NEW SBRI COMPETITION: NEXT GENERATION DETECTION OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL

The MOD’s Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) is seeking applications that identify and develop the next generation of nuclear material detection technology for the MOD.

The solutions should aim to provide a rapid, compact and integrated approach to provide a nuclear material detection capability.

There are several key operational enhancements where ideas are sought to improve nuclear material detection:

a)      new techniques or technologies which can be used to detect nuclear material;

b)      novel applications of existing techniques or technologies which, with limited development, could be applied to nuclear detection; and,

c)       enhancements to current science and technology which will significantly improve detection.

The competition will be run through the Center for Defence Enterprise (CDE) the Ministry of Defence’s gateway for good ideas and innovation that can be used in defence applications. Applications are to be made through the CDE portal. 

More detail on the challenge and how to register for the seminar is listed on the Technology Strategy Board website: http://www.innovateuk.org/content/competition/next-generation-nuclear-material-detection.ashx

Open date: 08 December 2010

Close date: 08 February 2011

Awards date: TBC

Website: www.science.mod.uk

Email: science-enterprise@mod.uk

Call: 01235 438 445

FUNDING COMPETITION FOR NUCLEAR R&D NOW OPEN

The Technology Strategy Board's feasibility study competition for nuclear R&D opened on 14th June 2010.

The Technology Strategy Board is investing up to £2m in feasibility studies to stimulate innovation and strengthen the supply chain in the area of nuclear R&D and its applications.

This competition encourages businesses not currently working in the nuclear sector to explore the opportunities that the predicted global civil nuclear resurgence presents.

In addition, it will allow the existing supply chain to engage with innovative technology providers and explore opportunities for growth.

We will be giving priority to applications that are led by SMEs (or have their strong involvement) working with larger organisations already operating in the nuclear supply chain or those that anticipate

Please follow the link below for more details

http://www.innovateuk.org/content/competition/nuclear-rd-feasibility-studies.ashx

You will find links to:

a) the competition scope
b) how to register and download application forms
c) registration details for the compulsory briefing session on 24th June in Manchester (booking is essential)

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THE NANOTECHNOLOGY MINI-INNOVATION AND GROWTH TEAM (MINI-IGT) PRESENTS "NANOTECHNOLOGY: A UK INDUSTRY VIEW" REPORT TO UK GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY

Report Gives Recommendations for Future Success of UK Nanotechnology Companies
14th January 2010 – BIS Conference Centre, London

14th January 2010, London – Today, the Nanotechnology Mini-Innovation and Growth Team (Mini-IGT) will present a report giving its recommendations for the future success of nanotechnology in the UK. It also reviews where the UK sits in comparison with competitors in relation to funding of nanotechnology, and considers a strategic approach to the commercialisation of nanotechnology based products offering a view of where the UK could be in 2020, assuming the recommendations are implemented.

The report entitled “Nanotechnology: a UK Industry View” details work carried out by the Mini-IGT following Lord Drayson’s launch of the Government evidence gathering website on 7th July 2009 with the announcement that the UK would develop a Nanotechnology Strategy.

The report has been prepared on behalf of industry to provide a market wide view of what is required to ensure that nanotechnology based industries are successful in the UK. It has been actively endorsed by a Steering and Review Group comprising 46 leaders from industry, academia, research and technology organisations and trade associations.

Report Recommendations
Recommendations have been listed under four headings: Policy and Regulation, Funding, Skills, and Engagement. Given that nanotechnology innovation and exploitation is business driven, the main recommendation is that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) should be responsible for leading and coordinating activities across Government to ensure investment provides added value for the UK.

If this recommendation is implemented, funding can then be directed through the various bodies responsible to BIS to drive successful commercialisation of nanotechnology based products.

It is further recommended that more accessible and commercially focussed funding should be provided for SMEs as well as larger companies engaged in the development of nanotechnology based products to support innovation in the UK.

The event, attended by over 100 delegates from across UK industry and academia, also provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the cohesive and coherent vision of industry and the community for future nanotechnology research, development and exploitation in the UK to meet the scientific, technical and societal challenges we face.

