A. “World Class technology and support from concept to finished product”
The Campus, through the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), has world class technology capabilities in areas such as accelerator science, high performance computing, modelling & simulation, micro and nano technology, sensors & sensor networks, detectors, metrology etc.
STFC has core skills in prototyping, systems integration, engineering and project management which enables them to assist in moving technology up to Technology Readiness levels 6–7.
STFC has key expertise in relevant application areas of technology through their Futures teams including defence and security, energy, healthcare and the environment.
STFC also runs the Innovations Technology Access Centre that enables companies to rent full-fitted lab space on a short-term, long-term or project-specific basis. It also provides access to several million pounds worth of analytical and sample preparation equipment.
B. “We make accessing intelligence easy”
Sci-Tech Daresbury is a portal into the UK university network through STFC who have collaborative partnerships and activities (eg the Collaborative Computational Programmes managed through the Computational Science and Engineering group at Daresbury) with virtually all UK universities – they can be regarded as an independent broker to identify where the appropriate expertise resides in the UK.
Sci-Tech Daresbury as one of two National Science and Innovation Campuses is also a focal point in the UK for multi-partner projects involving universities, corporates and/or government departments. An example of this is the planned Centre of Excellence for High performance computing which will be the focal point for high performance computing, modelling and simulation tackling large-scale challenges facing the UK economy.
Sci-Tech Daresbury has an excellent track record establishing strategic partnerships with key corporates and government departments such as IBM, Intel, Unilever, BAE Systems, Rapiscan Systems, Astra Zeneca, National Health Service and a wide variety of universities, Research Councils and Government departments.
C. “The Corporate’s natural home”
The Campus is an industry friendly community with over 100 high-tech companies located here and a number of key corporates with a strategic base on Campus including IBM, SGI, and Rapiscan Systems.
Through the Innovation Centre, and Vanguard House, there will also be facilities on Campus where corporates can establish a strategic base for key teams working on multi-partner projects on Campus.
D. “An outstanding reputation for brokering deals and partnerships with SMEs”
The Campus accommodates nearly 100 SMEs on Campus but has nearly 400 in its direct network and access to several thousand SMEs through the network of its partners.
Due to the fact that the Sci-Tech Daresbury team strategically engages with companies on its Campus and in its network, it can intelligently connect SMEs with relevant technology capabilities to meet a corporates need. This has already been done extensively with corporates such as Cisco, SGI, Microsoft, Astra Zeneca, Fresenius-Kabi, Rolls Royce and Unilever.
E. “The highway to government”
Due to its special position as one of two National Science and Innovation Campuses, Sci-Tech Daresbury lies at the heart of the UK government’s science and innovation strategy. This gives corporates either located on or closely engaged in partnership with the Campus, a great opportunity to collaborate in the government technology agenda.
F. “Neutral ground for collaboration”
Sci-Tech Daresbury is a natural, neutral location for universities to engage in multi-partner collaborations. This is already evidenced on Campus through the Cockcroft Institute (partnership in accelerator science technology between the universities of Lancaster, Liverpool & Manchester with STFC), IDEAS at Daresbury (partnership between business/management schools of Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester) and the Virtual Engineering Centre (partnership between University of Liverpool, STFC, BAe Systems and Morsons)
New collaborative centres will be established at Sci-Tech Daresbury bringing together STFC, universities, government departments and industry (large and small). The first example of this will be the Centre of Excellence for High performance computing.