University of Nottingham Establishes Institute for Materials Technology, UNIMAT - News Item

The University of Nottingham is engaging in an ambitious project to pull together its expertise in many areas of materials research to create an institute representing more than 120 academics across 15 schools.

Known as the University of Nottingham Institute for Materials Technology (UNIMAT), it will encompass expertise in areas as diverse as light alloys and composites for aerospace and automotive applications, through to biomaterials and nanotechnology - all areas of key importance to the development of the UK’s industrial base.

A major focus of the Institute will be in developing more effective links with industry, to promote the university's expertise and then engage in detailed discussions with individual companies, consortia and communities of interest on materials related issues.

The Institute will be officially launched to key businesses, industry and Government figures on 21 November - the first stage in a series of promotional and business development activities focussed on highlighting the considerable value UNIMAT can bring to business and industry. Additional planned activities will include the development of website, regular newsletters and seminars focussed on specific areas of research.

Above and beyond the promotional aspect, UNIMAT’s goal is to interpret the complex needs of industry with a view to pulling together multidisciplinary teams, including mathematical modellers, synthetic chemists, materials processing and testing specialists, to provide tailored solutions to industry and business for materials related problems.

On 14 November the University of Nottingham will launch the School of Chemistry's Business Partnership Unit. The new unit will consist of staff dedicated to supporting and enhancing links between the School’s academics and partners in industry - through consultancy, collaborative research or IPR commercialisation.

Posted October 2001