Programme outline
The event programme includes speakers from Government departments, industry and academia and includes presentations and exhibitions showcasing UK activities in nanotechnology. In addition, presentations highlighting UK Excellence in Nanotechnology were given by:
• Professor Jeremy Ramsden, Chair of Nanotechnology, Cranfield University;
• Dr Paul Reip, Director, Government and Strategic Programmes, Intrinsiq Materials Ltd;
• Dr Daniel Lynch, Technical Director, Exilica Ltd;
• Dr Benedicte Thiebaut, Principal Scientist, Johnson Matthey and
• Dr Alan Smith, Managing Director, AZ-TECH.

The Mini-IGT comprises members of the Nanotechnology and Materials Knowledge Transfer Networks with support from Materials UK, and members of the Sensors and Instrumentation and Chemistry Innovation Knowledge Transfer Networks. The four Knowledge Transfer Networks have worked very closely to prepare this report and will continue to work with BIS and other government departments to drive effective implementation of those recommendations endorsed and promoted by government.

The report is available to download from www.nanoktn.com or www.materialsktn.net or by clicking here

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PRIZE WINNING RESEARCH COULD BRING RELIEF TO 3.5 MILLION DENTURE STOMATITIS (Oral Thrush) SUFFERERS

A research project undertaken at Liverpool University, which has the potential to bring relief to the estimated 3.5 million UK sufferers of oral thrush, has won the £25,000 Armourers & Brasiers Venture Prize.  This will allow the project to proceed to clinical evaluation and hopefully commercialisation.

According to the most recent adult dental survey, 28 percent of the UK population wears dentures and a quarter of these are likely to develop denture stomatitis or fungal induced stomatitis (mainly Candida albicans), commonly known as oral thrush. This is a significant problem for denture wearers and is seemingly on the increase.

The Armourers & Brasiers Venture Prize, which is awarded annually in the form of an investment, enables the winner to engage in the early commercialisation of promising research and has been won by a team of scientists from the University of Liverpool.  This team is led by senior lecturer and materials scientist, Dr Rachel Williams, and senior lecturer in oral surgery, Dr Luke Dawson.

The project's idea is based on a cost effective nanoparticle silica coating which inhibits the adhesion and proliferation of cells and micro-organisms. Laboratory tests show that the nanoparticulate silica coating can inhibit the build up of virulent oral thrush (Candida albicans). Using Proof of Concept (POC) funds awarded by the University technology transfer company, Ulive, the team has developed a transparent solution containing the nanoparticles with adhesive patches on each particle which promote attachment to the denture.  This solution can be used by denture wearers as part of their normal cleaning procedure and provides a renewable, tasteless nanoparticulate coating on the dentures which will prevent oral thrush infections.

"Our approach will reduce the need for sufferers of oral thrush to be treated by drug therapy. This is important as these drugs cannot be used in all patients", said Dr Williams.  "Our product aims to prevent the occurrence of oral thrush and maintain a healthy mouth via continual renewal of the nanoparticle coating."

"Having proved the principle in the laboratory using the Ulive POC funding we now need to assess this product in a clinical setting," continued Dr Williams. "The prize win will go towards carrying out clinical trials and evaluation in key patient groups."

"This product is a very worthy winner," explained Professor Bill Bonfield chairman of the Armourers & Brasiers Venture Prize judging panel. "Our aim is to stimulate and encourage British based materials science development and Dr Williams and her team is, by exploiting materials technology that inhibits cell-surface interactions, using a science that will have a highly significant bearing on the development of materials and surfaces in healthcare."

Alongside Professor Bonfield on the judging panel were Cambridge based materials scientist Professor Colin Humphreys, representatives from First Ventures which invests and advises high potential technology companies and Members of the Armourers & Brasiers Company.

"We see significant potential for this product as a regular denture cleaning product," said Dr Williams.  "Worldwide market opportunities are significant especially in the developed world due to an aging population leading to an increasing number of denture wearers."

The Liverpool University team comprises Dr Rachel Williams (lead; School of Clinical Sciences), Dr Luke Dawson (School of Dental Sciences), colloid scientist Dr. Mike Garvey (Department of Physics), microbiologist Dr. Heather Allison (School of Biological Sciences) and business manager Dr. Gillian Murray (Ulive Enterprises)

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RESEARCH COUNCILS UK LAUNCH KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PORTAL

A portal to help researchers and businesses to find funding for knowledge transfer opportunities was launched on the 24th February. Research Councils UK have created a 'one-stop-shop' which gives details of all seven research council' knowledge transfer schemes and activities and how to get involved.

