WIREDGOV

STFC Innovations Ltd’s excellence in knowledge exchange and technology transfer has been recognised with the awarding of a prestigious contract by the European Space Agency (ESA).

STFC Innovations Ltd has been selected to lead ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme (TPP) in the UK as part of its Technology Transfer Network. This will see them identify opportunities to exploit ESA’s technology, expertise and know-how to create social and economic impact in non-space sectors.

The transfer of space technologies into non-space applications can have many benefits for people on Earth. ESA’s technologies have been used in a wide number of areas including; to improve air purification in hospital intensive care wards, produce enhanced materials for sports equipment such as running shoes, to monitor offshore oil and gas fields, and help manufacturers to develop or improve new and existing products.

STFC Innovations Ltd has a long track record of successful commercialisation and knowledge exchange. Since its creation in 2002 it has successfully established 15 spin-out companies which have raised more than £25m of external investment between them.

As ESA’s UK technology transfer lead, STFC Innovations Ltd will work closely with space science organisations across the UK and with the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Space Science Technology Department, which already provides world-leading research and technology development for ESA and other space organisations.

Tim Bestwick, Chief Executive of STFC Innovations Ltd said: "In the current climate all organisations are even more aware of the need to share their experience and knowledge. A new technology is usually developed to meet a specific need, but can often have many more uses which could be exploited. We are delighted to be able to work with ESA to explore where we can share the fruits of their and other organisation’s research to develop new technologies, products and services that will benefit both the UK and European economy and wider society."

Frank Salzgeber, Head of the Technology Transfer Programme Office at ESA said: "We are delighted to have STFC Innovations Ltd as the ESA technology broker in the UK. Their expertise in technology exploitation will contribute to our joint objective to make the Harwell Centre a thriving European hub for innovation and generation of wealth. Together we will help UK industry to benefit from the space technology already developed and the many projects presently underway."



Notes to editors

ESA's Technology Transfer Programme Office (TTPO) The main mission of the TTPO is to facilitate the use of space technology and space systems for non-space applications and to demonstrate the benefit of the European space programme to European citizens. The office is responsible for defining the overall approach and strategy for the transfer of space technologies including the incubation of start-up companies and their funding.

ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme is largely carried out by a network of technology brokers across Europe and Canada under the auspices and support of ESA’s Technology Transfer and Promotion Office.

The ESA Technology Transfer Programme has led to more than 220 successful transfers of space technologies to non-space sectors, and the establishment of over 60 new companies,

For more information visit www.esa.int/ttp 

Available images

Images are available from ESA’s website at www.esa.int/esa-mmg/mmg.pl?b=b&mission=XMM-Newton&single=y&start=70 

Photo caption: Space technology from the XXM-Newton mirrors is now being used in ultra-high resolution photolithography to produce the latest semiconductor chips.

Contacts

Karen Coles

Press Officer

STFC Daresbury Laboratory and STFC Innovations Ltd

T: +44 (0)1925 603232

E: karen.coles@stfc.ac.uk 

Paul Vernon

Head of New Business Opportunities

STFC Innovations Ltd

T: +44 (0)1925 603822

E: paul.vernon@stfc.ac.uk 

ESA’s Technology Transfer Programme Office

T: +31 (0) 71 565 6208

E: ttp@esa.int 



STFC Innovations

STFC Innovations Ltd is the new name for CLIK Knowledge Transfer Ltd.

STFC Innovations is the Technology Transfer office of the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Formed in April 2002, it has the exclusive rights to the commercial exploitation of the intellectual property of STFC at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire, the Daresbury Laboratory (DL) in Cheshire and the Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) in Edinburgh and Chilbolton.

The role of STFC Innovations Ltd is to support STFC by identifying and brokering deals that exploit STFC’s intellectual property (IP) through spinouts and licence agreements. They also manage all aspects of STFC's IP rights including registering, maintaining, protecting, building and defending its IP portfolio.

Its Technical Sales team also provides valuable links with industries through managing access to facilities/skills and expertise and direct sales of products and services.

Science and Technology Facilities Council The Science & Technology Facilities Council ensures the UK retains its leading place on the world stage by delivering world-class science; accessing and hosting international facilities; developing innovative technologies; and increasing the socio-economic impact of its research through effective knowledge exchange partnerships.

The Council has a broad science portfolio including Astronomy, Particle Physics, Particle Astrophysics, Nuclear Physics, Space Science, Synchrotron Radiation, Neutron Sources and High Power Lasers. In addition the Council manages and operates three internationally renowned laboratories:

• The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire

• The Daresbury Laboratory, Cheshire

• The UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh

The Council gives researchers access to world-class facilities and funds the UK membership of international bodies such as the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), the Institute Laue Langevin (ILL), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), the European organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) and the European Space Agency (ESA). It also contributes money for the UK telescopes overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Australia and in Chile, and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, which includes the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory.

European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) is a research and development (R&D) agency working on behalf of its 18 member states and one associate member. These are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the Czech Republic, and Canada (associate member). By pooling the resources of its member states, ESA undertakes programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country, developing the launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities needed to keep Europe at the forefront of global space activities.