Advanced materials, manufacturing and enabling technologies.
Advancing materials, manufacturing and enabling technologies through collaborative innovation partnerships.
Exeter Innovation at the University of Exeter supports organisations in advanced materials, manufacturing and enabling technologies to develop collaborative research partnerships that drive sustainable industrial innovation and economic growth. Acting as a gateway to the University’s expertise, we connect partners with leading researchers, specialist facilities and interdisciplinary capabilities to address manufacturing, engineering and technology challenges.
We work with businesses and public sector organisations to develop innovative products, processes and technologies that respond to emerging industry needs. Together, we shape and deliver projects spanning applied research, translational activity and technology development, drawing on Exeter’s strengths in advanced materials, photonics, digital engineering, and sustainable manufacturing. This includes support with partnership development, access to specialist facilities, and navigating funding and delivery pathways.
Through these partnerships, organisations are supported to accelerate innovation, strengthen competitiveness and deliver solutions that benefit industry, society and the environment.
Exeter Innovation in numbers
Home of the UK’s sole active mining school, delivering key skills and carrying out disciplinary research
UK-leading centre for metamaterials research and innovation (CMRI) and £19.6m MetaHUB investment advancing next-generation metamaterials technologies
The University of Exeter is one of a small group of universities that are partnered with National Grid Energy Transmission (NGET) to accelerate clean energy innovation
This area focuses on designing, developing and applying advanced materials with enhanced properties and performance, including Exeter’s internationally recognised expertise in metamaterials alongside functional and sustainable materials. Exeter Innovation at the University of Exeter supports partnerships by connecting organisations with world-leading expertise, specialist facilities and collaborative research opportunities to accelerate material discovery and commercialisation. This enables organisations to develop innovative products, improve manufacturing performance and address challenges across sectors including energy, healthcare, defence and advanced manufacturing.
Contact:
Dr Isabel Gonzalez
Head of Strategic Initiatives
i.gonzalez@exeter.ac.uk
This specialism focuses on digital technologies that improve manufacturing processes, optimise operations and supply chains, as well as improving industrial performance. This includes the use of AI, digital twins, modelling, simulation and automation. Exeter Innovation at the University of Exeter supports partnerships by providing access to interdisciplinary expertise, facilities and collaborative projects that help organisations adopt and develop digital engineering solutions. This enables organisations to increase productivity, optimise operations and accelerate innovation across manufacturing and engineering sectors.
Contact
Ilaria Pinna
Advanced Manufacturing Business Development Manager
i.pinna2@exeter.ac.uk
Gareth Jenkins
Energy and Engineering Business Development Manager
g.jenkins3@exeter.ac.uk
This area focuses on developing innovative energy technologies aligned with the UK Modern Industrial strategy to include but not limited to wind energy, alternate fuels such as hydrogen, electricity networks and energy storage. Exeter Innovation at the University of Exeter supports partnerships by connecting organisations with interdisciplinary expertise, specialist facilities and collaborative research to accelerate the development, testing and deployment of energy solutions thereby supporting the transition to a secure, low-carbon future. This enables organisations to reduce emissions, strengthen energy resilience and bring innovative technologies to market with confidence.
Contact
Gareth Jenkins
Energy and Engineering Business Development Manager
g.jenkins3@exeter.ac.uk
This area focuses on developing sustainable manufacturing approaches, circular materials and resource-efficient processes that reduce environmental impact while improving industrial performance. Exeter Innovation at the University of Exeter supports partnerships by bringing together expertise, facilities and collaborative funding opportunities to accelerate low-carbon innovation. This enables organisations to improve resource efficiency, reduce emissions and build more resilient and sustainable manufacturing systems.
Contact
Dr Ilaria Pinna
Advanced Manufacturing Business Development Manager
i.pinna2@exeter.ac.uk
This area focuses on the responsible sourcing, recovery and sustainable use of critical minerals essential for advanced manufacturing, clean energy and emerging technologies. Exeter Innovation at the University of Exeter supports partnerships through access to expertise in mining, resource security, circular economy and responsible supply chains. This enables organisations to strengthen resilience, support the energy transition and develop sustainable approaches to securing critical materials.
Contact
Dr Kara Bogus
Head of Cornwall
k.bogus@exeter.ac.uk
“The knowledge gained has been invaluable, unlocking new products and resulting in significant additional revenue for the company.”
Steve Austen,
Engineering Director, Supacat Ltd.
“The Defence Data Research Centre [led by University of Exeter] is an exciting addition to the Defence AI Centre and eLaunables us to realise much of the hidden value of data to better support the defence and security of the UK.”
Glenn Hart,
Senior Principal Scientist at Dstl.
Insights and impact
Leading a green revolution in off-highway transport with Supacat
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