AUGUST 2008 – GIBSON INDEX NEWSLETTER

HEADLINE NEWS

First pilot competition for reformed SBRI programme opens, says TSB

SBRI is aimed at businesses working on the development of an innovative process, material, device, product or service. Successful businesses will be those whose technology addresses specific needs identified in the competitions, and could make a measurable improvement to what is currently being procured by the target government department. SBRI projects are intended to achieve major milestones on the route to commercialisation, including prototyping and demonstration, and to be particularly helpful to early stage companies. The Technology Strategy Board’s reformed SBRI is a procurement programme - Government Departments buy research and development services, helping to bring new technologies to market and leading to the possibility of future commercial procurement in the public sector. These developments will be 100% funded and will be targeted at specific identified needs in each Department, increasing the chance of exploitation. Suppliers for each project will be selected by an open competition process and retain the IPR generated from the project, with certain rights of use retained by the contracting department. The specific topics for the MOD pilots (both Phase 1projects) are: • Energising the Armed Forces (£300k). This includes: in-theatre energy generation and energy scavenging; extending the efficiency and deployability of alternative energy sources and energy storage; reducing energy consumption of devices, directly or indirectly; improving conventional fuel efficiency. • Cut Costs not Ships – whole life cost reduction in the maritime sector (£400k). This includes: reducing facility dependence, particularly docks and dockyards; the ability to replace equipment by ‘plug and play’; reducing through life cost of fluid systems; better metal preservation; improved configuration control / inventory management via electronic remote sensing; system integration (commission, alignment, calibration) through tele-engineering. The assessment date for both of these competitions is 30th September 2008. Further competitions will be announced via the Technology Strategy Board website in the coming months. Following early evaluation of the pilots in the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health, they ‘anticipate full roll-out of the reformed model to other Departments in April 2009’. - Application is through the Centre for Defence Enterprise portal at www.science.mod.uk/Engagement/enterprise.aspx. Contact: SBRI programme email sbri@tsb.gov.uk

Innovative materials targeted in new £10m EPSRC-TSB R&D projects

The Technology Strategy Board and EPSRC are to jointly invest over £10 million in 16 innovative research and development projects into materials technologies that will help meet the country’s energy challenges. The investments will support the research and development of materials technologies that offer solutions to problems within the sector. The focus of the projects will be on the development of technologies and materials for energy generation, transmission & distribution, storage and conservation.

The projects include research and development in areas such as: - Energy efficient bio-based natural fibre insulation - New materials and methods for energy efficient tidal turbines - A new manufacturing process to produce a novel cellular vacuum insulation panel for retrofit into buildings, to reduce heat loss and energy - Sustainable power cable materials technologies with improved whole life performance

Details of most of the 16 projects currently available are: Title: High rate, high energy batteries utilising structured electrode materials.Summary: The project aims to scale up structured cathode processes that will produce high rate, high energy batteries for use in hybrid diesel/gas/bio fuel powered electrical generation equipment. Partners: QinetiQ Ltd (lead), ABSL Power Solutions Ltd, The Boeing Company.

Title: Polymer Photovoltaic Architectural Glass.Summary: The objective is the development of low cost, translucent photovoltaic architectural glass based on conjugated organic polymers (OPV) for applications in building windows and curtain walling. Partners: Polysolar Limited (lead), Linde Electronics, Imperial College, Sagentia Ltd, Pilkington Technology Management Ltd. Title: Energy efficient bio-based natural fibre insulation. Summary: The overall aim of this project is to develop a sustainable, thin and highly efficient natural fibre insulation solution, suitable for new build as well as offering a practical solution for the refurbishment market. Partners: Bangor University (lead), Hemcore Ltd, Natural Building Technologies, Nonwovens Innovation and Research Institute Limited, Plant Fibre Technology Ltd, Rachel Bevan Architects and Consultants, SciTech Ltd, Wates Construction Ltd, University of East London. Title: Advanced Ceramic Matrix Composites for Energy Generating Gas Turbine Applications. Summary: The project will develop a high temperature oxide/oxide ceramic matrix composite (CMC) for use in power generating gas turbine applications. This will provide a step change in temperature capability enabling higher operating temperatures, improving engine efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. Partners: Rolls-Royce plc (lead), Advanced Composites Group, Swansea University, University of Birmingham.

Title: PURPOSE - Plastic UV Radiation Protection Operating by Stokes Emission.Summary: This project aims to develop novel energy harvesting products for a wide range of applications. This will be achieved by enhancing the properties of polymer composites; more efficient use of solar/thermal energy, longer life and recyclability. Partners: Intrinsiq Materials Ltd (lead), Bayer Material Science, Brunel University, Johnson Matthey plc. Title: New Materials and Methods for Energy Efficient Tidal Turbines NEW-MMEETT.Summary: This Project aims to optimise energy efficiency and return on investment by reducing the fatigue factors used for thick composite sections by developing tailor-made resins and using state-of-the-art aerospace technologies (modelling, testing, SHM) to design efficient tidal turbine blades. Partners: Advanced Composites Group Limited (lead), Aviation Enterprises Ltd, Materials Engineering Research Laboratory Ltd, University of Bristol. Title: HEAT-SAVE: A new manufacturing process to produce a novel cellular vacuum insulation panel for retrofit into buildings to reduce heat loss and energy.Summary: The aim is to develop a vacuum insulative panel for use in the construction industry by using a novel vacuum insulating foam sandwiched between enhanced layers of aircrete. The HeatSave project will allow UK builders to meet upcoming legislative demands for energy efficiency of buildings by developing an innovative product that is applicable to new and existing buildings. Partners: H+H UK Limited (lead), Alchemie Ltd, Brandon Hire PLC, Explore Living PLC, Minett Group, Pera Innovation Ltd, UVASOL Ltd.

Title: Advanced Surface Protection to Enable Carbon Abatement Technologies (ASPECT) Summary: The project is concerned with the development of coatings and application techniques for the protection of both the fireside and steamside surfaces of high temperature boiler components. Partners: Doosan Babcock (lead), Cranfield University, E.ON UK plc, Monitor Coatings Limited, National Physical Laboratory, RWE npower, Sulzer Metco (UK) Ltd. Title: High-temperature Silicon Carbide Electronics (HITSIC). Summary: This project aims to develop a new Silicon Carbide (SiC) materials process to realise high-temperature electronics (above 300 C with 450 C as target) for energy applications. The project will investigate Silicon Carbide (SiC) materials and processes for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) structures; attempting to provide a unique design and manufacturing capability for high temperature SiC low-voltage electronics. Partners: Raytheon Systems Limited (lead), University of Strathclyde.

Title: New homogeneous and novel cathode catalyst materials for liquid regenerating non-platinum PEM fuel cells.

Summary: This project will deliver new non precious metal based chemical materials fit for purpose (including suitability for application and process scale up) for the cathode of liquid regenerating PEM type fuel cells. Partners: ACAL Energy Ltd (lead), Newcastle University, Thomas Swan and Co. Ltd, University of Liverpool.

Title: Nano-Engineered Catalyst Layers and Sub-Structures (NECLASS). Summary: This project aims to design and develop novel fuel cell catalyst layers with a factor of two increase in platinum catalyst mass activity compared to current approaches. It will do this by nano-engineering the layer structures to overcome low utilisation of the catalyst on two scales. Partners: Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells Ltd (lead), Qudos Technology Ltd, Teer Coatings Limited, Thomas Swan and Co Ltd.

Title: Low cost integrated PV in double glazed windows using CdTe bifacial solar cells.Summary: It is proposed to develop a novel low cost photovoltaic (PV) double glazed window concept based on a semi-transparent bifacial Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) ultra-thin film solar cell. Partners: Arup (Lead), Pilkington Group, CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, Loughborough University), Applied Multilayers.www.innovateuk.org

In a second move by the Technology Strategy Board, minister Ian Pearson launched an £8.8m helicopter technology research and development programme, led by Somerset-based AgustaWestland. The REACT – Rotor Embedded Actuator Control Technology – project will see AgustaWestland collaborating with Bristol, Leicester and Liverpool universities, and will receive investment of £4.4m from the Technology Strategy Board. The three-year project involves the development of active surfaces in helicopter rotor blades, and active hydraulic systems in rotor controls. These active systems continuously vary the aerodynamics of the rotors to provide optimal performance. Full-scale laboratory validation of the technology will be produced, while the project will also investigate and develop the manufacturing methods that will be needed to produce the innovative technology in volume. www.agustawestland.com

‘Tigers of Tomorrow’ on view at Cambridge Enterprise Conference

An opportunity to see technologies and near market products developed by early-stage companies and entrepreneurs will take place at the 9th Cambridge Enterprise Conference, at which entrepreneurs, business leaders and leading academics will share their strategies for accelerating growth and building sustainable businesses. The event is hosted by St John’s Innovation Centre and held at Churchill College in parallel with ‘Put a Tiger in Your Tank?’.Demonstrations by the technologists include:

- A magnetic fridge which offers improved performance without using harmful gases - A smart cat flap which has revolutionised the field of RFID - Hospital fabrics that combat infections such as MRSA - A web-based ‘answer engine’ that accurately responds to queries phrased in natural language - Intelligent image search which can look ‘inside’ photographs - Undersea acoustic data transmitters that reduce disturbance to sea life - A tiny, highly accurate temperature sensor to help women monitor fertility - An innovative electronic textbook and collaborative learning resource - A lightweight eco-car made from recycled materials - Wearable electronics using washable smart textiles - ‘Green’ alternatives to injection moulded plastics using plant fibre composites - A multilingual interpreting system to help GPs with non-English-speaking patients.www.cambridgeenterpriseconference.co.uk

‘Stellar’ team takes top MoD ‘Grand Challenge’ prize for battlefield innovators

Grand Challenge is the MoD’s major competition to produce a vehicle capable of identifying threats encountered by UK troops on current operations. Team Stellar beat six others who qualified for the final competition days. Their entry, SATURN - an integrated system with one high flying and one mini UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), and a UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) with a control station fusing data from visual, thermal and radar sensors - gave them the competition edge. Launched by the MoD in 2006, the contest asked teams to come up with autonomous flying and ground vehicles capable of identifying threats such as marksmen, vehicles mounted with heavy weapons, roadside bombs and armed militia. Out of 23 teams who originally applied to the competition, seven qualified for the final held over the last three days at Copehill Down, a village on Salisbury Plain specially built by the military for urban warfare training. Vehicles designed and created by the teams included futuristic-looking flying saucers, buggies and mini-helicopters Team Stellar was awarded the highest points of any team by a panel of judges, after their vehicles successfully identified a range of threats planted in the village and recreated by actors dressed as militia. Using sophisticated communications systems, their SATURN system was able to relay this information back to the team on the ground. The Stellar Team comprises Stellar Services Ltd, Blue Bear Systems, Cranfield University, SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems Ltd, TRW Conekt, and Marshall Specialist Vehicles. Team Swarm was awarded the prize for the “most innovative idea” after designing a multiple autonomous quadrator (flat helicopter with four rotors) called Owls, capable of flying in swarms, allowing them to view the area from all angles using high resolution visual cameras. Team Swarm comprised several UK small and medium sized enterprises and world class groups: Swarm Systems, the University of Essex, the University of Surrey, Orrcam, Ardware and Scazon.

Team Thales was awarded a prize for “best use of national talent” for their use of a mini helicopter fitted with daylight and thermal imaging technology alongside two custom built ground vehicles. The MoD is now carefully considering if technologies demonstrated in the final can be incorporated into future frontline kit for the Armed Forces.Team Thales joined with the University of Reading, the University of Bristol, CARVEC, Ryland Research and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET), which included three schools Chilton Trinity Technology College, Woking High and Amersham School.

Lacklustre Farnborough 2008 delivers a minnow in corporate news

In spite of the relative absence of major deals at the 2008 Farnborough Air Show, several SMEs launched products and processes of interest.A number of projects made their first public appearances at Farnborough 2008 including the Fanwing UAV; the BAE Systems Fury armed reconnaissance and close air support UAS (Unmanned Autonomous System) and Dassault Aviation’s 7X.

One firm to star at the show was the Lanarkshire-based MB Aerospace secured a seven-figure contract for work on Europe’s latest military transport aircraft. One of its main subsidiaries, MB Faber which is a mechanical and electrical engineering design business based in Lancashire, has been appointed by Airbus UK to design and build operational tooling for building wings for the A400M military transport aircraft. The company said the contract would be worth more than £1m.

Hexcel has been awarded the largest contract to supply the carbon fiber composites for the A350 XWB airframe, and it is expected to generate revenues of $4-5bn through to 2025. Hexcel is also opening three new plants in its 60th year, in China, France and Spain, increasing capacity to 7,000 tonnes by 2010.www.hexcelcomposites.com

Beldam Crossley launched new braided insulation, even for fitted pipework and exhausts, in various materials which can be applied directly to components, even after they have been formed and the end-fittings attached. Braided insulation is consistent over the length and breadth of the component and remains in situ, over its full working life.www.beldamcrossley.co.uk

Meggitt agreed a major deal on the Gulfstream Aerospace G650 jet. Several Meggitt firms have been selected to provide key components to the aircraft, and its Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, including Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems, Dunlop Equipment, Whittaker Controls and Vibro-Meter. Meggitt is developing new lightweight aluminium main wheels and compact carbon brakes for minimum weight. Dunlop Equipment was awarded an engine pneumatics valve package estimated to be worth £50m over the life of the programme. Meggitt also launched the Electro-Thermal Ice Protection system which uses half the energy of traditional bleed air systems.

