State-of-the-art Technology Hub opens on campus

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An innovative £4 million research and development project commissioned by the University of Sussex with Sussex Enterprise and the Alliance of West Sussex Electronics Manufacturers (AWSEM) is being launched on campus today (Friday).

The state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at the South East Advanced Technology Hub (SEATH) will be used by small and medium-sized businesses in the region to research new techniques without the risk of applying new technologies and continually having to upgrade products and services. In fast-moving industries, such as electronics, this will allow prototypes to be created, tested and improved to the point of commercial viability, and increase the global competitiveness of the companies involved.

"We have excellent research skills and no shortage of ideas here at Sussex", commented Professor Chris Chatwin, research director of the SEATH. "The aim now is to mix electronics, mechanics and information technology to produce solutions that industry finds useful. Brighton is a natural centre for this type of work - it's central to Sussex, easily accessible and very creative."

Many companies have already shown firm interest in the project, bringing forward innovative ideas and applications for new markets.

Shirley Withrington, managing director of Hove-based Field Electronics Ltd, said: "As a small company, we need the support of places like the University to help us move into new areas which involve high-risk technology. Such moves are becoming increasingly crucial to survival in this industry, but we cannot make them on our own without threatening the financial stability of the whole company."

Arnold Clenshaw, director of membership and economic development at Sussex Enterprise, commented: "The beauty of this project is that it gives companies access to R & D facilities they could not afford or fully utilise on their own. We see the development of the Advanced Technology Hub as a cornerstone of our support programme for the county's manufacturing and engineering companies."