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 internationallyTo 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
PMC CMC
Metals
MMC ConcreteCeramicsPolymers Glass
Nanotechnology
Wood
Structural Functional Multi-functional Biomaterials
Sustainable Energy Supply
Low C TransportLow Impact Buildings
Creative Industries
Assisted Living
Metrology
StandardsModelling
Manufacturing
HT materials Lightweight
Protection
SensorsSmart/Active
Insulation Implants
Design
Sustainability
Energy Harvesting
Fabrics
Healthcare
Electric drive
Wearables
Biomimetics
Testing KTR&D Skills Facilities
NDE
Coatings
Intelligent TransportEnergy Conservation
Re-use / Recycle
Materials
Technology
Applications
METALS
COMPOSITES
PLASTICS
TECHNICAL TEXTILES
CERAMICS
MULTIFUNCTIONALMATERIALS
GLASS
MINERALS
SURFACE ENGINEERING
SMART STRUCTURES
POWDER PROCESSING
DESIGN
PACKAGINGPackaging
ENERGY
CONSTRUCTION
HEALTHCARE
MEASUREMENT
TRANSPORT
NANO SCALE
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
STANDARDS
Others Wood, Paper,
Leather
Materials Landscape: Scope of Activities
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
EXCHANGE
AWARENESS
ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGY
LEVEL OF AWARENESS
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
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
The Materials KTN is stimulating innovation in theUK’s materials community by helping to address:
Managing Regional Facilities
Key cross-cutting themes Specifics Theme Leader
Sustainability - Resource efficiency for construction, transport, packaging
- Use of design
Robert Quarshie
Bernie Rickinson
Structural Integrity - Application of smart technologies-non destructive testing
- Safe decommissioning
Deborah Pullen
David Arthur
Biomimetics - Development of SRA
- Industrial application of technology
Walter Lewis
David Arthur
Nanomaterials - Development of SRA
- Industrial application of technology
Patrick Grant
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
Team working across the Materials KTN
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 ChairmanAndrew Tinker - Chairman Development CommitteeRobert Quarshie - Project DirectorJan Czerski -Technology Translator (N.England/Wales)Sally Beken -Technology Translator (S.E., Rubber
Technology)Malcolm Harold -Technology Manager Plastics W.MidlandsBrian Turtle - Network Coordinator (to be replaced by
Matthew Thornton, as Project Manager)Business Innovator in Scotland engaged – Graeme NoblePotential additional resource: NI