£6m moneypot for manufacturing R&D projects

THE healthcare manufacturing industry has been thrown a lifeline in the form of £6m government investment in new collaborative research and development projects.

The Technology Strategy Board and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council are seeking proposals that will focus on emerging technologies with the potential to underpin new production processes for a wide range of industrial applications across multiple market sectors, including healthcare.

The Boosting Innovation in Manufacturing Competencies competition aims to support business-oriented innovation in production processes. It focuses on production technologies that, within a global marketplace, can create high value through novel processes, advanced product manufacture, resource efficiency and production techniques to enable greater product customisation. It also encourages technologies that will facilitate greater environmental sustainability through efficient disposal, recycling or remanufacture of assets at the end of their useful life.

The Technology Strategy Board is particularly keen to support projects which explore:

• New approaches for improved correlation between, and integration of, process modelling and in-process monitoring
• Innovative automation techniques and applications for adaptive learning in the precision control and metrology of tooling, machining, joining, fabrication and assembly systems
• Intelligent processing of metals and net shape hybrid structures to increase speed and accuracy and reduce waste
• Innovation in new manufacturing process ‘competencies’ - the methods, equipment and expertise that can be developed as a leading capability in one market sector or application AND have real potential to be applied successfully across other sectors or applications as well

A spokesman said: “Our focus is on recent technological discoveries or breakthroughs that have inspired people to innovate in a context of significant technology risk, or have led to ideas that are yet to find application in a recognised market or business sector. Innovation in manufacturing capability often builds on new-found technology and can be a significant driver of economic growth and enhance the quality of life.

“Proposals must be collaborative and led by a business and involve at least one other non-academic partner. We expect to invest between £250,000 and £500,000 in each project, although projects outside this range will be considered. We are primarily looking to fund applied research projects attracting up to 50% public funding.”

The competition opens on 16 January and the deadline for registration is 22 February 2012.

For more information, click on the link.