For access the portal please go to:

http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/innovation/ktportal/default.htm

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As part of the Research Councils UK Energy Programme a scoping workshop is planned for 3 March 2009 in Birmingham. The workshop will focus on energy and communities and the associated research challenges. The workshop will consider technological, environmental and social aspects in the context of communities and the need to reduce energy consumption. This will be a facilitated workshop of around 40 people and applications to attend are now open.

Applicants are encouraged from a wide range of disciplines as challenges in this area will require a multidisciplinary input. For further details and details of how to apply to attend please download the call information.

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TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY BOARD TO INVEST IN EUROPEAN MATERIALS R&D

The Technology Strategy Board has allocated an indicative budget of 1.5M euro to support UK* industry and associated S&T organisations within an 20M euro collaborative Materials R&D programme MATERA+. A competition call will be launched during March 2009. Topics will include:

• Multifunctional Materials
• Engineering Structural Materials
• Bio-based Materials and Bio-inspired Materials

The final call document is now available for down load here

For TSB contact information click here and for more information about MATERA+ visit the website www.matera.fi

* Northern Ireland will have a separate funding stream provided by Invest NI

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2008 VENTURE PRIZE ANNOUNCED

The Armourers and Brasiers have launched their 2008 Venture Prize competition which is designed to help scientists commercialise early stage research and enable the exploitation of new and exciting ideas.

The prize is worth £25,000 in the form of an investment into the enterprise and will be judged on a competitive basis by a committee of commercial, financial and technical experts.

Applications are welcomed and encouraged from all British-based materials scientists.

The closing date for applications is 31st January 2009.

Full details are available at www.armourersandbrasiers.co.uk

THE SCIENCE AND INNOVATION STRATEGY

This is an opportunity for you and your organisation to contribute to the DIUS Science and Innovation Strategy. We wish the strategy to reflect the views and challenges of a wide variety of communities, and we therefore ask that you support our work by not only responding yourself, but also by encouraging your members to join the conversation. I would like to thank all those who have already responded.

The letter from Ian Pearson, the Minister for Science and Innovation, provides the context and outlines the scope of the Strategy to improve the UK’s quality of life (social and environmental) and economic prosperity. We are looking for concise, insightful contributions (indicated on the DIUS microsite).

How to respond

You can either respond via our website or email us. In order to inform the strategy, we would like contributions by January 31st but by February 14th  at the latest please.

Please note we are very keen to have an ongoing conversation beyond this date, and so there will be regular opportunities for dialogue as we develop policy over the next year and beyond.

1.Via our microsite

Please register at http://dius.dialoguebydesign.net/

2.Via email

Please email us at innovation.ideas@dius.gsi.gov.uk

TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY BOARD - AUTUMN CALLS FOR FUNDING

Two funding calls have now been announced for Autumn 2007:

Materials for Energy
The Technology Strategy Board and EPSRC have allocated and indicative amount of £12M to fund highly innovative collaborative research proposals in Materials for Energy. Funding is available for industry-led collaborative projects. To download details of the funding call, please click here to down load the PDF.

Low Carbon Technologies
The Technology Strategy Board has allocated an indicative amount of £10M to invest in highly innovative research in Low Carbon Technologies. This competition will support a relatively broad portfolio of low carbon technologies that will focus of specific barriers which need to addressed if these technologies are to be brought to market. To download details of this funding call, please click here to download the PDF.

Full details of all Technology Strategy Board calls are to be found on the website: http://www.technologyprogramme.org.uk

THE MATERIALS SCIENCE VENTURE PRIZE - DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS EXTENDED

The deadline for the 2008 Materials Science Venture Prize from the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers has now been extended until 31st January 2008.

The Armourers and Brasiers' Company is a leading supporter of materials science education and research in the UK and has launched this annual prize to help scientists commercialise early stage research and enable exploitation of new and exciting ideas. The prize is worth £25,000 in the form of an investment into the enterprise and will be judged on a competitive basis. The overall aim of the competition is to stimulate and encourage British materials science development whilst raising the profile of materials science research in Britain and providing recognition for leading scientists in the field.

