New platform for measurement science and technology

To get the platform up and running, a series of events and workshops will be set up over the coming months, backed by Chemistry Innovation personnel and website information.

Julie McDonald, the strategy development manager with responsibility for the area, says: "In order to steer and support the activities of the new platform, we are also assembling an advisory board, with representatives drawn from across a range of industry sectors and universities involved in the measurement sector."

Measurement science and technology capability clearly underpins a range of product and process technologies and contributes to a broad spectrum of market sectors. The measurement of specific properties – often in real-time – is an essential requirement and it is certain that more advanced measurement methods will be needed in the future. Recent developments in DNA profiling provide a good example of where measurement science has created opportunities for step-change advances in technology – in this case improving crime detection and security methods. Examples can also be found in the rapidly expanding area of nanotechnology. Knowledge of particle shape and dimensionality, key to the functionality of products already going to market, is demanding increasingly sophisticated nano-characterisation methods.

The establishment of Chemistry Innovation's MST platform offers a single focal point for advancing measurement science and technology in the UK. Working with the RSC, the platform aims to support the future direction of MST through a number of approaches: by raising the awareness of new techniques across market sectors, identifying growth opportunities in emerging markets, setting-up collaborative projects, defining and updating the skills and training base for this sector and helping to promote the introduction of new process measurements into manufacturing. At the strategic level, roadmapping techniques will be applied to provide a forecast of future developments in the longer term. As with other technology platforms within Chemistry Innovation, the MST platform will make full use of various communication tools for spreading knowledge including web-based tools, networks and collaborations.

About Chemistry Innovation KTN

Chemistry Innovation KTN is a merger of the Crystal, IMPACT and Insight Faraday Partnerships and has offices in Rugby and Runcorn. It is an independent UK organisation enabling companies, large and small, to access the UK's capability in leading-edge chemistry, chemical engineering and manufacturing from a single source.

Knowledge Transfer Networks are an integral part of the UK's Technology Programme, supported by the UK's Department of Trade and Industry. Chemistry Innovation KTN is hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry and incorporates leading centres and collaborative organisations.