“We encourage you to sign up today as an exhibitor and join the entire materials landscape, from academics to spin-outs to SMEs and product designers to manufacturers and users and of course investors – all under one roof. More than 500 delegates have already pre-registered so we expect around 600 delegates per day and around 120 exhibitors to attend the two-day conference and exhibition,” said Dr Robert Quarshie, Head of Materials at the Knowledge Transfer Network.

The event will provide a platform to help develop commercial success of UK-generated materials innovation by showcasing the ground-breaking new materials and processes to industry to accelerate the process of taking these through to commercialisation. And postgraduate research students at exhibiting organisations will also be invited to send posters to present examples of their academic work and there is also the possibility to pitch on the main stage to the audience including investors.

Programme and highlights

At next year’s event, delegates will see the entire spectrum of materials community across the two-day programme, including engaging talks from investors, innovators and experts such as: Dr Ruth McKernan CBE, Chief Executive of Innovate UK, Professor Philip Nelson, Chief Executive of EPSRC and Rebecca Endean, Director of Strategy of UK Research & Innovation discussing the Industrial Strategy Fund support for businesses, the scope of current developments in advanced materials across key supply chains and through different sectors.

The largest number of UK universities, research organisations and SMEs will be exhibiting to demonstrate the wealth of materials in development from both academic and industrial research groups. In addition, there will be a series of seminars and workshops demonstrating the scope of current developments in advanced materials including a technology focus on key application areas such as aerospace, robotics, automotive, energy, health, defence and sustainable construction, value creating opportunities provided by materials and design and engaging the creative industries.

Ideal opportunity

The last celebrated Materials Research Exchange event in 2014 was highly successful and the 2018 event promises to be even bigger and better with over 600 delegates expected daily, organisers report. Organised by the Knowledge Transfer Network and Innovate UK and supported by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the two-day exhibition and conference will showcase the richness of the UK materials research and investment opportunities providing an ideal opportunity to absorb current trends and take a glimpse of future innovations.

This event will provide a unique forum for increasing interactions between industry, researchers and policymakers from a range of disciplines and market sectors, across supply chains. From senior representatives of government, major investors, top industry players and senior scientists to start-up companies and SMEs, as well as brilliant early career researchers and product designers, the showcase will attract a diverse audience from a range of disciplines and market sectors.

www.mre2018.co.uk