16 Scottish university projects receive £3.3M
The Scottish Enterprise ‘Proof of Concept Programme’ has awarded funding of £3.3 million in its round eight awards to 16 commercialisation projects in Scottish universities and research institutions. The projects have the potential to result in innovative spin-out companies and/or licensing agreements which will ultimately help grow Scotland’s economy. The programme, created in 1999, aims to address the lack of available funding, from both the public and private sector, to support the development of research concepts into commercial products or services, and has yo date invested a total of £36.4 million in 201 projects.
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In round eight of the current programme, in-depth feasibility studies were introduced to ensure that the commercial opportunities for each project are maximised, and a further six projects are nearing completion of this stage. A further 26 applications received in September this year for round nine awards are currently being assessed.
Eleanor Taylor, head of the Proof of Concept Programme, comments, “The programme is a unique Scottish initiative which makes the important step between initial scientific discovery and first prototype easier for Scottish researchers. Initiatives like the Proof of Concept Programme have been endorsed by Lord Sainsbury of Turville, in his review of the UK science and innovation system published in October this year. Lord Sainsbury recommends that initiatives like these are encouraged to ensure the UK remains competitive in an increasingly global economy.”
“The Proof of Concept Programme can demonstrate tangible benefits to the Scottish economy. Since the programme started 153 projects have been completed, resulting in 38 spin out companies and 35 licensing deals, creating over 500 jobs, and leveraging £207 million of public and private investment which would not otherwise have happened in Scotland.”
The projects being confirmed for a Round Eight award are:
CHEMICALS
- Innovative chemical tagging technology for paper products which could be used for fraud prevention and protect against product tampering, using the Scotch whisky industry as an exemplar (Glasgow Caledonian University)
- A versatile micro-membrane contactor for use with microreactor-scale applications for the pharmaceutical and fine chemicals industries (University of Edinburgh)
- New technology which can lift fingerprints on wet or porous surfaces for criminal detection (University of St Andrews)
ENERGY
- An instrument to increase the efficiency of bio-mass use in energy production, leading to a reduced dependence on fossil fuels, a reduction in carbon emissions and giving Scotland a competitive edge in the alternative energy market (Glasgow Caledonian University)
- A unique method for effectively stopping CO2 leaking from geological storages to help Scotland capitalise on the growing need to tackle CO2 emissions (Heriot-Watt University)
ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES AND ENGINEERING
- Nano-structured composite materials for the design and fabrication of novel lenses and refractive and diffractive optical elements which will completely remove the risk of failure due to unknown technologies or the need for new technology development (Heriot-Watt University)
- Chip-less smart label technology which is a cost-efficient alternative to radio frequency identification (RFID), offering a way to reduce counterfeiting and stock diversion (University of Glasgow)
LIFE SCIENCES
- A device to detect low concentrations of narcotics present in drivers’ saliva which provides safe, simple and rapid use (Heriot-Watt University)
- A new material that stimulates bone cells which could help eliminate the need for human bone grafts and which could be used as an alternative to metallic body implants (University of Aberdeen)
- A synthetic peptide microarray for antibody screening of blood samples which could replace current screening methods which depend on human blood donations (University of Aberdeen)
- Development of novel, efficacious analgesics for the treatment of pain, including chronic established pain resulting from nerve injury (University of Edinburgh)
FOOD AND DRINK
- New technology which can simultaneously detect multiple pathogens quickly (within five to eight hours) and at a low cost, potentially saving lives through the prevention of food poisoning epidemics (Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, based in Aberdeen)
- Additive-free treatments to extend the shelf-life of foods which have minimal processing, such as prepared leafy salads, increasing the competitiveness of Scottish food producers (Scottish Crop Research Institute, based in Dundee)
ELECTRONIC MARKETS
- A software tool which could optimise an organisation’s business travel to help develop sustainable travel planning (Napier University)
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
- TSExplorer, a visualisation tool to allow biologists to explore microarray data and reveal previously unsuspected patterns of temporal activity in genes (Napier University)
CONSTRUCTION
- Technology that offers an alternative way to increase sound insulation in new blockwork housing without having to add more wall or floor linings (Napier University)
More details and next round
For more details on applying for a Proof of Concept Programme award, click here. The next award, round 10, is expected to open for applications on 14 January 2008, with the expected closing date for submission of applications to be mid-day on 13 February 2008.
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