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NETWORKSThe Sc ience Engineer ing & Technology Magaz ine

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FOREWORD

NETWorks is published by Distinctive Publishing Ltd, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 3HU

Telephone 0845 884 2385

Managing Director John Neilson

Creative Director Martin Williamson

For all enquiries including editorial, subscription and advertising please contact Distinctive Publishing.

With thanks to all our contributors.

The artist James Bertrand is quoted as saying: “Once we rid ourselves of traditional thinking, we can get on with creating the future”.

It is a comment that leaves me both nodding in agreement and shaking my head at the same time.

The root of my internal conflict lies in two significant recent events – one firmly focused on the future, and the other firmly focused on the future ... but with its origins founded deep in the past.

County Durham played host this month to a major science event, Brainwave, which attracted some 1,700 schoolchildren, teachers and parents to the North East Technology Park (NETPark). Over three days, science and technology was pushed to the fore in the most vibrant and exciting way.

In order to create the innovators of the future, we have to inspire and engage young people at the earliest possible occasion. Brainwave does just that and I am confident that it will encourage more schoolchildren to pursue SET qualifications who may previously never have considered that exciting careers in science and technology exist on their doorstep in the County.

We have also enjoyed an event that finds its heritage nearly 200 years ago.

The Government’s decision to award the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) to Hitachi was a great boon to County Durham because the Japanese multi-national has chosen Newton Aycliffe as its preferred site for building the next generation of rolling stock.

More than 1,500 delegates attended an open day in the town to learn about the opportunities the £4.5bn programme will create. Of these, over three quarters were from the North East.

While the world’s first passenger railway began life in County Durham in 1825, there is tremendous potential for innovation in the contracts that will flow from IEP. We live in a rapidly changing and increasingly high-tech environment and manufacturers are continually pushing the boundaries to work faster, smarter and more effectively than ever before.

Where Brainwave encourages us to embrace Betrand’s abandonment of the traditional to create the future, the Hitachi project shows us that sometimes the traditional is the future. What is true of both though, is that we need originality and innovation to deliver the future. Let’s get creating.

Stewart Watkins Managing Director, County Durham Development Company (CDDC)

CDDC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Durham County Council, encourages innovation and strategic investment in the County and is driving the development of the North East Technology Park (NETPark) and the virtual innovation environment NETPark Net.

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CONTENTS

06. NEWS & EVENTS...NOT TO BE MISSED

07. SCIENTISTS HELP SHAPE A GREEN FUTURE FOR EGYPT

08. A STELLAR LIST OF BUYERS ON HAND

09. CORN RESEARCH HELPS GROW LOCAL JOBS

10. ICONA SOLUTIONS OPENS UK OFFICE AT NETPARK

11. IN CELEBRATION OF FLOWERS

12. NETPARK EVENT TAKES SCIENCE TO SPACE

14. BIG BOOST FOR NORTH EAST INNOVATION

15. FINDING OUR FUTURE SCIENTISTS

16. HITACHI RAIL SETS OUT MULTI-MILLION POUND BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES

18. RESEARCH FLAGS UP THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF LOW CALORIES

19. NETPARK EXTENSION BOOSTS REGIONAL ECONOMY

20. REACHING FOR THE STARS (AND LOOKING AT THE ORIGIN OF THE

UNIVERSE)

22. NETPARK NET WELCOMES NRG

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Where brilliant ideas grow.

The NETPark Incubator doesn’t just provide space to work, it provides a total-support environment in which science and technology businesses can develop and grow.

If your business is based on the research, design and development of new technologies, and displays the potential and ambition for growth through innovation, then why not join us? If you have a product to develop, we’ll help you turn it into a business.

To find out more, visit us at:

www.NorthEastTechnologyPark.comOr contact us at: The NETPark Incubator, Thomas Wright Way, Sedgefield, County Durham TS21 3FDe-mail: [email protected] enquiries: +44 (0)1740 625180

where business grows

NETPark is developed by:

INCUBATOR

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Where brilliant ideas grow.

The NETPark Incubator doesn’t just provide space to work, it provides a total-support environment in which science and technology businesses can develop and grow.

If your business is based on the research, design and development of new technologies, and displays the potential and ambition for growth through innovation, then why not join us? If you have a product to develop, we’ll help you turn it into a business.

To find out more, visit us at:

www.NorthEastTechnologyPark.comOr contact us at: The NETPark Incubator, Thomas Wright Way, Sedgefield, County Durham TS21 3FDe-mail: [email protected] enquiries: +44 (0)1740 625180

where business grows

NETPark is developed by:

INCUBATOR

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NEWS & EVENTS...NOT TO BE MISSED

The Manufacturer of the Year Awards 2011Wednesday 9th November 2011 The Point, Lancashire County Cricket Club, ManchesterGala Dinner & Awards Ceremony18:30 drinks reception, 19:00 start, 01:00 carriagesThese annual awards are dedicated to recognising the outstanding achievements of manufacturing companies in all sectors of the industry and highlighting the diversity and strength of UK manufacturing. Enter today and raise your glass to the best of UK manufacturing!

For more information or general enquiries please contact Laura Williams on 01603 671323 or email [email protected]

For sponsorship enquiries please contact Henry Anson on 0207 401 6033 or email [email protected]

The Energy EventThe Energy Event is the industry’s principal event featuring the UK’s largest programme of FREE end-user led content alongside an exhibition of 150 leading suppliers and brokers. Boasting key speakers such as Lord

Digby Jones, John Humphrys and Karren Brady, the event is aimed at all businesses, large and small, who want to get a grip of their energy use, comply with legislation and procure energy more intelligently.

Now in its 11th year, the 2011 event will be moving to NEC, Birmingham on 13-14 September. Register your FREE place using priority code TMEL. www.theenergyevent.com/TMEL

NETPark Breakfasting BriefingsBreakfast Networking event for all. We love the opportunity to network with our science, engineering, and technology-based companies. The ultimate aim is to create the ideal environment for all organisations to work collaboratively, develop new ideas and commercialise cutting-edge technologies. We should do this over breakfast! These briefings are at NETPark, Sedgefield, from 8.00am until 9.30am.

This event is free-of-charge. Please email [email protected] to book your place.

GSK changes sales rep pay in USGlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has implemented the next phase of its new incentive compensation programme for professional sales representatives.

GSK said sales professionals who work directly with healthcare providers will continue to be compensated with a competitive mix of salary and bonus, but the way bonuses are determined is to be modified. A new performance evaluation methodology and process will now be use to evaluate sales performance, with three primary factors to be evaluated to assess performance and determine 1bonuses.

The factors are: selling competency, customer evaluations, and the overall performance of their business unit.

“Our sales professionals play a critical role in providing doctors with appropriate, updated information on the safety and benefits of our medicines. This information helps doctors make informed treatment decisions for their patients,” said Deirdre Connelly, president, North America Pharmaceuticals, GSK.

Security holes discovered in iPhones, iPadsA new security hole has opened up in Apple Inc.’s iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices, raising alarms about the susceptibility of some of the world’s hottest tech gadgets to hacker attacks.

Flaws in the software running those devices came to light after a German security agency warned that criminals could use them to steal confidential data off the devices. Apple, the world’s largest technology company by market value, said Thursday that it is working on a fix that will be distributed in an upcoming software upgrade.

With the security hole, an attacker can get malicious software onto a device by tricking its owner into clicking an infected PDF file. Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security called the flaws “critical weaknesses” in Apple’s iOS operating system.

Internet-connected mobile devices are still subject to fewer attacks than personal computer, but they could eventually prove a juicy target for hackers because they are warehouses of confidential banking, e-mail, calendar, contact and other data.

Printing solar cellsAustralian researchers have invented nanotech solar cells that are thin, flexible and use 1/100th the materials of conventional solar cells.

Printable, flexible solar cells that could dramatically decrease the cost of renewable energy have been developed by PhD student Brandon MacDonald in collaboration with his colleagues from CSIRO’s Future Manufacturing Flagship and the University of Melbourne’s Bio21 Institute. Their patented technology is based on inks containing tiny, semiconducting nanocrystals, which can be printed directly onto a variety of surfaces.

THE SCIENCE ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE

Breakfasting briefings are the first Tuesday of every month, and that all are welcome to these events

6th September 2011

4th October 2011

1st November 2011

6th December 2011

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SCIENTISTS HELP SHAPE A GREEN FUTURE FOR EGYPT

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Experts from the North East are helping to develop a Green Code to ensure the sustainability of buildings in Egypt.

Northumbria University’s Sustainable Cities Research Institute is working with the Housing and Building National Research Centre in Cairo to develop the ratings system.

The Green Pyramid Rating System will measure the sustainability of buildings using indicators including carbon use, indoor air quality, heat loss and materials.

Professor Dave Greenwood, Associate Dean (Research) in the School of the Built and Natural Environment and Director of the Sustainable Cities Research Institute, said: “Winning the contract to help develop Egypt’s sustainability rating system is a real coup for the University and is very impactful. Not only will it become that country’s standard rating system but other Arab League countries could adopt the same standard.“

In addition, a model has been developed to assist architects and other consultants with the issue of sustainable design in Egypt. The ‘Sustainable Design Process Model’ has been based on work by award-winning international architectural practice Devereux Architects, who have been collaborating with Northumbria in the development.

Professor Greenwood said: “In effect, we have designed a process model which will offer guidance to built environment consultants in Egypt on how to build sustainably and this will cross-reference with the Green Pyramid Rating System

“A key challenge for architects across the world is to ensure that buildings designed now and in the future are the most energy-efficient while still meeting the needs of the people who occupy them. It’s an accolade that Northumbria University is at the cutting edge of this agenda and engaged in such impactful work.’’

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From Honda to Hitachi, there is one stand-out event on the calendar for the region’s leading manufacturing and engineering innovators.

