DRAFT UK institutes set up polymer research centre

London - UK technology research and consulting company TWI and London South Bank University have teamed up to create a new centre of excellence for polymer research.

Named PolyMERIC (polymeric materials, engineering, research and innovation centre), the facility will carry out R&D investigations into polymer use for industry applications.

This will include creation of new polymeric materials and offering associated testing and inspection techniques.

The research will target at a range of industries, including petrochemicals, energy, automotive, aerospace, and construction.

“This centre will advance innovation in polymer materials, techniques and applications at technology readiness levels (TRLs) 1-3," explained the newly appointed director of PolyMERIC Amir Khamsehnezhad.

Through R&D unit will providie new knowledge for the use of non-metallics across industries and offer a route to market for new technologies and products, Khamsehnezhad added.

“Our aim is to make a high impact amongst the engineering community and to raise the profile of polymers,” he added.

PolyMERIC is the latest in a series of innovation centres hosted by Cambridge-based TWI.

The centres share research and technology capabilities and undertake joint research programmes to develop the next generation of technologies and engineers in selected research disciplines.