NanoKTN and Johnson Matthey Technology Centre Working Together to Deliver Manufacturing Success for UK's Clean Energy Sector
16/12/2013 Innovate UK
The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN - www.nanoktn.com), one of the UK's primary knowledge-based networks for Micro and Nanotechnologies, is pleased to announce the impact of its work with Johnson Matthey Technology Centre in the clean energy sector to generate growth and commercial success for UK nanotechnology companies.Johnson Matthey Technology Centre and the NanoKTN have been working together for over four years to promote clean energy developments, such as thermoelectrics, to the nanotechnology industry through the NanoKTN's Nano4Energy focus group. Johnson Matthey Technology Centre is part of the Nano4Energy steering committee and first worked in conjunction with the NanoKTN to organise a very successful one-day workshop on UK research and development in thermoelectrics in 2011, and are now in discussion on a follow up event for early 2014.
The one day workshop in thermoelectrics in London in April 2011, was the first of its kind in bringing together the UK's thermoelectrics research and development community. Since then, Johnson Matthey Technology Centre and the NanoKTN have worked together to draft industry consultation reports summarising the need for a UK-based Energy Storage R&D programme that assisted in the funding of the Warwick Manufacturing Centre's £13m UK Energy storage facility launched last year.
Co-funded by Government (£9m) and industry (£4m), the UK's Energy Storage R&D Centre will capitalise on the growing electric and hybrid vehicle battery market, which has been estimated to be worth £250m for the UK by 2020. The centre is the latest move by Government to secure future growth opportunities for the UK's automotive sector, building on its £400m commitment over the next four years to supporting electric cars and other ultra-low carbon vehicles.
Peter Bishop, Technology Manager at Johnson Matthey Technology Centre comments, "We have been working with the NanoKTN for a number of years. Working together, not only have we benefited from effective networking, both at panel level and at various events organised by the NanoKTN, but there has also been tangible benefits from the creation of workshops and the publication of position-documents. The NanoKTN plays a vital role working within emerging technology sectors to remove barriers to growth and help stimulate the investment needed to enhance success in these crucial technology areas."
Dr Martin Kemp, Theme Manager at the NanoKTN and lead on the Nano4Energy focus group commented, "We have been working with key UK industry players such as Johnson Matthey to identify new industries and markets for UK nanotechnology companies. Working with the Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, we have been researching where nanotechnology would have the most impact in clean energy and identified that thermal energy harvesting and electrical energy storage devices are key growth markets needing performance improvements, and these would largely be dependent on nanotechnology. Working together, we hope to assist the pull through to commercialisation of nanotechnology applications to further drive UK clean energy manufacturing success."
Established by the Technology Strategy Board, the NanoKTN is managed by Centre for Process Innovation Ltd, a leading technology development and consulting company.
For more information please visit: www.innovateuk.org
Print this articleShare article:
Process and Control Today are not responsible for the content of submitted or externally produced articles and images. Click here to email us about any errors or omissions contained within this article.