Measures in the budget of high relevance to UK photonics industry include:- An Additional £2.3bn in 2021-2022 for research and development funding. This is an extension of the national productivity investment fund program to 2021-22 not an increase in earlier years. Announced R&D funding under NPIF (inc industrial challenge fund) now:. 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22…
The PLG welcomes the publication of Juerger Maier’s Made Smarter Review of how digital technology, including photonics, can boost UK manufacturing by £455billion over 10 years. A likely prelude for an Industrial Digitisation Sector Deal, the review outlines three key challenges in leadership, adoption and innovation. Photonics, notable industrial vision, optical metrology and laser processing,…
UK photonics leaders have identified four grand challenges for the industry to address over the next 5 to 10 years. Delivering Internet 5.0, where data delivery is ubiquitous, invisible and instantaneous to all people and all factories, no matter where they are or what they are doing. I5_0 will break the link between digital demand…
Who is doing what, where? The interactive photonics landscape tool from the Knowledge Transfer Network shows where many UK photonics companies are located and which markets/applications they are focused on. Searchable by region and application, this tool gives insights into the breadth of applications addressed by UK photonics and distribution of companies around the UK.…
Lasers are an increasingly essential tool for enhancing productivity in modern manufacturing enabling rapid precision cutting, welding, joining, engraving and marking in additional to precision quality control and on-line measurement. The latest review article from Industrial Laser Solutions summarises how the latest fibre laser – invented in the UK continue are enhancing the manufacturing process.
Many high technology sectors are experiencing difficulty in recruiting the right skills at the right time. Photonics is no different and must recruit the very best talent in the fastest possible time to continue to expand. In a rapidly growing industry, the faster a new position can be filled and the more suitable candidates apply…
A Cardiff meeting on 13 December will examine the pivotal role of photonics in Medical Technologies and Pharmaceutical development and production. Organised by the Centre for Process Innovation and the Knowledge Transfer Network, this event gives the opportunity hear what Pharma and MedTech users need from photonics and how developments in these area can be supported…
Innovate_UK has announced it will begin piloting of innovation loans. Targeted to later state research and development project the will sit alongside Innovate’s well established innovation grants. The often hidden enabling nature of photonics, and the rapid pace of photonics innovation means it can be difficult for photonics companies and those applying the latest photonic…
Significant changes have been proposed to the government power to intervene and examine M&A and foreign direct investment in business with > £1 million turnover (reduced from £70m) irrespective of their share of the UK market. These measures would apply to companies supplying dual use or military items listed on the strategic export list –…
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