New university ARU Peterborough and inventors of LCD 3D printing Photocentric have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore joint research projects, develop apprenticeships and continue professional development (CPD) routes.
Photocentric is moving into the new £16.7m Manufacturing and Materials Research and Development Centre, which is the second phase of ARU Peterborough. Construction work on the building, featuring 2,800 sqm of flexible research space over three floors, is due to be completed in December.
The new Centre will provide ARU Peterborough with important links with local industry and foster collaboration in advanced manufacturing and materials research.
Photocentric is renowned for its innovations, including creating brand-new ways to digitally mass manufacture products using pioneering technology. The Peterborough company received its third Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2020 and last year opened a dedicated digital manufacturing facility in Arizona.
Managing Director Paul Holt MBE said: “We are excited about the important role that the Centre will play in developing the engineers and scientists of tomorrow.
“A strong and innovative manufacturing sector is at the heart of a modern economy and we are helping global businesses to reimagine their manufacturing processes. This Centre will play a key role in the development of the disruptive technologies and new materials that will shape tomorrow. We are delighted to be working alongside our partner, ARU Peterborough, in helping to place this region at the cutting edge of manufacturing innovation.”
Professor Ross Renton, Principal of ARU Peterborough, said: “We have made it clear from the beginning that ARU Peterborough will be a very different kind of university. We are working closely with local businesses to ensure we are providing the courses and skills they need, allowing our graduates to remain in this region, in turn helping to power local economic growth.
“ARU Peterborough’s courses include BEng (Hons) Electronics and Robotics, BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Engineering and BEng (Hons) Mechatronics, and we hope our close relationship with Photocentric will provide enormous benefits for our students and future graduates, as well as the region’s economy.”
ARU Peterborough is a partnership between the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Peterborough City Council and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU).