Longbridge nanomaterials centre (lnc)

LNC wil be a national centre for the development of Micro and Nano Technology (MNT) applications. At the core of its operating model, the Centre will identify industrial MNT applications and bring together materials, equipment and developers to collaborate on the development of potentially com me ·cia I applications. LNC will allow organisations and individuals throughout the UK to access key capabilities, processes and associated knowledge. The Centre will provide support and access to knowledge and resources on a fee basis at the facility as well as more broadly within the rest of the MNT network. LNC Will leverage research work already being undertaken by focussing on industrial applications, determined by genuine customer requirements, through scale up and process development. · The neE!d to generate fees will both generate income and validate the industrial applicability of the Centre'; services. A key business objective of LNC is to be self funding by the end of year five and thereb) continue operations without further grant assistance. LNC ha; been developed by Advantage West Midlands (AWM) over the last 12 months in response to a specific request by the DTI sponsored MNT Executive w~ich had identified the need for the UK to inve!;t in a UK infrastructure for "Product arid Manufacturing Process Development" in the areas of composites, coatings and particulates.