A Management approach for interdisciplinary Research networks in a knowledge-based Society - Case study of the cluster of Excellence ""Integrative Production technology for high-wage countries
Due to globalisation, innovations in low-wage countries take place in increasingly faster cycles for several years. By this means, the pressure on high-wage countries rises in order to keep up their knowledge advantage within diverse branches. Because of the fact that new knowledge is established more and more among interfaces of various disciplines, different demands arise with regard to an adequate institutional framework. Thus, the nationwide initiation of so-called Clusters of Excellence in Germany can be classified as a measure which has the target to support innovation activities within knowledge intensive networks. However, highly complex and heterogeneous research networks are in need of an appropriate management approach which supports the cross linking of various disciplines and increases the scientific output, but a corresponding approach is not established yet. Therefore, the so-called Cross Sectional Processes in the Cluster of Excellence `Integrative Production Technology for High-Wage Countries' at RWTH Aachen University, Germany, aim at creating management approaches to fit the needs of huge, heterogeneous, highly complex and dynamic research clusters. Moreover, the aim of the investigations is to design, implement and evaluate a management approach transferable to similar clusters and networks in future in order to foster interdisciplinary innovation activities in networks.
Integrative Produktionstechnik für Hochlohnländer
Produzierende Unternehmen in Hochlohnlandern werden im internationalen Verdrangungswettbewerb immer starker durch die augenscheinlich im relativen Vergleich niedrigeren Produktionskosten in Niedriglohnlandern unter Druck gesetzt. Um dem entgegenzuwirken, reagiert eine grose Anzahl produzierender Unternehmen mit einer Verlagerung der Produktionsstatten. Auf Grund der starken Abhangigkeit weiterer Wirtschaftsbereiche (wie beispielsweise der Dienstleistungsbranche) von der industriellen Produktion, gefahrdet dieser Trend mittel- und langfristig den Wohlstand in Europa. (Lau 2005) Produktionsverlagerungen fuhren in der Regel auch zu nachfolgenden Verlagerungen von Dienstleistungs-, aber auch von Forschungs- und Entwicklungstatigkeiten. Da uber 40 % der sozialversicherungspflichtigen Erwerbstatigen in Deutschland dem produzierenden Gewerbe zugerechnet werden, nimmt die Produktion eine Schlusselrolle ein und ihre Abwanderung birgt immense Risiken fur die Entwicklung der Volkswirtschaft des Landes. (Statistisches Bundesamt 2010)
Computer-Aided System of Virtual Testing of Gas Turbine Engines
The article describes the concept of a virtual lab that includes subsystem of gas turbine engine simulation, subsystem of experiment planning, subsystem of measurement errors simulation, subsystem of simulator identification and others. The basis for virtual lab development is the computer-aided system of thermogasdynamic research and analysis “ASTRA”. The features of gas turbine engine transient modes simulator are described. The principal difference between the simulators of transient and stationary modes of gas turbine engines is that the energy balance of the compressor and turbine becomes not applicable. The computer-aided system of virtual gas turbine engine testing was created using the developed transient modes simulator. This system solves the tasks of operational (throttling, speed, climatic, altitude) characteristics calculation, analysis of transient dynamics and selection of optimal control laws. Besides, the system of virtual gas turbine engine testing is a clear demonstration of gas turbine engine working process and the regularities of engine elements collaboration. The interface of the system of virtual gas turbine engine testing is described in the article and some screenshots of the interface elements are provided. The developed system of virtual gas turbine engine testing provides means for reducing the laboriousness of gas turbine engines testing. Besides, the implementation of this system in the learning process allows the diversification of lab works and therefore improve the quality of training.