Dr Graham Spittle, chairman of the Technology Strategy Board, has welcomed the publication of the Sainsbury Review of the Government’s Science and Innovation policies, saying that it provides “significant opportunities”.
Referring to the Government’s decision to allocate additional funding to the Technology Strategy Board, which was announced at the same time as the review’s publication, Dr Spittle said: “This is excellent news as it provides additional capability for us to build on the work that has already been started in the UK.” Meanwhile, the Technology Strategy Board is backing new research and development in areas of innovation such as bio-science, healthcare, energy efficiency and low carbon technologies with extensive new investment. This follows the decision by the Board, which promotes the research, development and exploitation of technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, to invest £42 million to support 75 new R & D projects being undertaken by UK-based companies. All the projects will see UK-based businesses working together or with academic partners and research organisations to develop technologies and innovations needed for the products and services of the future.
The diverse range of R&D projects includes biosensors for the pre-screening of leukaemia patients, a virtual anatomy surgery training system, image analysis technology to measure the progression of osteoarthritis, a self-powered wireless vision system for security and road monitoring, long-distance 3D face recognition equipment, and stand-alone machinery for recycling waste paper at the workplace.
Speaking about the projects to be funded, Technology Strategy Board chief executive David Evans said: “We were very impressed with the number and quality of the project proposals submitted, and by the clear enthusiasm of British businesses to work in collaboration with other businesses and universities and research institutions.
The Technology Strategy Board is strongly business-focused. By investing in business-led research, the Government is supporting innovation that will be of commercial value and that will increase economic growth.” Businesses were invited to bid for the funding late last year. The new research and development work will add to the Board’s portfolio of over 600 projects across 40 technology areas with a combined business and Government investment worth over £900 million.
