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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/L016567/1
Title: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Ultra Precision
Principal Investigator: O'Neill, Professor W
Other Investigators:
Shore, Professor P Morantz, Mr P Goel, Professor S
Endrino Armenteros, Professor J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Aixtron Ltd Carl Zeiss FANUC FA UK Ltd
IPG Photonics (UK) Limited Jaguar Land Rover Limited Loxham Precision
M-Solv Ltd Michell Instruments National Physical Laboratory NPL
Qioptiq Limited TRUMPF Laser UK Ltd
Department: Engineering
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: Centre for Doctoral Training
Starts: 01 April 2015 Ends: 31 July 2023 Value (£): 3,834,532
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Design & Testing Technology Lasers & Optics
Manufacturing Machine & Plant
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
23 Oct 2013 EPSRC CDT 2013 Interviews Panel F 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. Since the CDT-UP has academic foundations which are highly multidisciplinary, it is well aligned to the following EPSRC priority areas:- Complex manufactured products; functional materials; Innovative production processes; Materials technologies; Sustainable use of materials; and Photonics materials.

Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk