Cranfield University and AMRICC join CaSE

CaSE are pleased to welcome Cranfield University and the Applied Materials Research, Innovation & Commercialisation Company (AMRICC) as organisational members.

Commenting on the announcement, Professor Sarah Main, Executive Director of CaSE, said:

“I am thrilled to welcome Cranfield University and Lucideon-AMRICC to CaSE’s growing organisational membership. Both institutions play a distinguished role in the science and technology sectors, using their teaching and research strengths to equip people and organisations with the skills to tackle the challenges of the future.

As the leading independent advocate for science and engineering in the UK, CaSE’s reputation and resilience comes from its membership and today’s announcement is a welcome boost at a time when our works has never been more important. 

We look forward to working closely with Cranfield and Lucideon-AMRICC to harness their expertise and ensure their voices are heard at the highest levels of government, alongside all of our members. Working together we can help shape a more favourable policy environment for science and engineering, and bring about our shared vision of a society and economy that uses research, technology and innovation for the benefit of all.”

Commenting, Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University, said:

“I am delighted for us to be joining the Campaign for Science and Engineering. Cranfield University is a special place with a distinct mission to create leaders in technology and management. We unlock the potential of people and organisations by partnering with business and governments to deliver transformational research, postgraduate education and professional development.  
  
We are passionate about working in partnership, building industrial collaborations in research and teaching and championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  There are many opportunities for us as a sector to drive positive change in support of our organisations and wider society, and we look forward to working closely with the CaSE community enabling science and engineering to thrive.”

Commenting, Dr Cathryn Hickey, Chief Executive of AMRICC said:

“I am delighted that Lucideon and AMRICC are now members of CaSE and that we will have an opportunity to share our expertise in materials science and join in the advocacy of scientific R&D and STEM education.

As Lucideon has been involved in educational outreach activities for many years and AMRICC have recently designed and written a degree apprenticeship in Materials Science, we know how vital it is for the UK economy and the scientists of tomorrow that we make every effort to strengthen the talent pipeline to high skill and rewarding careers in STEM.

I’m sure our collaboration with CaSE will only add to our determination and ability to succeed in our long-term goal to transform technical ceramics and advanced manufacturing skills in the Midlands.”

About Cranfield University

Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management. We are focused on the specialist themes of aerospace, defence and security, energy and power, environment and agrifood, manufacturing, transport systems, and water. 

We are home to many world-class, large-scale facilities which enhance our teaching and research. We are one of the few universities in the world to have its own airport – our global research airport offers a unique environment for transformational research. Our living laboratory is a testbed for transformative technologies and new approaches to deliver enhanced social, economic and environmental outcomes in urban, transport and infrastructure systems.

Cranfield teaches over 5,000 postgraduate students each year and employs around 1,500 academic and support staff. We have the largest number of engineering master’s students in the UK. Our staff-to-student ratio is one of the best for any university in the UK (one member of academic staff to every five students).

We work closely with business, industry and governments around the world. Through our industry partnerships, applied research projects and our executive education and professional development programmes, we currently work with over 1,500 companies and organisations. 
The Research Excellence Framework, 2014, classed 81% of our research as world-leading or internationally excellent.

About Lucideon-AMRICC

Lucideon helps clients overcome the challenges they face in a world demanding ever more environmentally focused application of materials, resources, and energy. As a leading provider of materials development, testing and assurance, our work in science and technology is pioneering and innovative, covering areas that include space operations, aerospace, automotive, healthcare, construction, hydrogen, and battery power.

Recent highlights in our progress include developing innovative geopolymer cement solutions to tackle hazardous nuclear waste, in partnership with NUVIA; and a little piece of Stoke-on-Trent went to Mars to help build a picture of the planet for the world to see, with Colour Standards developed by Lucideon helping ensure that colours captured by the Perseverance mission to Mars were recorded to pinpoint accuracy.

One of the major recent successes for Lucideon which will have a lasting impact on its progress, Midlands advanced manufacturing, and UK innovation, is its pioneering work alongside its subsidiary, AMRICC, as a founder member of the Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group (MICG).

In July 2021, the MICG industrial and academic consortium secured £18.27 million in government funding provided through UK Research and Innovation’s flagship Strength in Places Fund (SIPF). This will be a catalyst to grow our work and put us firmly on the map as a global centre for advanced ceramics.

Lucideon’s work to coordinate the MICG and as lead partner in the SIPF programme is testimony to its bold commitment to science and technology, its ambition to create world-leading innovations, and to support Staffordshire’s wider economy and community.