In a second move, Meggitt is developing an advanced, motor-controlled ‘modulating’ actuator following a two year R&D programme. It is designed to increase control precision, reliability and lower the costs of implementation and ownership. The smart actuator features a closed-loop regulator that detects flow, pressure and temperature with the appropriate sensor to enable a high degree of fine tuning to meet required measurements. Compared with conventional controllers Meggitt says it has achieved 300,000 cycles before maintenance is needed – ‘treble that of ordinary pneumatic controllers’. The new actuator’s monitoring system gives early warnings on wear and tear to facilitate planned maintenance. The modulating actuator is very compact, requires less wiring and parts than traditional controllers.For the first time in US history, says Meggitt’s Gerry Janicki, manager for ultra-compact cooling equipment, cooling systems have become ‘mission critical’, especially for the new generation of lightweight UAV craft.

Significantly, Boeing and QinetiQ announced it would open The Portal, a modeling, simulation, analysis and experimentation (MSA&E) centre in Farnborough, Hampshire. The facility is part of Boeing’s growing footprint in the UK. Both companies see it as a decision-support center for collaboration and experimentation with programmes and customers- - primarily the MoD. The centre can conduct experiments at all levels of conflict, as well as homeland security scenarios, in a facility that’s near MOD personnel. Using the Boeing Laboratory Network - a network with multiple locations to conduct simulation and test activities - The Portal can tie into Boeing’s integration centres, Virtual Warfare Center and other US facilities; the Boeing Systems Analysis Laboratory in Australia; and Global opportunities. QinetiQ’s UK facilities, allowing for interoperability tests across three continents. www.boeing.co.uk

Charlie McCreevy steps forward with yet another solid initiative

Charlie McCreevy, Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, said the European Commission is planning a new industrial property rights strategy for Europe. Together with the creation of a Community Patent and integrated patent jurisdiction, the document outlines a number of actions as the keystone to maintain a high quality industrial property rights system for the EU in the 21st century. It sets out to support inventors in making informed choices on the protection of their industrial property rights and calls for robust enforcement against counterfeiting and piracy. The proposals also aim to ensure that industrial property rights in Europe are of high quality and that they are accessible to all innovators, particularly SMEs. Mr McCreevy said: “This strategy will offer a springboard for European companies to compete in the global economy. Not only will it help inventors across Europe to protect their ideas with strong industrial property rights, but it will also provide a catalyst for cutting-edge inventions from companies of all sizes to become successful in the market. In addition, the [proposal] reinforces once more that the EU will strike hard at counterfeiting and piracy.”

The actions proposed will ensure Europe has: Effective enforcement on the ground against counterfeiting and piracy. This is reaching alarming levels with damaging effects to job creation in Europe and the heath and safety of consumers. In addition to improving coordination between key enforcement actors at a national level, the Commission will work towards effective cooperation between Member States in intelligence gathering and rapid information exchange on counterfeit and pirated goods. Furthermore, the Commission will help facilitate agreements involving both the public and private sector to crack down on blatant violations of intellectual property rights. high-quality industrial property rights in Europe that are accessible to all innovators, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To achieve this, the Commission will undertake studies on the quality of the patent system and on the overall functioning of the trademark systems in the EU. This would also include the Community trademark, which the Office for Harmonisation of the Internal Market has been successfully registering for over 10 years. . exploitation by SMEs of industrial property rights. The Communication outlines measures to facilitate access to industrial property rights and dispute resolution procedures, and to improve awareness among SMEs of the management of industrial property as an integral element within an overall business plan. http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/indprop/rights/index_en.htm

Eight new companies move to the Hillington Park Innovation Centre, Glasgow

Glasgow’s fast-moving Hillington Innovation Centre – has brought its total number of tenants to 38 – and most of these are hi-tech, high potential startups in IT and mobile telecoms firms, says Ross Clark, Centre Director.Some of the innovative new companies recently moved into the Centre include: Grow Live Ltd who has developed a mobile data capture solution for teams, which embraces technologies to connect mobile workers and office based employees. An innovative approach removes the need for companies to invest in expensive servers and development time and allows small/medium sized businesses to track and manage large teams with ease. The company has secured a contract with Heineken UK, where the system was piloted and used by 10 members of their UK sales team. Next, Informatics Clinical Information Systems produce software for healthcare providers, and specialise in preoperative assessment, operating theatre management and surgical scheduling and anaesthetic information management. The company has won a Smart Scotland award for technical innovation, and is engaged in a research project operated in partnership with the University of Manchester, to develop a new generation of smart Web-based clinical assessment tools. Informatics has been in operation since 1991 and has relocated from Glasgow City Centre to benefit from the services at the Innovation Centre. www.innovationcentre.org

Philips Research UK to relocate key research centre to Cambridge

Philips - a leader in healthcare, lighting and innovative consumer products - said the move later in 2008 demonstrates its commitment to ‘open innovation’.Philips Research UK has been based in Redhill in Surrey for 60 years, and the site’s most recent credits include amBX - a new experience in PC games - as well as novel three-dimensional (3D) methods for watching 3D video without the need for special glasses. Philips Research’s Cambridge laboratory will be located on the Cambridge Science Park and its projects will support the company’s recent re-organisation into sectors of healthcare, consumer lifestyle and lighting. As well as anticipating venturing technology businesses and building new partnerships with the many publicly and privately funded innovation activities in Cambridge, the research centre will nurture existing partnerships with other universities as well as strengthening its links with Cambridge University. Terry Doyle, Senior Vice-President at Philips Research.said “2008 marks an exciting year for Philips Research UK. We pride ourselves in being at the forefront of innovation and research. Ensuring we maintain this position drives our need to provide our talented scientists and technology experts with the best possible environment. We believe Cambridge offers this - an ecosystem where our work can really flourish.” Philips’ portfolio of research centres span across the globe employing about 1,800 people at seven sites including the Netherlands, China, India and the US. www.philips.co.uk

Flagship hub - Printable Electronic Technology Centre – emerges on NETPark

As the future national centre currently for the development of printable electronics technologies the PETEC Centre will provide 3,000 square metres of cleanroom and laboratory space that will house an impressive range of equipment and staff. The centre will make available access to capabilities around substrate preparation, materials formulation, device modelling, process development and process integration using advanced printing techniques such as inkjet, screen printing or web-based printing. The range of applications for these technologies is extremely broad, but PETEC, in response to industry interest, is initially focusing on displays, photovoltaics, lighting and medical sensors. The centre, when it opens in 2008, will provide the printable electronics community with the physical, intellectual and commercial infrastructure required to take new ideas and concepts for products, which will have flexible functional materials at their heart, and accelerate the move from the lab to production. There is currently no such equivalent facility in the world. www.uknetpark.net - 01740 625 180.

Europe’s first screwless plastic bridge is unveiled – in Lancashire

In another major step forward in the application of plastics and composites to very large items of new construction infrastructure - Europe’s first screwless plastic bridge has been opened - made from a slab of fibreglass-reinforced polymer glued onto two steel bearers. Although a plastic bridge was built across the M6 motorway in Lancashire in 2006 the new bridge is the first to be built without nails or screws. As it is made from plastic, the bridge near Friedberg, in the German state of Hesse, is expected to last for up to 50 years before needing repair. Trade body PlasticEurope said conventional reinforced concrete bridges can often need extensive repair after just 15 to 20 years. Amazingly, instead of many weeks of closed motorways due to installation of the new bridge - the 27m long by 5m wide bridge, weighing only 80 tonnes, was constructed in just one day. The bridge was prefabricated off-site. www.highways-agency.co.uk

WRAP seeks partners for commercial scale mixed plastics recycling

Working in seven key areas (Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Organics, Business Growth, Behavioural Change, and Local Authority Support), WRAP’s work focuses on market development and support to drive forward recycling and materials resource efficiency within these sectors, as well as wider communications and awareness activities including the Recycle Now campaign for England.The new trial aims to find out whether mixed plastics recycling is commercially sustainable in the UK. It follows on from recent previous research that established the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of recycling mixed plastics packaging. This showed the best environmental option is to invest in integrated plants capable of producing high quality recycled plastics combined with solid recovered fuel (SRF) technology for what is left and cannot be recycled. WRAP’s aim is to develop at least 40,000 tonnes a year recycling capacity in the UK by 2011. Finding a commercially viable solution is vital, says WRAP, to process the anticipated increase in mixed plastics waste collected from households and support the development of sustainable end markets. The trial has been divided into three parts and organisations can tender for individual parts, or all three. Due to start in September 2008, the project will focus on: A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) processing trial looking at effective mixed plastic sorting processes; a commercial scale recycling trial and management of what remains and cannot be recycled; carrying out a detailed economic assessment to evaluate the commercial sustainability mixed plastics recycling. Results and data from the trial will be used to help stimulate investment in MRF operations, as well as mixed plastics recycling in the UK. Paul Davidson, Plastics Sector Manager, said “This is the next major step on the path to widespread mixed plastics recycling in the UK, which will help to deliver a reduction in CO2 emissions and divert waste from landfill. The findings will also provide valuable information to help MRF operators and reprocessors to develop practical solutions to recycling this material in the UK.” WRAP helps individuals, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources and helping

to tackle climate change. Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by government funding from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. www.wrap.org.uk

FUNDING NEWS

EPSRC Grand Challenges: Nano technology – Consultation on Third Call - Closing date for input: 15 September 2008. The EPSRC is planning to issue a third call for Nanotechnology Grand Challenges in summer 2009 and is seeking input from the research and user community about what areas it should focus on. The EPSRC has up to £5 million available to allocate and will also seek contributions from other funders as appropriate as the call is developed. www.epsrc.ac.uk/ResearchFunding/Programmes/Nano/RC/GrandChallengesNanotechnology.ht

Chemistry Innovation is looking to coordinate responses from the research and user community keen to focus on ‘Nano-enhanced Formulated Products’ or ‘Nano for Sustainable Materials and Products’. Contact darren.ragheb@ciktn.co.uk - 01928 511 829. BBSRC Industrial CASE Awards - Closing date: 8 October 2008 The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has announced its 2008 competition for Industrial CASE awards. Proposals can be submitted by either an Industrial Company or an individual academic supervisor (citing an industrial partner). Funding for 88 four-year studentships is available. These will be awarded in the form of flexible Doctoral Training Grants (DTGs) commencing in the 2009/10 academic year. www.bbsrc.ac.uk/business/training/industrial_case

Shell Springboard – call for applications from small businesses with a product or process that reduces greenhouse gases - Closing Date: 7 November 2008.Shell Springboard has opened its fourth round of applications for small businesses, based in the UK, who have a product or service that reduces greenhouse gases. The Shell Springboard fund will make awards of between £20,000 and £40,000 - in early 2009 - for a small number of UK businesses who submit the most compelling plans for a product or service which helps combat climate change. To be eligible - your product or service must reduce greenhouse gases, be innovative and commercially viable. You must have been in business for at least three months, as a sole trader or a company employing fewer than 250 people. www.shellspringboard.org

