18 September 2013 — 18 September 2013 Royal Academy of Engineering

New anti-fraud technology based on microscopic laser dots, models that can predict how efficient a drug will be in the bloodstream and materials that could one day be used to mend a damaged eye: these are some of the highlights that will feature at the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Forum on Wednesday 18 September 2013.

The forum will be opened by Professor Ric Parker CBE FREng, Vice-President for Research at the Royal Academy of Engineering and Director - Research and Technology at Rolls-Royce plc, who will introduce a day of talks by Academy-funded researchers. These will be accompanied by practical demonstrations of prototypes and products derived from Academy-funded research, including medical devices and brainwave-controlled videogames.

Supporting the translation of engineering research into commercial products and pushing engineering research to its boundaries are an integral part of the Academy’s funding programme. This reflects in the quality and breadth being showcased at this year’s Research Forum, which also provides an occasion to promote dialogue and collaboration between academia and industry.

Professor Ric Parker CBE FREng, Vice-President for Research at the Royal Academy of Engineering said:

”The Research Forum is a superb opportunity to encourage researchers and industry to explore the reciprocal benefits of collaboration. As part of our vision, we are trying to bring more businesses into strategic partnerships with researchers and universities, as well as supporting those researchers with an entrepreneurial spirit.

”To this end, we designed several fellowships schemes to support and mentor outstanding researchers at all levels. One example is the "Enterprise Fellowships", helping engineering researchers who want to transform their ideas into a commercial product. I am delighted to see that several awardees of this fellowship have successfully set up their own spin-out companies, and their work has already found its way into the marketplace, even at this early stage.”

For nearly 30 years, the Academy has been sponsoring the best engineering research across the UK. Currently, the Academy provides 55 Research Fellows with the funding and support they need to develop their ideas and launch a successful career. With help from industrial partners the Academy is also co-funding 40 Research Chairs and Senior Research Fellows for established researchers, supporting them making a lasting contribution to the engineering world.

Seven new Research Fellows have just been appointed. Their projects will focus on critical areas such as power generation, energy storage and healthcare, including new materials for more efficient solar panels and foundations with built-in heat exchangers that could complement central heating.

Professor John Perkins FREng, Chief Scientific Advisor of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills will also address the Forum on ‘Engineering skills, research and growth’.

This event is also part of the Academy’s Engineering for Growth campaign to highlight the impact and value of engineering to the wealth, health and wellbeing of the nation.