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Building scientific innovation into the construction sector

July 2nd, 2013

Two of the UK's Innovation and Knowledge Centres (IKCs), which work closely with industry on research to radically change the construction and management of infrastructure, and to use the surfaces of buildings as solar power stations, are to receive a further £3.8 million of collaborative research funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The funds are to build on their achievements in accelerating the commercialisation of world class science and emerging technologies. The Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC), which is based at the University of Cambridge, will receive nearly £2.2 million to:

develop a team dedicated to deploying novel technologies and processes
scale up and standardise technologies for early adoption by industry
develop wider applications for technologies
extend the range of sectors that research is directed towards

The Sustainable Product Engineering Centre for Innovative Functional Industrial Coatings (SPECIFIC) based at Swansea University will receive £1.65 million to:

expand its solar energy research - working with the universities of Bath and Oxford
commercialise solar water purification technology with Surrey University
work with the University of Manchester on bio-inspired coatings
commercialise a heated floor tile

This new funding brings the combined investment from the EPSRC and the Technology Strategy Board, the UK's innovation agency, in each Centre to over £9 million.

The IKCs are a key component of the UK's approach to the commercialisation of emerging technologies through creating early stage critical mass in an area of disruptive technology. IKCs are able to achieve this through their international quality research capability and access to companion technologies needed to commercialise research.

Based in a university they are led by an expert entrepreneurial team. While continuing to advance the research agenda, they create impact by enhancing wealth generation of the businesses with which they work.

Provided by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

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