A bi-annual update on the activities of UMIP, the University’sintellectual property management and commercialisation company

Issue 4, November 2010

UMIP - REPUTATION AND VALUE THROUGH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY®

UMIP APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN

UMIPNEWS

Following a search exercise by the UMIP Board (advised by Odgers Berndtson– nationally recognised headhunters), UMIP is pleased to announce theappointment of Dr Krishnamurthy Rajagopal as its new Chairman.

UMIP and ManchesterIntegrating Medicine andInnovative Technology (MIMIT)have together appointedconsultant David Maddison asDesigner-in-Residence. UMIPidentifies, protects and

commercialises innovative ideasfrom the University’s 5 starresearch base and David will beproviding product designexpertise to complement thiscommercialisation process.The University of Manchesterand Greater Manchester NHSand Primary Care Trusts havejoined forces to create MIMIT™ -a new and exciting initiativewhich facilitates collaborationsbetween clinicians, scientists,engineers and industry todevelop innovative technologyfor patient benefit.

David’s company, MaddisonLimited, is a leading strategicproduct design anddevelopment consultancy whichspecialises in medical, scientific,

and electronic products. Thecompany works with globalcorporations, SMEs, start-up andspin-out companies, publicsector organisations, universitiesand technology transferenterprises, to design, developand commercialise technology.

Maddison Ltd has alreadyworked on design aspects oftwo inventions for UMIP. Davidcomments: “Maddison Ltd hasenjoyed a very successfulworking relationship with UMIPon past projects, helping to raisethe value of its IP and speed upthe process of commercialisation.I am delighted with the excitingopportunities that this appointment offers and lookforward to adding our skills

and experience to this talented team.”

Clive Rowland, UMIP’s CEO, said:“Maddison Ltd’s expertise willadd significant value to our spin-outs’ technologies throughinformed design and, for ourlicence propositions, will reducemuch of the work necessary tomeet specifications, standardsand anticipated uses.”

Jackie Oldham, Director ofMIMIT said: “This appointment isgreat news. David and his teamwill be able to advise on manyaspects of product design andthereby enhance the innovationdevelopment pathway.”

David Maddison, Designer-in-Residence at UMIP

Raj commenced his role on 1 May 2010. An alumnus of The University of Manchester,Raj completed his MSc in 1975 and his PhD in 1980 and hasconsiderable experience ofworld-class manufacturing,engineering and technology; he is currently a non-executivedirector at: Bodycote plc, Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc, WS Atkinsplc and is Chairman of HHVPumps Ltd, a private companybased in Bangalore, India.

Raj is a member of the Councilof Science and Technology, the Prime Ministerial advisorybody, and plays an active role in Government science andinnovation policy. He is

also an advisory board memberat the Centre for BusinessResearch at the University ofCambridge and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree by CranfieldUniversity in 2004.

Raj commented: “I am verypleased to accept my new role at UMIP. The Universityalready has an excellent trackrecord in innovation andentrepreneurship, with manysuccessful spin-out companiesand a healthy and developinglicensing business; I am looking forward to helping to raise the University’soutstanding reputation forentrepreneurship further.”

Clive Rowland, UMIP’s CEO, said that he was delighted that Raj had agreed to accept theappointment. “We are very much looking forward toworking with Raj and I am sure that Raj’s appointment and contributions will be animportant step in and big benefitto UMIP’s development on itspath to 2015, and beyond.”

Raj took over from PeterSanderson who retired fromUMIP at the end of April, havingserved the maximum of two fullterms of three years for a nonexecutive Chairman. Peter co-founded the company withCEO Clive Rowland during thesummer of 2004.

UMIP AND MIMIT APPOINT DAVIDMADDISON AS DESIGNER-IN-RESIDENCE

Dr Krishnamurthy Rajagopal,UMIP Chairman

INTELLECTUALPROPERTYRESOURCE

An intranet resource for:

> Understanding IP

> IP Commercialisation

> IP in Research and Consultancy

> IP & Academic Materials

A Proof-of-Principle project supported by the UMIP Premier Fund has been boosted by the award of a Nobel Prize for thebackground science.

The prize was given to Professor Andre Geimand Dr Konstantin Novoselov for theirresearch on Graphene.