Oktoberfest is rapidly developing a reputation for being a must attend event for small and medium sized enterprises to meet and win work.

Derek Sanders, director at Delta Precision, experienced first-hand the benefits of attending the showcase of the region’s talented manufacturers. Exhibiting at Oktoberfest 2010 brought Mr Sanders face to face with Honda buyers – it was a meeting that would result in new work for the Seaham company.

He said: “I would not have dreamt of having the opportunity to stand in front of a company the size of Honda, never mind winning work from them. No-one knows the value of Oktoberfest better than I, and I would encourage other small and medium sized companies to take part in the 2011 event. You may pick up a lucrative account or two”.

This year’s event is being held at the Xcel Centre in Newton Aycliffe on October 19. The organisers are confident that there will again be a stellar list of buyers on hand to rival last year’s attendees which included Husqvarna, Caterpillar, BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence.

The Xcel Centre is situated close to the site of Amazon Park, currently being developed by Merchant Place Developments, where it is planned that the next generation of high speed trains for the European market will be manufactured and assembled by Hitachi Rail.

The event will showcase the wealth of engineering and manufacturing excellence across the region and will feature more than 90 exhibitors with some of the biggest company names as buyers providing a fantastic opportunity to inter-trade,

win new business, find new suppliers and showcase expertise.

Recruitment of buying organisations for the “Meet the Buyer” part of the event, is currently underway and while no names have been publicised yet, the organisers are confident it will include major companies in the defence, automotive, yellow goods, consumer electronics, lighting and power industries.

Delegates will have the opportunity to book one-to-one appointments with buyers from more than 20 companies.

John Lyle, Engineering Clusters County Durham, said: “The North East has an outstanding number of quality engineering and manufacturing firms. Oktoberfest is designed to highlight these firms, facilitate networking and attract international buyers.

“In today’s climate a great deal of attention is being focused on recovery following the economic downturn. Oktoberfest has its part to play in this recovery and will be remembered for providing a positive atmosphere in which current and future opportunities can be brought to the attention of people who come to the event.

“With previous buyers, such as the MoD, attending to make new contacts and talk about contracts, we anticipate the Meet the Buyer section is going to be a winner again this year.”

The North East Engineering & Manufacturing Alliance (NEEMA) brings together many of the region’s sector based clusters and industrial forums to deliver this annual event on behalf of their members and the engineering & manufacturing companies across the region.

To find our more and register your attendance please contact Engineering Clusters County Durham on 0191 300 6959 or email [email protected] or visit www.durhamoktoberfest.org.uk.

A STELLAR LIST OF BUYERS ON HAND

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CORN RESEARCH HELPS GROW LOCAL JOBS

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It’s not only the big guys that can grow jobs!

Small to medium-sized enterprises are increasingly being seen as a critical factor in the resurgence of economic growth – helping to create productive, sustainable and high quality jobs through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Seed fund mechanics designed to grow the economy often stimulate debate, but most would agree with the underlying sentiment that ‘it’s all about jobs, jobs, jobs’.

One successful regional project that aims to embed innovation within small to medium-sized companies, whilst also striving to support job creation and safeguarding, is the ERDF-funded Science 2 Business (S2B) Hub.

Project Manager, Roy Huzzard, is keen to use the remaining five months of the project to help identify those expansive companies that are looking to create high value jobs. ‘It’s been great to find the right skills and technologies required by hardworking entrepreneurs. We’re keen to help launch the next winner, or sweep away barriers to growth,’ he said.

‘We’ve already had a number of successes,’ added Roy. ‘Thomas Blake Cosmetic Cream Ltd for example, where a feasibility study was funded to scope the chemical implications of bulk manufacture, consider the chemical testing requirements of their cream, and highlight EU labelling regulations with a view to launching the product into Europe.’

The company’s Managing Director, Paul Friel, also supports this view. ‘The work undertaken by the S2B Hub had a real impact on our company and we are now in the position of safeguarding four jobs, which is fantastic news. The vision is now to use this as a platform for future expansion, developing our products and our personnel to ensure the business has a bright future. Projects like the S2B Hub are invaluable to businesses like ours, helping break down barriers to growth that often stop local companies from moving forward.’

Another local company, Hart Biologicals from Hartlepool, has also seen the benefits, with Managing Director, Albert Pattison, accessing free support through the S2B Hub to scope the requirements needed for the purification and characterisation of their corn trypsin inhibitor (CTI).

CTI strongly inhibits factor Xlla and this specificity makes the inhibitor useful for the study of tissue factor dependent coagulation reactions.

The S2B Hub carried out a literature search for suitable purification methods before evaluating them. Adaption of published methods were also sourced and evaluated. The appropriate HPLC/Electrophoresis detection methods were evaluated and development projects for the isolation, purification and detection of CTI were outlined.

The work has now directly led to a consultation study to build on the report and evaluate equipment requirements for a development project. This will be set up to establish a robust, cost effective isolation, purification and detection of CTI to allow the manufacture of the high value material. Such a process will ultimately lead to job and wealth creation as the business grows.

