From October 1 to October 4, Ainārs Knoks and Olga Bogdanova represented ISSP UL and Materize (the ISSP UL’s brand established within the scope of the CAMART2 project for collaboration with industry) at the Big Science Business Forum (BSBF) held in Trieste, Italy. This biannual conference serves as the largest networking event for stakeholders in the scientific and industrial sectors, focusing on collaborative opportunities in Big Science projects.
The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) organized a dedicated booth at the forum, prominently featuring Materize. Representatives from Latvia showcased our country’s capabilities in the Big Science domain and fostered connections among industry leaders.
ISSP UL’s researcher, Ainārs Knoks from the Energy Materials Laboratory, participated in a specialized session on the role of hydrogen within Big Science initiatives. This segment highlighted innovative approaches and applications of hydrogen technology in large-scale scientific endeavors.
Throughout the event, both Ainārs Knoks and Olga Bogdanova engaged with various industry representatives, discussing ongoing projects and exploring potential collaborations. Notably, they identified opportunities for participation in significant procurements and projects that require long-term commitment.
A standout discussion revolved around the Einstein Telescope, a project aimed at advancing gravitational wave astronomy. As an excellence center in thin film technologies, ISSP UL is well-positioned to contribute to developing new materials and technologies essential for this project. The team plans to leverage the contacts established during the forum to organize a workshop aimed at enhancing the Latvian industry’s engagement with the Einstein Telescope project.
The forum also facilitated the establishment of a closer collaboration with the Latvian Industrial Liaison Office (ILO) at CERN. Olga Bogdanova is set to host a presentation at ISSP UL to outline further collaborative opportunities with CERN, paving the way for enhanced partnership and involvement in cutting-edge research.
The Big Science Business Forum 2024 proved to be an invaluable platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. Materize, along with ISSP UL, is poised to make significant contributions to major scientific initiatives driven by the relationships and insights gained during this significant event.
