Invitation for Journalists

Transforming Knowledge into Economic Benefits

EPSRC's First Knowledge Transfer Challenge Awards

Tuesday 21st November 2006
Institution of Civil Engineers
One Great George Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3AA
6.30 pm -10.30 pm
(interview opportunities available between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm)

From dealing with mine water pollution to innovative wound care, the finalists in EPSRC's first ever Knowledge Transfer Challenge reflect the huge area covered by research in engineering and the physical sciences in the UK.

With almost a million pounds in prizes at stake the competitors had to convince the judging panel, in a Dragon's Den style approach, that they are offering the best investment for the prize money. The five finalists already have a strong record in knowledge transfer activity, where their research has been transformed into a business venture. They also had to show the panel that they have innovative ideas for undertaking future knowledge transfer activity.

The five finalists and their KT track record:

• Aston University
  Improving the effectiveness and cutting the cost of wound care

• University of Edinburgh
  Spearheading innovation in electronics from iPod components to low cost sensors for cameras

• University of Leeds
  State of the art mobility aids to better detection of counterfeit banknotes

• University of Manchester
  Major advances in getting different computer systems to talk to each other

• Newcastle University
  Tackling pollution legacies at disused mines

(details on their knowledge transfer work and competition bids are available from the EPSRC Press Office, see contact details below).

The awards are being hosted by Malcolm Wicks, Minister for Science and Innovation, and Professor John O'Reilly, Chief Execu
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Contact: Natasha Richardson
natasha.richardson@epsrc.ac.uk
44-179-344-4404
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
14-Nov-2006