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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/K503241/1
Title: Cambridge & Cranfield Doctoral Training Centre in Ultra Precision
Principal Investigator: O'Neill, Professor W
Other Investigators:
Endrino Armenteros, Professor J Goel, Professor S Morantz, Mr P
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Aixtron Ltd Applied Laser Engineering Base4 Innovation
Carl Zeiss IPG Photonics (UK) Limited Jaguar Land Rover Limited
National Physical Laboratory NPL Oxford Instruments Plc Xradia Inc
Department: Engineering
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: CDT - NR1
Starts: 01 October 2012 Ends: 31 March 2019 Value (£): 2,566,793
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Lasers & Optics Manufacturing Machine & Plant
Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
28 Mar 2012 Manufacturing the Future-Centres for Doctoral Training Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
The dramatic changes in global manufacturing have greatly increased the demand from UK companies for skilled

employees and new operational practices that will deliver internationally leading business positions. The UK is considered

to be very strong both in scientific research and in the invention of innovative products within emerging sectors. This

conclusion is supported by the fact the UK is a significant net exporter of intellectual property, ranking behind only USA and

Japan. The potential of the UK's innovation capacity to create new high-end manufacturing jobs is therefore significant.

Maximising this wealth generation opportunity within the UK will however depend on the creation of a new breed of skilled

personnel that will deliver next generation innovative production systems. Without relevant research training, production research, r&d infrastructure, and an effective technology supply chain, there will be a limit to the UK's direct employment

growth from its innovation capacity, leading to constant migration of UK wealth creation potential into overseas economies.

Many emerging sectors and next generation products will demand large-scale ultra precision (nanometre-level tolerance)

complex components. Such products include: 1) Next generation displays (flexible or large-scale), activated and animated

wall coverings, 3D displays, intelligent packaging and innovative clothing ; 2) Plastic electronic devices supporting a range

of low cost consumer products from food packaging to hand held devices; 3) Low cost photovoltaics, energy management

and energy harvesting devices; and 4) Logistics, defence and security technologies through RFID and infrared systems.

The EPSRC Centre in Ultra Precision is largely founded on the support of SMEs. It is widely acknowledged that

manufacturing employment growth in developed manufacturing economies will stem from SMEs and emerging sectors .

The supply of highly trained ultra precision engineers to UK manufacturing operations is therefore critically important in

order to deliver benefit from any new technologies that arise from the industrial or academic research base within the

EPSRC Centre in Ultra Precision.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
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Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk