Member Article

Micro-nanotech business partnership to boost UK innovation

A micro-nanotech partnership between two organisations with the University of Glasgow hopes to accelerate innovation across different industries in the UK.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has teamed up with Kelvin Nanotechnology and the University to create Kelvin-Rutherford.

The new project will provide businesses with support through computer simulations, mock-ups of products and in-depth evaluations.

It has been created to give innovation support to a range of different industries, which Kelvin Nanotechnology says will have an impact on a huge range of sectors including medical diagnostics, defence, space exploration and security.

STFC support a wide variety of scientific and engineering projects, with a view to stimulating knowledge and research in the UK, while Kelvin Nanotechnology provides industrial and academic solutions to the nanofabrication sector.

Nanofabrication businesses design and manufacture devices measured in nanometers, which means products from the sector are often produced for computing, medical industries and aerospace companies.

Based in Oxfordshire at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton laboratory, the project will offer businesses its R&D expertise as well as its design, simulation and fabrication capabilities.

The University of Glasgow’s Vice-Principal for Research and Enterprise, Professor Steve Beaumont, said: “I am delighted that Glasgow will be widening access for UK industry to its unrivalled nanofabrication expertise and facilities through the Kelvin-Rutherford partnership.

“We are convinced that Kelvin-Rutherford will increase the economic impact made by a branch of science and technology for which the UK has a world-leading reputation.”

Dr. Brendan Casey, chief executive of Kelvin Nanotechnology, added: “We are delighted to announce the formation of this new enterprise that combines the capabilities of the three partners to provide an unparalleled nanotechnology offering to UK businesses.

“The benefits gained through our collective technologies, expertise and business networks will provide a route for UK companies to rapidly enhance their products and services while building higher value IP.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .