms of the EU Framework Programme 6.

"Europe, like the developing countries, has realised that the only way of combating unemployment (while maintaining environmental sustainability), is through the establishment of a competitive manufacturing industry," says Hardus Greyling of the CSIR. "Laser technology has proven its contribution as a leading edge tool in manufacturing," he adds.

It is envisaged that European researchers within project EUDEVLAS will learn much from being confronted with the production problems faced by emerging markets, but also from the new research approaches already being taken by these players. In addition, the emergence of radically different, high-power, high-beam quality laser sources needs further investigation. "Combining these two facets, this project has the potential to stimulate innovation in laser science, thereby radically changing the face of future manufacturing," Greyling says.

The project plan includes the mapping of current and anticipated common interests in the field of laser material processing; developing and prioritising fields of common interest; defining teams of excellence; compiling project concepts and proposals; as well as undertaking a foresight study.

South Africa, through the CSIR, has been selected to lead the developing country aspect of the research, while the European side will be led by Laser Zentrum Hannover, a top laser centre in Germany. Both these institutions have networks with their national universities and industries.

Source: CSIR