However, sustaining jobs isn’t the only priority for the S2B Hub. Working closely with its host, Teesside University, there is a commitment to support community initiatives that enhance environmental sustainability. The project also supports staff development needs that generic training cannot address – bringing the specific knowledge that helps companies carry out specialist business activities.

Find out more about the S2B Hub and their work with companies in the North East at www.tees.ac.uk/s2b.

Upcoming S2B events

September Industrial biotechnology

September/October Data-driven modelling

October Roadmapping for North East SMEs

Visit www.tees.ac.uk/s2b for details

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ICONA SOLUTIONS OPENS UK OFFICE AT NETPARK

Expertise in dimensional analysis gained at major European automotive companies is now available to the north east’s automotive design engineering community.

Icona Solutions, which develops, supplies and supports the innovative perceived quality simulation and visualization software solution, aesthetica, has announced that it has now opened an additional office in the UK. It has also announced that Phil Colman has been appointed as a perceived quality consultant. With a worldwide role, he will be based at the new offices, which are located at NETPark, the North East Technology Park at Sedgefield.

Colman, an expert in dimensional management and analysis for improving perceived quality, gained much of his experience at Jaguar Landrover and Ford of Europe. Among his roles there he was responsible for dimensional analysis of Ford’s acclaimed 3.2 litre diesel engine power-train used in Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. He also undertook measurement planning for the new Range Rover Evoque as well as dimensional planning and analysis and locator selection and documentation for the Land Rover Freelander.

At Icona Solutions Colman will be responsible for providing companies such as Bentley Motors, Fiat, Nissan, Hyundai and Porsche with software application consulting and implementation services related to solving component and assembly variation issues. His expertise here will enable companies to minimise the impact of manufacturing variation on the perceived quality of the final product and reduce costs

by reaching agreement on variation allowances earlier in the design process than is usually the case.

“We are fortunate to be able to welcome someone with the deep understanding that Phil has of the engineering issues that affect perceived quality,” said Tim Illingworth, chief executive, Icona Solutions. “I know that his experience will be of enormous benefit both to existing customers and to future users of aesthetica.”

Commenting on Icona Solutions’ selection of NETPark as the location for its new offices, Catherine Johns, director of innovation development, County Durham Development Company, said, “With Icona Solutions’ strong presence in the automotive industry, NETPark’s location close to a major centre of the UK’s automotive manufacturing industry makes it an ideal location for the company’s new offices. I am delighted that we were able to satisfy all of their requirements and provide them with the additional space they need to grow.”

Icona Solutions Ltd. develops and provides innovative and unique solutions to audit and improve perceived quality in manufactured metal and plastics products. Its software can form an integral part of a product design and manufacturing company’s overall product lifecycle management (PLM) software environment and is supplied and supported globally both directly and through qualified, specialist resellers. Icona Solutions is a member of both Dassault Systèmes’ CAA V5 Adopters and of Siemens PLM Software’s JT Open programs. Find out more at: www.iconasolutions.com

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IN CELEBRATION OF FLOWERS

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The world is a cooler, wetter place because of flowering plants, according to climate simulation results published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

According to the research team, the effect is especially pronounced in the Amazon basin, where replacing flowering plants with non-flowering varieties would result in an 80 per cent decrease in the area covered by always-wet rainforest.

The study’s lead author, C. Kevin Boyce, Associate Professor in Geophysical Sciences at the University of Chicago, said that the higher vein density in the leaves means that flowering plants are highly efficient at transpiring water from the soil back into the sky, where it can return to Earth as rain.

Flowering plants evolved about 120 million years ago, during the Cretaceous Period, and took another 20 million years to become prevalent.

Prof Boyce and co-author Jung-Eun Lee, Postdoctoral Scholar in Geophysical Sciences at Chicago, ran computer simulations replacing flowering plants with non-flowering plants in eastern North America, which reduced rainfall by up to 40 per cent. The same replacement in the Amazon basin delayed onset of the monsoon from October 26 to January 10.

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NETPARK EVENT TAKES SCIENCE TO SPACE

Durham educators have been treated to an out of this world experience, at an event designed to teach them the science of space.

More than 60 educators and youth workers attended Space Camp to learn more about astronomy, exploration and the science behind matters including why we float in space.

Hosted by the North East Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield, home to a host of the region’s most innovative science and technology businesses, the event delivered activities and workshops to help enthuse teachers and mentors about science.

The sessions were delivered by the International Space Science Education Trust (ISSET), a team that has undertaken extensive education programmes at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre.

The Space Camp programme used interesting experiments to explain theories, and was developed in consultation with teacher working groups.

Catherine Johns, director of innovation development at County Durham Development Company, which manages NETPark, said: “We’re really pleased to have been able to offer this brilliant training programme to so many people working with children and youth groups in the North East.

