PA 244/09
A University of Nottingham spin-out company specialising in a greener, safer and cheaper way to produce nanoparticles for high tech applications has been recognised for innovation in the Lord Stafford Awards.
Promethean Particles was praised by the high profile judging panel for taking complex technology and transforming it into commercial enterprise. The judges also highlighted the success of Promethean Particles in creating wealth and jobs for the East Midlands and the impact it could have on the global marketplace.
The Lord Stafford Awards were launched in 1997 to celebrate innovative collaborations between businesses and universities.
Click here for full story
Dr Ed Lester, from the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, said: “It’s a great result for the company. The award also highlights the University’s commitment to knowledge transfer, taking cutting edge research towards industrial application. The initial research was born out of collaboration with colleagues in the School of Chemistry and really is an example of how multidisciplinary research can bear much fruit.”
The company is founded on the innovative research work of Dr Ed Lester. It was established with Dr Sandy Gordon, a Business Science Fellow in the School of Chemistry, to exploit unique nanoparticle production technology and expertise developed by Dr Ed Lester and his colleagues. They have developed a reactor that allows the highly controlled production of nanoparticles in water for a range of high tech applications from healthcare to electronics.
During the first year of operation the company successfully worked with global corporations based in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan.
Paul Yeomans, Business Development Officer at The University of Nottingham, said: “We are continuing to work with Promethean through Dr Lester’s role as Technical Director at the business. In return, the company provides us with insights into the current market for new materials and applications that can guide our research. This project has the potential to put the East Midlands on the international map.”
Backed by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), MAS East Midlands, the East Midlands Universities Association and Lincolnshire County Council, the Lord Stafford Awards are designed to celebrate and recognise innovative collaborations between business and universities.
David Wallace, International and Innovation Director at emda, said: “We recognise that East Midlands’ universities have a key role to play in driving forward innovation and this is why we support the Lord Stafford Awards, which bring entrepreneurs and academics together. Our winners and nominees have demonstrated that this collaboration can be creative, innovative and profitable — helping companies across the East Midlands to grow and thrive in what are difficult times.”
— Ends —
Notes to editors
: The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 100 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and Times Higher (THE) World University Rankings.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to RAE 2008, with almost 60 per cent of all research defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Research Fortnight analysis of RAE 2008 ranks the University 7th in the UK by research power. In 27 subject areas, the University features in the UK Top Ten, with 14 of those in the Top Five.
The University provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as Britain's “only truly global university”, it has invested continuously in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. Twice since 2003 its research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes. The University has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation — School of Pharmacy), and was named ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2008.
Nottingham was designated as a Science City in 2005 in recognition of its rich scientific heritage, industrial base and role as a leading research centre. Nottingham has since embarked on a wide range of business, property, knowledge transfer and educational initiatives (www.science-city.co.uk) in order to build on its growing reputation as an international centre of scientific excellence. The University of Nottingham is a partner in Nottingham: the Science City.