Keele University has launched two new research centres focused on advanced materials and artificial intelligence, strengthening its links with industry and international partners.
The Advanced Materials Technology and Engineering Centre (AMTEC) has been created to help speed up the time it takes for ideas to move from research and theoretical stages through to demonstrators, investment and adoption.
The centre brings together Keele researchers, industry partners and other universities and its work will span structural materials, biomaterials and energy materials. Potential applications range from healthcare and medical technologies to clean energy, sustainability and industrial decarbonisation.
The university said AMTEC could support better health, environmental sustainability, stronger businesses, high-value jobs and rising wages, while giving the Midlands a stronger voice in national and international opportunities.
AMTEC has been launched with partners including Stone-based materials science company Lucideon and the Applied Materials Research, Innovation, & Commercialisation Company (AMRICC) Centre.
Dr Peter Matthews, Director of AMTEC, said: “AMTEC exists to be a capability provider to Staffordshire, the West Midlands and beyond, providing innovation, research, facilities and a talent pipeline.
“We offer a unique capability across the length scales from molecules and nanomaterials right through to a full campus scale test bed. I’m honoured to lead the centre in its first steps, and delighted to work alongside my fabulous colleagues to deliver the capabilities for our region.”
Keele has also strengthened its international research capabilities with the launch of a new joint Data Analytics and AI Centre with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
The centre will support joint research into data visualisation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity and related technologies, alongside collaboration on funding bids, staff and student exchanges and projects with industry and government.
It will draw on expertise from Keele’s Digital Society Institute, which focuses on the opportunities and challenges created by digital technologies.
Professor Raphael Hirschi, Director of Keele’s Digital Society Institute, said: “Opportunities and threats in a digital world know no borders so it is crucial and exciting to be teaming up with a leading institution in Asia to exchange knowledge and expertise, exploit the opportunities that AI opens, and tackle cybersecurity challenges.”
Professor Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), said: “The Keele–UTM Data Analytics and AI Centre represents an important step forward in our partnership with Keele University.
“We want this centre to be a platform that turns our shared expertise into tangible outcomes through impactful research, innovation, talent development and stronger engagement with industry, creating benefits for both Malaysia and the United Kingdom.”