“It was great fun and I hope that all of our trainees go and out use what they’ve learned to enthuse and inspire the next

generation of scientists and astronauts. People often say rocket science is too hard to be understood by many people, but this course shows that anyone can have a bit of a dabble with space science and learn some really interesting things on the way. It also brought something a bit special to NETPark with participants pretending to be part of the solar system, flying kites and building rockets. Companies at NETPark enjoyed having the trainees there.”

The event was part of NETPark’s community engagement programme, Project C, a joint initiative between The University of Durham and the County Durham Development Company designed to engage with the local community, and make science more accessible.

And it came in very useful when NETPark hosted a day dedicated to commemorating the last ever launch of the space shuttle programme on 8th July. People working at NETPark joined in a rocket building competition during their lunch hour and they enjoyed a special space-themed menu at the NETPark bistro. Catherine Johns commented “we wanted to find a fun way of marking the last ever launch – I remember watching the first launch of the shuttle programme as a child and the programme has been inspirational throughout the last 30 years. Many people will remember the visit of the shuttle STS 132 mission crew to NETPark last year and the positive impact the crew had on local school children – while the last launch feels like the end of an era


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to me as NASA focusses more on deep space exploration, it’s exciting to imagine what those children will be commemorating in turn in 30 years time. We are looking forward to the new era of space exploration.

Project C is a programme of activities and events during 2010-12 that will communicate and interact with the regional community, whilst heightening awareness of, and excitement for, the ground-breaking work undertaken by companies based at NETPark.

Project C includes:

n Recharging the Earth - an innovative schools competition to promote sustainability

n Brainwave – a summer science festival for school children and the general public

n KiNETick – a science and social networking site designed to encourage collaboration between north east businesses and school children

n Appliance of Science - a series of innovative lectures that explore science in everyday life

n Ongoing programme of visits to schools and community groups

www.northeasttechnologypark.com

Part of Project C – inspiring and sharing science and innovation throughout North East England

Project C is supported by:

13

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BIG BOOST FOR NORTH EAST INNOVATION

Three leading players in the North East science and technology arena have launched a new support system geared at retaining top talent and attracting fresh innovators to the region.

NETPark, The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) and Durham University have married their expertise to develop the Business Innovation Gateway, a portal which will offer expert information and advice, access to finance, development support and access to premises for aspiring firms.

The Business Innovation Gateway (BIG) is aimed at building upon the variety of services and support already available in the region and will complement the work of the three organisations that created it.

The trio bring vast knowledge to the project. NETPark (the North East Technology Park), managed by the County Durham Development Company (CDDC) on behalf of Durham County Council, is one of the fastest growing science parks in the UK; CPI is a key part of the Government’s elite technology innovation centres, focusing in the area of high-value manufacturing, and Durham University is a world leader in physics and other science disciplines.

Stewart Watkins, CDDC managing director, said: “Tremendous efforts have been made to develop an attractive home in the region for exciting science and technology businesses. This has proven successful, yet there is more to be done to encourage spin-out companies from North East universities to base themselves here and to attract innovators from outside of the region to locate here. The Business Innovation Gateway is a key strand in efforts to make the North East a destination of choice for aspiring entrepreneurs.”

The Gateway will let users source space and premises available for both start-ups and high growth companies at NETPark as well as accessing state of the art equipment at Durham University and CPI.

The portal will also provide access to world-leading experts in fields including space science, printable electronics as well as energy and security technologies.

Users searching for funding will benefit from a complete range of finance tools including a funding database, investment readiness assessment, help with business plans and links to investors.

Dr. Michael Anderson, Manager of the Innovation Accelerator at CPI said: “at CPI we are heavily focussed on moving from innovation to commercialisation and through this collaborative venture we can provide practical market sector support to north-east based technology SMEs; enabling them to better understand their markets and their intellectual property and ultimately help grow their businesses faster”.

Professor Brian Tanner, Director of Knowledge Transfer for Durham University said: “Durham University is delighted to contribute its skills and expertise to support this project, the NETPark Research Institute is home to some of the University’s world class research groups.”

To find out more about the Business Innovation Gateway contact John Hildreth on (0191)370 8695, or e-mail him at [email protected].

The NETPark Incubator – home to the Business Innovation Gateway

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FINDING OUR FUTURE SCIENTISTS

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The theory goes bang at Brainwave

Mini explosions; warring robots and a space encounter in a planetarium were just some of the attractions on offer for hundreds of young people who attended the three-day science festival, Brainwave11, in July.

The free event, organised by the County Durham Development Company (CDDC), saw invited school children and families from across the North East descend on the North East Technology Park, (NETPark) in Sedgefield. The aim was to bring science alive for the youngsters, encouraging them to think of science when they choose their future career paths.

Bending it like Beckham proved the ex England football star is actually a scientific genius – according to the Science Shows for Schools team – by analysing his amazing free kicks with the help of Galileo and Newton.

For youngsters into heavy technology, the Robots Live team were on hand with stars from the hit BBC show Robot Wars, such as Battleaxe, the 130kg house robot; Sidewinder, a five foot tall mechanoid robot and Tornado, the Robot Wars champion from series seven.

