Research and development

In research and development, short R & D, R & D, R & D or FE (English research and development, short R & D), it can differ depending on emphasis to an expression for applied research or to the first linguistic summary of basic research and engineering development act, as in commercially oriented large enterprises a coupling of the two areas is desired and sought in favor of production or sales -enhancing innovations.

The powerful combination of research and development to applied research on the one hand for higher education institutions a new way of additional funding by negotiating partnerships with businesses. On the other hand, see more business opportunities for the future, when they engage in long -term research topics.

One of the dangers of excessive combination, however, is that basic research could be neglected.

Definition

In the literature there are different definitions of the term " research and development ", but essentially include the same features. Research & Development includes all the planned and systematic activities on the basis of scientific methods, whose goal is to acquire new knowledge. It is "new " to be understood in relation to the respective organizational unit.

Breakdown of R & D

With regard to their application Bezuges research and development in four activities can be organized, the only focus can be distinguished from each other and usually overlap in the context of a single R & D project.

Basic research

The aim of basic research is to gain new knowledge and experience, without basically target a real practical use. Rather, the knowledge base is to be extended, that is, there will be theories and laws hypotheses designed and tested in order to establish the basis for application-oriented knowledge. As the results of basic research often can not be protected or used commercially, it is rarely the subject of private sector efforts. In general, the basic research takes place in universities, but also in other institutions such as the Max Planck Society and partly by the Fraunhofer -Gesellschaft.

Technology development

The technology development is concerned with the acquisition and development of knowledge and skills, which aims to solve practical problems with the aid of technology. She uses the results of basic research, application-oriented knowledge and practical experience. The goal is the creation and maintenance of technological performance or potential technological core competencies that enable direct practical applications. The concept of technology development is thus equated approximately with the concept of applied research in the natural sciences and engineering.

Predevelopment

In the pre-development deals with the preparation of the series- and market-oriented product development. New technologies are being tested for their feasibility in products and processes. Product concepts are designed and built functional models. Preliminary development has to anticipate the goal of the technical risk of the projects Serien-/Marktentwicklung. In the pre-development new active principles from the research (not industrial) tested for transferability to its product portfolio. Here there is a focus on demanding, high-risk components or products that are quick and largely safe product launch in the way.

Innovation management with its strategic derivation from the corporate strategy is based in the pre-development. With a systematic idea management, using creative techniques predevelopment to the entire company acts to generate new product ideas. So-called Innovation Scouts maintain contacts with relevant external network partners able to monitor all relevant technological changes early.

Product and process development

In this last phase, all previously created potentials ( knowledge, skills, processes, product prototypes) are translated into concrete, marketable products or processes. The goal is to launch a new or modified product.

Well-known research organizations

• German Research Foundation ( as the most important cross-national research organization promoting R & D at German universities )
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
• Leibniz Association
• Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
• Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research ( as an example of the Dutch R & D organization )