Research into composite materials, which are used in wind turbine blades, is to share £60m of government funding through the establishment six new university hubs aimed at improving manufacturing processes.
The six £10m hubs are funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
They will draw together expertise from 17 universities and 200 industrial and academic partners to upgrade the UK’s manufacturing capabilities, EPSRC said.
“Through increased collaboration between universities and industry, more products can be developed to meet industry needs and progress from the research lab to market – boosting the UK economy,” it added.
The hubs will be led by the universities of Cardiff, Huddersfield, Nottingham, Sheffield, Strathclyde and University College London.
UK Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “Developing new innovative manufacturing techniques will help UK industry create new products, explore more business opportunities and ensure the UK becomes more competitive and productive.
“This investment will lay the foundations to allow industry and our world-leading universities to thrive for years to come and is exactly the type of project that our upcoming industrial strategy will look to support.”
Image: Siemens
