Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/P01366X/1
Market assessment for commercial deployment of FENAC for the benefit of UK industries
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor E Valsami-Jones, University of Birmingham, Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Birmingham, Sch of Geography, Earth & Env Sciences
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Earth
- Freshwater
- Marine
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Unknown
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Waste Minimisation
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Soil science
- Bioavailability
- Suspended particulates
- Water Quality
- Abstract:
- FENAC, a NERC-funded facility, provides support in nanomaterial laboratory characterisation for academic research into the nature and effects of nanomaterials and nanoscale processes in the environment. We offer extensive expertise in characterisation, and access to characterisation equipment which is not widely available, identifying the most suitable characterisation techniques for the user's materials, and giving training and support in taking the measurements. We also guide users in the interpretation of the information obtained. FENAC's Steering Committee recently reviewed the facility's scope and future direction, and concluded that there is a wider need for nanomaterial laboratory characterisation and nanoscale process assessment, both in academia and industry, which is not covered by FENAC funding. The skills and equipment are available within the facility and there is spare capacity on the equipment. Stakeholders, including the FENAC Director and Manager, FENAC Steering Committee members, NERC, and University of Birmingham (School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science) are all in support of rolling out a commercial wing of FENAC. We also have the support of the European Biotechnology Network. FENAC could provide support to academics working in biosciences, environmental science and earth science, as well as a number of sectors of UK industry: nanotechnology; the environmental sector; mining; the water/wastewater industry sector. This Pathfinder project will allow the FENAC team to fully explore the market potential of the facility as a commercially sustainable business unit. We do not have the expertise in house to undertake such an exercise so we will be appointing a specialist consultant who will provide us with the information needed to develop a full Business Case. To ensure we are the 'first choice' provider for the relevant sector and can meet the challenges of our users, the consultant will identify: -Who our market is; -What that market could be worth; -Where competition lies; -What the FENAC offer should be, at what price. The consultant will provide reliable indication of the revenue / timescales needed to move FENAC onto a commercially sustainable footing. They will also develop a marketing strategy to be delivered by the FENAC team once they have undertaken specific skills training in this area. Through the provision of a service encompassing nanoscale characterisation and problem-solving, FENAC will be a key player in the transfer of both knowledge and technical capability into the private sector - supporting R&D for industry both large and small, and positioning the facility as a 'centre of excellence'. We would expect in due course to generate both income from the private and academic sectors, and benefits for industry and the environment in the UK, exceeding the initial NERC funding, and demonstrating the value of Research Council investment in this area. At the completion of this project we will have developed a good understanding of the potential market, the customer base, and the marketing required to engage with clients. This will form the background to an application for Follow-on funding in support of the business in the initial stages of its development. Keywords: FENAC; environmental; nanomaterial; nanoparticle; nanotoxicity; laboratory characterisation; problem-solving; commercialisation; academia; industry. Stakeholders: FENAC Director and Manager, FENAC Steering Committee members, NERC, University of Birmingham business development offices and the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science; potential clients within industry, academia and environmental sectors, DEFRA, Environment Agency, environmental NGOs.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/P01366X/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Innovation
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Follow on Fund Pathfinder
This grant award has a total value of £10,324
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | DI - Staff |
|---|---|
| £10,323 | £1 |
If you need further help, please read the user guide.