smart³ e.V. | materials - solutions - growth
Products and components are becoming increasingly complex and increasingly interdependent. This results in greater failure susceptibility and it often increases energy consumption and space requirements too.
The smart3 innovation network is endeavouring to reduce component complexity, space requirements and energy consumption through the use of smart materials. The aim is that by making the functionality integral to the structure of the component, the construction of products and components can be simplified. This in turn makes the products and components easier to use, as well as smaller, lighter and more energy-efficient. The use of smart materials also introduces the possibility of completely new use concepts.
The smart3 initiative is a network of companies and research institutes. Its goal is to develop innovative products that use smart materials. Engineers, materials scientists, designers, social scientists and economic experts are working together in pursuit of commercial breakthroughs for these products. The wide-ranging product applications include health, climate protection, energy production, production systems and mobility.
The members of the innovation network are collaborating in R&D project groups in order to bring about a paradigm shift in product understanding. Alongside reductions in component complexity, weight and mass, the aim is to make functionality integral to the component structure so that complex functional components are no longer needed.
smart3 is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the "Zwanzig20 – Partnerschaft für Innovation" initiative.