6 Dec 2016
New research hubs to strengthen the UK’s manufacturing base
Loughborough is a partner in three £10 million research hubs designed to strengthen the UK’s manufacturing base.
The hubs, announced by the government this week, will explore and improve new manufacturing techniques across areas including targeted biological medicines, advanced measurement, and continuous crystallisation.
Funded by government through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the hubs will draw together expertise from 17 universities and 200 industrial and academic partners to upgrade the UK’s manufacturing capabilities and take greater advantage of the UK’s innovative strengths. Increased collaboration between universities and industry accelerates progress from the research lab to market, creating new and improved products and processes to meet industry’s needs and boost the UK economy.
Loughborough leads are Professor Chris Rielly (Chemical Engineering), and Dr Rob Thomas and Professor Jon Huntley (both Wolfson School).
Professor Steve Rothberg, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), said:
“Loughborough has world-class and longstanding research strength in High Value Manufacturing and these three hubs present an exciting opportunity for us to continue to support innovation in this vital area for the UK.
“Working together with industry and academic partners enables us to play our part in developing solutions to real manufacturing challenges.
“The investment in state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment enabled by the Hubs keeps our staff and students working at the very forefront of manufacturing research.”