- Ruhr-Universität Bochum
MRD Innovation Day
Innovation Day 2026
The MRD Innovation Day took place on June 10 at the Convention Centre of Ruhr-Universität Bochum, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, industry representatives and interested attendees to exchange ideas on transferring scientific research into practical applications. The programme featured two thematic sessions: Edge AI Hardware and Advanced Volatile Chemistry for Deep Tech. In each session, speakers from academia (Thomas Mussenbrock, Nils Boysen), start-ups (GEMESYS, VolaChem) and industry (Elmos Semiconductor SE, Dockweiler Chemicals) shared their experiences on how research and innovation can be transferred into commercial and industrial environments.
The event concluded with a panel discussion organized in collaboration with BRYCK Startup Alliance and Worldfactory, featuring Ulf-Peter Apfel (Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Fraunhofer UMSICHT), Jens Busse (Evonik Industries), Marlene Reusmann (Direct Matter), Marco Herbst (BRYCK), Jens Ehlhardt (Simplyfined), Annabelle Beyer (Worldfactory) and Christian Junker (serial founder and BRYCK). The panellists discussed opportunities, challenges and practical experiences in innovation transfer and venture creation.
Innovation Day 2025
The MRD Innovation Day, organized in collaboration with the Worldfactory Start-up Center (WSC), took place on May 15, 2025 at O-Werk Bochum as part of the IDEA 2025 event. This exciting day spotlighted the transfer of knowledge from academia to start-ups and industry, fostering innovation and collaboration.
This year, two specialized sessions — Machine Learning Potentials and Micro 3D-Printing – featured insightful talks from MRD scientists, RUB start-up teams (ACEworks, PicoShape) and industry partners (Materials Design, Nanoscribe). Each session delved into these cutting-edge research fields, bridging the gap between science and application.
Industry Day 2024: Science for Innovation
This year, three sessions dedicated to condition monitoring, materials informatics and laser technologies featured talks from MRD scientists, RUB start-up teams (mechIC, xemX, RayVen) and industry partners (Kiotera, Industrial Analytics Lab and VALO Innovations – A Part of Hübner Photonics) on each of these specific research fields.
In the afternoon, a panel discussion brought together start-ups founders Philip Schmitt (mechIC), Alexander Kanitz (Lidrotec) and Celia Millon (RayVen), moderated by Michelle Twardzik (WSC). Additionally, participants had the opportunity to take a tour of the ZGH laboratories, aimed at familiarizing everyone interested with the research conducted at RUB.
Industry Day 2023: Science for Innovation
The third MRD Industry Day: Science for Innovation took place on Monday, May 15th, 2023 at the Convention Centre (VZ) at RUB. The aim of the 2023 MRD Industry Day was the integration of research in materials processing, microsystem technologies and materials simulation from RUB into industrial applications. Each of the three specialized sessions showcased presentations by MRD scientists, RUB start-up teams and industry partners focusing on these particular research domains.
The lecture programme was complemented by an exhibition that further promoted the exchange between scientists, start-ups and industry representatives. This was open to exhibitors from different branches to present their latest innovations in materials-related research and products. Take a look yourself at what we were up to on that day:
Industry Day 2022
The second MRD Industry Day took place on Thursday, May 12th, 2022 at the Center for Interface-Dominated High Performance Materials (ZGH) at RUB. Over 60 participants from academia, start-ups and industry joined the three lecture sessions on additive manufacturing, plasmatechnology and coatings and thin films. Under the motto “Research from University to Industry”, materials science experts from the MRD, RUB start-up teams and partners from industry demonstrated how the transfer of knowledge can produce successful business ventures.
Industry Day 2021
Our first Industry Day, originally planned for 2020, was held online via Zoom on May 17th, 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nearly 50 participants gathered to learn about some of the many success stories of RUB alumni who transferred their scientific expertise into thriving careers in industry. Their reports on topics like refactory metals and additive manufacturing were complimented by in-depth talks from MRD scientist, who updated the industry partners in their research on the same topics. Three RUB start-ups then had the pleasure to report on their business ideas and to enter into discussion with the experts from research and industry present.
