Manchester an ‘exciting model’ for advanced materials
23 July 2019
The University of Manchester has published a collection of expert insights into advanced materials and how the university is helping Greater Manchester become a global leader in innovative materials.
David Lidington, Minister for the Cabinet Office, and James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, at the GEIC. Credit: University of Manchester
The On Materials collection was launched to coincide with the national Advanced Materials Show in Warwickshire on 10 July, which was kickstarted with a plenary chaired by James Baker, Chief Executive of Graphene@Manchester.
James Baker said:
“The University of Manchester has real strengths and world-leading research capabilities in advanced materials, and this has been further strengthened with our campus hosting the National Graphene Institute, the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), the Henry Royce Institute and the BP International Centre for Advanced Materials.
“Manchester is also creating an ecosystem of academia and supply chain companies – including spin-outs, start-ups and overseas investors – to create capability both in Manchester and with our partners across the UK and internationally. This is a very exciting model of innovation.”
As well as offering insights from Manchester experts on topics such as biomaterials, graphene, plastics and innovative surfaces, On Materials calls for radical changes to the UK’s approach to advanced materials. This includes a call for a wider adoption of the ‘Manchester Model’ – which is built on a ‘science supply chain’ that runs seamlessly between academia and business.
The ‘Manchester model’ was recently praised by Cabinet Office Minister and de facto deputy Prime Minister, David Lidington. During a visit to the GEIC in June, the Minister said:
“The Graphene City project here at Manchester, which includes a community of engineers and scientists who are working with business, is absolutely fantastic. It’s a pointer to the future and we should have more of this model across the rest of the country – successfully bringing together education and business.”
Image credit: University of Manchester
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