Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, an advisor to MedTech suppliers, chair of the Urology Trade Association, and governor of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, reports on a huge funding boost for microscopic research.
Researchers in Exeter have been selected to host a state-of-the-art facility developing new materials designed at microscopic scale – paving the way for new jobs and businesses in everything from medical sensors to healthier food colourings in soft drinks.
The University of Exeter’s MetaHub will be supported by 19.6 million GBP in public and private backing, announced by Science Minister Lord Vallance at the University.
The MetaHub is focused on ‘nanoscale metamaterials’ – a new class of advanced materials, designed at the tiniest, molecular level, so that they have new and useful properties that cannot be found in the natural world. This could enable components to be created that are much smaller than current technology allows, or that can perform new functions that aren’t possible with existing materials.
These new materials could be used to make the next generation of diagnostic tools for healthcare as well as computer components and radio transmitters for defence systems, and healthier food colourings for soft drinks. Their work is being backed by businesses ranging from defence and security firms QinetiQ and Leonardo to multinational drinks manufacturer PepsiCo.
Delivering this growth in partnership with the private sector, 10.5 million GBP of the total funding comes from UK Research and Innovation, with a further 4.5 million GBP in private investment crowded in. A further 4.65 million GBP comes from the University of Exeter and other higher education institutions.
Speaking at the University of Exeter, Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “The work happening here in Exeter is a prime example of how cutting-edge research can attract private investment and drive economic growth, in every corner of the UK, which will be critical to our economic mission at the core of the Plan for Change.
“Our backing for the MetaHub is an investment, for both today and for tomorrow. We are securing the UK’s leadership in the high-potential field of metamaterials, a new class of materials specially engineered to have new and useful properties.”
The Author used AI in preparing this article, comments upon or questions about which can be addressed to chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com.
