Micro and Nano Technologies
Governments and industry alike now recognise that within the incredible potential of nanotechnology the first commercial applications are likely to be developed by Research Departments of Universities - working in partnership with industry. As the UK's Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) report "Micro/Nanotechnology in the UK - Bridging the Technology Transfer Gap", makes clear: "Micro/Nanotechnology research requires very expensive equipment, specialist scientific knowledge and expertise, all of which reside in UK Universities, particularly in areas such as silicon and compound semiconductor fabrication, e-beam lithography and electron microscopy. "This is very encouraging as almost invariably evolved from university semiconductor fabrication groups which have broadened their remit to include nanotechnology."
The report identifies South West Universities as carrying out some of the most exciting research. However, building a future world-class base for nanotechnology will depend not only on R&D excellence but also on the presence of a cluster of businesses keen to exploit the new technology and partner with university research centres. Having the right infrastructure is paramount - particularly in terms of high speed data connectivity and a fully functioning network of interested parties, all of whom are keen to make the future happen. All of these vital components are on tap, right here, in South West England. Economic regions throughout the world are jostling to establish themselves at the forefront of nanotechnology activity.
South West England is already leading the way and is well placed to help global companies capitalise on the commercial opportunities created from nanotechnology. South West England represents one of Europe's leading technological regions, including the UK's "Silicon Valley" - based around the M4 Corridor which runs from Bristol to London. As the historical heart of the UK's defence industry, many of the UK and Europe's leading research centres have evolved here and created a vibrant economy based around global hi-tech industries.
UK MNT Network
The MNT Network is supported by a joint DTI, National and Regional Development Agency partnership to build and sustain a strong Microsystems and Nanotechnology (MNT) infrastructure in the UK, thereby providing economic gain through the application of MNT technologies. The Network receives funding from the DTI and Development Agencies.
The DTI has committed £90 million for capital projects in pursuit of building the UK's MNT capacity and additional funds are made available through the DTI technology calls.
MNT is a disruptive technology. This can be both negative and positive. It has the ability to wipe out traditional industries overnight, but it also has the potential to create new industries, safeguard existing ones and create high value jobs. The SWRDA strategy is to assist companies in their retention, diversification and development within this emerging but fast growing sector and to maximise the impact across all sectors.
www.mntnetwork.com
Higher Education Expertise
University of Bath - Department of Biology and Biochemistry
One of Britain's top Biological Science Departments - a vibrant and ambitious research-based Department with strong industry links.
Rated at grade 5 in the HEFCE Research Assessment Exercise.
University of Bath - Department of Chemistry
Research within the Department spans all subdisciplines from theoretical physical to biological chemistry. A significant degree of interdisciplinary research is undertaken.
Rated grade 4A in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise.
University of Bath - Dept of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
The Department was graded 5A in the latest research assessment exercise carried out by the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFC),which recognises the international excellence of ongoing research in the department.
University of Bath - Centre for Extremophile Research (CER)
The Centre for Extremophile Research at the University of Bath brings together interdisciplinary expertise on extremophilic micro-organisms, and provides a platform from which the biotechnological potential of these organisms and their products can be commercially exploited.
University of Bath - Optical Spectroscopy Group
The Optical Spectroscopy Group has research interests including the optical spectroscopy of semiconductors and, especially, the use of Raman scattering and magneto-Raman scattering to investigate electronic states in semiconductor heterostructures based on both II-VI and III-V compound semiconductors. Samples have been supplied for these studies by many academic and industrial groups world-wide and the phenomena investigated include the special properties of dilute magnetic semiconductors, the optimisation of the growth and doping of epilayers and the behaviour of carriers confined in low-dimensional structures.
University of Bath - Optoelectronics Group
Research into the physics and applications of semiconductor lasers, the properties of microstructured porous silicon, photonic crystal fibres and other photonic band gap materials, and optical fibre devices for telecommunications.
