Turning research into value. We explore emerging nanotechnologies and ask how they can become economically viable solutions — through patent, market and competitive analysis, visits to real-world partners, and project work in small groups.
In the project course “Economic Aspects of Nanotechnology” (WASP), students work in small teams to assess the economic viability of real research projects in micro- and nanotechnology.
Working with industry and research partners, teams analyze the patent landscape, market and competitive position of an emerging technology to develop a well-founded commercialization strategy.
The course is designed for TUM students who want to combine technical knowledge with entrepreneurial thinking and explore how a laboratory prototype can become a product, a start-up or a new market.
Explain the physical and technical principles of a nanotechnology and assess its technological context.
Identify patent families, assess the intellectual property position and systematically research existing rights.
Analyze a technology’s applications, market potential, customer expectations and barriers to adoption.
Compare start-ups and established companies by technology, business model, technology readiness level and ecosystem.
Translate patent, technology and market analysis into a concrete roadmap covering differentiation, risks and recommended actions.
Optical computing architectures as an alternative to electronic processors — markets, patents and competition in the European start-up ecosystem.
Nanoscale thermal management technologies for converting heat into electricity and enabling large-scale energy storage.
Emerging radio-frequency technologies (magnonics, MEMS and ferrites) for 5G/6G infrastructure, radar and satellite communications.
CMOS-based approaches that emulate neural principles or integrate processing directly into memory structures (in-memory and neuromorphic computing).
Magnetic sensing technologies for automotive and industrial applications, such as multi-turn angle sensors for steer-by-wire systems.