Graphene is a flat layer of carbon atomstightly packed into a two-dimensionalhoneycomb arrangement. It is so thin it ispractically transparent, but as a conductor ofelectricity it performs as well as copper, andoutperforms all other known materials as aconductor of heat. It also has some uniquestructural characteristics. UPF’s project isdeveloping applications of Graphene incomposite materials in areas includinginstrumentation, electronics and packaging.The project is being led by Dr Ian Kinloch,Professor Robert Young, and Nobel Prizewinner Novoselov, all based at the University.

The commercialisation project is beingmanaged by UMIP with commercial inputand financial support from MTI Partners.

David Ward, Managing Partner at MTI,commented: “We congratulate Prof. Geimand Dr Novoselov on their outstandingachievement in winning the Nobel Prize for Physics.

MTI is delighted to work alongside theUniversity to commercialise and create directeconomic value from the practicalapplication of the world’s leading science.”

Dr Mark Rahn, Investment Manager,continued: “Although many of those real-lifeapplications of Graphene are still some timeaway, our PoP project is also exploringpossible “early wins” in the market, which isexactly the commercial emphasis that MTIlikes to see in its PoP investments.”

NOBEL PRIZE FOR SCIENTISTS BEHIND UMIPPROOF-OF-PRINCIPLE PROJECT

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If you are working on research that you think has commercialpotential, we would be pleased to hear from you.

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eUMIP PREMIER FUND UPDATE...

Mark RahnInvestment ManagerMTI Partners (Managers of the UMIP Premier Fund)

www.theupf.com

The UMIP Premier Fund (UPF) has had yetanother busy few months completing on afurther four substantial investments, bringingthe portfolio to eleven in total, of which eightinvestments are University of Manchester(UoM) spin-outs. The new additions are:-

Renephra, a spin-out from the School ofMedicine in collaboration with the CentralManchester University Hospitals NHS Trust.Renephra is a potentially novel solution to theaspiration of wearable dialysis, and treatmentof congestive heart failure, by usingmicroneedle arrays to remove fluid from theinterstitial layer in the skin.

Power Oasis, our second non-UoM introducedinvestment, is providing major cost savings formobile network operators by controlling,managing and reducing power consumptionby the networks’ base stations. Power is asignificant opex item for operators and PowerOasis has initially been targeting the off-gridmarket where ‘smarter’ diesel generator usageand the application of renewable powersources, such as solar and wind, can have adramatic impact on fuel costs.

Eykona, our third non-UoM investment is anOxford University spin-out. The company hasdeveloped a camera and technique for 3Dprofiling of complex shapes that is hand-heldand effectively point and click. The firstapplication is the accurate characterisation ofchronic wounds, which is currently judged in asubjective way. This allows for effectivetreatments to be continued and ineffectivetreatments to be modified.

Bioxydyn, is another spin-out from the School ofMedicine and was actually our very first Proof-of-Principle investment back in 2008. Theteam has made great progress in developing theMRI lung imaging platform and the company ison the verge of securing a major agreementwith a large pharmaceutical company.

The UPF operates in a difficult market, early-stage venture and the availability ofcapital from the top to the bottom of the

funding ecosystem is severely restricted. Thisaffects us all, fund managers and investees alike.It is also reasonable to assume that in thecurrent climate research budgets will be cut.Whilst this will pose additional challenges toinstitutions and individual academics, it is notautomatically the case that the flow of ideasand investment propositions will be adverselyaffected. There is commercial money, such as theUPF’s, out there and researchers will by necessitylearn ways of accessing it. Indeed seven of theUPF’s portfolio companies have already donedeals with corporates, where the corporate paysthe company for development of the offering.There is also a strong case, which remains to bemade, that if cuts are to be imposed, the centresof excellence which produce the most successfuland commercialisable IP, such as UoM throughUMIP, should be reinforced at the expense ofthose which do not.

MTI is delighted that our work in this area wasrecognised through UPF’s success as theInvestment All-Stars Gap Fund of the Year. Agap fund is a fund that is joyfully deployed inareas where most classic investors fear to tread.Unfortunately for all of us this gap includesuniversity spin-outs, but MTI is convinced thatthe right capital and expertise applied to theright spin-out projects can yield handsomereturns to investors, academics and the widereconomy. Indeed we are determined to prove it.

LEADING FOR RESULTS PROGRAMME - TRAINING LEADERS

ARAGO TECHNOLOGY - INCREASED ENERGY SUPPLY

LATEST LICENSING & SPIN-OUT NEWS

UMIP has assisted the Faculty ofHumanities’ Centre forEducational Leadership (CEL) inarranging a new licenceagreement for its ‘Leading forResults’ training materials withTeesside University BusinessSchool for an initial period ofeighteen months.

