Professor Paul O'Brien and his research team in the School of Chemistry
at The University of
Manchester are joining forces with Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd, a Japan
based manufacturer, to form a new research collaboration.
 | | Prof Paul O'Brien (second from the right) with reps from NWDA, Midas and Murata |
Murata, the world's largest global manufacturers of electronic devices,
has signed a deal with the University to work on a research and development
collaboration in the field of nanotechnology. Murata is a major employer in
Asia and currently employs over 33,000 staff.
Japan is the second largest Asian supplier of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
projects to the UK. It remains the most significant investor from Asia and continues
to supply world-class innovation through high quality projects. In 2008/09,
Japan contributed 81 new projects and created 1,405 new jobs, the sixth largest
FDI source to the UK.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). and the region's overseas
team based in Japan together with UKTI have worked closely with Murata since
2007, when they first indicated an interest in forming an R&D collaboration
in the field of nanotechnology with a UK university, to secure this partnership
for the Northwest.
After detailed discussions with the NWDA and Professor Paul O'Brien the
company have selected the University of Manchester as the academic institution
with which they wish to form this partnership.
Mark Hughes, NWDA Executive Director of Economic Development, said:
“This research collaboration is great news for the University of Manchester
and testimony to the strength of the region's reputation for research
and development. The Agency has been working closely with Murata for some time
to secure this for the region and I am pleased that work has now begun on the
project, which may lead to further investment by Murata in future.”
Yukio Sakabe, Senior Corporate Advisor of Murata, said:
“We, Murata, feel very happy and honoured to be able to start collaboration
works with The University of Manchester, with help from the NWDA. I am convinced
that new technology and business in the field of nanotechnology are realised
in future from this project collaborating with basic science of the university
and engineering of Murata.”
Professor Paul O'Brien, Professor of Inorganic Materials at The University
of Manchester, said:
“I very much welcome this collaboration with Murata, which provides access
to skills and equipment in Japan and training for a Japanese scientist in some
leading edge aspects of nanotechnology in my laboratories.”
Posted August 20th, 2009
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