UK government funds 16 R&D projects for hi-tech manufacturing15 June 2012 The UK Technology Strategy Board and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council are to provide £6.5 million grant funding to support the development of new technologies in manufacturing. Sixteen research and development projects will share the funding. The focus of the R&D will be on production technologies that can create high value through novel processes, advanced product manufacture, and/or resource efficiency improvements.
The projects will also encourage
the development of technologies that will facilitate greater
environmental sustainability through efficient disposal, recycling
or remanufacture of assets at the end of their useful life. Professor Dave Delpy, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Chief Executive said: “Investment in cutting edge manufacturing research and the translation of that into commercial applications is the key to economic success. EPSRC has a portfolio of 350 live projects and an investment of £380 million in the manufacturing sector. “The UK is not alone in placing increased importance on advanced manufacturing. Funding projects such as these will help maintain our competitiveness against international peers such as the US and Germany.” The projects will lead to the development of technologies such as, for example:
The companies leading the projects are: Airbus Operations Ltd, AMRC Manufacturing Ltd, Bluefrog Design Ltd, Colloids Ltd, GKN Aerospace, Innoval Technology, Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute Ltd, Renishaw plc, Technical Solutions 24 Seven Ltd, TeraView Ltd, The Manufacturing Technology Centre Ltd, Thompson Friction Welding Ltd, TWI Ltd, Umeco Structural Materials (Derby) Ltd, Unilever and Vibraglaz (UK) Ltd. Further information The Technology Strategy Board: www.innovateuk.org The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council: www.epsrc.ac.uk
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