Innovate UK has announced a £2 million investment into 23 feasibility studies to accelerate innovation in advanced materials across key growth sectors for the UK.
Announced as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan within the UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, the projects are the first to be supported through the National Materials Innovation Programme.
The projects will cover material developments in sectors currently addressing some of the UK’s most pressing industrial, societal and environmental challenges, such as batteries, medical devices, transport systems, packaging and renewable energy technologies.
“Advanced materials are fundamental to the technologies and industries that will drive future economic growth, strengthen resilience and support the transition to a more sustainable economy,” said Bruce Adderley, director of advanced manufacturing at Innovate UK. “Through the National Materials Innovation Programme, we are helping businesses test ambitious ideas, build partnerships and move world-leading research towards real-world applications.
“These projects demonstrate the breadth of UK innovation and the important role materials will play in shaping the industries of tomorrow.”
The funding aims to assist businesses in assessing the technical and commercial potential of their innovations, and build evidence for future development.
The projects will assess ideas across six high-growth themes identified in the National Materials Innovation Strategy, alongside a strategic opportunity focused on metamaterials and metasurfaces.
Together, they will explore opportunities to strengthen UK capability in areas including clean energy, future healthcare, sustainable construction and next-generation consumer products.
Electromechanical application specialist M-Spin will explore a new high-performance material designed to make green hydrogen production more efficient and affordable, helping accelerate the transition to cleaner energy.
Meanwhile, Oxford Biomaterials spin-out Bounce-Biomedical will explore a new biodegradable implant that could help people with serious knee injuries recover more quickly, reduce the need for knee replacements and return to everyday activities sooner.
Other projects listed within Innovate UK’s announcement will focus on next-generation additive electronic materials, thermoelectric materials, moulded fibre packaging, AI-designed compostable plastics, next generation healthcare devices, Na-ion batteries, graphitic carbon materials, advanced ceramic liners and more.
