Innovative partnership honours its star projects
17 Nov 2016
Innovation in the nuclear industry which has been supported by a unique partnership with the University's Dalton Nuclear Institute and the National Nuclear Laboratory was recognised at a special awards event
The inaugural Showcase & Awards event was organised by Innovus, the project that leads collaboration between the world-leading Dalton Nuclear Institute and the National Nuclear Laboratory.
Innovus provides small or medium businesses and academic researchers with the funding and support needed to help bring their ideas to market – a partnership that has had a transformational effect on the innovation culture of Cumbria, where the scheme was founded.
Design guru Wayne Hemmingway introduced the awards which showcased the breadth of creativity and technology that has been nurtured through the programme - and highlighted the vital role of ‘generosity’ in the best and most innovative design.
Professor Paul Mativenga, the University’s Chair in Multiscale and Sustainable Manufacturing, explained: “Innovus is a tremendous example of how we have been able, through the excellent partnership we have with the National Nuclear Laboratory, to develop and manage a programme where we brought together the complementary strengths of the two organisations to create something new.”
Professor Mativenga, who is also Vice-Dean for Social Responsibility, Equality and Diversity with the University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, added: “Through Innovus we work to actively and effectively support exciting new technologies, whether they arise from universities or innovative businesses, on their journey to commercial success.”
“At Manchester we are at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse initiative. It is collaborative programmes like Innovus that can bring research and technology providers together, and enable us all to work in partnership to make the most of the opportunities afforded by the outstanding universities, businesses and communities situated right across the North of England.”
Paul Howarth, the National Nuclear Laboratory’s Managing Director, emphasised the wider benefits of the collaboration: “Innovus exemplifies how the nuclear sector, through its expertise, great science, world class facilities and capabilities, has a real part to play in the socio-economic development of regions in the UK.”
“Innovus has helped create jobs, nurtured new collaborations and inspired a culture of innovation in Cumbria. Other Local Economic Partnerships in the North West are keen to learn how they can replicate the Innovus success story in their areas, so it’s an excellent example of the best practice exhibited.”
Winners and runners up in the 2016 competition were:
- Best Academic Collaboration Award
WINNER: Forth Engineering (Cumbria) Ltd, AVEXIS
Runners-up: Barrnon Ltd, HydroSpyder - Potential to Change the World Award
WINNER: Typhon Treatment Systems Ltd, Low Energy Water Treatment System using UV LEDs
Runners-up: Groundwater & Geothermal Services Ltd, Sub-zero Thermal Energy Storage
Aqua Power Technologies Ltd, Wave Energy Converter - Best Nuclear Decommissioning Project Award
WINNER: Barrnon Ltd, BladeCutter
Runners-up: Create Technologies Ltd, RISER Project
Mobetrics Ltd, Second Sight Technology - Business Growth Award
WINNER: Flame Concepts Ltd, E-Ticketing Software
Runners-up: Eggbase Ltd, Business management software for the egg and poultry industry
Typhon Treatment Systems Ltd, Low Energy Water Treatment System using UV LEDs
Oxley Developments Ltd, LED Formation Light Panels - Cross Sector Innovation Award
WINNER: Atlantic Geomatics (UK) Ltd., Burial Ground Management System
Runners-up: Groundwater & Geothermal Services Ltd, Sub-zero Thermal Energy Storage
Safety Critical Analysis Ltd, In-line Electro Valve