SMALL COMPANY NEWS

The ‘Secret Squirrels’ who powered GB cyclists to Beijing Olympics bonanza

A virtually known and highly secretive group of materials technicians and engineers known as the ‘Secret Squirrels’ provided key support behind the extraordinary success of the British cycling team at the Beijing Olympics that created the biggest single contribution to the GB medal total of 19 golds.Britain has a good record of inventiveness in bike production - think the Mick Burrows-designed Lotus used by Boardman in Barcelona and the two radically aerodynamic positions devised by the Scot Graeme Obree in the 1990s. The difficulty comes in turning those designs into reliable bike production - as needed for even a relatively small team, let alone for public sale.The Squirrels investigated narrow hubs, found an advantage, but then realised that the fact that gears have to be changed, in a few minutes, and in the track centre, outweighed the gain. They looked into the rolling resistance of the team’s tyres at different pressures, temperatures and humidities. A study was also made of the friction in the team’s chains. But aerodynamics produced the most benefit: at high speed, 80% of the power used by a cyclist is expended to overcome air resistance. The process is now routine: after computer modelling, designs are rapidly produced in plastic, with a turnaround time of about three days, then tested in a wind tunnel at Southampton, using a model cyclist with movable legs which is an exact replica of Jason Queally, and, not surprisingly, is known as “Jason’s brother”. Led by Chris Boardman, the group has been responsible over the last three years for revamping every item of equipment used by Great Britain’s cyclists. Every last item, well over 200 of them, has been evaluated and reworked for maximum stiffness and aerodynamics. It all has to be done within the bizarre international rules that, in effect, mean officials can take an instant dislike to a bike or hat and ban it on the spot. Most of the carbon-fibre parts are made at Advanced Components Group on an industrial estate in Heanor in Derbyshire. The firm boasts an exotic client list: every car on a formula one starting grid will include something made here, while other products include ejector seats for fighter aircraft, protective pads for helicopters and “some things we cannot say, because they are military”. Costs are kept down by using a modular system: different lengths of stem joined with different bars to produce a one-piece item; and different models for the front end of a frame combined with a standard back end. One of the Olympic cycling team’s group of engineers and experts in aerodynamics, nicknamed the ‘Secret Squirrels’, was Greek-born cyclist and entrepreneurial engineer Dimitris Katsanis. Once a member of the Greek team sprint squad, Katsanis last raced in 1991 - bizarrely, he can recall competing against Boardman in a track World Cup - before studying sports science and composite engineering. He founded his own small carbon-fibre frame maker, Metron Ltd, producing monocoque machines that looked not dissimilar to Boardman’s famous 1992 Lotus frame. The last three machines went to Chris Hoy, Craig Maclean and Jason Queally, sprint mainstays of the Olympic track programme until recently. “When your athletes are a step ahead of the opposition, it doesn’t matter what you race with. But among Olympic level athletes, the differences are very small,” Katsanis said. “At the kilometre time-trial in the Athens Olympics - won by Chris Hoy - there were six

or seven people grouped within one second. Chris won the world title in 2002 by 0.001sec. He could have had his eyebrows sticking out and lost it. The 0.05% in this nut could take you from being inside the medals to outside, from silver to gold.” The Squirrels’ most striking products are the sleek black carbon-fibre frames used by the team, with the fibres running in different directions depending on the forces exerted by the cyclist in the different parts of the frame. They can also claim credit for the aerodynamic crash hat known as the Smurf, with its tear-drop profile, and the one-piece carbon-fibre handlebars and stem, nicknamed the Cobra, designed by Katsanis. There is also a very special skinsuit, with a rubberised finish, which was kept under wraps – until the Beijing Olympics – with exceptional results, say insiders.Contact: Advanced Composites Group - www. advanced - composites .com

Plastic Logic’s ‘game changing’ technology secures yet more venture capital

In early August Plastic Logic received a further £25.5m investment as managers claimed its electronic reader products ‘are as comfortable and natural to read as paper’ – with a device incorporating its display technology ready for launch ‘in early 2009’. The firm was founded in 2000 by researchers from the Cambridge University Cavendish Laboratory and specialises in printed electronic devices using semi-conducting polymers. Similar existing technologies uses glass, but the company said its plastic technology will provide the device with increased robustness with reduced weight. Plastics Logic added that the technology addressed “critical issues” in manufacturing flexible, thin, highly scalable plastic displays that are lightweight, offer high viewing quality and low power consumption. The $50m is in addition to $150m already raised by a consortium of investors backing the Plastic Logic venture. These include venture capital investors Oak Investment Partners and Amadeus Capital Partners and others. Investor Hermann Hauser, of Amadeus Capital, said: “We have placed a big bet that plastic electronics is, indeed, a game-changing technology. Over time, the markets and possibilities for plastic electronics are endless.” Plastic Logic CEO Richard Archuleta, added: “We are approaching very significant milestones in the creation of the plastic electronics industry with the opening of our Dresden plant and the pending launch of our first commercial consumer electronics product.” The venture capital investment will also support the opening of the firm’s Dresden, German, plant due to open on 17 September 2008. It will also help it establish its US headquarters in Mountain View, California.www.plasticlogic.com

Technium 2007-8 winner is developer of live free-to-view mobile TV network

The overall winner of the 2007-2008 Technium Challenge UK competition, Yamgo, was chosen at the Technium Annual Awards Dinner that recognised the success of companies based at the Technium incubator centres, based across Wales.

The finalises were Aeristech Ltd and Oncomorph Analysis Ltd, Hazard Research and Risk Consultants HazRes Ltd (Technium Aberystwyth), the Social Responsibility Award - S8080 Ltd (Technium Swansea); Fastest Growth Award to ETL Solutions Ltd (Technium CAST), and the Special Achievement Award went to Rockfield Software Ltd, also based at (Technium Swansea).

Troop of 21 UK SMEs head for New York’s Web 2.0 Expo conference

From the 14-19 September 2008 New York is holding the Web 2.0 Expo, the global gathering for web industry experts who are building the next generation web. UKTI has chosen 21 innovative UK small companies in the digital media, mobile telecoms applications and social networking sectors to present their wares.Many of the Internet’s most innovative and successful Internet industry figures and companies will attend, presenting examples of novel business models, development paradigms, and design strategies.The 21 SMEs selected are as follows: B View - www.bview.co.uk; Harvest Digital - www.harvestdigital.com; Head London - www.headlondon.com; Headshift - www.headshift.com; Huddle - www.huddle.net; idiomag - www.idiomag.com; KMP Interactive Marketing and Technology - www.kmp.co.uk; Market Sentinel - www.marketsentinel.com; Mippin - www.mippin.com; Littleloud - www.littleloud.com; QuickTV - www.quick.tv; Slicethepie - www.slicethepie.com; Smarkets – www.smarkets.com; Sweemo - www.sweemo.com; Tactile CRM - www.tactilecrm.com; Tempero - www.tempero.co.uk; UGame - www.ugame.net; UnLtdWorld - www.unltdworld.com; Unruly Media - www.unrulymedia.com; Veedow - www.veedow.com; WorldTV – www.worldtv.com. Contact: www. web 2 expo .com

Big funding boost for anti-fungal drug firm F2G Ltd in Manchester

The high-potential drug discovery and development company has won £6.3 million in equity financing round with an international syndicate of investors. The funding will be used, in part, to support the development of F2G’s novel antifungal lead compound which is currently in pre-clinical development. FG3622 is a potent, novel, small molecule antifungal, active against a wide range of clinically significant moulds. In addition it has a new Mechanism of Action for systemic antifungal agents. F2G Ltd is pioneering new and ‘clinically superior’ drug classes to treat life-threatening systemic fungal infections in at-risk patient populations. The antifungal market is currently estimated at over five and a half billion dollars annually and is growing steadily year on year. Market growth is expected to increase with the emergence of new clinical indications in allergies and asthma. The funding, led by BankInvest Biomedical Venture (Denmark), will allow F2G to accelerate the development of FG3622 and other novel antifungal agents. Merifin Capital, Astellas Venture Management and K Nominees also participated in the financing round.

Shane Kelly, CEO of F2G Ltd, said: “This financing is a strong endorsement of the outstanding work performed by the F2G team. We are delighted with the continued support from our investors and the current funding represents complete validation of our lead program and other ongoing projects. The resources will allow the Company to push through the development of FG3622 and other interesting programs.” Contact: Shane Kelly: 0161 785 1271 - shanekelly@f2g.com

Cybit plc purchases assets of telematics company OxLoc Ltd

Cybit, the international provider of telematics-based products and services for the management and control of land and sea based assets, has bought assets of OxLoc, the Oxford-based supplier of battery-powered tracking units for HGV trailers, plant and mobile assets. The purchase covers all hardware, software and intellectual property and provides Cybit with non-powered tracking devices that will become highly integrated with Cybit’s leading online Fleetstar-Online telematics and fleet-tracking solution. This will include built-in RFID technology for temperature, pallet and goods-in-transit monitoring. OxLoc provided asset monitoring, tracking and alerting solutions to the sector of the mobile asset management market where there is no access or limited access to a power source, with their supply of autonomous battery-powered data collection products. OxLoc was originally founded by Isis Innovation Ltd, the technology transfer company of the University of Oxford and has been operating since December 2000. Cybit will integrate OxLoc products into their current product range and will continue to run and expand the service that is already installed with customers and partners such as BT, Balfour Beatty and the Stiller Group. This integration process will be simplified as Cybit has already incorporated the OxLoc product into its AssetLocator platform and have a number of customers using the solution for non-powered assets. Richard Horsman, Cybit’s chief executive said “The current challenging economic climate is making it increasingly difficult for smaller businesses like OxLoc to achieve critical mass. As the UK market leading telematics provider with a proven track record as a consolidator, Cybit is well placed to exploit the technology with our broad product range and extensive market reach.” www.oxloc.com

Oxford Investment Opportunity Network backs two more companies

In the past few weeks members of Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION) have backed two interesting technology-based companies – Surface Generation and Parafricta Ltd.For the mould tooling technology innovators, Surface Generation Ltd, Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION) provided £140,000 of new cash as part of a £450,000 funding round.Surface Generation was founded in 2002 by a team including Pera and the University of Cambridge to commercialise Reconfigurable Pin Tooling (RTP). Surface Generation

also markets its Near-net-shape Pin Tooling (NPT) and complementary Subtractive Pin Tooling (SPT) technology to clients in the worldwide Aerospace and Automotive sectors. The latest investment has been matched with an additional £140,000 from Bank of Scotland Corporate’s Growth Capital team under the unique Co-Investment Programme arrangement between the Bank and OION. High net worth individual investors, who had previously supported Surface Generation, contributed the balance. OION is Europe’s leading business angel technology investment network that matches investors to fast-growing technology companies. Based in Rutland, Surface Generation has developed an innovative technology that creates easily changeable moulds for carbon fibre composite tooling, which companies can use to make the parts and components for manufacturing processes that previously required individually-created, expensive moulds. More specifically, Surface Generation’s Near-net Shape Pin Tooling technology is used to produce expendable ceramic and polymeric patterns for prototyping, whilst its Subtractive Pin Tooling technology is used to create metallic tools for production components. Ben Halford, Surface Generation’s CEO, said: “In simple terms, think of our mould-creation process like the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Our processes move the columns up and down allowing the creation of the required shape for any mould.” Surface Generation’s products are particularly aimed at industries working with carbon fibre components, notably aerospace. He added: “Our re-useable mould system is especially cost-effective for short manufacturing runs of high-end components. If you are building an aeroplane, for example, then you may only require a few hundred of certain parts and having to create individual conventional moulds is very expensive and time-consuming.” When a new design is being prototyped, inevitably there are changes to the precise specification of components as the prototype is perfected. Surface Generation’s technology fits perfectly with this process as moulds can be reconfigured and immediately re-used. He explained: “Our whole approach is based on ensuring ‘right first time design’ that reduces tool production costs and lead times by up to 90% and cuts product time to market by up to 40%.”

In a second landmark investment, Parafricta secured £230,000 from the MedInnovate group of business angels of the OION. The balance of the new investment has come from the Bank of Scotland Corporate’s Growth Capital team under the unique Co-Investment Programme arrangement between the Bank and OION. Proven to be significantly more effective than the traditionally used silk, but much more durable and washable at high temperatures, Parafricta™ fabric has the properties required for repeated use in demanding medical situations. Garments and bedding made from the unique ultra low-friction fabric are used to protect patient skin when there is a risk of damage to highly sensitive areas, resulting in bedsores or pressure ulcers. The smooth as ice fabric not only helps to prevent such sores developing in the first place, it also provides an environment in which dressings can function effectively, as they remain in place when subjected to friction. In addition, the woven nature of the material provides an excellent healing environment. Parafricta is aiming to become the leading brand for low-

friction fabric in the medical healthcare sector, just as Goretex is for breathable waterproofing and Lycra is for stretchable sports wear. To help prevent early skin damage developing into more serious wounds, especially for bed-bound patients, Parafricta has developed bed sheets that provide protection to sensitive areas of the body, legs and feet where the skin can be compromised or where wound dressings may be lost through friction. Parafricta pillowcases provide similar protection to the skin on the face, ears or head. The new funding is very timely for the company. Three case study investigations have shown the product significantly improves wound care for patients. Contacts: www.surface-generation.com - Oxford Innovation Ltd: www.oion.co.uk www.parafricta.com

PowerSi Technologies wins 2008 Cambridge University Entrepreneurs prize

A modest £5,000 in cash is the immediate reward to the company founded by Dr Patrick Palmer - Reader in Electrical Engineering, at the University’s Department of Engineering, and two PhD students (Zhihan Wang and Yalan Wang).Research on the control of power semiconductors has been conducted by Dr Palmer since the early 1990s. The AVC (Active Voltage Controller) has been further developed as an intelligent and cost-efficient method to drive and control power semiconductor devices, including IGBTs and power MOSFETs. The AVC imparts intelligent feedback control on conventional power devices for the first time enabling them to exhibit both user-defined and well-behaved switching characteristics. The team has been working with Cambridge Enterprise on various patent filings and with the commercialisation of the technology. In the forthcoming months, key intellectual property rights will be licensed from Cambridge Enterprise to PowerSi Technologies. The AVC demonstrator products are currently in production and expected to be adopted to control tens of IGBTs in series connection in a large-capacity Static Compensator in China which is a national key project funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. “This will be a big challenge in the power electronics field,” claims Dr Palmer.In October 2007, 336 teams entered the CUE Challenge business plan competitions. PowerSi Technologies won both the Technology Prize and the Cleantech Prize.The team also won First Place in the 21st Century China UK Entrepreneurship Competition out of more than 200 entries from both the UK and China, presenting at the China UK Showcase held in London in June 2208. The two prizes include £12,000 cash, free IP services worth of £5,500 and other free advisory services. Now perhaps it was worth entering... www.eng.cam.ac.uk

Ricardo unveils new technology for automatic and dual clutch vehicles

In August Ricardo unveiled a research prototype vehicle that demonstrates the company’s patent pending electromagnetic linear actuation technology.