Meanwhile, the ChaOS (Cambridge Hands-On Science) Roadshow, delivered around 15 amazing experiments - from extracting DNA from kiwi fruit to making mini explosions from lemon juice and baking soda.

The festival was part of Project C, an exciting programme of activities and events planned to take place until 2012 that have been designed to communicate and interact with people in the North East. The aim is to raise awareness of, and excitement for, the ground-breaking work in science and technology undertaken by companies based at NETPark.

Stewart Watkins, managing director of CDDC, said: “Shows such as the CHaOS Roadshow are great fun but they’re also designed to get young people of all ages excited about science and technology as a future career choice.

“The event also showed how diverse career choices can be, from the technology used to create innovative apps to the science behind everyday actions, such as playing football.

“With the growing number of hi-tech businesses based at NETPark, Brainwave was an opportunity for more and more young people to see the wide range of exciting careers science and technology can offer.”

As well as the famous Royal Institution lectures, Brainwave11 also showcased the innovative work being undertaken by the region’s universities. Youngsters had the chance to try Teesside University’s interactive boxing simulator while Durham University’s science animators investigated some of the mysteries of the universe with rocket launching and planetary marvels. Children also had the chance to analyse the chemistry behind what was in their shopping baskets with Newcastle University.

Summing up why festivals such as Brainwave11 are so important for finding future innovators, Lia Chappell, president of CHaOS, said:

“You know you’ve made a difference when a child tells you that science isn’t as hard or as boring as they thought. My favourite comment is from a previously sulky 13 year old boy, who told his teachers that ‘it was actually quite interesting’. To me that makes it all worthwhile.”

The project, part of the wider Embedding the Benefits of Innovation project, is led by Durham University and is centred around NETPark, located in Sedgefield, County Durham, which is managed by County Durham Development Company on behalf of Durham County Council. Funding has also been provided by One North East Single Programme and ERDF, and SANYO.

Part of Project C – inspiring and sharing science and innovation throughout North East England

Project C is supported by:

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HITACHI RAIL SETS OUT MULTI-MILLION POUND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

More than 1800 individuals representing 900 companies attended the first Open Day event for Hitachi Rail Europe’s Intercity Express Programme (IEP) in the north east.

The Open Day, held in late May at the Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe, featured representatives from Durham County Council, County Durham Development Company, Merchant Place Developments, Agility Trains and Hitachi Rail Europe, speaking publicly about the IEP for the first time since the Government gave the £4.5bn project the go-ahead in March. As the majority partner in Agility Trains, Hitachi is to invest in a new manufacturing facility at Amazon Park, Newton Aycliffe, Co. Durham, creating hundreds of jobs and contributing millions of pounds to the local economy.

Participants at the oversubscribed event were able to

learn about the business opportunities available during the construction and fit out of the new factory, which will see a massive 450,000 sq ft train assembly facility built on a 31.5 acre site. They also learnt about the future opportunities to supply components and services for the manufacture of Hitachi Rail Europe’s Super Express Train, which will replace the UK’s ageing fleet of diesel Intercity 125s.

Speakers from Hitachi Rail Europe at the event included CEO of Agility Trains, Alistair Dormer, who outlined the scope and process of the Intercity Express Programme and Keith Jordan, Managing Director of Hitachi Rail Europe speaking about Hitachi’s plans in the region. Geoff Hunton, Managing Director of Merchant Place Development, Hitachi’s development partner for the site, outlined his company’s contractual procedure and procurement strategy for the new facility.


Visitors gather for the first Hitachi Rail Open Day

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Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield and a strong advocate for the Newton Aycliffe site, gave a speech in which he welcomed Hitachi to the region.

Alistair Dormer, CEO of Agility Trains, said: “It’s great to see so many local firms interested in supplying to Hitachi Rail at this early stage in the project’s development. The local community in the North East has been instrumental in making IEP a reality, and we intend to use suppliers from this region whenever possible.

“We are committed to the North East, the birth place of the steam train in 19th century, and are proud to play a leading role in helping to re-establish its status as a centre of excellence for the railway industry in the UK in the 21st century.”

Construction at Amazon Park will start next year and when complete the facility will be the first new train manufacturing

plant to be built in the UK for decades. Full scale production of the Super Express Train will begin at the Hitachi Rail facility in 2015, with the first trains delivered in 2016.

The Hitachi Super Express trains will be used on the East Coast Main Line and the London – South Wales Great Western Main Lines. The bi-mode (diesel – electric) train offers increased capacity, improved reliability and a reduced environmental impact on every train journey.

The Open Day was organised by County Durham Development Company on behalf of Hitachi Rail Europe, Durham County Council and Merchant Place Developments and took place near the future site of the new factory.

www.hitachi-rail.com

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Alistair Dormer, CEO of Agility Trains (left) and Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield

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RESEARCH FLAGS UP THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF LOW CALORIES


Research conducted in the North East has provided more information on why a restricted diet can lead to a longer lifespan and reduced age-related diseases.

