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Ozan Cakmakci

Researcher,
Human Computer Interaction Group, CLIPS-IMAG

IMAG-CLIPS,
BP 53,
Grenoble, France
Telephone: ++(33) 476 514 365
Fax: ++(33) 476 446 675
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I spent two years in Brussels while working at a blue-sky, interdisciplinary research lab called Starlab Research.
It was a fantastic place with people from all over the world, working on different ideas spanning fields of chemistry
, biology, computer science, material science, physics and more. We had enourmous resources in this lab
- including a scanning electron microscope with focused ion beam capability, atomic force microscope, affymetrix
gene sequencer, gastrochromotography, drytek plasma reactor, spin coater, machine shop, in-house multilayer
printed circuit board manufacturing capabilities, an optical bench, several optical microscopes. We had total freedom
compared to most labs around the world at several levels. For example, you wouldn't need to have access to any
of this equipment, anybody in the lab coulduse anything they wanted. We also enjoyed a huge building with free
lunches prepared our excellent cook! We had hotel several hotel rooms to house visiting researchers and guests.
Starlab had a daughter lab in Barcelona, which is still alive - starlab barcelona.

Chris Duif put together an archive of pictures and information on Starlab as well.

Here is a picture of the hardware lab people on the day of bankruptcy:

Back row(left to right): Ronald, Walter Van de Velde, Kristiaan DP, Kristian Decker, Chris Duif (yellow shirt).
Middle row/couch(left to right): Francois Galilee, me, Els (purple shirt(s)), Kristof, and Johan with the Dino! :)
Front row(left to right): Kofi and Aseem.

Here is a picture of our wonderful building:

Here is a picture of the "other" side of the building:

Here are some pictures of our daughter lab in Barcelona.

Here is the discovery channel segment on Starlab in quicktime format (~15Mb).

I still believe - even though it took me one year (during my two years of working there) to believe it - that Starlab is a good idea.
The markets were against it at the time. We sure learned a lot along the way and it was fun!