Ricardo claims the technology offers a low cost route to ‘robust and highly efficient’ Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) and dry Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) vehicles. Such vehicles are said to be capable of delivering increased fuel economy and lower emissions. The development vehicle is based on an Opel Corsa 1.2l petrol automated manual transmission in which the control and actuation system of the original Easytronic system has been replaced with Ricardo’s patent-pending electromagnetic linear actuator technology. Ricardo further claims that the technology is sufficiently versatile and controllable that it can be multiplexed in order to operate the clutch control and gear selection functions. In the research prototype vehicle the eAMT system demonstrated: two-pedal vehicle automation at low cost, owing to a significantly reduced parts count through use of a single electromagnetic actuator in place of separate clutch and gear actuator units; opportunities for reduced size and weight; and controllable actuator force of up to 800N peak and 350N continuous. It also demonstrated a torque interrupt of as little as 0.35 seconds during shifts; and an advanced implementation of Ricardo AMT control software employing clutch ‘kiss’ point adaption techniques and DCT-like microslip control of a single dry-clutch. Lee Sykes, global product group director for driveline and transmission systems at Ricardo, said: ‘The advanced electromagnetic linear actuation technology in the eAMT vehicle shows huge potential for the practical implementation of next-generation transmissions in the automotive as well as the commercial vehicle and off-highway sectors. This is just one of the positive results of the eAMT research which includes the demonstration of next generation software control.’ www.ricardo.co.uk

Serentis agrees a £10m financing – taking its total to £15.3 million

The funding will be used to advance and expand Serentis’ dermatology pipeline. Back in July 2007, Serentis announced a £10.3 million Series A financing co-led by founding investors MVM Life Science Partners LLP, Apposite Capital LLP and Novo A/S. The planned second tranche of £5m has been expanded to £10m supported by the same co-lead investors and new investor Healthcare Private Equity, the Scottish Widows healthcare venture fund. East Hill, the Boston-based venture capital firm which became a shareholder in Serentis following the acquisition of Surface Therapeutics in September 2007, also participated in the round. Bill Blair, Chief Executive Officer of Adamant Ventures, who manages the Healthcare Private Equity fund, joins the Board of Serentis. Tim Sharpington, CEO and co-founder of Serentis, said: “Serentis has made significant progress in identifying and developing our pipeline. These funds will enable us to move our lead products towards key clinical milestones and to identify additional projects.” The company’s strategy is to establish a clinical-stage development pipeline and to move projects rapidly through proof-of-principle trials. The pipeline is sourced from in-house, low-risk research programmes and through licensing or acquisition of projects from external sources. The pipeline includes SRD441, a topical therapy with a new mode of

action for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and SRD174, a topical treatment for pruritus (itch), a distressing symptom of AD. www.serentis-pharma.com

TheAlloy designs the latest iconic flagship communications solution from BT

The new BT Home Hub, which was launched to wide acclaim, was designed in partnership with well-known design consultancy TheAlloy. The successful completion of the BT Home Hub project marks another highlight in the long-standing strategic partnership between BT and TheAlloy. The two companies have worked on numerous projects over many years. The new BT Home Hub was a significant design challenge for the team at TheAlloy, led by director Nina Warburton. “Our challenge was to create a solution that clearly represents the complex technology that gives the BT Home Hub its wireless range, with an iconic design that can be left out on show,” said Warburton. The BT Home Hub is a designed as a wave, cradling the telephone handset at the centre. This reflects the central function that the BT Home Hub plays, delivering entertainment, Internet and voice. It has no external antenna, but the device has blue LED lights and a floating black gloss fascia, looking a world apart from a typical wireless router. Rightly so in Warburton’s opinion: “It is not only what the Hub can do that is exciting, but how it fits into the home. By paying attention to the critical details, the new BT Home Hub and handset look good, deliver enhanced services and are easy to use.” TheAlloy played a pivotal role in liaising with BT’s manufacturing partners to ensure that the product was delivered in record time without compromise to either design or functionality. “The process was a complex one with significant time restraints,” said Warburton. “Our experience working with manufacturing suppliers and our expertise in risk anticipation ensured that the challenging deadlines were met.” “With such a broad customer base, it was critical that the BT Home Hub had broad appeal across a wide range of social and age criteria. We have designed the solution to be inclusive, with appeal to all demographics. This was done without losing any of the finesse that was essential in the creation of such an iconic device,” continued Warburton. www.thealloy.com

Triumph rises from the ashes to produce ‘the world’s best motorbikes’

Triumph’s 675cc Street Triple has ‘decimated’ the ‘middleweight naked roadbike’ class in the short time it has been available to the public - embarrassing Honda’s Hornet, Yamaha’s FZ6 and Suzuki’s GSR600 with its superb handling, 110-hp engine and sleek design.It is in such high demand that waiting lists for the ‘Striple’ run into several months all around the world. Triumph are now releasing a higher-spec ‘R’ version using the suspension and brakes from the Daytona 675 which is causing a similar commotion in the Supersport class.

The original Triumph Street Triple is regarded by many as the perfect roadbike - light, nimble, comfortable and geared for brilliant speed and acceleration.Next, Triumph’s Daytona 675 has continued its award-winning appetite with victory in both the Supertest and Masterbike multi-bike comparison tests for the second year running. Both of the independent tests, held on Spanish racetracks, saw the Daytona 675 reign supreme despite being unchanged since its launch in 2006, a testament to the bike’s inherent qualities. Daytona 675 triple has taken out the ultimate accolade with victory in the International Bike of the Year award. The 2006 poll, voted on by 15 of the world’s leading motorcycle magazines, saw the Daytona 675 win by a huge margin, scoring 26 votes, well ahead of Yamaha’s YZF-R6 (11) and the Kawasaki ZX-14 (9).From a company that has teetered on the edge of extinction several times in the not-too-distant past, Triumph is to be recognised for its remarkable turn around. Contact: www.triumph.co.uk

TWI’s licence income reaches £1.5m in 2007 – up by 10% on that of 2006

The Welding Institute’s fine track record of materials and engineering innovation continues with revenues from industrial contracts rising steadily, according to its annual report.TWI is actively exploiting 13 distinct innovations and has 137 granted patents on its books, with a further 53 patent applications being pursued. Registered trademarks relating to nine innovations were in place in 2007. TWI has been active in the field of Open Innovation with other RTOs and TWI Members. This is a procedure where organisations work together to find the best routes to the exploitation of an idea without being over-concerned about where the idea originated. Work includes building trust and underlying commercial arrangements with potential collaborators, understanding the key needs of particular clients and developing IP assets to meet these needs. All licence royalties are reinvested in TWI for the benefit of the membership as a whole and these fund the development of new ideas. In addition to the direct monetary benefits, the associated income arising from TWI’s innovation portfolio, including new members and contract work, is at least five times the licence income. An internal research committee encourages, monitors and directs TWI’s invention and innovation activities. Once an innovation is thought to be worthy of protection, a formal stage gate procedure is employed to ensure structured exploitation. www.twi.co.uk

Ruskinn Ltd launches innovative stem cell probe workstation

The Ruskinn brand was founded in 1993 and rapidly became established as one of the world’s leading suppliers of gas controlled, anaerobic and modified atmosphere workstations.

In 2006, the independent Ruskinn Group of companies – Ruskinn Technology Ltd and Ruskinn Life Sciences - was formed after a short transition period as part of Biotrace International. It recently launched an ‘SCI-tive’ workstation, the Stem Cell Investigations total in vitro environment workstation – SCI-tive – specifically designed for both embryonic and adult stem cell isolation, optimisation, differentiation and incubation within a totally enclosed controlled culture environment. Working under controlled conditions is essential to ensure the cell differentiation process does not result in inappropriate cell types. Using the SCI-tive workstation, researchers are able to monitor the internal environment of the workstation and control temperature, humidity and gas concentrations. The firm’s production facility is sited at the ultra-modern Sony Pencoed plant in South Wales, one of an elite group of UK medical companies offered the opportunity by Sony to co-locate and share the benefits of Sony’s renowned production know-how and infrastructure. Contact: Samir Patel - 01656 868 540 - samirp@ruskinn.com

Yorkshire Forward funds Leeds-based Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute

The RDA has puts £165,000 into the NIRI to allow researchers there to pursue the development of a novel fabric that may have many commercial uses ranging from medical to protective clothing. The so-called ‘Hydrospace’ fabric is a new and unique non-woven fabric which has channels running throughout that can be filled with liquids, gels or solid particles. The researchers believe that the new fabric could be used in a myriad of applications, from industrial and domestic wipes to protective clothing, shields and blinds. Chris Fowler, MD of NIRI, said: “Hydrospace provides a controlled storage and delivery mechanism for numerous active ingredients. It is simple to manufacture and is relevant to many markets and applications. Of particular interest is the potential for Hydrospace to improve filters that remove harmful pathogens and toxins from blood.”Hydrospace fabrics are made using a process called hydroentanglement which involves fibres being blasted with high pressure water jets which bond them together. NIRI was formed in 2005 as a Leeds University spinout company. Since the spinout, NIRI has developed its own range of products including self-cleaning infection control surfaces and slash resistant roller blinds, both of which will be launched this year. Contact: NIRI - www.nonwovens-innovation.com

French electronics group Thales snaps up encryption software specialist nCipher

nCipher Corporation Ltd was founded by Cambridge PhD students and brothers Alex and Dr Nicko van Someren back in March 1996, and they opened its first office was opened in Cambridge, in November. In September 2000, nCipher Ltd, now nCipher plc, was incorporated and on September 28, 2000, it became the holding company of nCipher Corporation Ltd as a result of a

share-for-share exchange with the shareholders of nCipher Corporation Limited. In August 2008 Thales bought out the company for 300p per share, a bid that values the group at £50.7m in total. Robert Jeens, Chairman of nCipher said: “The Board of nCipher believes that this offer recognises the inherent value of our technology, services and staff, as well as delivering significant value to shareholders. nCipher and Thales are two highly synergistic businesses with minimal operational overlap, and we believe that together we will be able to provide both independent and joint customers with a more effective and attractive way to deal with their ongoing security issues.”www.ncipher.com

Icomera AB buys Moovera Networks, UK maker of mobile comms systems

As a result of the merger the Swedish firm Icomera AB will become the foremost provider of in-vehicle, industrial-grade Internet access technology – encompassing trains, buses, coaches, trucks and ferries – with a global customer base including many of the world’s largest transport operators. Ola Sjölin, CEO at Icomera, said “The market for Internet connectivity on public transport is developing at a very rapid pace. Whether for Wi-Fi hotspots, CCTV monitoring, vehicle tracking or streaming entertainment, real-time connections to buses and trains are increasingly in demand.” Moovera has acquired a strong reputation in the industry as a developer of innovative yet price competitive technology and has established an impressive customer base.Icomera currently offers high-reliability, backhaul-agnostic communications gateways supporting concurrent satellite, cellular and trackside networks in a single in-vehicle system that – using patented technology – automatically switches to use the best wide area network without session interruption. With the acquisition of Moovera Networks, Jim Baker, founder of Moovera said “While Icomera has focused on sophisticated and complex rail systems, we have been targeting the broader market for Internet connectivity on road transport and outdoor networks. Many of the world’s largest transport operators like National Express and First Group own rail and bus networks and are already deploying both Icomera and Moovera solutions; the merger of our two businesses will create a single supplier with the best possible range of solutions for our customers worldwide.” Over two million passengers have used the Icomera free in-train Internet service on the UK’s East Coast main line operated by National Express. Contact: www.icomera.com - www.moovera.com

Medicsight says colon cancer diagnostics improved by its software

In July 2008 doctors may be able to diagnose colon cancer more accurately and quickly with new Computer Aided Diagnostics (CAD) software from UK-based Medicsight. The company says recent trials of its software, ColonCAD, showed that radiographers, who are trained to use radiation equipment, detected 100 per cent of cancers when examining 304 patients.

