University of Sheffield Wins EPSRC’s 2007 Knowledge Transfer Challenge

The University of Sheffield has won the top award in the EPSRC’s 2007 Knowledge Transfer Challenge, which looks at innovative approaches for turning today’s research into tomorrow’s products and services.

The presentation took place at the Hotel Russell, London on Monday 19 November.

The Sheffield team have set up a project called MANTRA (The MANufacturing Technology TRAnsporter) which will visit small companies and schools throughout the UK. This specially modified vehicle will demonstrate the manufacturing and assembly line technology of the future, hoping to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and researchers.

Presenting the awards and speaking at the event, Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson congratulated the University of Sheffield as well as the four runners up and all participating universities.

The Minister said: "Taking exciting research from the university laboratory to the commercial sector is vital to ensuring the UK’s economy continues to be innovative and globally competitive.

“The Government is strongly committed to supporting universities in commercialising research and we recently announced a doubling of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships to encourage this. I applaud the innovative approach taken by the finalists, and all competing universities.”

With almost a million pounds in prizes at stake the competitors had to convince the judging panel that they are offering the best investment for the prize money. The five finalists already have a strong record in knowledge transfer activity, where their research has been transformed into a business venture. They also had to show the panel that they have innovative ideas for undertaking future knowledge transfer activity.