You can lead a horse to water…
1 min read
The UK's academic sector is, by general acclaim, doing excellent work, but there has been a long term – some would say institutional – problem in exploiting that basic work commercially.
Many have pontificated on the reasons why, but the relatively low levels of industrial R&D expenditure by UK companies have been seen as a major contributory factor. And, because UK companies haven't exploited that work, others have – and there's a list of what could be considered lost opportunities.
Since the publication of the Electronics Innovation and Growth Team's (EIGT) report on the future of UK electronics at the end of 2004, efforts have been made to improve the commercialisation of basic science. The Technology Strategy Board is an example of how this is being promoted.
All of this is, necessarily, forward looking: the EIGT and the Electronics Leadership Council have tried to identify technologies where the industry should concentrate in order to 'get the jump' over other countries.
One of these areas is plastic or printable electronics and it is encouraging to see the UK grasping that particular nettle with the opening of the Printable Electronics Technology Centre (PETEC), a national prototyping institute supporting the development and commercialisation of printed electronics.
Centre director Tom Taylor believes the UK has a good level of competence in the sector, but notes that PETEC will offer the 'experience, knowledge and the appropriate infrastructure to support customers in this emerging global market'. PETEC can help with proofs of concept and pilot scale production, as well as providing valuable commercial assistance.
PETEC is, essentially, a 'one stop shop' for printable electronics. But, as the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water. Providing the support facilities is one thing; coming up with the good ideas is another.