Dr Gareth Beddoe at Medicsight said: “At the moment CAD is not widely used in clinical practice. CAD for the colon is a relatively new technology. The clinical benefit is that it may help radiologists become more sensitive in reading CT colonography scans.” A radiologist diagnoses colon cancer by analysing CT scans, searching for protrusions, or polyps, from the colon wall. This could involve looking at 400 to 1,200 images which, depending on the radiologist’s expertise, could take from 10 to 40 minutes. Medicsight aims to make its software available to radiologists so they can use data highlighted by the CAD to back up manual readings. “Currently, standard practice is for the reader to first read the whole case and then switch the CAD on and go through all the results that the CAD has displayed and then make a decision as to whether or not it is a polyp in the colon,” said Beddoe. The CAD takes between five and 10 minutes to analyse a batch of images of CT scans and alerts radiologists to noteworthy areas by overlaying images with either a circle, dot or square, depending on the workstation.” Contact: www.medicsight.com

LiteThru Ltd ‘sees the invisible’ to improve pharmaceutical processes

LiteThru Ltd, a spinout from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), has secured £750,000 investment, enabling the company to commercialise the patented technology. Production and quality control of medicines could soon be quicker, more accurate and cost effective than previously possible. Pharmaceutical companies are one step closer to being able to peer inside a capsule or tablet and analyse its exact composition, at high speed and whilst still in the packaging. Monitoring production and checking the quality of manufactured medicinal drugs can be a slow and expensive process using techniques such as liquid chromatography, near-Infrared or X-ray analysis. During manufacture it is often difficult to monitor the process to ensure the correct formulation is produced and after manufacture it can take several weeks for a batch of drugs to be tested and released to market; both have enormous impact on the cost of drugs. LiteThru’s technology enables non-invasive, accurate analysis of capsules, tablets, powders and solutions in less than one second. LiteThru’s innovative approach is set to revolutionise pharmaceutical quality control and formulation development processes on an international scale. Pioneered at STFC’s Central Laser Facility, LiteThru’s technology stems from a new form of spectroscopy, known as Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS), which enables the sensitive probing of objects such as capsules and tablets in blister packs or bottles without opening them. This concept is also being researched for its potential to diagnose breast cancer and detect bone disease non invasively. LiteThru Ltd was originally funded by the Rainbow Seed Fund and NESTA. Contacts: www.clf.rl.ac.uk/Facilities/LSF/SORS/home - Dr Darren Andrews - tel: 01925 603 747 - darren.andrews@litethru.com

British firm develops electric sports car to ‘outperform’ Jaguar XKR’

‘The stunning performance of the Lightning GTS will likely surpass almost all large engine high-performance sports cars in the 0-60mph range,’ the company said. If truth be told, the Lightning GTS uses four electric motors connected directly to the wheels to develop 700bhp and a top speed of 130mph. The vehicle uses a new kind of battery that is fast to recharge and can provide a range of over 200 miles. Because there is no engine, the Lightning has a maintenance-free motor with just a few parts and, together with the control electronics and special batteries, ‘and will not need anywhere near the servicing of other sports cars’, claim the manufacturers.The electric motors also help improve the car’s efficiency, as when it brakes the motors switch to generate power and recharge the batteries. The car can be recharged using a standard home plug socket, but the manufacturers hope that fast recharge points could be built into petrol stations and supermarkets. At £130,000 the Lightning is not cheap, but the manufacturers claim that, with savings on road tax, congestion charges, and car and fuel taxes, the average London commuter would save £17,000 a year compared to a similar petrol car. It also comes with a number of optional extras, including a sound generator. Electric cars are usually silent but customers can choose the “programmable external engine sound generator” to make the engine sound more like its petrol counterpart. www.lightningcarcompany.co.uk

Les Gaw, ex-Chief Operating Officer, becomes chief exec of Essential Viewing

Les Gaw has been appointed chief executive of Essential Viewing in May 2008. Prior to this Les spent two years as chief operating officer of the company, focusing on developing the sales and marketing of the business and was responsible for developing the key partner relationships the business now has. In January 2008 Essential Viewing joined forces with Lockheed Martin UK to develop the next generation of miniaturised, ultra-low bandwidth video streaming technology. Prior to joining Essential Viewing Les spent 5 years as the operations director of a venture capital backed financial services company. During this time the company grew revenues over 700% and moved into profitability by a combination of organic growth and acquisition. Founded in 1999 to commercialise leading edge video compression technology developed at the University of Strathclyde, Essential Viewing provides a suite of products that enable the wide area transport of real-time and on-demand video streams over any communications network, including GPRS, 3G and Satellite. Essential Viewing also ‘has significant focus in the UK military arena’. www.essential-viewing.com

KeyPoint Technologies secures second round of funding of €5.1 million

The Glasgow-based company is developing language software for mobile devices, and the funds were provided by two private investors: one based in the US and one in India.The proceeds will be used to support the delivery of the company’s products and services to handset manufacturers. The funds will accelerate the build up of KPT’s development facilities in Scotland and India and allow the company to strengthen sales and customer delivery staff for the US, Europe and Asia Pacific. KPT develops user interface technology for mobile devices, specifically mobile text entry. As devices become smaller text entry becomes more difficult. Users tend to restrict their vocabulary, reduce the amount of captured data and spend more time entering information. Manufacturers have introduced smaller keypads, stylus and touch screens, and handwriting recognition. However, KPT claims users are unforgiving of methods that are not intuitive. Indeed most users switch off predictive text solutions as they are not very user friendly nor accurate. KPT aims to solve this problem. The company calls its software ‘Adaptxt intelligent’ as it ‘understands’ the nuances of language, like context. The text entry solution uses pattern recognition intelligence. This means it ‘types ahead’ of the user, suggesting words learned from the user’s own writing. Suggested words and phrases can be entered with a single touch. The product stores words in the user’s personal dictionary on the mobile phone. www. keypoint -tech.com

Keating Supercars believes its production car can achieve 275mph - a world record

The company was set up by Anthony Keating after he established his Electromech engineering services company and the ZeeWax car wax brands. Manufacturing the ultra-modern bodyshell of the new car was contracted to specialists in the Philippines, the advanced composite carbon chassis was developed by an industry leader in Italy and the engine is the most powerful made by US giant General Motors - refined by Keating’s own engineers to give even more output. All these efforts mean the car has performance never before seen on the road. Mr Keating claims the car ‘is a global project at the cutting edge of science’, but still lovingly hand-built by craftsmen in Astley. “We are building a left-hand drive model for the foreign market and will be holding a test day at a circuit soon for potential customers,” said Mr Keating.Every car is unique, built to the customer’s precise preferences - whether you want a stripped-down track racer or an eye-catching road cruiser. Everything from the dashboard instruments, brakes, mirrors, seats and bodywork can be custom-crafted to the exact specifications required. Buyers can choose between four standard engines, tweaked to produce from 400 to 650 brake horsepower, or special options up to a seven litre, 1500 bhp twin turbocharged version. Prices range from £90,000 for a basic version, to £330,000 for the top of the range. Contact: www.keatingsupercars.co.uk

Salisbury-based Nanosight sets its eyes on expansion into the US

In 2008 NanoSight recently opened offices in the USA to provide local sales, applications and service support to their growing family of users. The office is located in Morganville, New Jersey just 25 miles from Newark’s Liberty Airport. The company supplies unique instruments for nanoparticle analysis in the sub-micron region that go far beyond existing light scattering techniques in characterising polydispersed systems. The company currently has over 100 systems in service worldwide having begun commercial sales in 2006. It enabled direct visualisation of individual nanoscale particles in suspension from which independent quantitative estimation of particle size, size distribution and concentration are immediately obtained. NanoSight will share facilities in the US with a complementary nanotechnology company, XiGo Nanotools, a company applying NMR technology for nanoparticle characterization. NanoSight’s CEO Jeremy Warren, said “Nanoparticle characterization is becoming critical in many processes. However, it is in the field of nanotoxicology where the demand for our instrumentation is growing the fastest as researchers want to increase their knowledge of materials performance on the nanoscale.” Working with XiGo is also a new move for NanoSight. Mr Warren added: “XiGo’s founders, David Fairhurst and Sean Race, bring many years of experience from the world of particle characterization and make ideal partners with their complementary knowledge and technology.” NanoSight is the world leading provider of instruments for the optical detection and real time analysis of sub-micron particles. The company has recently launched additions to its advanced Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) software that build on the ground-breaking work of NanoSight’s LM20 and LM10 systems. The company has a growing base of users worldwide, including BASF, GlaxoSmithKline, 3M Corp, BP, ICI, Roche & Unilever and many universities. www.nanosight.com

Component maker Icon Polymer benefits from ‘surge in commercial hovercraft’

The Retford, Nottinghamshire-based company, which has been producing the fabric used to manufacture hovercraft skirts for more than 40 years, has reported a three-fold increase in demand for skirt fabric and also skirt segments. The market in recent years has been mainly for defence and coastguard vessels, but Icon said demand for large commercial hovercraft is rising. It said these large hovercraft are capable of carrying oil drilling or other industrial equipment, support vehicles and personnel across sensitive environments, such as marshes, with the minimum of environmental disturbance. Their use is also increasing on ice-fields and where shallow rivers have to be negotiated. Over the next 12 months, Icon is expecting to manufacture at least three vessel sets of skirt segments, with each set comprising up to 300 segments, often measuring 12 feet by 6 feet each.

Icon’s sales manager, Damon Simpson said: “Hovercraft were fashionable in the late 1960s and early ‘70s but they lost market when high-speed alternatives, such the catamaran ferries, were developed. “Increasing awareness of the need to minimise environmental impact has led to their resurgence and we have been able to demonstrate our expertise in engineered fabrics to meet demand for skirts for the new craft in production. The performance/weight ratio is crucial and our experience in producing prototype skirts for the military has enabled us to use this technology to produce lighter components which remain strong and long-lasting, even in the most hostile environments where the hovercraft have to negotiate rocks, debris and fences.” www.iconpolymer.com

Cambridge’s ‘GreenPB’ lead battery recycling wins venture prize

A research group under the supervision of Dr Vasant Kumar in the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge has conceived an idea to improve the lead recycling process, which has been patented by Cambridge Enterprise.There is a growing demand for lead, particularly in the developing world where consumption has increased to over 8 million tons per year, of which over 4 million tons is secondary or recycled lead. The current recycling process for lead batteries is inefficient, expensive and uses toxic chemicals. Better methods of abstracting the valuable lead from waste batteries are being sought. The idea was taken forward through the University’s I-Teams scheme by a team of students from several departments which included David Zou, Lei Wang and Nigel Williams and a business plan written for GreenPB. The GreenPB process provides an alternative to the current smelting methods by enabling low energy, low emission recycling at a smaller scale of 10,000 tons per year. Beginning in developing countries, GreenPB intends to become the dominant technology for recovery of lead from lead acid battery paste. Despite the visibility of nickel and lithium batteries due to their use in hybrid vehicles, lead acid batteries remain the dominant power source for stationary, lighting and ignition applications. On 10th June 2008 GreenPB was awarded the Armourers & Brasiers’ Materials Science Venture Prize. The award was made at the Armourers & Brasiers’ Cambridge Forum on Materials Science and provides valuable start-up investment funding to assist in the early commercialisation of promising research. Contact: www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk

Gnodal secures funding to scaleup development of data-centre technology Gnodal, which is developing a revolutionary technology for use in high performance data centres, has secured finance from the YFM Group managed South West Ventures Fund as part of a £1.1 million funding round.

Founder Fred Homewood had previously worked for Inmos and STMicroelectronics. Adrian Beecroft and NESTA were co-investors in the round and a second closing saw the YFM Group-managed Finance South West Growth Fund also investing in the company. Gnodal, which is located in the SETSquared business incubator at Bristol University, has developed technology that gives an order of magnitude improvement in data centre performance and power efficiency. With rapidly increasing volumes of information, data centres are growing in size and power consumption. Traditional technologies have become inefficient as data centres have increased in size. At present, these problems principally affect the very largest users of high performance computing facilities, but are increasingly experienced in enterprise and Internet data centres. With the advent of virtualisation, web 2.0 and sophisticated corporate applications, this is becoming more of an issue. The Gnodal solution, offering a combination of high performance, low cost and low power, enables the construction of even larger scale data centres and higher performance computing systems. Fred Homewood said: “Our products will offer performance levels significantly exceeding those found today in large data centres. We will be offering a range of products to satisfy the smallest systems to the largest server clusters and storage arrays.” www.gnodal.com

Welsh entrepreneur Clive Murphy sees ‘UK assembly of LCD TVs as viable’

Mr Murphy bought Trojan Electronics in 2002 when the turnover was £28 a month and only four employees remained. He then created a new company called Flashpoint Technology. Today the two companies have a combined turnover of more than £15m and employ 60 employees. According to Mr Murphy, he expects that the EU duty amnesty on import of certain electronic components in to the UK ‘will add more than £250,000 to the company’s turnover’. Trojan Electronics is an EMS provider while Flashpoint Technology focuses on buying and selling new electronic goods. Mr Murphy is constantly vigilant for new opportunities – the latest of which is provided by an EU duty amnesty on the import of certain electronic components. He said: “This makes the assembly of LCD TVs in the UK a viable proposition – a new strand to our business that will add more than £250,000 to our turnover.” He puts business success down to a number of factors including providing customers with a high quality, reliable and cost-effective service and a highly trained and motivated workforce. “The workforce is our biggest asset, incentives for our staff to perform include monthly bonuses, with our yearly prize last year being a week in the Maldives for two. Investors in People accreditation was readily achieved as we genuinely invest in our staff with ongoing training and development.” The company has been given support from the Welsh Assembly Government’s overseas trade and investment arm, International Business Wales (IBW). Thriving export markets have been established in the Far East, China and the USA. www.flashpoint.com

