RAEng unveils 8 of the most promising UK innovations

Eight of the most promising new innovations developed by engineers across UK universities have been identified for support from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Hub, as PIF reports.

Among the ground breaking innovations pinpointed by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) are a revolutionary fibre-optic probe that could revolutionise cancer screening by enabling on-the-spot cancer diagnosis and the first fully-modifiable walking robot for consumers that can be taught to do everything from playing football to roller-skating and aims to inspire children to learn to code and develop STEM skills.

They have also cited bricks made of 90% recycled materials that could dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste across the construction industry and a headset that can help the physically impaired to communicate without movement by translating brainwaves into control signals.

Prestigious Enterprise Fellowships

The eight researchers have been awarded prestigious Enterprise Fellowships to support them in developing their innovations. The Enterprise Fellowships provide mentoring from Academy Fellows, who include some of the UK’s top engineering entrepreneurs such as Sir Robin Saxby FREng, former chief executive of British technology giant ARM, and Professor Neville Jackson FREng, CTO of global UK engineering company Ricardo. Each entrepreneur will also receive bespoke training and up to £60,000 of funding through the Academy’s Enterprise Hub to spend the next 12 months exclusively developing a business based on their innovations.

Other pioneering new technologies being supported by the Academy include software to automatically generate transcripts from university lecture videos; patented material to separate gases at the molecular level that could dramatically reduce the cost of filtering CO2 out of industrial gases; and a device that allows real-time imaging of the brain.

Previous Enterprise Fellows have achieved rapid growth and success. One new company, which makes laser ‘signatures’ to tackle counterfeiting, was acquired last year by Tracerco – part of technology giant Johnson Matthey. While another bioscience pioneer is now on the cusp of major growth after being backed by AstraZeneca.

Supporting new innovations is vital to improving the UK’s productivity

Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE FREng FRS, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “In a world economy where technological expertise drives economic growth, supporting new innovations is vital to improving the UK’s productivity and international competitiveness. Many engineering innovations born in UK university laboratories have the potential to change the world; making significant contributions to society and the economy. By joining up the research, industry and investment communities, the Enterprise Fellowships help to accelerate the commercialisation of such technologies.”

Ana Avaliani, Head of Enterprise at the Royal Academy of Engineering, added: “Our Enterprise Fellowships aim to make the most promising ideas become reality, by connecting some of our best researchers with leading business mentors and giving them access to major investors who partner with the Academy. To help get new technologies to market and into the hands of those than can benefit from them more quickly, we also provide funding and a full package of bespoke support - in everything from building a business plan to pitching to investors

“Previous Enterprise Fellows are already generating manufacturing growth and creating skilled jobs across the UK, demonstrating the value of supporting technology entrepreneurs. The Enterprise Hub continues to expand its programmes to support entrepreneurial engineers across the UK and at every stage of their careers.”