Who are the innovators of the future? Look no further than the shortlist in this year's Future Innovators category of the KTP Best of the Best Awards

Ahead of announcing the other awards category shortlists, we preview some remarkable KTP Associates.

 

From transforming GP training to deploying AI for insurance claims; pushing battery electrode materials beyond current known limits, to progressing human antibody generation; dramatically accelerating New Product Development to developing a whole new class of ionic liquid – our KTP Associates are showing how the innovations they are helping drive today via Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) mark them out as the Innovators of tomorrow.

 

KTPs help make innovation happen. They do this by linking organisations who need knowledge with academic experts who have it. Each KTP project is led by a KTP Associate – a talented graduate who applies and embeds the academic knowledge into the company and helps deliver the innovation challenge at the core of the project.

 

In disciplines as diverse as Engineering and Data Science, Marketing and AI, Machine Learning and Plant Science, across all sectors of the economy and in companies right across the UK, KTPs are helping deliver real positive change – and KTP Associates are at the centre of that transformation.

 

Each year we celebrate KTP success via the KTP Best of the Best Awards. Here, we announce the finalists of the Future Innovators category – the Award for outstanding performance by a KTP Associate.

 

Over the coming weeks we will be profiling each of the following finalists on the KTP website, along with finalists for all of the other Awards Categories.

 

Future Innovator Finalists:

Associate: Muddasar Anwar
Company Partner: FP McCann Limited
University Partner: Queen’s University Belfast
Project: Using optimisation techniques to develop sustainable drainage systems

 

Associate: Dmytro Bogachov
Company Partner: Sandon Global Engraving Technology Limited
University Partner: University of Manchester
Project: Develop materials science and surface engineering for Anilox technology in the flexographic print industry

 

Associate: Declan Bryans
Company Partner: Mersen UK, Holytown
University Partner: University of Strathclyde
Project: To activate Mersen’s material for use in flow batteries leading to enhanced energy storage capability and improved renewable energy management.

 

Associate: Laurence Foster
Company Partner: Platinum Electrical Engineering
University Partner: Northumbria University
Project: Creating a Building Additive Manufacturing (BAM) capability which ‘prints’ a complete building structure

 

Associate: Mark Gilmore
Company Partner: Kilwaughter Minerals Ltd
University Partner: Queen’s University Belfast
Project: Development of a new class of ionic liquid which is more environmentally friendly and with applications in sectors beyond the original scope

 

Associate: Andrew Grounds
Company Partner: Ashton Community Trust
University Partner: Queen’s University Belfast
Project aim: Building the commercial resilience of this large social enterprise

 

Associate: George Harris
Company Partner: GJD
University Partner: Manchester Metropolitan University
Project: To develop intelligent, IP connected and highly sensitive laser scanner products with corresponding mobile phone application for set up and diagnostics.

 

Associate: Dan Hicks
Company Partner: OSET
University Partner: University of Brighton
Project: To embed a scientifically informed design process to streamline and optimise electric trials bike design for adult market

 

Associate: Harvey Kangley
Company Partner: Associated Utility Supplies
University Partner: University of Huddersfield
Project: Developing New Product Development strategies for design of novel products in the rail electrification sector.

 

Associate: Alex Komninos
Company Partner: IBM
University Partner: University of York
Project: To implement model-based and machine learning methods and tools which transform spreadsheets in to cognitive models

 

Associate: Xi Liu
Company Partner: Kennedys Law LLP
University Partner: University of Manchester
Project: To develop and embed an intelligent data driven fraud prevention and detection service to support insurance claim handling utilising ML

 

Associate: Blessing Mbipom
Company Partner: Red Whale (GP Update)
University Partner: University of Reading
Project: To develop online training for GPs and other medical staff that is available 24/7 to support CPD and provide alternative/supplement to F2F training

 

Associate: Leona McGirr
Company Partner: Fusion Antibodies plc
University Partner: Queen’s University Belfast
Project: To develop innovative processes to transform the generation and maturation of fully human antibodies for rapid clinical development.

 

Associate: Lyndsey McKirdy
Company Partner: Aggreko
University Partner: University of Strathclyde
Project: Supporting the application of advanced analytics and machine learning to inform development of the next generation of mobile power platforms.

 

Associate: Swapnil Khadke
Company Partner: LONZA
University Partner: University of Strathclyde
Project: To investigate the application of liposome formulations to improve the efficacy of drugs delivered via Lonza’s liquid-filled capsules.

 

Associate: Khai D Q Nguyen
Company Partner: FormFormForm Ltd
University Partner: Queen Mary University of London
Project: Developing better formulation for silicone composite to extend market for consumer fixing brand, Sugru

 

Associate: Elle Perschke
Company Partner: British Salt
University Partner: The University of Manchester
Project: To create and adopt a B2C marketing strategy for a B2B business, launching a new product in to the consumer market

 

Associate: Jack Tallant
Company Partner: Ace Centre
University Partner: Manchester Metropolitan University
Project: Embed advanced data analytics and visualisation to inform strategy and business performance for these support centres for people with disabilities.

 

The KTP website will be featuring profiles of these projects and individuals throughout the run up to the Awards Ceremony on 9 September. Check the website and follow KTP on twitter @KTNUK_KTP for updates.

 

KTP Best of the Best Awards 2020 – Categories:

• Future Innovator
• Engineering Excellence
• Business Impact
• Most Effective Initiative from a KTP office team (supported by Praxis Auril)
• Societal Impact (supported by UKRI)
• Best Knowledge Transfer Partnership

 

Find out more about the role of KTP Associates and see the latest vacancies here.

Interested in participating in KTP? Funding competitions are open throughout the year and you can find out more here.

 

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are funded by UKRI through Innovate UK with the support of co-funders, including the Scottish Funding Council, Welsh Government, Invest Northern Ireland, Defra and BEIS. Innovate UK manages the KTP programme and facilitates its delivery through a range of partners including Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), Knowledge Bases and Businesses. Each partner plays a specific role in the support and delivery of the programme.