Details of the competition are available for download here (PDF 122KB) and an application form is also available here (Word Doc 67 KB)

UK ENGINEERS MUST SEIZE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD THE WORLD ON CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNOLOGY

Tuesday 18th September (Source Government News Network)

The Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson challenged the next generation of engineers to lead the world in developing environmentally friendly technologies to combat climate change.

Addressing industry representatives attending a Global Sustainability forum at Imperial College, Mr Pearson said that tackling climate change and the effects of population growth could generate at least £700 billion globally by 2015. This is an opportunity that British engineers should capitalise on, while helping mitigate the most damaging features of climate change, which is expected to see global temperatures rise by up to 6.4 degrees, and sea levels rise between 20 and 60cm by the end of this century.

To read the full article please click here

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ENERGY MATERIALS STRATEGIC RESEARCH AGENDA, MINISTERIAL LAUNCH RESCHEDULED

Malcolm Wicks, Minister of State for Energy, will formally launch the Materials UK Energy Materials Strategic Research Agenda on Tuesday 4th December at an event to be held at the Tate Britain, Millbank, London. Full details of the event are available on the energy page.

To register for this event please click here

NEW PRIZE TO ADVANCE COMMERCIALISATION OF UK BASED MATERIALS SCIENCE R&D

The Armourers & Brasiers' Company in cooperation with FirstVentures, announced the creation of The Armourers and Brasiers' Materials Science Venture Prize - an annual £25,000 prize established to encourage and support British materials scientists in accelerating the commercialisation of materials-based research.

To read the full details of the official press release click here.

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NOMINATIONS FOR MATERIALS INTERNATIONAL REVIEW NEEDED

As you may know the EPSRC conducts a series of International Reviews as part of its evaluation process. These reviews provide a broad perspective of the research activity of a particular discipline. During each review a Panel of internationally leading researchers benchmark the strength of the UK research activity against researchers across the world and highlight any gaps or missed opportunities. The Panel visits a number of UK research groups and have access to a wide pool of experts and supporting data to help them reach their conclusions.

In January 2008 EPSRC will conduct an International Review of Materials research, and is currently seeking nominations for the Panel; an on-line nomination form is available by following the link below:

www.survey.bristol.ac.uk/epsrc/matsirnom

Nominations are required by December 10th 2006.

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MATERIALS PROPERTY VALIDATION CENTRE

The Materials Property Validation Centre will deliver certified/validated data from existing sources where possible and fill gaps on materials properties covering whole life cycle data, recycling, re-use etc., and provide access to local sources of help through a network of regional centres if needed.

In preparation for a DTI workshop to discuss the detailed requirements, a short web-based survey of industry need is being conducted alongside an initial review of available data sources by NPL.

Please select this link http://www.microandnanotech.info/property.html to enter your requirements.

Responses are requested by 5th January

Further Information from:

Graham D Sims, Dr
NPL Fellow - Composite Materials,
Divisional Knowledge Leader,
Division of Engineering and Process Control,
National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, TW11 OLW
Tel: 020 8943 6564
E-mail: graham.sims@npl.co.uk
Web: http://www.materialssolutions.info

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MATERIALS INDUSTRY VITAL FOR UK JOBS & WEALTH CREATION

A report by the Department of Trade and Industry has identified a number of issues that the materials sector in the UK must focus on if it is to continue to benefit from being a world leader in materials science. This economically important sector has a turnover of around £200bn and contributes 15% of GDP to the economy, employs 1.5m people directly and supports a further four million jobs.

A strategy for Materials, produced by The Materials Innovation and Growth Team was launched by the Minister for Industry and the Regions, Rt Hon. Alun Michael MP on 8 March 2006. It recognises a number of key challenges facing the materials community, including: globalisation; energy and climate change; sustainable production and consumption; and innovation in developing countries.

Some 200 representatives from across the materials community attended the launch event at the DTI’s 1 Victoria Conference Centre. Wyn Jones, Chairman of the Materials Innovation and Growth Team, opened the event along with Vice Chair, Steve Garwood. The Minister followed with the keynote speech. The event concluded with a lively and positive Q&A session with the Materials IGT Panel taking questions from the floor.

Copies of the slides used in the joint presentation, the Minister’s speech and the IGT Report can be viewed below.

Click here to view the Presentation Slides

Click here to view the Minister's speech.

The Materials Innovation and Growth Team Report is available for download on the reports and downloads page