EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This project is a collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for environmental, safety and energy technology (Fraunhofer UMSICHT). Its aim is to find new application fields for thermally and electrically conductive polymer foils. Current application fields include flow- and non-flow-batteries, fuel cells, and electrolysers.

Goal

The overarching goal of this project is the identification and evaluation of potential alternative application fields for conductive polymers by means of the Technology Competence Leveraging (TCL) method.

Methodology

Comprising four core steps, TCL provides a framework for the recognition of technology transfer opportunities and the subsequent assessment of said opportunities. Firstly, the technology in question is to be analysed from a user’s perspective. Subsequently, new application fields are identified and, in the third step, evaluated. Lastly, the most promising and desirable application fields are selected, and respective exploitation strategies are devised.

Results

By applying the TCL method, 8 core use benefits of the technology were identified. Based on these use benefits, 27 expert interviews from 20 different industries and secondary data exploration yielded 38 new application fields. Subsequently, an in-depth market and competitor analysis was conducted for two application fields while for a third field, a value chain analysis was undertaken.

 20 direct competitors and 10 specific industries in which companies could benefit from such a solution were identified for the application field “heating of pipes”.  The biggest current challenges of competitors are cost and performance aspects and maintenance and installation complexity.

For the application field of organic photovoltaic cells, a value chain analysis identified 157 companies and research centers associated with crystalline and organic PVs. Notably, commercialization is still in its infancy with, ultimately, a clear trend developing towards the evaluation of alternative solutions and technologies to silicon-based PVs.

The biggest challenges for the application field of underfloor wall and panel heating systems are installation complexity, cost considerations, and flooring compatibility. Overall market trends include the integration of smart technologies, a strong demand for energy-efficient products, an increased focus on interior design, and rapid urbanization.

Cooperation Partner

• Fraunhofer Institut für Umwelt-, Sicherheits- und Energietechnik UMSICHT

• Osterfelder Str. 3, 46047 Oberhausen, Deutschland

• https://www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de/

Contact Person

• Dr. Michael Joemann

• michael.joemann@umsicht.fraunhofer.de

Student Team

• Sophia de Lijzer

• Thomas Gomboc

• Nataliya Koryakina

• Martin Nabecker

• Fabian Rott

• Martin Rudolf

Student Team

• Klaus Marhold

• Sophie Quach