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Flera divisioner inom processindustrin står inför många utmaningar på grund av förändringar i processindustrins landskap. Faktorer relaterade till lågkonjunkturen, klimatförändringar och ökad konkurrens har satt sina spår. Följaktligen finns det flera enheter inom processindustrin som söker andra möjligheter för att bredda sin kompetens och utveckla innovativ teknik i nya landskap inom processindustrin. Eftersom det har blivit allt vanligare för företag att delta i ett partnerskap med externa aktörer för att utveckla och kommersialisera nya innovativa teknologier och lösningar, är det fortfarande en ganska komplicerad process och har inte heller tillräckligt avspeglats på i akademiska studier. Målet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka och analysera vilka utmaningar och problem som FoU-företag inom processindustrin står inför vid bildandet av allians/partnerskap för extern teknologi exploatering, och även identifiera framgångsfaktorer. Examensarbetet avgränsas till planeringsfasen av ett projekt eftersom den har identifierats som den mest avgörande fasen. Syftet är att förse FoU- företag med insikt om de potentiella problem och utmaningar som kan uppstå och därmed kunna anpassa sin strategi mer effektivt. Examensarbetet genomfördes med en kvalitativ metodgång där två dussin nyckelpersoner från företag i process industrin intervjuades, och även en fördjupad undersökning av ett projekt. Trianguleringsmetoder utnyttjades för att kontrollera och stärka insamlad data från intervjuer, och därefter analyserades i samband med en litteraturstudie. Vi har i undersökningen kommit till underfund till 11 utmaningar och problem ett FoU- företag kan uppleva, till exempel risker relaterade till kraven på samordning, partner-val och planeringsverktyg etc. Vi har även identifierat 15 framgångsfaktorer ett FoU-företag bör överväga att implementera, såsom potentiella synergier mellan mindre teknologier och innovationer för att framhäva en mer betydande kombinerad effekt, och en strategisk parter urvalsprocess. Several divisions in the process industry are facing numerous challenges due to changes in the process industry landscape. Factors related to the recession, climate change and an increasing competition have left its mark. Consequently, there are several units within the process industry that seeks other opportunities in order to extend their expertise and develop innovative technologies in new landscapes within the process industry. As it has been increasingly prevalent for companies to participate in a partnership with external actors in order to develop and commercialize new innovative products and solutions, it is still a rather complex process and has insufficiently been reflected upon in academic studies. The aim of this master’s thesis is therefore to investigate and analyze what challenges and problems R&D companies within the process industry faces when entering an alliance/partnership for external technology exploitation, and also identify success factors. The master’s thesis is delimited to the planning phase of a project as it was identified as the most crucial phase. The purpose is to allow companies adjust their strategy more efficiently and competently when knowing what the potential problems and challenges are, thus providing results that would be of great practical use for R&D companies overall. The master’s thesis was conducted by a qualitative approach, interviewing two dozen key persons and in-depth investigation of a project. Triangulation methods was employed in order to verify and strengthen the gathered data from the interviews, and analyzed in relation with literature. We have identified 11 challenges and problems an R&D company could experience, such as risks related to coordination requirements, partner selection, planning tools etc. However, there are also 15 of success factors an R&D company should contemplate upon, such as potential synergies between small inventions in order to utilize and attain a larger combined effect, and designing a strategic partner selection process.

Tissue engineering is considered to be one of the most innovative approach for tackling many diseases and body parts that need to be replaced. Biopolymeric scaffolds have been utilized in tissue engineering as a technique to confide the desired proliferation of seeded cells in vitro and in vivo into its architecturally porous three-dimensional structures. Novel freeform fabrication methods for tissue engineering polymeric scaffolds have been an interest because of its repeatability and capability of high accuracy in fabrication resolution at the macro and micro scales.A novel multi-nozzle biopolymer deposition system which is capable of extruding biopolymer solutions and living cells for bioactive fabrication of 3D alginate tissue scaffolds is presented. The deposition process is biocompatible and occurs at room temperature and low pressures to reduce damage to cells. Sodium alginate aqueous solution is deposited into calcium chloride solution using 3DD to form hydrogel structures. Feasibility studies showed that the system is capable of extruding Manugel alginate between 0.4% and 3% (w/v). The flow rate, nozzle diameter, and nozzle velocity were studied and a model was developed to design 3D scaffolds with controlled strut diameters (D = 250 - 410 microns) and pore sizes. In addition, rat heart endothelial cells were deposited through the system with alginate to form gel scaffold structures with encapsulated cells in a bioactive fabricated manor. The study showed that the suitable bioactive parameters preferred 1.5% (w/v) sodium alginate with 0.5% (w/v) calcium chloride. Cell viability studies were conducted on the cell encapsulated scaffolds for validating the bioactive freeform fabrication process that sowed viability up to 85%. The bioactive scaffold supported proliferation up to 21 days of incubation time. The elastic modulus was studied over degradation time that showed that the stiffened during the 24 hours due to crosslinking and degraded then on up to 21 days of incubation at 37 oC.The system showed potential use for accurate cell placement in tissue engineering applications and promote regenerative medicine based on CAD systems.