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Catapult Network

Catapulting growth in 2023 and beyond

In the face of many challenges – changing customer desires, cost pressures, supply chain disruption, expected regulatory changes and fierce competition – UK innovation is on the rise. This article showcases how Catapults helped to deliver great results for business and industry in 2023; it summarises our predictions for technology-driven advances in 2024 and the years ahead.

Connected Places

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Entopy invited to trial its digital twin technology at Glasgow airport

Technology firm Entopy has been selected to trial its AI-enabled digital twin at Glasgow Airport to help the operator better manage the site’s infrastructure and operations in the face of an expected increase in passenger movements at the site. The digital twin platform is designed to identify congestion pinch points on the surrounding roads, in car parks, in the airport terminal and at the gates; providing a future-focused means of strategic decision-making to ease the flow of people.

Connected Places

Entopy invited to trial its digital twin technology at Glasgow airport

Technology firm Entopy has been selected to trial its AI-enabled digital twin at Glasgow Airport to help the operator better manage the site’s infrastructure and operations in the face of an expected increase in passenger movements at the site. The digital twin platform is designed to identify congestion pinch points on the surrounding roads, in car parks, in the airport terminal and at the gates; providing a future-focused means of strategic decision-making to ease the flow of people.

Quantum graphic

Industry giants look to quantum to optimise operations

Seven leading businesses have joined Digital Catapult’s latest quantum innovation accelerator to fast track the development of solutions and accelerate the practical application of deep tech. Aiming to help solve complex market challenges in major sectors of the UK economy including transport, defence and telecommunications, the programme convenes unique quantum capabilities and innovation consultancy to de-risk technology adoption.

Compound Semiconductor Applications

Engineering the future: skills event spotligihts compound semiconductor careers in South Wales

Last week, over 30 students and teachers from South Wales attended a careers forum at Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, to learn about the wide range of career opportunities in the region. At the forum, speakers from IQE, KLA, Vishay and Microchip introduced the technology each company develop and its role in the compound semiconductor supply chain.

Satellite Applications

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New Space Enterprise Lab opens at Queen’s AMIC Harbour

Our Northern Ireland Space Enterprise Lab (SEL) was launched at Queen’s University Belfast’s AMIC Harbour site providing users with access to the latest collaborative technology, resources and expertise – the latest addition to the Satellite Applications Catapult’s UK wide network. This new addition ensures that technology and support are accessible to innovators and businesses based in Northern Ireland and connected to our other SELs nationwide. This expansion marks a significant milestone in fostering innovation and collaboration using space data and technology, powered locally through the longstanding commitment of the Northern Ireland Space Office.

Offshore Renewable Energy

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New report sets out a route to transform environmental consenting in UK offshore wind

A report published today by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult lays out a new approach to environmental monitoring and consenting within the UK offshore wind sector. With the UK Government looking to radically increasing offshore wind deployment, there is a clear need for changes to the environmental consenting process. It can currently take several years for appropriate environmental assessments of potential offshore wind farms to be carried out. This, in turn, leads to delays in consenting which present a potential barrier to the scale and pace of development needed for the UK to meet ambitious offshore wind targets and Net Zero ambitions.

Cell and Gene Therapy

Cell and gene therapy industry continues to expand manufacturing infrastructure in the UK

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, an independent innovation and technology organisation committed to the advancement of cell and gene therapies has released its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Report 2024. It highlights continued growth in manufacturing infrastructure for advanced therapies, with 32 MHRA-licensed GMP manufacturing facilities in the UK, an increase from 28 last year.

Cell and Gene Therapy

Cell and gene therapy industry continues to expand manufacturing infrastructure in the UK

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, an independent innovation and technology organisation committed to the advancement of cell and gene therapies has released its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Report 2024. It highlights continued growth in manufacturing infrastructure for advanced therapies, with 32 MHRA-licensed GMP manufacturing facilities in the UK, an increase from 28 last year.

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eHGV charger connections guide released by eFREIGHT 2030 to accelerate the deployment of charging infrastructure

The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium – committed to driving the UK’s transition to electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) – has released its latest guidance – the eHGV Charger Connections Guide. Aimed at eHGV fleet owners, this comprehensive guide aims to demystify the complexities surrounding the connection of electric HGV (eHGV) chargers to the UK’s electricity network, offering vital insights into the necessary steps, costs, and challenges involved.

eHGV charger connections guide released by eFREIGHT 2030 to accelerate the deployment of charging infrastructure

The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium – committed to driving the UK’s transition to electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs) – has released its latest guidance – the eHGV Charger Connections Guide. Aimed at eHGV fleet owners, this comprehensive guide aims to demystify the complexities surrounding the connection of electric HGV (eHGV) chargers to the UK’s electricity network, offering vital insights into the necessary steps, costs, and challenges involved.

High Value Manufacturing

A speaker presenting at a podium

It’s a fair COP – but we can all do our bit on emissions

The Conference of the Parties has concluded. We know it better as COP29 and the parties are the 198 nations that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Brazil in 1992. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer used the conference to announce that emissions targets for the UK were to be even more ambitious – a cut of 81% from 1990 levels by 2035, instead of the previous 78%. The UK has come a long way on this, having cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to levels around the time that document was signed, whilst still seeing a 79% growth in the economy over the same period. It proves that economic success does not need to (literally) cost the Earth. But what can we do next?

Medicines Discovery

Patient and Ministers Unveil NPIP’s First Total-Body PET Scanner as London Site Becomes Operational

Patients are starting to benefit from one of the UK’s first total-body PET scanners, brought to St Thomas’ Hospital in London by the National PET Imaging Platform (NPIP). Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, unveiled the scanner on 27 November, praising the cutting-edge technology and its potential to unlock medical breakthroughs.

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