‘Leading for Results’ (LfR) is ademanding work-basedprogramme for leaders who areresponsible for children andyoung people’s achievementsand well-being. It is designedspecifically to help them todevelop their leadership skills,promote best practice andrespond to priorities to helpdevelop leadership skills.

The programme challenges leaders to raise theirperformance, realise the impact of their leadership and to emphasise theiraccountability to specific ECMtargets and achievement.

CEL's Commercial Director,Andrea Gerrish, explains: "Thetake up of the programme, inthe North West, has exceededour expectations. Organisationshave a real need for a sharplyfocused developmentprogramme which will enabletheir staff to achieve betterresults with less resource; theLfR programme addresses that need.

CEL is very pleased to be able tooffer providers, such as Teesside

University Business School, alicence to deliver theprogramme. We hope theprogramme will add to theprogramme/course portfoliooffered by our licensees and atthe same time allowparticipants, outside CEL’s home region, access to the programme."

Joanne Hughff, SeniorEnterprise Manager at TeessideUniversity Business School,commented: “Licensing the LfRprogramme has enabled us tooffer this very relevant andappropriate programme to

participants in the North Eastregion where demand for this style of work-based learning isstrong. Licensing LfRcomplements our currentportfolio and range of activitieswell and extends developmentopportunities within the region.”

The LfR programme includesthree face-to-face sessions’individual tutorials’developmental feedback from adiagnostic assessment’opportunities to developproblem solving/decision makingskills in a work-based context’methods to promote resultsbased accountability and avariety of online resources.

Remember to discuss possible IP protection before you publish. Contact your UMIP Commercialisation Executive first.3

Arago Technology was spun outof the School of Electrical andElectronic Engineering earlierthis year and is a joint venturebetween the University and EPL Composites SolutionsLimited, Loughborough.

The team combines theUniversity’s expertise in highvoltage technology (ProfessorIan Cotton) and electricalmaterials (Professor SimonRowland) with the expertise ofEPL who design, develop andbuild composite solutions acrossa wide range of industries.

UMIP’s role is to work with bothEPL and the University, taking alead on the projectmanagement, developing thecommercial strategy, managingthe intellectual property andshaping the business case.

Over the last two years, theteam have successfully securedresearch and developmentfunding, from National Grid,Scottish and Southern Energyand UMIP Proof of PrincipleFunding which totals ~£1.2m.

Hard work, dedication and thebreadth and depth of expertiseacross the team has enabled theteam to create an electricallyinsulating transmission towercross-arm for electricity pylons.This different approach toinsulating allows tower voltagesto be increased without anychange to the overall towerstructure or height. It is hopedthat rolling out the technologywill enable the Grid to begin tomeet the 50% increase in energysupply that is anticipated in thenext 50 years.

The unique insulating cross armcan be retrofitted to existingtransmission towers or is anoption for new line build. Thesystem is currently being testedby National Grid at its nationaltraining centre and is alsoundergoing heavy weathertesting (in collaboration withScottish and Southern Energy)this winter in two trials inScotland, one in the Cairngormsand the other on theAberdeenshire coast. If trials aresuccessful, the system will betested live on the UK powersystems within twelve months.

Arago recently won an Awardfor Energy Performance at theEnergy Innovation Awards whichwere held at the Hilton Hotel inManchester; the company wasalso highly-commended for themain prize, the EnergyInnovation Grand Prix. Collecting the awards, SimonRowland said: "As a newcompany these are our firstawards and we are reallydelighted that the communitycan see what we are trying toachieve to enable greater powertransmission through existingoverhead line infrastructure. Thepotential for roll out of thistechnology is huge becausemany of the Commonwealthcountries have very similarelectricity distribution systems sothey could retrofit the cross armsystem quite readily."

Artist impression of the Composite Cross Arm in-situ on a pylon

www.aragotechnology.com

Phagenesis Limited, a leader intechnology for the treatment ofswallowing dysfunction, hasraised £2 million of investmentto support the development of anew class of treatments forstroke patients who suffer fromdysphagia, a common conditionthat prevents or impairs the safeswallowing of food and drink.