University of Bristol - Department of Biochemistry
One of the leading Biochemistry Departments in the UK, providing excellence in both teaching and research. Achieved a Quality Assurance Agency score of 24 out of 24 and a Research Assessment Exercise grading of 5A.
University of Bristol - Department of Pharmacology
One of the top departments of pharmacology in the country, with a research grade of 5A. The department is very actively engaged in fundamental and applied research. Their research is recognized nationally and internationally and is supported by funds from Research Councils, from Charitable Foundations and, importantly, from the Pharmaceutical Industry. In addition the Department has two externally funded research units which bring further expertise into the Department and has also allowed them to forge even closer links with the industrial pharmaceutical sector.
University of Bristol - Department of Physics
Research activities in the department include astrophysics, particle physics, microstructural physics, polymer and biophysics, solid-state and liquid-state physics and a broad range of theoretical physics. While the emphasis is very much on developing fundamental understanding, several groups are concerned with applications and have cooperative projects with industry. The department was awarded the grade 5 in the 1996 national research assessment exercise.
University of Bristol - IRC Nanotechnology Centre
A major new partnership to carry out research in the field of nanotechnology is to be established thanks to a £9 million funding boost. The Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration (IRC) in Nanotechnology will draw together experts from the University of Cambridge, University College London and the University of Bristol. £10m Funding starts 1.10.01 for 6 years. £6m from University of Bristol will be used to build a new building for the centre. Professor Mark Welland, Head of the Nanoscale Science Laboratory in the Department of Engineering, will be the Cambridge IRC director.
University of Bristol - Interface Analysis Centre
A semi-commercial multi-disciplinary department within the University of Bristol hosting a range of surface analytical techniques which allow the investigation of surfaces and interfaces in solid-state materials. The IAC offers a wide range of services to industry and other research institutions, including, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Auger Electron, Spectroscopy (AES), Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Micro-Raman Spectroscopy.
University of Bristol - Microstructures Group
Research in the Microstructures Group covers a wide range of topics, but the common theme is understanding how structure on a length scale from 1 angstrom to 10 micrometres affects the physical behaviour of solids, and how this structure may be controlled to create new materials. Research interests in the Microstructures Group, Electron diffraction, Semiconductor and optoelectronics research, Electrodeposition, Diamond and novel forms of carbon, structural materials, laminates and coatings
University of Bristol - Polymer Physics Group
Members of the group now work on the relationships between molecular structure and macroscopic morphology in condensed, liquid crystalline and liquid polymeric systems, encompassing blends, transition dynamics in flow and polymer composites as well as rheology, modelling and scanning probe microscopy of polymers.
University of Bristol - Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry. A new interdisciplinary research centre focusing on the development of new science and new applications in the emerging field of materials chemistry. Exploring new areas of world-class chemistry at the interface with colloids, polymers, biomaterials and functional inorganic solids such as catalysts, fillers and porous materials.
University of Exeter - Physics Research Groups
The School has five major research groups, Magnetic Materials, Medical Physics, Quantum Fluids, Semiconductor Physics, Thin Film Photonics. The group has a strong emphasis on both computer modelling and experimental research, allowing interactive comparison between experiment and theory. From this work, new avenues of research and device potential are continually being uncovered, much of which they are now exploring as pioneers.
University of Plymouth - Centre for Research in Information Storage Tech.
One of the largest centres of its kind in the UK, with industry standard clean-rooms for research on information storage devices. The group conducts leading edge novel and interesting aspects of recording on optical and magnetic media.
Over the last ten years, a range of devices has been made including a digital video matrix head for Thopson CSF, a scanning high resolution Kerr-effect microscope for the Sony Research Centre in Japan, a magnetic security reading system for a leading banknote manufacturer.
UWE - The Advanced Sensor Research Group
The Advanced Sensor Research Group at UWE is recognised by the DTI as a National Centre of Excellence. It's ground breaking work on spheroids - spheres of the brain, skin, heart or liver cells that can be developed in the laboratory - is presenting quick, inexpensive and humane ways of screening drugs.