CCLRC Knowledge Transfer - Creating the Environment for Science and Innovation

he Council for the Central We have ambitious and exciting interpretation and analysis service Laboratory of the Research plans for our future Knowledge for industrial users in combination TCouncils (CCLRC) is one of Transfer (KT) programme. The with the provision of imaging Europe’s largest multidisciplinary organisation will continue to build solutions for industrial applications. research organisations operating the on the successful exploitation of In addition to wider facility access Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in intellectual property through CLIK provision, we intend to establish Oxfordshire, the Daresbury Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of both an internal and external KT Laboratory in Cheshire and the the CCLRC, through spin-outs, awareness programme. Externally Chilbolton Observatory in licensing and trading. We will also this will promote the organisation’s Hampshire. The CCLRC manages focus on closer engagement with potential and capabilities in the KT fundamental research facilities in industry through promoting wider arena to key stakeholders. Internally neutron scattering, high power usage of our large facilities by the aim is to engender a culture and lasers and synchrotron radiation industry and other PSREs. This will environment which will lead to alongside broad science and require specialist marketing of our greater exploitation opportunities technology programmes ranging capabilities in appropriate market and a greater spirit of from space science and high sectors. A dedicated team of sector- entrepreneurship. In combination, performance computing to particle based marketing professionals is we are developing a significant physics and advanced being recruited to take forward this education and training programme instrumentation. These facilities and initiative. which will enable the flow of highly programmes are operated on behalf The CCLRC is responsible for skilled and specialised people of the UK’s academic community access to, and development of, the between the CCLRC’s facilities, and fellow Research Councils. UK’s sources for neutrons, industry and universities. Given this remit, we are renowned synchrotron radiation and high The plans do not stop here. We for supporting and conducting power lasers – all of which offer recognise that in order to deliver excellent scientific and engineering unique opportunities for materials this programme it is essential to research. Perhaps less well-known is characterisation and imaging. Data create the appropriate environment our commitment to transferring the interpretation and subsequent in which to work and to host high knowledge generated from our imaging of experimental results are technology programmes and research programmes and facilities key aspects which allow industrial industries. Perhaps the most to the wider economy. This will users to evaluate product ambitious and innovative aspect of enable economic growth in the UK performance and development and the CCLRC’s KT plan is the creation and allow us to meet the challenges hence gain competitive advantage. of multi-partner mixed-economy set out in the 10-Year Science and We are currently developing campuses centred around its two Innovation Investment Framework. projects which will offer a data major sites. Together with university and regional partners, we are establishing a new national concept for the delivery of world leading science, innovation and knowledge transfer. In parallel with the Chancellor’s recent Budget statement, the Government has announced that the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (DSIC) and the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus (HSIC) will be established at the CCLRC’s Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire. In response to the announcement, The CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory which will be the focus of the HSIC. the CCLRC Deputy Chief Executive, Currently under construction at the site is the Second Target Station at ISIS and the Professor Colin Whitehouse, who is Diamond Light Source. leading the CCLRC KT programme,

12 Science in Parliament Vol 63 No 2 Whit 2006 campus. But this is still just the start. The original partners are planning to establish a company which will oversee the expansion of the campus and Professor Colin Whitehouse believes the future is very positive “We have a ten-year vision for the DSIC, with the CCLRC laboratory at the heart of the concept. DSIC will soon be a reality, placing the North West firmly on the international innovation map.” Extending the concept Ambitious plans also exist for the The CCLRC Daresbury Laboratory showing the new Daresbury Innovation Centre and CCLRC Rutherford Appleton the Cockcroft Centre to the left of the site. The surrounding land has potential for further Laboratory, based on the DSIC expansion. model, which already enjoys close said “I am delighted with the April 2005 and there are already 21 working relationships with its Government’s announcement and new high tech companies based in neighbours who include the the distinct opportunity that the the Daresbury Innovation Centre. Diamond Light Source, the UK CCLRC and its partners now have The Centre Manager, Dr Paul Atomic Energy Authority, Medical to make a significant contribution to Treloar, anticipates that it will be Research Council and the Health UK wealth creation. I believe this is full well ahead of schedule; “We are Protection Agency. Early a truly unique model within the UK negotiating with more than 40 small masterplanning and concept designs and one which I am certain will be businesses who want to take have been developed which provide a great success for all involved”. advantage of the unique facilities incubator space for new businesses, specialist research institutes and The dual centre model is at the that the Innovation Centre and conference facilities, surrounded by heart of our knowledge transfer wider campus have to offer. The the CCLRC’s existing experimental plans and builds upon the unique current tenants have already facilities. With strong backing from nature of the organisation as a attracted venture capital funding in the government via its knowledge provider of large research facilities, excess of £5 million. It’s a very stimulating environment to work in!” transfer agenda, it is anticipated that science programmes and associated development of the HSIC will instrumentation and engineering The second building, originally commence in the near future. capabilities. It takes advantage of intended to provide expansion the complementary activities on space for the Innovation Centre The CCLRC will be at the centre of both sites and seeks to further businesses, will now house the each campus, providing the hub strengthen these through co- Cockcroft National Accelerator through which the partners and location of university and industry Science Centre funded by the tenants at each science park can partners on the sites. Through DSIC Particle Physics and Astronomy access the facilities and expertise at and HSIC, we will act as a catalyst Research Council, NWDA and the other. This is an exciting for innovation and knowledge CCLRC. The Cockcroft Centre will prospect to develop a world class transfer. bring together accelerator scientists model for knowledge transfer, from the partner universities and demonstrating better exploitation of Establishing the model ASTeC, the CCLRC’s Centre of public money and making a tangible contribution to the UK In just 18 months, the DSIC has Expertise for Accelerator Science economy. We believe that our moved from concept to reality and and Technology, to create a critical complete KT programme, including reflects a highly successful mass of internationally recognised scientists – clearly beneficial to the these exciting campus partnership between the CCLRC, developments, will allow us to academic partners, but also a the North West Development provide the step change in our KT distinct asset to DSIC. The Agency (NWDA), the universities of programme required to meet the Cockcroft Centre will provide the Lancaster, Liverpool and challenge of delivering increased intellectual focus, educational Manchester, and Halton Borough levels of economic growth through infrastructure and the essential Council. DSIC aims to attract the innovation. cream of high technology scientific and technological facilities companies whose activities will for accelerator science and Further information on the CCLRC’s benefit from co-location with the technology research and KT activities is available by CCLRC and its academic partners. development in the UK. contacting - Claire Dougan At Daresbury, this “added value” There is now an urgent need for was only possible by the NWDA KT Manager “grow on” space for the Daresbury Rutherford Appleton Laboratory developing land adjacent to the Innovation Centre businesses and 01235 445168 Daresbury Laboratory. NWDA is seeking further funding to [email protected] The first NWDA building opened in add two more buildings on the www.cclrc.ac.uk

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