The Strategy and Implementation Plan for Technology and Innovation Centres published by the Technology Strategy Board on 26 May identified a candidate list of 10 areas for possible investment in the next phase of its programme and said that TSB would be engaging with the relevant business and academic communities to assess what contribution a Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) could make and what their focus might be. We expect to be able to take three of these ten areas forward. Photonics is one of the potential candidate areas. This note starts the process for discussions with relevant businesses and academics. TSB wants to build on the excellent input we received in response to the Prospectus in January. TSB would welcome comments on the outline below and initial proposals for how we should engage. They would particularly welcome comments from businesses in the sector with views on how they would engage with and benefit from the establishment of a TIC in this area.
Outline scope of proposed TIC
The proposed TIC could focus on key enabling photonics technologies that underpin a wide range of application areas including IT, telecommunications, defence, automotive, energy, life sciences, industrial and consumer. The TIC’s activity could include materials, devices, packaging, lighting, lasers, optics, imaging, solar energy, measurement, biophotonics and displays.
It could provide access for UK businesses to world class photonics technical expertise, infrastructure, skills, and equipment that individual companies, particularly SMEs, could not afford. It could also act as a hub for the photonics industry. It could help UK businesses whether working directly in the photonics industry or not, to work together to create new photonics based solutions quickly and efficiently.
Benefits
Over the coming months we want to engage in a robust examination of the benefits a Photonics TIC could make. Before a decision can be made, we need greater clarity and evidence on the following questions:
- What should be the scope of the proposed TIC?
- What role should the TIC play in the photonics and electronics community?
- What services should it provide?
- What skills would the TIC need to bring together into an integrated structure?
- ·What physical capabilities would the TIC need?
- Is a TIC likely to increase the level and quality of participation of UK businesses in European Commission programmes?
- What is the business commitment and support for working with a TIC?
- What is the UK plc investment case for a TIC?
Input from the Community
TSB wish to engage with the following groups:
- Businesses of all sizes across the Phtonics sector as well as businesses engaged in delivering technologies, solutions and products based on the use of sensors technologies
- Academic communities/research base/institutes with an interest and capability in Photonics
- Trade Associations and industry bodies representing the Photonics and Electronic communities
- Relevant KTNs, in particular the ESP KTN’s Photonics and Electronics Knowledge Centres
- Relevant Government Departments and Agencies
- EPSRC
- Invest Northern Ireland, Scottish Enterprise, Welsh Assembly Government
How they will engage
TSB plan to engage with the communities above through a series of structured events.
- Initial development of a working committee to ensure we develop a full list of interested parties – including those responding to this consultation
- Invite key figures in the community to a series of workshops to scope the TIC from key perspectives
- Workshops and events to build a community around the best candidate for a TIC
- Online/webinars to focus on specific questions
Timescales
TSB plan to work to the following timetable:
- Summer 2011 – Establish online discussions, set up a working committee and hold initial workshops to define the scope and benefits of the TIC
- Autumn 2011 – Workshops and events to build a community around the best candidate
- Winter 2011-12 – Development of a business case followed by review and analysis of the case for a TIC