Scientists have known for some time that a restricted diet can extend the lifespan of certain animals but the new work shows how it affects ageing mechanisms. It could help scientists to better understand age-related diseases in humans.

The research, which was presented at the conference of the British Society for Research on Ageing in Newcastle over the Summer, was conducted by scientists at the BBSRC Centre for Integrated Systems Biology of Ageing and Nutrition (CISBAN) at Newcastle University.

Working on the theory that cell senescence – the point at which a cell can no longer replicate - is a major cause of ageing, the researchers set out to investigate what effect a restricted diet had on the process.

By looking at mice fed a restricted diet, the team found that they had a reduced accumulation of senescent cells in their livers and intestines. Both organs are known to accumulate large numbers of these cells as animals age.

Scientists also found that the telomeres of the chromosomes in mice on restricted diets were better maintained despite their ageing. Telomeres are the protective ‘ends’ of chromosomes that prevent errors, and therefore diseases, as DNA replicates throughout an organism’s lifetime.

The adult mice’s restricted diet, over a short period, demonstrated that it may not be necessary to follow a very low calorie diet for a lifetime to gain the benefits.

Chunfang Wang, the lead researcher on this project at CISBAN, said: “Many people will have heard of the theory that eating a very low calorie diet can help to extend lifespan and there is a lot of evidence that this is true. However, we need a better understanding of what is actually happening in an organism on a restricted diet.

“Our research, which looked at parts of the body that easily show biological signs of ageing, suggests that a restricted diet can help to reduce the amount of cell senescence occurring and can reduce damage to protective telomeres. In turn, this prevents the accumulation of damaging tissue oxidation which would normally lead to age-related disease.”

Professor Thomas von Zglinicki, who oversaw the research, said: “It’s particularly exciting that our experiments found this effect on age-related senescent cells and loss of telomeres, even when food restriction was applied to animals in later life.

“We don’t yet know if food restriction delays ageing in humans, and maybe we wouldn’t want it, but at least we now know that interventions can work if started later. This proof of principle encourages us at CISBAN in our search for interventions that might in the foreseeable future be used to combat frailty in old patients.”

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More than £3.5m has been pumped into the North East economy thanks to the expansion of the country’s fastest growing science and technology park.

The addition of a new unit at the North East Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield means that some £3.58m worth of contracts have been awarded to the region’s firms, well over half of the value of the entire project.

In total, 14 North East firms were awarded significant contracts as part of the Grow on Space development, due to be completed in November this year. The expansion has seen a new unit, some 1,870 sq m of floor space, added to NETPark, which is home to some of the region’s most innovative science and technology businesses.

Managed by Willmott Dixon, the new building will create space for up to four businesses, with flexible office and laboratory space that can be adapted as the companies based there grow. Work officially began on the site earlier this year and the project has been overseen by County Durham Development Company (CDDC), the strategic investment arm of Durham County Council, which manages NETPark.

Stewart Watkins, managing director of CDDC, said: “NETPark was built with the aim of creating an environment in which Durham, and the North East’s, businesses could grow and develop.

“The park has quickly grown, with the most recent expansion project having only been completed last year, so it really is making an impression, and of course having a positive impact on the region’s economy. It is great that this success is leading to further expansion, that itself can generate further wealth for North East businesses.”

The new building is being developed on a 2.5 hectare site and is part of a £10m project comprising three units, the first of which was completed in March 2011 and subsequently occupied by Kromek, where the company now employs over 50 highly-skilled staff.

Around £200,000 worth of renewable energy features are being installed, including photovoltaic panels on the roofs to generate electricity for direct use by the building occupiers as well as the addition of charging points for electric cars and bicycles. All three units were partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund and One North East’s Single Programme.

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NETPARK EXTENSION BOOSTS REGIONAL ECONOMY

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REACHING FOR THE STARS (AND LOOKING AT THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE)

The United Kingdom is very good at space observation with a long and distinguished history in the field. Building on our tradition of excellence are two major projects: the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Telescope, a global project which has just awarded the programme management office to the UK, and the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation which handles major contracts for telescopes around the world (and even in space itself!).

The SKA is a €1.5 billion global science project to build the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope. The total collecting area will be approximately one square kilometre giving 50 times the sensitivity, and 10,000 times the survey speed, of the best current-day telescopes. With thousands of receptors extending out to distances of 3,000 km from the centre of the telescope, the SKA will address fundamental unanswered questions about our Universe including how the first stars and galaxies formed after the Big Bang, how galaxies have evolved since then, the role of magnetism in the cosmos, the nature of gravity, and the search for life beyond Earth.

The SKA project will drive technology development in antennas,

fibre networks, signal processing, and software and computing. Spin off innovations in these areas will benefit other systems that process large volumes of data. The design, construction and operation of the SKA has the potential to impact skills development in science, engineering and in associated industries not only in the host countries but in all project partners – following a visit to NETPark in 2009, the programme office is already working with two County Durham companies so SKA means real business opportunities for companies ready to grab them.