The company, which was spunout of the Faculty of Medicaland Human Sciences by UMIP,has been successful in rapidlyattracting funding from a smallnumber of experienced investors. Commenting on the fundingnews, Phagenesis CEO DanielGreen said: “To raise £2 millionin a few months in the currenteconomic climate is a

remarkable achievement andwas made possible because thePhagenesis technology hasaccumulated substantialamounts of exciting data inhuman subjects. The investmentwill enable us to undertakedesign and clinical trials of aproduction device which weexpect to be available globally.”

The Phagenesis treatmentinvolves a device that deliverselectrical pulses to the throatregion that can “awaken” thebrain to help restore swallowingfunction. At least 50% of strokevictims have impairedswallowing. Apart from a severereduction in quality of life,dysphagia often leads to theinhalation of liquids and the

development of life-threateningpneumonia. In addition, thefinancial burden of dysphagiacan run to thousands of poundsper patient in the first fewweeks alone, and may continueindefinitely if the patient’sswallowing is not restored.

Dr Conor Mulrooney, COO, andProfessor Shaheen Hamdyfounded Phagenesis in 2007. Prof Hamdy, the inventor of thetechnology, is Professor of

Gastroenterology at SalfordRoyal Hospital NHS Trust andwas previously an MCR ClinicianScientist and trained at theSobell Department ofNeurophysiology, UCL under thesupervision of Prof JohnRothwell. The company earlierthis year appointed Henry Hyde-Thomson as Chairman and Daniel Green as ChiefExecutive Officer.

NEW TEAM STRENGTHENS MULTISENSOR SYSTEMS

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www.phagenesis.com

Following a £300,000 businessangel investment, MultisensorSystems Limited has nowappointed a Managing Director,

as well as two engineeringpersonnel, and has openedoffices in Cheadle, Cheshire.

The new funding, which allcame from a private investor,will enable the company to stepup its sales and marketingactivities and to further developits range of environmentalmonitoring instruments. Itscurrent products provide highlysensitive detection of pollutantssuch as oil (the VOC Monitor)and the by-products of waterchlorination (the THM Monitor).

Brad Weaterton, the company’sfirst Managing Director, brings to Multisensor extensiveinternational business andmanagement success gained inthe electronics industry withTexas Instruments, Mitel andmost recently with Phyworks Ltd.He holds a degree in ElectronicEngineering from the Universityof Birmingham and an MBA

from the University of Aston.The technology behindMultisensor was originallydeveloped by Professor KrishnaPersaud in the School of CEAS.UMIP worked with ProfessorPersaud on the early commercialdevelopment of the company andin securing the recent investment.

Multisensor Systems specialisesin the development and supplyof products using advanced gassensing technology. Using avariety of different sensor typesthe company designs signalprocessing and interfacinghardware and software, toprovide cost effective solutionsto monitor and protect a varietyof clean and waste waterinstallations, conduct airmonitoring and detect harmfulorganic chemicals.The Company has beenproviding instruments to the UKwater companies and for otherenvironmental and industrial

applications for the past twoyears and the new investmentallows it to enter newinternational markets, move intoadditional industrial andenvironmental applications andexpand its support and productdevelopment capability.

Multisensor Systems is activelyseeking overseas distributors. Itwill be at the WEFTEC Exhibitionin New Orleans in October andthe Eco Expo in Hong Kong inNovember as well as exhibitingat WWEM in Telford UKNovember 10th -11th.

www.multisensor.co.uk

PRE-STIMULATION POST-STIMULATION

PHAGENESIS RAISES £2 MILLION FINANCING

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One of the significant added value aspects intechnology transfer which attracts seed fundersand licensees is Proof-of-Principle funding.

To add value, UMIP manages, for theUniversity, a ‘Proof-of-Principle’ account forprojects with good potential. We encourageyou to find out more and make an application.Applications are reviewed throughout the year.

To find out more, please contact your UMIPcommercialisation executive listed in thecolumn on the left.

To illustrate the diversity of projects awardedsince April 2010, please see below:

Dr. Brian Saunders - School of Materials,Faculty of Engineering and Physical SciencesDoubly Crosslinked Microgels> Licensing PoP awarded April 2010 > Project due to start September 2010

Dr. Marija Krstic-Demonacos & Dr. Jean-MarcSchwartz - Faculty of Life SciencesUsing logical model of p53 functions forpersonalised diagnosis and treatment of cancer> PoP Awarded Jul 2010> Project due to start Oct 2010

Prof Zhipeng Wu - School of EE& E, Faculty ofEngineering and Physical SciencesRF and Microwave imaging > Spin-out PoP awarded March 2010

