NEWS > Take off for centre of excellence in aerospace
Published: Thursday, 16 Dec, 2010
University of Nottingham confirmed its position as a global leader in aerospace research with the launch of its new Institute for Aerospace Technology on December 14 2010. The new Institute
will drive development of cutting edge technology in one of the key research areas in the University, with the aim of radically improving all aspects of air transport: it is being established with funding of GBP3.6m from the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed by East Midlands Development Agency
University of Nottingham confirmed its position as a global leader in aerospace research with the launch of its new Institute for Aerospace Technology on December 14 2010. The new Institute will drive development of cutting edge technology in one of the key research areas in the University, with the aim of radically improving all aspects of air transport: it is being established with funding of GBP3.6m from the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed by East Midlands Development Agency (emda), in the region. This will support a major infrastructure investment, and a business engagement and knowledge transfer programme supporting regional small to medium-sized enterprises.
At the launch event for the Institute, guests from all over the world had the chance to meet Nottingham's researchers, visit laboratories and view demonstrations of the latest research technologies. The University has recently identified aerospace as one of its priority research areas, acknowledging the potential for growth and its ability to deliver influential world class research and knowledge transfer that addresses global issues and challenges. Nottingham has a substantial research portfolio related to aerospace applications and technologies, with projects valued in excess of GBP35million, including more than GBP20million in funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Aerospace research at Nottingham involves more than 50 academic researchers working in internationally recognised research groups, often - though not exclusively - in partnership with leading aerospace companies including Rolls-Royce, GE, Airbus/EADS, Boeing, BAE Systems, Bombardier, GKN, and Goodrich.
Current research themes for aerospace which will become a key focus for the Institute include:
* Advanced manufacturing;
* Advanced materials;
* Applied optics and non-destructive evaluation;
* Electromagnetics;
* Polymer composites;
* Power electronics, machines and control;
* Satellite navigation technologies;
* Structural integrity and dynamics;
* Thermodynamics and fluid dynamics.
The University's commitment to this area of research will be underlined with the building of a large new Aerospace Technology Centre at The University of Nottingham Innovation Park, adjacent to Jubilee Campus. This Centre, due for completion in early 2012, will be a dedicated research and knowledge transfer facility which will support development and demonstration of advanced prototype technology. Suggestions and proposals are now being invited from potential industry partners, to populate the facility. The Institute's Business Engagement Programme will establish links with new companies from start ups and small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to major multinationals, and explore additional areas of collaboration with existing partners, many leading to long-term relationships. There are many ways for businesses to interact with the Institute to attract talent, improve their innovation capacity and solve technology problems.
The Business Engagement programme will help businesses access these opportunities through, continuing professional development and training events, themed technology events and workshops and graduate placements within local SMEs. Aerospace is very important to the UK's economy - it has the second largest aerospace industry in the world, after the USA. It is equally important at a regional level, with aerospace accounting for around 60 per cent of East Midlands' employment in transport equipment. The East Midlands accounts for around 15 per cent of the UK aerospace industry by value and numbers of people employed in the sector - 25,000 people within 250 companies.
Aerospace is one of The University of Nottingham's key research areas, in which a concentration of expertise, collaboration and resources create significant critical mass. Other key research areas at Nottingham include energy, drug discovery, food security, biomedical imaging, advanced manufacturing, integrating global society, operations in a digital world, and science, technology & society. Through these groups, Nottingham researchers aim to make a major impact on global challenges.
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