The University of Bath is calling on businesses in and around the city to discuss how they can harness its world-leading academic and scientific research to launch new products and services.
The university, one of the UK’s leading research institutes, believes more businesses can benefit by collaborating on research partnerships and strategic investments.
The advantages of these projects in helping solve rea-world problems in areas such as plastic pollution and environmental degradation, were showcased at an event last week.
More than 120 guests attended the annual dinner in The Assembly Rooms, Bath, including senior members of the university, academics and representatives from industry and local government.
Examples highlighted during the evening included a project between Prof Janet L. Scott of the Department of Chemistry, Prof Davide Mattia, Department of Chemical Engineering, and a UK speciality chemicals company on so-called ‘biobeads’.
They have teamed up to address an urgent need to replace plastic microbeads in a wide range of products, from cosmetics to abrasives. Their environmentally acceptable and biodegradable alternative responds to the legislated ban in the US and planned UK ban from next year.
Another high-impact research programme includes a project to develop next generation software for 3D printing technologies involving a team of researchers from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, led by Dr Vimal Dhokia, working with a leading global aerospace company based in the South West and a high-growth SME in 3D manufacturing.
They hope the technology will deliver parts optimised in terms of material required, strength and the ability to be manufactured first time without the need for expensive prototype iterations.
This innovative technology has the potential to be world-leading and revolutionary in terms of 3D printing, also called additive manufacturing, and its application to mainstream productivity processes.
The after-dinner speech was made by Airbus senior vice president Katherine Bennett, who emphasised the successful impact that can be generated from research partnerships.
Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), each year the dinner helps deepen the university’s relationship with long-term collaborators while also laying pathways to new collaborations and investments.
Pro vice-chancellor (Research) Prof Jonathan Knight explained how achieving real world impact was firmly at the top of every university’s agenda.
“The IAA dinner once again highlighted the central role that the University’s actions play in bringing together academic researchers and industrial partners. Bath continues to build a strong track record of achieving results through collaborations with industry. Through the IAA the University has forged collaborative partnerships offering a valuable pathway to delivering impact.
“From engineers and mathematicians to experts in animation, and human-computer interaction, to leaders in business best practice, the University of Bath has much to offer industry,” he said.
“We would love to hear from businesses who are interested in working together to solve problems and generate real world impact.”
Also speaking at this year’s event was Prof Steve Egan, who at last year’s dinner announced the £60m Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) as a major funding win for the university.
The year as IAAPS finance and business lead he gave an update on the pioneering project during which he emphasised the great opportunity it provides to grow external links at both a regional and global scale, with a range of industrial partners from SMEs to larger corporations.
Based on the Bristol and Bath Science Park, the institute will create additional turnover of £800m for UK automotive sector and support nearly 1,900 new jobs.
University vice president, corporate engagement, Prof Veronica Hope Hailey, said: “Universities have global reach through their scientific and engineering research – the automotive sector in Shanghai already know and are excited about the development of IAAPS.
“When universities, businesses and government work together in this Golden Triangle, we can drive economic, social and educational development for the people of this region.
The University of Bath networking dinner is project managed and delivered by Research and Innovation Services (RIS).
To find out more about working with the university, visit: https://www.bath.ac.uk/topics/collaborate-with-us/
Pictured, from left: Prof Veronica Hope Hailey and Prof Jonathan Knight of the University of Bath, Airbus senior vice president Katherine Bennett and Prof Steve Egan of the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems. Photo by Tim Gander