Beru F1 Systems installs new high-temperature autoclave at Norfolk hub

Beru F1systems is a division of German company Beru and it supplies components to Formula 1 cars, as well as for military, road car, aerospace and nautical applications. Its projects have included the Factor 001 composite bicycle and its Wire in Composite (WiC) aerospace programmes, in which it has developed composite wiring harnesses in structural parts. The larger size autoclave will allow the company to manufacture larger units, such as airboxes, aero and chassis tubs. The autoclave installation is accompanied by a new preparation area with automatic cutting table and walk-in freezer for storing composites. The firm will retain its existing 2 metre by 1 metre autoclave for ongoing composite work, including wiring looms and their WiC technology. The company said the 350ºC autoclave, with 5 metre by 2 metre dimensions, and operates at a pressure of 200 PSI. Its centre in Diss, Norfolk, develops advanced prototype and production composite components for motorsport and aerospace applications. MD John Bailey said: “Our new autoclave will help us develop lightweight and durable solutions to increase reliability, product quality or reduce weight.” He said: “Our F1 wiring harnesses are increasing in complexity, requiring more integration with structural parts, ECUs and junction boxes. As usage grows, we must develop derivatives that will allow composites to function for extended periods, often in high temperature or harsh environmental conditions.” Contact: www.f1systems.com

Advanced Gel Technology foresees new gel to heal torn cartilages

The company, a spinout from Bradford University’s School of Engineering, Design and Technology, is to receive £135,000 from Yorkshire Forward to help it develop the new gel product.The project to develop the gel began three years ago. While the gel is not at clinical-trial stage yet, Advanced Gel Technology is confident that it will help hundreds of people when it finally becomes commercially available. Dr Peter Twigg, lead researcher of the cartilage repair project at Bradford University, said: “The potential for improved quality of life is huge. The number of people suffering from cartilage problems is increasing every year. “Total joint replacement is very successful, but may not be appropriate for younger, more active people. They are often encouraged to put off surgery until the pain is disabling, but a conservative replacement treatment could relieve pain and restore function at a much earlier stage.”Unlike most other parts of the body, cartilage cannot be repaired easily, meaning that most joint sufferers need to undergo major invasive surgery. Treating patients who need surgery with the alternative hydrogel therapy would mean a much less-invasive procedure that could postpone the need for joint replacement for at

least five years. The hydrogel treatment would be a very simple procedure and eventually could be carried out as day surgery, where a needle could be inserted through the skin into existing torn cartilage and then filled with the gel to stop the pain caused by bones rubbing against each other. The hydrogel itself is made up almost entirely of water, yet can thicken to produce a substance 100-1,000 times stronger than any other gel of its kind. This is because it is composed of two very long elastic-like molecules that form strong covalent bonds with each other to form a 3D network, like a cage that holds water. www.advancedgel.com

August Equity completes MBO of software firm 4Projects Holdings Ltd

Headquartered in the North East of England, the firm boasts high profile clients such as Sir Robert McAlpine, ConocoPhillips, Microsoft, the NHS, Waitrose, E.on, Fujitsu and The Ministry of Justice. 4Projects’ solution was also recently used in the construction of the Arsenal Emirates stadium. The business has enjoyed healthy and profitable growth since inception, with year on year revenue growth for the last 6 years. Following the MBO, August Equity appointed Stephen Edwards as the chairman of 4Projects to work with management. Stephen is an experienced practitioner in the SME software space. Manager Richard Vertigan said “One of the features that attracts us to August Equity is their deep understanding of our business and sector. “We also welcome Stephen’s enthusiasm to help us develop our business and are pleased to be working with him. Together we look forward to an exciting future for the business.” Fraser Davidson, Investment Director at August Equity, believes that 4Projects is already well positioned to win more clients as well as drive further growth from its existing client base. He said, “Not only is the AEC sector expected to deliver strong growth for 4Projects, but there are also multiple international and diversification opportunities open to the company.” Founded in 2000, their solution is used on thousands of projects, by tens of thousands of people, dealing with millions of documents. Available in many languages, the system supports clients’ projects spanning across several continents. 4Projects has been profitable since 2001.Richard Vertigan has been involved in the development of collaborative working since the early 1990s. He was responsible for developing and implementing the concept of 3D Building Information Modelling at Taylor Woodrow, and with clients including BAA, Tesco and Railtrack. Contact: www.4projects.com

Intune provides Over-60s with insurance ‘they couldn’t get before’

For senior citizens, finding travel and other insurance can be a challenge, given the upper age limits most providers put on their services, but Intune hopes to end all that with a range of financial services aimed directly at consumers over 60.

Intune was launched last year by Help the Aged, a charity that works on behalf of older people worldwide, and all profits from its work go back to the charity, which has itself been providing financial services for more than 10 years. Age is not an issue in Intune’s products, which include travel, motor, home and pet insurance as well as equity release, saver accounts, care fees advice, identity theft protection and funeral plans, among other services. Intune’s travel insurance policy, for example, has no upper age limit, and it boasts that its oldest customer is 101 years old this year. The oldest participant in its winter sports coverage plan is 81. Stuart Castledine, Intune’s MD said “The over-80s traveller has particular requirements which need accommodating, but they do not want a system which writes them off at a time when they should be enjoying life to the full. We have found that older people holiday more widely than younger age groups, and for longer at a time - more than 121,000 trips of 3–6 months have been taken by this age group over the last year.”Intune’s main commercial partner for general insurance products is Liverpool Victoria. www.intunegroup.co.uk

Voucher scheme spreads from Aston University to Invest Northern Ireland

A voucher-based innovation promotion schemed pioneered in the UK by Aston University has been taken up by Northern Ireland’s RDA Invest NI.Around 60 local small businesses will benefit from the £900,000 initiative in which the companies successfully applied for Innovation Vouchers, worth up to £4,000 (€5,000), which they can redeem against the cost of accessing practical advice and guidance from research centres.The knowledge available can be applied to areas such as product development, process streamlining and business technology auditing. One of the first companies to receive an Innovation Voucher is Belfast-based A&K Landscape Retail Ltd. A designer and subcontract manufacturer of innovative outdoor planter products, the company will research the potential wider environmental benefits of its product range. Invest NI’s Managing Director of Innovation and Capability Development, Tracy Meharg said: “Innovation does not have to be high-tech R&D. A simple, sometimes inexpensive, change to a product or process can open up opportunities for small businesses which may not otherwise have been available to them.”The Innovation Voucher initiative is currently closed for applications but will re-open on 1 September, closing again on 30 September. A further call for applications is planned for November. Contact: Interested companies can apply at www.innovationvouchers.com

Digital Communications KTN offers four places at Mobile World Congress

To be held in Barcelona on 16-19 February 2009, the event is the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry and attracts 60,000 attendees from 170 countries. The Digital Communications KTN, in association with UKTI, is offering four free places for UK-based SMEs to showcase their innovative new mobile or wireless

solution/product on the UKTI stand. Summaries should be sent before Friday 5 September 2008. An additional opportunity to showcase an innovative product or technology to prospective partners is also on offer through the ‘Enterprise Europe Network’. Companies, research institutes or universities who have developed or are looking for innovative mobile products and technologies are invited to participate in a free international partnering event taking place alongside the main exhibition for the fourth year in a row. The international partnering event provides the opportunity to have pre-arranged meetings with potential partners for research and development, licensing or technical or commercial collaboration. Last year’s partnering event attracted almost 400 participants with somewhere in the region of 1000 face to face meetings taking place. Contact: www.mobileworldcongress.com – For the partnering event: k.duggan@businesslinkeast.org.uk - 0845 313 2549.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

‘How Leeds University Changed the World – in 10 different ways..’

In a move that echoes the highly successful promotional campaign started by Cambridge University some years ago – Leeds University has set out the 10 ways it had best improved the planet.At the University’s Enterprise and Innovation Day Gala Dinner, held in July, guests chose Entry 4 – ‘We have helped to secure an international treaty outlawing chemical warfare’ by Professor Alistair Hay from the University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health, as the ultimate winner. His research into chemical and biological warfare undertaken by over more than three decades, helped to secure an international treaty outlawing chemical warfare. Prof Hay began his work in the early 1970s studying the effect of herbicides used by the US forces during the Vietnam War. Some herbicides had a chemical contaminant called dioxin. Following his investigations Prof Hay was invited by the US Environmental Protection Agency to produce guidelines on human exposure to the dioxin family of chemicals. The 10 shortlisted entries for the ‘Ten Ways the University of Leeds Changed the World’ competition were: We have discovered how animals and humans move We have created the most successful spinout company (Filtronics plc) We have changed the world’s perception of disability We have helped to secure an international treaty outlawing chemical warfare We have seen the invisible We describe how English really is We have helped public transport to run more efficiently We have changed the study and development of African theatre We have influenced the development of democracy We have changed the world’s view of tropical rain forests www.leeds.ac.uk

Bristol selected from 200 worldwide to receive two 2008 HP Labs Research Awards

The winning proposals, from the University’s Departments of Computer Science and Physics, were selected from 450 applications. Awardees will collaborate with HP Labs on high-impact research in the areas of information explosion, dynamic cloud services, content transformation, intelligent infrastructure and sustainability. Dr Walterio Mayol-Cuevas, award recipient and lecturer in the University’s Department of Computer Science, will lead a project focused on developing novel computer vision methods. The applications of this technology range from developing camera-enabled devices that can recognise and identify objects or places by the way they look, such as a statue in a historic building, to leaving virtual post-it notes that are visible only to those you allow to see them. Robert Richardson, award recipient and Professor of Physics at the University, will lead a project in the area of liquid crystal colloids. His project aims to improve users’ experience of interacting with the digital world, by creating new technologies for updatable physical display surfaces. The winning projects, submitted in response to HP Labs’ call for proposals in May, come from 34 different academic institutions in 14 countries. Some of the graduate students also will be awarded HP Labs internships. More details about the HP Labs Innovation Research Programme and the award recipients are available on the website at: www.hpl.hp.com/open_innovation/irp/index

Bolton University wins £1.1m to develop new diagnostics

Scientists at Bolton are to develop a medical technology aimed at bringing earlier diagnosis of diseases such as breast cancer and detection of viruses.The university has been awarded the research and knowledge transfer grant by the EPSRC. A team led by Professor Jack Luo, Professor of Microelectromechanical Systems at the University of Bolton, will develop micro-biosensors invisible to the human eye that can detect and identify tiny abnormalities in blood at a very early stage, or can detect the slightest trace of a virus. Jack Luo will lead a team of researchers who come from the University of Bolton, the Engineering Department of the University of Cambridge and the Physics Department, University of Manchester. Together they will work to develop the new, miniaturised diagnostic technology. The team aim to develop micro-biosensors, so small and so sensitive they can detect and identify tiny abnormalities in blood at a very early-stage or the slightest trace of a virus. Just tens of micrometres in size, micro-biosensors are much thinner than a human hair, they are invisible to the human eye. Prof Jack Luo said “Miniaturising medical diagnosis technology will bring advances in disease diagnosis as it lets medical practitioners detect diseases at an earlier stage than is currently possible. It may even be possible for ordinary people to detect potential diseases by themselves, just as they can measure their own blood pressure today. The micro-

biosensors are a nano-scale microbalance that measure any change induced on the surface of the device, down to a few picogrammes. “By combining with specific molecule-recognition system related to diseases, such as antibody-antigen, or with a specific coating which will absorb certain chemicals, the biosensor can detect and identify biochemicals in the body in the tiniest quantities, so that it diagnoses diseases at an early stage, before a macro symptom appears. This means, for instance, breast cancer treatments could be less invasive as the cancer cells’ presence would be detected at an earlier stage.”Contact: Professor Jack Luo - jl2@bolton.ac.uk

Scotland’s universities win business and external income past £300 million

The UK-wide Higher Education Business and Community Interaction survey shows that Scottish higher education institutions brought in £312.7m from external sources during 2006-7, a 21% rise on the previous academic year. Universities across the UK as a whole reported a 17 per cent increase to £2.6 billion. The figures – which include revenue from spinouts, external research contracts, consultancy and training – may go some way to countering recent criticism of Scottish businesses for not capitalising on the work of the nation’s universities. Earlier, Dr Brian Lang, principal of St Andrews University, and Professor Anton Muscatelli, his counterpart at Heriot-Watt, called on industry to build a stronger relationship with universities to boost the economy. Today’s figures reveal that Scottish universities brought in more than £83m in contracted research last year, a rise of 29 per cent on the previous year. Scotland’s universities completed research contracts for 2,688 companies, including 256 SMEs. The survey also reviewed spinout activity at Scotland’s universities. In 2006-7, 23 new companies were created to capitalise on university research, ‘up from 20 in 2005-6’. In total, Scotland has 143 spinout companies with some degree of university ownership. They employ more than 2,000 people and had an estimated combined turnover of £117.6m in the latest full year and attracted £19.8m of external investment. Software licences granted by Scotland’s universities to SMEs ‘generated £898,000 – 48% of the UK total’, claim the Scots. www.hefce.ac.uk/econsoc/buscom/hebci

Aberdeen’s breakthough in Alzheimer’s achieves global coverage

In what must now be the UK University science story of the summer, Aberdeen University announced a major advance in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD 2008) in Chicago, Illinois, their pioneering research pointed to a new treatment that appears to slow the progress of the disorder by 81% over a year, and could offer hope to millions worldwide. The product – ‘rember’ - is the first drug to act on the tangles discovered by Alois Alzheimer over a century ago.