The decision on the location of the Programme Office in the UK followed a competitive bidding process and was announced by the SKA Founding Board following an international review process. Professor Richard Schilizzi, Director of the SKA, says: “The move to Jodrell Bank Observatory in the UK comes at a crucial time as the project grows from a concept to an international mega-science project.”

A very different type of telescope is the James Webb Space Telescope or “The Webb” as the space industry has nicknamed it. Most people know of the Hubble Space Telescope that was lifted into a low earth orbit by a space shuttle in 1990 - images


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from the Hubble have inspired a new generation of astronomers and scientists. The Hubble can be maintained by astronauts as it is (relatively speaking) close to Earth. However, the Webb is going to be put into a zero-gravity orbit 1.5 million km from Earth. This is almost four times the distance from the Earth to the Moon so, if it’s broke, no one is going out there to fix it. And that’s where organisations like Durham University’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation come in. Based at NETPark, the CfAI is practised in making instruments that work first time every time in extremes of heat and cold and other harsh environments – David Robertson, Deputy Director for the CfAI commented “this is a really exciting project to be part of – the challenges of making instruments for zero-gravity in an environment with gravity is challenging to say the least. But we are very pleased that our part of the Webb has been successful.”

The CfAI made the mirrors for the Webb’s Near Infrared Spectograph Integral Field Unit - many of the objects that the Webb will study, such as the first galaxies to form after the Big Bang, are so faint, that the Webb’s giant mirror must stare at them for hundreds of hours in order to collect enough light

to form a spectrum. In order to study thousands of galaxies during its 5 year mission, the NIRSpec is designed to observe 100 objects simultaneously.

The James Webb Space Telescope is currently scheduled for launch in 2018 - the European Space Agency (ESA) will provide the launch vehicle and the payload adapter to the Webb Mission. The launch campaign preparation and launch campaign is the mutual responsibility of NASA, ESA, NGST, and Arianespace.

Interesting to note that both these projects are the product of multi-partner international collaborations – scientists thinking beyond boundaries in search of the next wave of knowledge and understanding.

For more information about the Webb please www.jwst.nasa.gov/

For more information about SKA visit www.skatelescope.org

For more information about CfAI visit www.dur.ac.uk/cfai/

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NETPARK NETWELCOMES NRG


NETPark welcomes its newest affinity member – NRG (Northern Recruitment Group) –to provide the right support for the NETPark and NETPark community.

The North East Technology Park (NETPark) located in Sedgefield, County Durham, is one of the fastest growing science parks in the UK and where world class science and technology companies and individuals come together to collaborate.

In late 2007 County Durham Development Company (CDDC), which drives forward the development of NETPark on behalf of Durham County Council, extended the NETPark support offering to a wider audience via the NETPark Net innovation support network. This community has gone from strength to strength, with over 280 active participants consisting of science, technology and engineering organisations across the North East of England.

This innovative approach to linking companies together and providing the tools to tap into expertise as well as collaborating effectively on new projects, has led to a number of commercial success stories, and we are now looking to widen our panel of expertise offered to the NETPark Net community.

The newest professional service provider to the community is James Gill, Executive Search Consultant, from NRG – a leading North East recruitment organisation with over 35 years history. The Executive division of NRG has placed senior executives within key roles at some of the most engaging and reputable organisations and educational institutions within the North East. Along with NRG’s Executive Search and Selection practice, they offer professional recruitment services covering all technical, engineering, scientific roles as well as Finance, IT, HR, Sales and Marketing. James said “The ability to connect as an Affinity member to over 280 science, technology and engineering

companies through NETPark Net is an excellent way to promote the innovate services NRG has to offer. (NRG operates in a very competitive field). We work proactively and in partnership with clients to ensure we help them achieve their goal of growing their business. We’re recognised for delivering a professional, robust and innovative service that consistently adds value. The opportunity to provide onsite clinics and seminars at NETPark, and involvement in the online discussion forums, means we can share expertise and best practice initiatives in our professional field directly into the network.”

Catherine Johns, Director of Innovation Development at County Durham Development Company reflected these comments

“We are proud to welcome James and the NRG team as part of the NETPark Net community. By providing access to expertise and guidance, NETPark Net member companies can ensure they have the best chance of success through understanding the considerations when making senior appointments to their organisations.”

If you are a reputable professional service provider with a proven track record and work with or are planning to work with companies operating within the science, engineering and technology sectors, then please feel free to apply for the NETPark Affinity membership. NETPark Affinity membership provides you with high visibility to the NETPark and NETPark Net community and will provide you with the opportunity to engage with our network of innovative companies. To find out how your business could benefit from being a NETPark Affinity member and raising your business profile to over 280 member companies, please contact John Hildreth, NETPark Business Development Executive on 0191 370 8695 or e-mail [email protected]

(l-r) Mike Dixon, Scot McHarg, Katy Burridge, James Gill

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