European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

The European Virtual Institute for Thermal Metrology

www.evitherm.orgPresented by

John REDGROVE

Thermal Measurement GroupNational Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

3-year EC-funded project to set up a Virtual Institute …

Mission - to provide QUICK and EASY access for European industrial, research and academic organisations to authoritative temperature and thermophysical properties information and expertise … in order to increase the skill levels of their technical staff and help improve their products and processes

Self-financing legal entity within 3 years

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

Why is evitherm required ?

Fragmented, geographically scattered and variable quality of information and expertise - difficult to locate and access most appropriate information/expertise. How to choose?

Lack of understanding of thermal technology by users - inappropriate thermal data or measurement techniques producing inefficient, less competitive or more environmentally polluting industrial processes

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

Authoritative thermal knowledge transfer focal point …

Comprehensive website facilitating connections between providers and users of thermal technology, to help resolve thermal issues & improve skills

An authoritative source of thermal technology information and expertise structured for ease of access by industrial users

European regional and industry sector needs (language) addressed to increase industry usage

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

Crucially, the Steering Group has industry representatives to help ensure that user needs are understood and met

Project kick-off meeting at NPL, Teddington, January 2003

Steering Group – to meet user needs

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

The Steering Group has industry representatives …

Industry and particularly SMEs will be the key users

Web infrastructure and content designed to satisfy users’ technology and information needs

Information provided in a format and at technical levels required by industry

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

evitherm project team comprises about 40 organisations from 12 European nations - metrology institutes, industrial research organisations, manufacturers, test labs, universities, consultants …

Developing content for thermal properties & temperature users

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

Member capabilities Events, capabilities of

European research organisations, equipment suppliers, trade organisations

Science & technology developments

Thermophysical properties databases

Good practice guides, training, standards

Website providing information and links on…

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

Technical data searchable by a range of categories

Industry sector (metals, building, medical etc)

Thermal parameter Material Resource (equipment,

technique, expertise) Supplier

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

Enabling members to interact with each other, facilitating …

Meetings, conferences, workshops and training events

Problem-solving Consultancy Partnerships for collaborative

research, exploitation of research outputs & other projects

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

Membership structure based on company size

Proposal – to be reviewed by Steering Group

Annual membership fee about € 100 for individuals

Corporate membership fee around € 500 for SMEs (50 < staff < 249) up to € 1000 for organisations with staff > 250

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

National societies and interest groups are the ‘real’ as opposed to ‘virtual’ interface with industry, facilitating meetings, conferences, workshops and training events

evitherm will help to increase awareness and visibility of national activities for the benefit of industry

National activities complement evitherm technical resource

European Virtual Institute of Thermal Metrology ICTAC, Sardinia, Sept 04

www.evitherm.orgThe European Virtual Institute for Thermal Metrology

Visit the website and give us your views on howevitherm should be developed to help your business