The team at the University of Aberdeen, working with TauRx Therapeutics - a Singapore-based company spun out of the University – developed a novel treatment based on an entirely new approach which targets the tangles, aggregates of abnormal fibres of tau protein forming inside nerve cells in the brain. These aggregates first destroy nerve cells critical for memory and then destroy neurons in other parts of the brain as the disease progresses. Patients receiving the study treatment experienced an 81% reduction in cognitive decline over one year, and did not experience a significant decline in their mental function over 19 months. The TauRx brain imaging data also showed that the drug had its biggest effect in the memory critical parts of the brain where the tangle density is highest. Professor Claude Wischik, chairman of TauRx Therapeutics and Professor of Psychiatric Geratology and Old Age Psychiatry at the Aberdeen’s Institute of Medical Sciences, who led the research, said: “This is an unprecedented result in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. We have demonstrated for the first time that it may possible to arrest the progression of this disease by targeting the tangles which are highly correlated with the disease.” TauRx has operations in Aberdeen, Warsaw, Berlin, France and China. Contact: www.abdn.ac.uk - www.taurx.com

Cambridge win a ‘£200 million rebuild’ of its Laboratory of Molecular Biology

The £67 million contribution is provided through the Government’s Large Facilities Capital Fund has been allocated by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). The Fund provides additional financial support for large-scale research projects. The Cambridge facility will receive the final £67 million needed for its expansion and redevelopment. Established in 1947, the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) has produced 13 Nobel Prize winners, most recently in 2002, and is where the structure of DNA was discovered and DNA sequencing invented. The funding will enable the Medical Research Council, which runs LMB, to meet the cost needed to rebuild the 40 year old building and replace it with an innovative research lab. The cutting-edge facility will enable LMB to expand its research portfolio into new areas such as neurobiology. It will also enable the expansion of the Laboratory’s commercialisation activities. The laboratory is a key example of the UK leading the world in conducting basic research, ‘translating health benefits into wealth benefits’. For example, basic antibody research carried out at LMB has resulted in cancer drugs such as Herceptin and current research is looking at monoclonal antibodies to treat Asthma. Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, the Medical Research Council’s Chief Executive said: “The Laboratory of Molecular Biology has an outstanding track record as an innovator in medical research. The new building will allow the MRC to build on the LMB’s position as a globally competitive research centre and continue to attract the best researchers.’’ www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk

NWDA gives £900,000 to Universities to establish ‘Enterprise Champions’

The cash is aimed at helping graduates to be more enterprising and potentially become successful entrepreneurs. An Enterprise Champion will offer encouragement, guidance and practical support to students and graduates who show entrepreneurial ideas and commitment, providing them with the opportunity to explore the possibility of turning these ideas into real profit making enterprises. The Northwest will initially have five Enterprise Champions building on the key lessons learnt from the existing Enterprise Champion at Liverpool John Moores University who will provide a key role in debriefing additional faculties and institutions. The Agency is also investigating opportunities to increase the number of universities that could be involved in the future. This new funding from the NWDA will extend this best practice model by establishing 5 permanent champions, to cover the geographic range of the region’s universities, including: University of Liverpool, University of Salford, University of Cumbria, Manchester Metropolitan University and the ongoing development of the project at Liverpool John Moores University. www.nwda.co.uk

Emergent Biosolutions Ltd and Oxford University form a joint venture

The pair aim to develop an advanced tuberculosis vaccine and it will operate with funding from - Wellcome Trust and Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation have agreed to provide £8 million in funding for Phase IIb clinical trial that is expected to commence in 2009. If successful, MVA85A would be the first new vaccine licensed to prevent tuberculosis in over 80 years. The University of Oxford, through its technology transfer office, Isis Innovation Ltd, has exclusively licensed the MVA85A tuberculosis vaccine candidate and related technology to the consortium. The consortium will work with the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation to evaluate the efficacy of MVA85A in infants in a Phase IIb clinical trial anticipated to begin in 2009. Under these agreements, Emergent BioSolutions has the rights to commercialise the MVA85A vaccine. The MVA85A vaccine was originally developed at the University of Oxford by Dr Helen McShane, a Wellcome Trust Senior Clinical Research Fellow, working with Dr Sarah Gilbert and Professor Adrian Hill, a Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow. Further funding has been provided by the European Community’s fifth and sixth Framework Programmes and the Medical Research Council (MRC).www.isis-innovation.com

UK Sport and Loughborough’s sports institute launch ideas competition

They are challengng the nation’s entrepreneurs find the most innovative ideas in sport. Competition winners will benefit from funding to pursue their project, together with access to an outstanding network of world-leading expertise and specialist research facilities, dedicated to developing cutting edge technologies in both elite performance and the sport and leisure industry.

Through its Ideas 4 Innovation programme, UK Sport’s Research and Innovation team is seeking pioneering new ideas designed to give GB athletes a competitive advantage. Novel training and recovery strategies or aids, equipment or apparel will be considered for the Garage Innovators Award, a single grant of up to £25,000 to be used to further the idea, exploring its potential to benefit the British Olympic and Paralympic teams. Loughborough University Sports Technology Institute is offering Innovation Awards of up to £10,000, supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. Innovative sports clothing, footwear or equipment at any stage of development will be considered, provided it demonstrates strong commercial potential. Another collaborative project has teamed leading specialist sports shoe manufacturer New Balance with Loughborough University experts to develop the first ever sprint spike that is biomechanically tuned to the individual athlete to optimise force production and therefore speed. Contact: Loughborough University Sports Technology Institute - www.sports-technology.com

Flying Start Global Entrepreneurs chosen for mentoring in the US

A mechanical engineering student at the University of Bristol has been selected as one of only 11 students in the UK to get a place on the Flying Start Global Entrepreneurs programme, which includes mentoring from some of America’s leading entrepreneurs. George Mills, aged 22, with join the others on a programme that includes a six month internship and education programme in the US and aims to take the best entrepreneurial talent from UK universities and link them with the entrepreneurialism of America. George was shortlisted from 75 candidates from UK universities for this award. Applicants were asked to put together a science or technology-based business idea, and were required to have a letter of recommendation from their tutor. The National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship aims to increase the number of sustainable graduate start ups. Flying Start helps support and develop graduate start ups from idea to implementation. Entrepreneurial students from Manchester University have beaten competition from 1,200 other women to win a place on an intensive business training course. So far, the organization has completed 14 programmes so far over the past three years. Over next year alone, they are planning to do up to 14 programmes a year – all around the UK. Some are open to certain business ideas, genders, sectors or regions. Those completed include schemes for the Royal Academy of Engineering, Yorkshire Forward - Yorkshire Women programme, National Women’s programme (1000 apps for 60 places), the National Arts Programme, Hull, and the National Design Programme with Manchester Metropolitan University - done twice. In the pipeline for 2009: the Microsoft-sponsored scheme for software entrepreneurs, Feb 2009; the Science, Tech, Engineering and Maths Programme, Surrey University, in Easter 2009; the National Sport Programme, with Wolverhampton University; and the Rural Enterprise Programme, organized with Bournemouth University and the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester.

Contact: Dr Lorna Collins on 0121 503 3225 - lorna.collins@ncge.org.uk - www.flyingstart-ncge.com - George Mills - 07714 327 446 - gm4869@bristol.ac.uk

Latest Proof of Concept Programme projects launched by Scottish Enterprise

The projects, which form part of the Programme’s Round Nine awards, were chosen for support as they have the potential to result in innovative spinout companies and/or licensing agreements to existing businesses. The Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept Programme has awarded funding of £1.51 million to these six projects following in-depth feasibility studies to ensure that the commercial opportunities for each project are maximized. Eleanor Taylor, head of the Proof of Concept Programme, said “Through the Proof of Concept Programme we are creating the opportunities to build real, viable spinout companies and commercial licences from ground-breaking innovative research ideas.

Some of the projects are: An easy to use detection system for abnormalities in DNA using molecular diagnostics which hospitals and clinics can use at the point of care (Robert Gordon University) New technology to improve the solubility of poorly soluble drugs using a simple, energy-efficient process that gives significant advantages over currently available technologies (University of Strathclyde);

A new way of delivering drugs that uses the body’s biological clock to ensure the drug is delivered to the body at the most effective time (University of Strathclyde);

Atomic force microscopes (AFM) are essential in the development of new technologies and products in the electronics/semi-conductor industry to study surfaces and in medical/pharmaceutical industries for studying intermolecular forces in biological processes. Calculating the spring constant (force exerted by the cantilever) on which AFMs rely is, however, problematic. Development of the CALM device is a step forward which could significantly improve the accuracy and speed of samples being tested and thus enhance our understanding of many materials (University of St Andrews);

A unique, low-cost, fibre-optic sensor system, based on robust optical technology, enabling accurate measurement of pressure and temperature in extreme oil production environments such as deep sea wells and oil sand environments (University of Strathclyde);

Higher performance electricity generation technologies that will provide a small footprint, energy efficient, lower cost generator system initially suited to small and medium scale wind turbines, helping Scotland achieve its goal of 40% of power from renewable sources by 2020 (University of Strathclyde). www.scottish-enterprise.com

Imperial College help perfect process for heat-forming aluminium alloys

The new method could help meet the growing demand from the automotive industry for lightweight materials, say researchers at Imperial College London, in a project supported by Aston Martin and Lotus Engineering.It will investigate a process called solution heat treatment, forming and cold-die quenching (HFQ). Also supporting this project are Wagon Automotive, Innoval Technology and the Confederation of British Metalforming. It will be used for shaping components such as bonnets and side wing panels out of sheet aluminium alloys in a single operation. Imperial’s Prof Jianguo Lin said: ‘Lightweight automotive parts are very important for energy and reducing emissions, so many components are made from aluminium alloys. For example, Jaguar doors were previously formed in one piece from mild steel because it is more ductile and has higher formability, which means we can have larger deformation without failure. “But then the company changed to aluminium alloy, which is difficult because the formability is very low. So the panel had to be redesigned so it could be made with a number of fibre components that are welded and joined together to form one piece. “That would be much lighter, but it is very expensive.” In Lin’s HFQ process, the material is put in a furnace where it is solution heat-treated before being moved to the press and formed, within a second or even less, using a cold die. HFQ is based on a process Lin developed for forming boron steel components as part of a project with a Japanese company that produced safety-critical components for Toyota. www.imperial.ac.uk

University of Teesside lead international team aiming to cut Europe’s energy bill

Energy used for heating consumes almost 40 per-cent of the total energy used across Europe - says Professor Nashwan Dawood, the University of Teesside’s Cecil M Yuill Professor of Construction and Director of the Centre for Construction Innovation & Research (CCIR). His 10-strong research team is a key contributor to a €4m research project known as IntUBE - Intelligent Use of Buildings’ Energy Information. Financed by the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme, IntUBE has brought together researchers and business partners from nine countries with the aim of helping the construction industry and the EU improve energy efficiency by 20% before 2020. Professor Dawood was invited to join the project because he is an international expert on using virtual technologies to examine energy efficiency. The researchers hope the results of IntUBE will create well-performing buildings that use natural resources optimally (especially energy). This will result in fewer environmental effects and in reduced life-cycle costs of energy so benefiting building owners and users as well as energy service and maintenance service providers. Contact: Prof Nashwan Dawood - 01642 342 405 - n.n.dawood@tees.ac.uk.

