10 November 2006
Liverpool To Develop Centre For Materials Discovery
The investment, from industry, the University, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), and the Merseyside European Objective One programme totals £8.2 million. The centre will focus on applying state-of-the-art techniques to the discovery of new functional materials for applications such as energy storage, medicine, consumer products and communications technology.
Accessible to all businesses within Merseyside, this research and knowledge transfer centre will enable small, medium, and large industries across a range of sectors in the region to move rapidly into the next generation of materials science. Businesses will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities - including High-Throughput (HT) technology - supported by highly trained staff and a base of academic expertise.
HT technology accelerates materials research by producing large numbers of materials and testing them in parallel. With HT techniques set to become standard tools in academia and industry over the next few years, the centre will encourage UK businesses to take aspects of the technology in-house by offering training in HT methodology.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jon Saunders, said: "This significant investment in Materials Chemistry will ensure the University continues to play a major role in advancing the research capability of the region and in positioning the North West as a world-leading centre for the development of science."
Director of the Merseyside Objective One programme, Richard Nutter, said: "This sort of groundbreaking science offers enormous potential for the Merseyside economy which is why we are investing in it.
"Not only will it enhance Merseyside's reputation as a centre of scientific research, it will also create fantastic opportunities for local businesses and exciting career opportunities for local graduates."
Dr George Baxter, NWDA Director of Science and Innovation, said: "This high-tech manufacturing facility combined with the academic expertise of the University of Liverpool will help England's North West to pioneer the development and discovery of new materials. Working with businesses on the practical application of different materials will help bring new products to the market more quickly, enabling companies in the region to grow and prosper.
Notes to editors
1. The University of Liverpool is one of the UK"s leading research institutions. It attracts collaborative and contract research commissions from a wide range of national and international organisations valued at more than £90 million annually.
2. The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England"s Northwest and is responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region's outstanding quality of life
3. The European Union designated Merseyside as an Objective One area for a second time in 2000 as the area"s economic performance - as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per head - was below 75 per cent of the EU average. Being classified as an Objective One area means that between 2000 and 2008 Merseyside will benefit from a £2billion investment programme - £890 million from the European Union, matched by £890 million from the UK Government and a further £400 million from the private sector. Draft figures published in January 2005 by the EU"s statistical agency, Eurostat, revealed that Merseyside has bridged the performance gap - by 2002 local GDP stood at 76.13 per cent of the European average. When the 10 recent entrants to the EU were included in calculations, Merseyside GDP reaches 83.44 per cent.
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