Five creative collaborations with business, government and wider society are being celebrated by Cardiff University.
The Innovation and Impact Awards 2017 highlight the benefits of partnerships between University academics and external organisations.
The prize-winning projects have been chosen ahead of the University’s annual Innovation and Impact Awards in three weeks’ time.
And Cardiff University is offering everyone a chance to vote for the ‘People’s Choice’ Award by selecting their favourite from the five finalists.
The winning competitor will receive an iPad Mini 2. They will be invited to meet the ‘People’s Choice’ team before the gala ceremony on Monday 26 June, and join them for the gala dinner.
Voting is open until 11:00 on Wednesday 21 June.
The five projects are:
Self-weighing technology with Flintec UK (Business Innovation Award)
The School of Engineering helped industry develop a commercially-viable ‘smart’ weighing solution.
Mental health risk assessment with Welsh Government (Healthcare Innovation Award)
Developed in partnership with the School of Psychology, the Wales Applied Risk Research Network promotes consistent support for mental health service users.
Disease fighting ‘seaweed-drug’ with AlgiPharma (Medical Innovation Award)
A team at the School of Dentistry used alginates to help fight infection and respiratory disease.
Long-standing relationship with Cogent Power (Partnership Innovation Award)
A decade-spanning collaboration with the School of Engineering has led to new materials, processes and products linked to electrical steels.
Improved decision-making with the Chief Fire Officers Association (Policy Innovation Award)
Work with the School of Psychology led to a new national policy for decision-makers at major emergency incidents.
Commenting on the five finalists, Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, said: “Innovation and engagement are central to our civic mission and occupy a central position in our strategy along with research and teaching. We are proud of our staff and conscious of how hard and effectively they work. As a result of their efforts we are ranked 2nd in the Russell Group for IP income and account for 98% of the IP income generated by Welsh universities.”
“The winners of this year’s awards have made an exceptional contribution to this success and I’m delighted that we are able to recognize their achievements in this way.”
David Baynes, Chief Operating Officer of IP Group plc said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Innovation and Impact Awards. Through our partnership with Cardiff University we have seen those qualities at play first hand, having helped create a number of exciting new companies.”
Emyr Lewis, Blake Morgan LLP said: “Innovation is crucial for a thriving economy and a fair society. Universities are key to ensuring that this happens. We have been privileged to advise Cardiff University on some of its ground-breaking innovation projects and are delighted to support this event.”
Dr Julie Fyles, Director at Symbiosis IP Ltd said: “It is a privilege to partner with Cardiff University, who we see as playing an invaluable role in the knowledge economy. Events like this help show the crucial difference the University makes in society.”
The Innovation and Impact Awards are organised by the Cardiff University Innovation Network, which has promoted business-university interactions for over two decades.
