Loughborough University has twelve nominations across eight categories for research and innovation at the 2023 LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards.
The ten finalists represent a wealth of impactful research collaborations and a wide spectrum of academic spinouts and graduate start-ups – all launched from the university's business incubator at Loughborough's Science and Enterprise Park. Below are some of the finalists from within the School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering delivering innovative new technologies and solutions to major challenges.
Innovation in Food and Drink
Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering spinout Zayndu founded in 2019, helps global growers increase agricultural yield using unique cold plasma equipment that vitalises seeds, speeding up germination and encouraging growth. Seeds grow stronger and between 15-25% bigger without the need for agrochemicals or pesticides. The subscription-based technology provides a timely and affordable solution for growers as many of the chemicals the industry relies on are becoming banned internationally.
Innovation in Med-Tech and Life Sciences
3D printed children’s prosthetics manufacturer ExpHand Prosthetics, founded in 2018 by Kate Allan (Product Design Engineering MEng, 2019) has won multiple national awards for the patented ExpHand that can be adjusted to fit any child from the age of 3 and is up to 90% cheaper than competitor products.
Innovation in STEM Industries
Loughborough University’s 20-year partnership with adidas has enabled the design, manufacture and analysis of innovative global sports products as well as driving impacts in other sectors. Through the pioneering application of computational modelling and virtual simulation of product performance, substantial efficiencies have been gained that have reduced costs and lead-times as well as reduced the wastage and resource intensity of repetitive physical prototyping.
The winners of the LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards will be held on the evening of Thursday 16 February at the National Space Centre in Leicester. Indro Mukerjee, Chief Executive of Innovate UK will deliver the keynote speech and tickets are now on sale.