Inaugural North-West Technology Network meeting kicks off
The north-west of the UK has always had a strong technology heritage, derived from a local ecosystem created by such companies as ICL Fujitsu, Ferranti, local universities and colleges, plus a strong base of chemical, materials and biotech industries. But surprisingly, until recently, the north-west did not have a central network that could connect local technology entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and universities. But all that changed on 12th June 2008, when the ‘NWTN’ held its first inaugural meeting.
The North-West Technology Network (NWTN) kicked- off in Knutsford, Cheshire, and initiated by leadership from local companies like Silistix and eoSemi with support from Cr8Ventures. Attendees at the first inaugural meeting included executives from many local companies like VirtenSys, Phylinks, Manchester university spin-outs Silistix and nano-ePRINT, as well as companies from outside the north-west region.
The inaugural keynote at the evening networking session was given by Professor Steve Furber, who was recently awarded a CBE in the 2008 New Year Honours list ‘for services to computer science, research and British engineering’.
Grand challenges in microelectronic design
Professor Steve Furber’s speech covered the process that has led the UK microelectronics design research community towards a 'common vision' of where some of the exciting research opportunities lie over the next ten to twenty years, identifying four ‘grand challenges’ and themes. He provided some details of these challenges and how the microelectronics community can engage in them and the process of refining and developing them in the future.
Professor Steve Furber is closely involved with Silistix , a company that develops and distributes a suite of software tools for the design and synthesis of customised on-chip interconnect using self-timed (clock-less) circuits. He is a founder, a member of the board of directors and chairman of the technical advisory committee.
The next NWTN network meeting is planned for October. If you are interested in attending future NWTN meetings, please e-mail admin [at] thechilli.com, inserting NWTN in the subject line.
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© Chilli Publishing Ltd 2008 |
18 JUN 2008 |
