£32M For UK Materials Manufacturing Research
Ten new research projects that will advance the UK's manufacturing capability, develop new and exciting functional materials, and accelerate the translation of the science of functional materials through to application have been announced by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The projects will include developing advanced fabrication processes for GaN and related materials; revolutionising the manufacture and use of specialised glass (chalcogenides); exploiting the potential of flexible perovskite photovoltaics; developing the materials needed for the new class of photonic integrated circuits for use in communications, sensors, imaging and lighting; developing thin-film materials and novel manufacturing methods for wearable technology; improving the mass production of carbon nanotube materials; and advanced manufacturing of nanoparticles for healthcare applications.
Developed in response to the Manufacturing Advanced Functional Materials (MAFuMa) call issued by EPSRC in February 2014, the projects include research programmes and strategic equipment and will be led by the universities of Bath, Cambridge, Oxford, Leeds, Southampton, UCL (University College London) and Bangor University.
Overall seventeen universities are involved and, combined with universities' contributions and those from industry partners, the total value of these projects is £32.1 million.
Welcoming the announcement Business Secretary, Vince Cable, said: "Working with academia and industry to support game-changing manufacturing projects like these is at the heart of the Government's industrial strategy. By supporting the jump from the manufacturing lab to the market place, we are driving innovation, creating valuable new jobs and delivering economic growth that will secure the UK's global leadership for decades to come."
Philip Nelson, EPSRC's CEO, said: "These grants for Functional Materials research will take advantage of the excellent capability that exists across the UK. The level of partnership between universities and industry means they are well positioned to advance the exploitation of the knowledge and discoveries of our pioneering scientists and engineers. These are really exciting projects that can add to the long term prosperity of our country."
