University of Liverpool launches £9.6million material research centre

Apr 16 2008 by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Daily Post

The University of Liverpool _100x200

THE University of Liverpool yesterday launched a centre for the discovery of new materials for applications such as energy storage, medical equipment and consumer products.

The £9.6m research centre will enable a range of firms across the north west and UK to move into the next generation of materials science.

Businesses will have access to excellent research facilities, supported by highly-trained staff and a base of academic expertise.

Professor Andy Cooper, a director of materials discovery at the university, said: “This is groundbreaking science and will enhance Merseyside’s reputation as a centre of scientific research.

“Dedicated to knowledge transfer, it will create fantastic opportunities for local businesses, as well as career opportunities for graduates.

“Industries will have access to High-Throughput technology in the centre which accelerates research by producing large numbers of materials and testing them in parallel.”

The centre is based at the Department of Chemistry and was developed through investment from the university, the NorthWest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), and Merseyside European Objective One funding.

The facility was opened by Professor Drummond Bone, the University Vice-Chancellor, and Dr George Baxter, a director of science for NWDA.

Dr Baxter said: “Working with businesses on the practical application of different materials will help bring new products to the market more quickly.”