These fledgling companies and collaborations range from solid state solar cells with the potential to revolutionise the construction industry, to a knowledge exchange programme in war-torn Nigeria. Also amongst the finalists are: a solution to controlling smoke in operating theatres utilising electrostatic precipitation; a spin-off embodying the findings of Humanities research into the creation of a physical product which facilitates engaging, creative and productive workshops; a flexible industrial research training partnership that has opened new joint research collaborations and enables professional advancement for R&D staff.
Dr Sue O’Hare, Chair of PraxisUnico, said, “PraxisUnico introduced the Impact Awards in 2009 on behalf of the research commercialisation sector; to encourage better communication and celebration of success in knowledge transfer. Since then we have received over 400 entries and built up a comprehensive resource of case studies, which we use in our training courses and in evidencing the impact of UK research. This year we have once again received a high-quality and diverse mixture of entries, reinforcing the variety and quality of the work which goes into the translation of research into economic and social benefit.”
Winners of The Impact Awards will be announced at The Impact Awards ceremony during the PraxisUnico Conference Gala Dinner on 12 June in Cardiff.
The finalists
Business Impact Achieved Award finalists are:
- Oxford Photovoltaics from Isis Innovation Ltd, the University of Oxford
- Actual Experience PLC from Queen Mary University of London
- Smarter Grid Solutions from University of Strathclyde
Business Impact Aspiring Award finalists are:
- KETSO – the hands-on kit for creative engagement from UMI3 Ltd/UMIP – University of Manchester
- Ultravision – a revolutionary new technology for handling surgical smoke from Cardiff University
- STAR: self sustaining treatment for safe, energy-efficient and sustainable land remediation from The University of Edinburgh
- Serascience, the future is Seralite® from University of Birmingham
Collaborative Impact Award finalists are:
- Knowledge transfer partnership working in Nigeria from University of Wolverhampton
- Unique collaborative research training partnership with GSK from University of Strathclyde
- Local business support delivering regional business impact from University of Wolverhampton
For further information:
Nicky Warnock
Project Manager
Tel: +44 (0)1223 659958, nicky.warnock@praxisunico.org.uk
Additional information
Further information on The Impact Awards visit www.impactawards.org.uk