MERI interaction with industry promoted by AEM innovation hub
Sheffield Hallam University's Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI) has a long and distinguished record working with Yorkshire and Humberside companies through programmes such as the Materials Analysis and Research Service (MARS) Centre for Industrial Collaboration, the Surface Engineering Group and the Sorby Nano Investigation Centre.
With this track record, MERI was the natural partner for NAMTEC in the delivery of its ground-breaking AEM Innovation Hub.
MERI's industrial expertise stretches from corrosion, coatings, metallurgy, welding and surface analysis to polymeric systems, machine vision, engineering simulation, factory layout and energy modelling and saving.
Dr Nick Farmilo, business development manager at MERI, said, 'The reach of what we offer to industry is very broad but the team understand different options very well and can deal with enquiries quickly and to the satisfaction of the majority of customers.
'Since starting work with the AEM Innovation Hub, MERI has taken responsibility for interacting with industries specialising in portable buildings, electroplating and medical devices.
'In each case, MERI has experts and experimental facilities to support the activity and in the case of portable buildings and electroplating successful launch events have been held to bring opportunities to the attention of industry.'
MERI is also well placed to introduce companies to other support activities as it is active in the ERDF funded Innovation Futures and Nanofactory programmes. Innovation Futures offers a wide range of support to SMEs in Yorkshire and Humberside and Nanofactory offers support from six leading universities in the region.
MERI has the capability of not only delivering to direct needs but also has the staff to help develop larger programmes such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, which deliver focused innovation support to companies through subsidised new staff coached by academic experts.
Professor Alan J Smith, who has recently been given special responsibility for promoting KTP programmes within the engineering area, said, 'Sheffield Hallam has a long established reputation of delivering KTP programmes to industry through its determination to deliver to regional companies.
'My role is to make it possible for engineering companies to see the benefits of working with the university and to identify specific programmes which have the maximum possible impact upon company profitability.'
Projects are in progress with architects, engineering and construction firms.
Dr Alan McLelland, director of the AEM Innovation Hub programme, said, 'We are delighted to have Sheffield Hallam as a partner in the AEM programme. Their experience and breadth of expertise is helping us to achieve the overall objective of making a real difference to Yorkshire and Humberside industries.'