Dr Stuart Holmes - School of CEAS, Faculty ofEngineering and Physical SciencesMembrane for Enhanced Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Performance> Licensing PoP awarded July 2010

Dr. Ian Kinloch, Prof. Robert Young - School ofMaterials, Faculty of Engineering and PhysicalSciences & Dr. Konstantin Novoselov - Schoolof Physics, Faculty of Engineering and Physical SciencesMulti-functional graphene-polymer composites > Spin-out / Licensing PoP awarded July 2010

Dr William Crowther, Dr Iain Dupere - Schoolof MACE, Faculty of Engineering and Physical SciencesAero Acoustic Wave Pump > Licensing PoP awarded July 2010

Dr. Artur Jaworski (MACE) and Dr. RogerShuttleworth (EEE) - Faculty of Engineeringand Physical SciencesEnergy recovery from high power light sources> Licensing PoP awarded July 2010> Project due to start October 2010

UMIP PROOF-OF-PRINCIPLE (POP) AWARDS

We met with Dr Jordi Bella, a lecturer in theWellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Researchin the Faculty of Life Sciences, to find out howUMIP’s Proof-of-Principle (PoP) funding hashelped him to build upon the commercialpotential of his innovative collagen product.

Originally from Spain, Jordi has lived inManchester for 11 years and has been workingin the field of collagen since the 1990s. Withmost of the collagen in today’s market deriveddirectly from animal products, Jordi noted agap in the market. Jordi adds: “Animal derivedcollagen is a really cheap form of collagen,which is regularly used as a casing formedications. It can cause concern to humans,such as an increased risk of infection, andobviously there are significant issues with itbeing an animal-based substance for peoplethat don’t use animal products.” Through hisongoing research, Jordi has developed abacterial system that challenges the traditionalform by providing an animal-free route togenerating collagen for uses ranging fromregenerative medicine and cosmetic surgery to drug encapsulation and food applications (gelatin).

Jordi met with Dr Emma Woods, UMIP’scommercialisation executive for FLS, for aninitial discussion about his developing researchin the field of bacterial collagens. Followingthis invention disclosure meeting, Emma

carried out a search of patents andpublications and investigated the commercialpotential of future products which could bedeveloped using Jordi’s novel techniques.UMIP identified a clear patent position and isin the process of filing a UK patent applicationto protect the IP.

Jordi was aware of how crucial this guidancewas: “Without the advice from UMIP, I wouldhave remained unaware of the support that iscurrently available to help get innovative ideaswith strong commercial possibilities, such asmine, off the ground.”

Emma recommended that Jordi apply forProof-of-Principle (PoP) funding, available forearly-stage ideas with good commercialpotential. Jordi adds: “The help which UMIPoffered me in applying for the funding wasinvaluable. PoP funding has enabled me tofurther my research and take my collagenproduct to the next stage.”

“I believe that the help UMIP gave reallyhelped me to understand the significance ofplanning ahead to ensure that every step ofthe commercialisation process, from applyingfor patent to publishing, is in place.” Jordi advises colleagues: “If you feel you havesomething innovative, contact UMIP as soon aspossible – you don’t need to put everything onhold such as publishing, if you contact them inthe early stages. Keep an open mind, talk toUMIP early on in a project – don’t undermineyour chances.”

Please see our IP Awareness resource atwww.manchester.ac.uk/ipresource for avaluable insight into the types of IP which canbe used to protect novel ideas/inventionsalong with a series of guides and bookletswhich you may find useful.

PROOF OF PRINCIPLE FUNDING CASE STUDY:AN INTERVIEW WITH DR JORDI BELLA

MEET YOUR UMIP FRONTLINECONTACTS

UMIP’s CommercialisationExecutives are your first point ofcall for any questions you mayhave should you have an idea orobservation and are wondering ifit has potential value.

