XFEL: ATTRACT reveals how research can ignite a deep tech revolution

Serendipity in the realm of science and technology is an unexpected process in which a scientific discovery or a technological advancement seems to occur by pure chance. But a new study by CERN, Esade Business School, and the Technical University of Denmark shows that there is much more than chance to serendipity. Conditions can be created by forming innovation ecosystems, where serendipity is somehow systematised – leading to streamlined scientific breakthroughs that ignite deep tech innovation in Europe. The findings, based on a large dataset from 170 ATTRACT technologies, were presented at the ATTRACT Conference: Igniting the Deep Tech Revolution, held on 22 September 2020.

The study examines the ATTRACT project, a €20m-funded initiative within the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme that aims to systematise the discovery and development of breakthrough applications for detection and imaging technologies rooted in the instrumentation that pushes the frontiers of fundamental research.

“The ATTRACT project has been genuinely ground-breaking. It is the first time that we have connected science and innovation so openly in Europe,” said Director-General of DG Research and Innovation at the European Commission, Jean-Eric Paquet, at the ATTRACT Conference.

Thomas Tschentscher, Scientific Director at European XFEL, said, “ATTRACT addresses imaging technology, including sensor, electronics and software developments made originally for scientific applications and implemented at research infrastructures, like European XFEL, ESRF, ILL, but also CERN or ESO. The project aims to transfer these into innovations with a market potential. This opportunity will benefit not only society through new tools and applications, but also the research infrastructure communities through getting access to standardised tools available in large numbers. The first phase of ATTRACT is now complete and was very successful. I am looking forward to the second phase which aims at bringing selected projects to a high technical readiness level.”

Read the complete press release to learn more about ATTRACT.

About ATTRACT
Big research organisations and experts in business management have been working together in the EU-funded ATTRACT initiative to co-create a European deep tech ecosystem for detection and imaging technologies. This is a new European model of open innovation that can become an engine for jobs and prosperity. For two years, 170 projects were each awarded €100,000 of funding and mentorship by ATTRACT to develop disruptive ideas and turn them into viable commercial applications. The ATTRACT project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 777222.