Chemistry Innovation Knowledge Transfer Network (CI KTN) will build on the successful Faraday model and make it easier for UK chemistry-using industries to innovate
UK science and innovation minister David Sainsbury has approved £3.6 million funding for the new Chemistry Innovation Knowledge Transfer Network (CI KTN), which is expected to be launched in early 2006.
Knowledge Transfer Networks form a key part of DTI's Technology Programme, which was developed as a direct result of the DTI's Innovation Review.
The CI KTN will build on the successful Faraday model and make it easier for UK chemistry-using industries to innovate.
Companies will have easier access to new markets, new technology and the resources to implement it, including demonstrator facilities.
Migrating into this new network, which will be led by the Royal Society of Chemistry, are three Faraday Partnerships - Crystal, Impact and Insight.
InsightFaraday, which is hosted by LGC, aims to promote the development and exploitation of high throughput technologies (HTT).
Originally launched in 2002 by DTI, its role is to stimulate knowledge transfer between industry and the knowledge base, to increase the rate of innovation in the UK by focusing on the exploitation of HTT applied to new product and process development.
LGC's Steve Fletcher, director of InsightFaraday, based at LGC's Runcorn site, said: "We are delighted that InsightFaraday is to be a founder partner in the CI KTN.
"Knowledge transfer networks will play a vital role in making the necessary connections between researchers, businesses, universities and technology organisations, helping industry to access knowledge and innovation central to growth.
"This is a significant development in securing a robust and profitable future for the chemistry-using industries".
Business friendly tools recently launched by InsightFaraday include LabSmart, a novel software based process designed to significantly enhance laboratory operations with a unique audit service for laboratory processes and to explore alternative scenarios for improving efficiency and resource utilisation.
Earlier this year, InsightFaraday also made available online its technology roadmap for HTT, providing industry with a step-by-step, comprehensive overview of the tools, techniques, benefits and barriers associated with HTT.