Our Commercialisation Executivesare faculty specific:

For Technology and Humanities:

Dr Pushkar Wadke, EPST: 0161 306 8832E: pushkar.wadke@umip.com

Dr Lorna Farnsworth, EPST: 0161 306 8813E: lorna.farnsworth@umip.com

Dr Mugdha Joshi, EPST: 0161 306 8513E: mugdha.joshi@umip.com

Daniel Syder, HumanitiesT: 0161 306 8512E: daniel.syder@umip.com

For Life Sciences and Medical &Human Sciences:

Dr Arnaud Garcon, FLS/MHST: 0161 603 7757E: arnaud.garcon@umip.com

Dr Edward Maughfling, MHST: 0161 606 7213E: edward.maughfling@umip.com

Dr Gill Shuttleworth, FLS/MHST: 0161 603 7738E: gillian.shuttleworth@umip.com

Core Technology Facility46 Grafton Street

Manchester M13 9NTT: 0161 603 7751info@umip.comwww.umip.com

UMIP®The University of Manchester’s Intellectual

Property Commercialisation Company

NANOCO STRIDES FORWARD

BEHIND THE SCENES

In this column, we will be taking a look behind the scenesto meet some of our UMIPsupport staff. Susan Shaw isOffice Manager and ExecutiveAssistant to CEO, Clive Rowland.

Fresh from a staff meeting,Susan told us about her typical day….

“As one of the longest servingmembers of the UMIP team, I’veworked with many people overthe years and the job still seemsvaried and different everyday! Ijoined in 1988 so have workedfor both the old VUMAN andManchester Innovationorganisations which becameUMIP after the 2004 merger.

Today, I act as PA to Clive,managing his diary and travelarrangements and I also supportthe Commercial Director, Jane

Shelton. I prepare all of theUMIP Board and InvestmentCommittee papers which is agreat way to find out about the latest developments andresearch that lie at the heart of the University.

I will also be supporting our newChairman Dr KrishnamurthyRajagopal, helping to organisehis schedule during his visits to Manchester and in addition Imake sure that I find time tosupport our Entrepreneurs/Designers-in-Residence.

And, as Susan points out, it isnot just looking after people

that keeps her busy. “As well asproviding PA support to thesenior team of course there arethe traditional officemanagement duties such asmanaging the IT and officesystems and co-ordinating healthand safety. As we have recentlymoved offices from the CTF tothe Incubator building there hasbeen a lot of planning.”

“It’s a varied and busy role but I must enjoy it otherwise I wouldn’t have been here doing it for so long!”

Printed on recycled paper

© The University of Manchester Intellectual Property Ltd 2010

UMIP would like toacknowledge the dedication ofresearchers involved intechnology commercialisationactivities through theintroduction of awards andprizes for commercial success.

At the Faculty of Life SciencesResearch Symposium inSeptember, UMIP sponsored the “Most Promising NewInnovation” award and co-sponsored the award for The “Best New Industrial Collaboration.”

The “Most Promising NewInnovation” award was won byDr Jordi Bella for his bacterialcollagen system which wasrecently awarded UMIP Proof-of-Principle funding forfurther development.

The “Best New IndustrialCollaboration” award was wonby Professor Rob Lucas for hisindustrial collaboration withPhilips on lighting design inrelation to human health.

Allan Prits, UMIP’s marketingmanager, presented the prizesof laptop PCs to both winners.

UMIP AWARDS AT THE FLS RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

Aim-listed Nanoco Group plc, aworld leader in the developmentand manufacture of quantumdots and other nanomaterials,has announced that it hasachieved a key milestone in itsagreement with a majorJapanese electronics companyfor the design and developmentof quantum dots for use in theLED backlighting of LCD TVs,triggering a US$600,000milestone payment.

The 18-month developmentagreement, which wasannounced in September 2009,has a final milestone remainingand is on schedule for completionin early 2011. On completion, it isexpected that a supply andlicence agreement will benegotiated with the partner.

Michael Edelman, Nanoco'sChief Executive Officer, said:"The achievement of this

milestone, which focussed onlongevity and opticalperformance of the quantumdot LED, provides furtherendorsement of our ability todesign and supply bespokequantum dots capable of beingincorporated into robustconsumer products. We areincreasingly confident that ourquantum dot LEDs will be thebacklight of choice for TVmanufacturers as they seek toreduce the power consumptionand improve the colourperformance of their products."

This news follows the signing ofa joint development agreement

with Tokyo Electron, the majorJapanese production equipmentsupplier, for the development ofa solar photovoltaic (PV)nanomaterial film. Thisagreement marks Nanoco’s firstcommercial relationship in thesolar energy sector, building onthe company’s existingrelationships in the LED lighting market.

Nanoco, which was establishedin 2001, is a spin-out company from the School of Chemistryand has its headquarters in the Core Technology Facility onGrafton Street.

From L to R : Dr Jordi Bella, Allan Prits, Prof Robert Lucas

www.nanocotechnologies.com

Susan Shaw, Office Manager and Executive Assistant