Polymer Innovation Network Dr Robert Quarshie Director, Materials KTN The Innovation : Factors affecting performance The capacity to absorb and exploit knowledge and technology The regulatory framework and the incentives to innovate The competition regime Levels of entrepreneurship Access to finance Sources of new technological knowledge Networks and collaboration Customers and Suppliers What is UK doing? Development of National Strategy for Materials Advanced Materials - a key pillar in funding priorities Materials UK - a representative body for all in Materials value network Materials KTN – a key delivery channel for technology/knowledge transfer TSB Goals for KTNs To deliver improved industrial performance through innovation and new collaborations by driving the flow of people, knowledge and experience between business and the science-base, between businesses and across sectors; To drive knowledge transfer between the supply and demand sides of technology-enabled markets through a high quality, easy to use service; To facilitate innovation and knowledge transfer by providing UK businesses with the opportunity to meet and network with individuals and organisations, in the UK and internationally To provide a forum for a coherent business voice to inform government of its technology needs and about issues, such as regulation, which are enhancing or inhibiting innovation in the UK. The Materials KTN is bringing together the materials supply chain to improve industrial innovation and global competitiveness of UK business Who is in the Materials Value Network • Raw Materials producers • Materials manufacturers and downstream processors • Materials users • Researchers, Architects, Designers and Specifiers • Education and Skill Providers • Fund Providers • Government Figure 1: The Materials Landscape Sustainable Energy Supply Sustainability Low Impact Buildings Energy Conservation HT materials Low C Transport Intelligent Transport Insulation Protection Healthcare Creative Industries Lightweight Re-use / Recycle Assisted Living Electric drive Energy Harvesting Wearables NDE Sensors Smart/Active Structural Polymers Implants Functional PMC Metals MMC Multi-functional CMC Coatings Ceramics Fabrics Biomaterials Glass Wood Nanotechnology Metrology Biomimetics Design Modelling Standards R&D Concrete Manufacturing Testing KT Skills Facilities Materials Landscape: Scope of Activities Materials METALS COMPOSITES PLASTICS TECHNICAL TEXTILES CERAMICS MULTI FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS GLASS MINERALS Technology SURFACE ENGINEERING SMART STRUCTURES POWDER PROCESSING MEASUREMENT NANO SCALE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY Applications DESIGN PACKAGING Packaging ENERGY CONSTRUCTION HEALTHCARE STANDARDS TRANSPORT Others Wood, Paper, Leather KTN Groups MATERIALS KTN ACTIVITIES • POLYMER INNOVATION NETWORK – PLASTICS & RUBBER •ADVANCE – TRANSPORT • NCN – COMPOSITES • POWDERMATRIX – PARTICULATE ENGINEERING • SMART MAT – SMART MATERIALS • PACKAGING – PACKAGING MATERIALS AND DESIGN • META4 – METALS AND ALLOYS • TECHNITEX – TECHNICAL TEXTILES • MADE – MATERIALS AND DESIGN COLLABORATION LEVEL OF AWARENESS EXCHANGE AWARENESS ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGY STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT FOR KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER THROUGH THE MATERIALS AND DESIGN COMMUNITY • COMMENCED JAN 2006 – NATIONAL LAUNCH • CURRENT MEMBERSHIP – 6500 INDIVIDUALS/TARGET – 13000 • ACTIVE MEMBERS – 1300 COMPANIES/TARGET – 4500 • ORGANISED – 200 EVENTS TO DATE • DEVELOPMENT – PROJECTS - 80 The Materials KTN is stimulating innovation in the UK’s materials community by helping to address: Design/product development restricted by lack of materials understanding New materials to provide new product opportunities Materials for cleaner energy Nuclear materials – know-how needs to rebuilt Energy efficiency in transport, construction, power generation, especially in regard to light-weighting and insulation Efficient design with (new) materials making use of sophisticated design optimisation End of life, re-use, recycle, life cycle analysis Manufacturing efficiency – energy, use of materials Understanding nanomaterials and responsibly exploiting new opportunities Materials for assisted living Natural biomaterials Materials for security – sensors, armour, defence systems Use UK materials know-how to access to new, higher value markets Managing Regional Facilities Team working across the Materials KTN Key cross-cutting themes Specifics Theme Leader Sustainability - Resource efficiency for construction, transport, packaging - Use of design Robert Quarshie - Application of smart technologies -non destructive testing - Safe decommissioning Deborah Pullen - Development of SRA - Industrial application of technology Walter Lewis - Development of SRA Patrick Grant Structural Integrity Biomimetics Nanomaterials Bernie Rickinson David Arthur David Arthur - Industrial application of technology Skills development KTP, Secondments, CASE Links Mat UK WG John Liddle Materials for energy - Implementation of SRA - Engagement with investment initiatives Alan Patridge Materials for healthcare Cross-KTN initiatives Brian McCarthy Building the Infrastructure for Polymers • Partnership with the British Plastics Federation – 2nd phase of subcontract being negotiated Polymer IRC on board as Partner – Foresight role: 5 workshops Potential partnership with PERA –visit to Melton Mowbray on 9/11 RDA study conducted for KTN provided input to Strategy Strategy paper approved by Board • • • • – – • • • • Focus on Construction, Medical Devices and Waste/Recycling Potential launch of Super SPARKS - £10K+, matched by RDA and Company Promotion of the Polymer Innovation Network brand widely New web portal launched www.polymerinnovate.net Events ,Conferences, Exhibitions, TT visits to companies routine 3rd Newsletter issued Personnel Colin Richards -Governing Board Chairman Andrew Tinker - Chairman Development Committee Robert Quarshie - Project Director Jan Czerski -Technology Translator (N.England/Wales) Sally Beken -Technology Translator (S.E., Rubber Technology) Malcolm Harold -Technology Manager Plastics W.Midlands Brian Turtle - Network Coordinator (to be replaced by Matthew Thornton, as Project Manager) Business Innovator in Scotland engaged – Graeme Noble Potential additional resource: NI