Southampton University joins Lloyd’s Register to develop Centre of Excellence

The University of Southampton is progressing its proposals for the redevelopment of its Boldrewood campus as a Maritime Centre of Excellence. The University has already gained outline planning permission for the redevelopment and has been working closely with Lloyds Register to develop detailed plans for Phase 1of the Maritime Centre of Excellence concept. These plans include accommodation for the marine activities of Lloyd’s Register together with a Maritime Institute bringing together the academic and business communities in one location in the pursuit of world-class innovation, research and education. The move out of London will relocate this part of the Lloyd’s Register organisation to the heart of the UK’s maritime cluster, bringing it closer to a core of the industry it serves, and co-locate its marine engineers with those of the University. The new Maritime Centre of Excellence will be a world-leading centre for innovation, business and education in maritime engineering, engineering sciences and other relevant maritime disciplines.www.maritimecentre.info

Sheffield scientists a step closer to producing fuel from bacteria

Scientists at the University of Sheffield have shown how bacteria could be used as a future fuel. The research, published in the journal Bioinformatics, could have significant implications for the environment and the way we produce sustainable fuels in the future. Like all living creatures, bacteria sustain themselves through their metabolism, a huge sequence of chemical reactions that transform nutrients into energy and waste. Using mathematical computer models, the Sheffield team have mapped the metabolism of a type of bacteria called Nostoc. Nostoc fixes nitrogen and, in doing so, releases hydrogen that can then potentially be used as fuel. Fixing nitrogen is an energy intensive process and it wasn’t entirely clear exactly how the bacterium produces the energy it needs in order to perform. Now the new computer system has been used to map out how this happens. Until now, scientists have had difficulties identifying bacteria metabolic pathways. The bacterial metabolism is a huge network of chemical reactions, and even the most sophisticated techniques can only measure a small fraction of its activity. Dr Guido Sanguinetti, from the University’s Department of Computer Science, who led the study, said: “The research uncovered a previously unknown link between the energy machinery of the Nostoc bacterium and its core nitrogen metabolism. Further investigation of this pathway might lead to understanding and improvement of the hydrogen production mechanism of these bacteria. It will certainly be some time before a pool of bacteria powers your car, but this research is yet another small step towards sustainable fuels.” The Sheffield research is the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration of computer scientists and chemical engineers in a new discipline called Synthetic Biology. A major

goal of Synthetic Biology is to understand which pathways of the bacterial metabolism are responsible for important functions, and then genetically engineer organisms that can perform the desired function more effectively. www.sheffield.ac.uk

The University of Sheffield has published its latest issue of ‘U-Inspire’, showcasing innovative work between the University and public, private and third sector organisations. The articles cover reverse logistics, new technologies for search and rescue robots, tackling nuclear waste, and ways to minimise energy consumption to balance rocketing costs. Contact: business@sheffield.ac.uk

LATE DATES FOR AUGUST 2008

28 August 2008 - The Annual Garden Party, Cambridge Enterprise & Technology Club, Anstey Hall, Maris Lane, Trumpington, CB2 2LH. Start – 1800. The last event of the CETC’s 2007/8 year is the annual Garden Party, held in the grounds of the fabulous Anstey Hall in Trumpington. Music will be provided by Simply Reeds, a quartet who, as their name suggests, play clarinets, oboes and saxophones.www.cetc.info - www.ansteyhall.com/ansteyhall/contact

29 August 2008 – Deadline for Connect Yorkshire’s £1m Business Challenge - InvestorQuest. This challenge is exclusively for innovative technology or science entrepreneurs in the Yorkshire and Humber region and offers access to £1m of investment from a group of associated venture capital funds. The aim of the challenge is to encourage people seeking early-stage funding and business support to put their ideas forward. There are one of four £1000 business support prizes, mentoring on your investment pitch. InvestorQuest finalists will have the chance to step up to the hot spot and present their business proposition to a panel of four investment funds interested in early stage opportunties at the ‘Red Carpet Day’ on 18th September. These Funds include Viking Fund and YFM Group. Each Fund is willing to put up to £250,000 into any viable proposition presented to them through InvestorQuest. www.connectyorkshire.org 30-31 August 2008 - Royal Leamington Spa Food and Drink Festival 2008, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. The Royal Leamington Spa Food and Drink Festival has been extended to take place over two days. The aim of the festival is to celebrate and showcase the best local food and drink. Stands are still available at £60 for two days. Call Helen Smith for further information on 01926 470 634 - helensmith@bidleamington.com www.foodanddrink2008.co.uk/leamingtonspa

AND FINALLY..

The Dorset Police force has placed advertisements in local newspapers searching for volunteers who would like to take over the task of watching some of the counties CCTV feeds to relieve overstretched police officers. The police would like the members of the public to keep an eye on the CCTV live feeds for four hours a day to help root out all kinds of anti-social behavior in the towns of Gillingham, Blandford and Shaftesbury. The scheme has already been running un-noticed for some four years in the town of Wimborne. This new expanded network of 21st century curtain-twitchers will have access to a total of 26 cameras. They would monitor any suspicious activity and if necessary manipulate the cameras and report incidents to the police officers on the ground. The police say that training will be provided but there is no mention what form this will take or how many hours it will last.

PlanetPhysics is a virtual community which aims to help make physics knowledge more accessible. PlanetPhysics's content is created collaboratively: the main feature is the physics encyclopedia with entries written and reviewed by members. The entries are contributed under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License (FDL) in order to preserve the rights of both the authors and readers in a sensible way.Secondly, the Open University has organized a special course to give anyone working in science, IT or engineering - a better understanding of physics. The OU’s science courses attracts over 20,000 science students each year, with over 70% of the students combining study with full or part-time work. PlanetPhysics - http://planetphsics.org – OU prospectus line :http://css2.open.ac.uk/outis/1a/O1AProspChoice.asp?catcode=UAJWDK&ONEML=t4058&MEDIA=t4058r_01

The world’s largest cruise ship – when launched next year, is Royal Caribbean International’s $1.24bn vessel. It will be 1,180 feet long, and carry 5400 passengers or 6,400 at a pinch. It’s the most expensive ship in history, and it’s longer, wider and taller than the largest ocean liner ever built – currently Cunard’s QM II, and it is 43% larger in size than the world’s largest cruise ship, ‘Freedom of the Seas’. It has a lush, tropical park in the centre of the shop, which opens to the sky, and inside an impressive glass-domed canopy will be the Rising Tide bar - the first moving bar at sea.

Last year, Ponoko, an innovative company from New Zealand, opened a website that allowed designers, prototype pioneers and product hobbyists to turn 2D designs into 3D objects - by way of laser-cutting plastics and wood products. In addition, to creating products for themselves, users can also sell their designs through Ponoko, with the company handling payments and shipping. Ponoko was recently joined by Shapeways. The Dutch venture, which is part of Philips’ Lifestyle Incubator, lets users upload 3D designs and have them produced on one of Shapeway’s 3D printers. Customers can currently choose from four different types of rigid and flexible plastic, and their object is shipped to them within 10 days of ordering. Costs depend on size and mass, but smallish items are priced around $50-150. Since users need to have access to CAD software and be able to design an object in 3D, Shapeways isn’t as widely accessible as Ponoko, which allows users to create items based on 2D vector images. On the other hand, this is one of the first initiatives that makes 3D printing widely available to consumers around the

world, at a relatively low cost. Creative people who love to design in three dimensions finally get a chance to turn those computer screen images—of toys, tools, art—into tangible objects, a desire that drives the make-it-yourself trend. www.shapeways.com

Despite furious council opposition, there will now be a C-Charge referendum - in each of the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs to decide whether or not to proceed with the city region’s Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) bid – council-speak for the congestion charge scheme that is being hotly opposed by residents and businesses throughout the North West. The announcement came this morning at an Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) meeting at Bury Town Hall. Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have a simple objective. If we’re going to be taken seriously as a leadership we have to get this right. If we fluff it we’ll have no credibility whatsoever. Because there are differing views we need to bring in independent scrutiny so that no one can suggest a political fix.” A date, predicted to be in December, will be announced in late September, shortly before the 14-week consultation period ends. Each local authority will hold its own vote and AGMA needs seven out of the 10 boroughs to vote in favour. All authorities have agreed to abide by the outcome. www.fsb.org

A student has been threatened with legal action by her bank after racking up £800 in charges for going 8p overdrawn on her Lloyds TSB Classic Plus account.Laura Gibson, 20, was stung by charges of up to £166-a-month after going overdrawn last September. Despite paying back more than £300 the blonde has been unable to keep ahead of the spiralling charges and still owes £515.18. Miss Gibson, who was raised in social care and has no family to provide financial support, has taken a part-time job in a bar in a bid to keep the debt under control.

A new website is calling on football supporters everywhere to join the campaign to bring an end to soaring footballers’ salaries. Supporters of all clubs are being urged to log on to www.footballerswages.com and, by signing the online petition, they can join the campaign for the introduction of a salary cap system across all levels of the sport as well as a limit to keep all player salary increases in line with inflation, as is the case for many essential public sector workers. Research by www.footballerswages.com reveals that Premier League clubs collectively paid out more than £1bn in salaries in the 2007/08 season, meaning that even the average Premier League footballer can earn more than three times the salary of the Prime Minister and more than 28 times that of a police officer. Footballerswages.com spokesman Michael Hewitt seeks a UEFA-imposed salary cap cannot work in football either.” www.footballerswages.com - footballerswages@googlemail.com - 0113 241 0402.

Sony Ericsson World View 2008 competition launches this month in search of the world’s leading mobile camera phone photographers. This is the biggest mobile camera phone competitions in the world. Following the success of World View 2007, which received more than 70,000 entries from every corner of the world, World View is back

for its third and biggest year yet. This unique online competition gives everyone the opportunity to share their camera phone photography with a global audience. www.sonyericsson.com/worldview

An online service www.paspic.com, which lets people take their own passport pictures at home, is making it far easier for travellers to get their pictures approved by the Passport Agency. Currently, 14% of all passport applications are rejected because the accompanying photos don’t meet the stringent biometric standards required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). But having a passport photo rejected can result in frustration and costly delays, particularly for travellers who have to cancel a trip because of a late passport. Paspic.com users take their own photograph using a digital camera, which they then upload to the site. Paspic formats the image into passport photos and rigorously checks – both with technology and manually - that the picture meets the 20 different biometric requirements as stated by the Passport Agency. If they meet the standards, the images are printed out and mailed to the applicant within 48 hours.www.paspic.com

The US Government moved a step closer to removing the secrecy that for centuries has protected the identity of UBS clients as a federal court took the unprecedented step of demanding that the Swiss bank hand over the names of as many as 20,000 of its customers. A federal judge in Miami issued an order authorising the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to retrieve from UBS information about US taxpayers who may be using Swiss accounts to evade income taxes. The order directs UBS to produce records identifying US taxpayers with accounts in Switzerland who have elected to have their accounts remain hidden from the IRS. The US Government’s Justice Department believes that as many as 10,000 UBS customers collectively have about $20 billion of assets in “undeclared” accounts and that the bank has helped them to avoid about $300 million in taxes. The law requires a US taxpayer to report all financial accounts in a foreign country if the total value of the accounts exceeds $10,000. Failure to report a foreign account can lead to a penalty of up to 50 per cent of the amount in the account at the time of the violation. This is the first time that the US courts have authorised such a request over a foreign bank and the move could put it on a collision course with the authorities in Switzerland, where it is illegal for banks to disclose confidential information without client approval. UK account holders in territories such as Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Cyprus, Gibraltar and the Cayman Islands – must be thinking: ‘Will we be next?’

Dr Neil Bacon, a GP, has launched www.iWantGreatCare.org, a website that allows patients to rate individual GPs and hospital doctors and share information about their healthcare experiences. Visitors to the website, can rate their doctor using sliding scales for three questions: ‘Do you trust this doctor? Does this doctor listen? Would you recommend this doctor?’ Dr Bacon is also the founder of GP social networking website, www.doctors.net.uk, although he resigned as chief executive to take on this project. Competitors include Patient Opinion, the independent website founded by a Sheffield GP for recording good and bad comments on hospital care.

In late August, Kodak launched the first 50-megapixel camera sensor, offering photographers pictures with an unprecedented level of detail. For example, in a picture taken of a field one-and-a-half miles across, the sensor would make it possible for a viewer to detect an object measuring just one foot across. Mike DeLuca, marketing manager for Kodak’s Image Sensor Solutions, based in Rochester, NY. The sensor, which produces an array of 8,176-by-6,132 pixels, further closes the gap between traditional film and digital photography. “We’re really close to how film was operated,” DeLuca says. “It’s very close.” Albert Theuwissen, a digital-imaging expert and founder of Harvest Imaging, based in Bree, Belgium, said Kodak had to not only reduce the size of each pixel from 6.8 microns to 6 microns, but also radically change the way that these charged coupled device (CCD) sensors worked.

Apple’s operating system is gaining ground on Microsoft Windows, with second-quarter results showing the company inching close to a 10 per cent market share in the US. While Windows certainly still dominates the computer market, Apple’s share continues to grow. Just released second-quarter market share figures from Gartner show Apple shipments up 38 per cent, to 8.5 per cent of all units shipped, up from 6.4 per cent a year ago. IDC had Apple’s gains somewhat lower, at a 7.8 per cent share, up from 6.2 per cent a year earlier, but the trend is the same – ‘Everybody Hates Vista!’.

As widely reported, a Polish mother of two living in the UK has been told to pay more than £16,000 in a ruling that could possibly spell the end of the judicial system’s apparent leniency towards online file sharers. Isabella Barwinska is the first person to be successfully prosecuted by computer game developers and the first to be ordered to pay the damage costs - more than £6000 and £10000 to Topware Interactive, which developed Dream Pinball 3D, one of the many applications and movies that the 32-year old woman was illegally sharing. She was given 25 days to pay the bill by the Patents County Court or face further prosecution; Less widely reported was the the US-based computer company’s use of the services of the much-feared Swiss forensic computer investigators Logistep AG, whose solutions tracked down IP addresses of Filesharers - and ultimately their real identities. www. logistepag .com

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