Latest news with #FraunhoferCAP
Glasgow Times
17 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
World-leading laser centre set to expand Glasgow operations
The Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP) will double its laboratory and office space in Glasgow. The centre, which leases six laboratories and space for around 80 employees and doctoral students, has continued to grow since it was first established in 2012 at the request of the Scottish Government. Read more: 'Such a privilege': 'Fabulous' new business opens in busy area Fraunhofer CAP, part of a global network of research organisations, is focused on creating lasers and optical systems to solve industrial challenges in areas such as security and defence, healthcare, renewable energy and communications. Currently based in the University of Strathclyde's Technology and Innovation Centre, the centre will now occupy additional space on the second floor of the neighbouring Inovo Building. This expansion has been made possible by an extra £500,000 of funding from the Scottish Government and £300,000 from Scottish Enterprise, aimed at developing work in rapidly growing markets. The centre uses this support for student training and strategic research and development, securing contracts and grants. In the past year, it has delivered more than £5 million worth of applied research and development projects for industry. Simon Andrews, executive director of Fraunhofer UK Research, said: 'We have proven the success of the Fraunhofer model here in Scotland, as evidenced by the large number of projects we deliver for industrial partners. 'Our photonics and quantum expertise is helping industry stay at the forefront of innovation and this ministerial visit demonstrates the importance of the part we have to play in the economy. 'Both the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are key stakeholders for our organisation and have provided support since our inception in 2012.' Recently, the Scottish Government set up the industry-led Scottish Critical Technologies Supercluster Advisory Board to promote key technical areas where Scotland excels, such as photonics, quantum technologies, semiconductors and sensing – all areas in which Fraunhofer CAP is heavily involved. Scotland's minister for business and employment, Richard Lochhead, visited the new facility this week, seeing some of the centre's work first-hand. Read more: Do you know this Glasgow building? Here's the new plan for it (Image: Martin Shields)Mr Lochhead said: 'The Scottish Government is a proud supporter of Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, having provided core funding for the institute since its inception in 2012. 'As the only Fraunhofer in the UK, it plays an important role in turning cutting-edge research into real-world industrial solutions across critical industries. 'I am pleased that increased Scottish Government funding this year has helped it expand operations in Glasgow, increasing its capacity to support vital projects across energy, net zero and space, while growing Scotland's Critical Technologies Supercluster.'
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government backs Glasgow Fraunhofer CAP expansion
Fraunhofer, named after German physicist Joseph von Fraunhofer, is the name given to a network of research organisations across the world considered the gold standard when it comes to innovation, Fraunhofer UK Research noted as it described the Glasgow innovation centre as 'world leading'. Fraunhofer UK Research, which "opens the door to the Fraunhofer network", is a not-for-profit company. It was created and established headquarters in Glasgow in 2012 at the same time that Fraunhofer CAP was founded, and has flagged plans for the opening of 'further research centres across the UK in technical areas with established high-quality research and where there is sufficient industrial demand'. In Glasgow, scientists specialise in creating lasers and optical systems to address complex challenges in areas such as security and defence, healthcare, renewable energy, and communications. Fraunhofer CAP, currently housed in the University of Strathclyde's Technology & Innovation Centre, has expanded into the second floor of the university's neighbouring Inovo Building. This doubles its laboratory and office capacity. The expansion has been enabled by the Scottish Government's decision to give Fraunhofer CAP an additional £500,000 of funding this year, with economic development agency Scottish Enterprise providing an additional £300,000 for the centre to further develop its pioneering work in fast-growing markets. Fraunhofer UK Research noted the Glasgow innovation centre 'leverages that support for student training, strategic R&D, and subsequently wins contracts and grants'. It added that, in the last year alone, Fraunhofer CAP delivered more than £5 million of applied research and development projects for industry. Richard Lochhead, Scottish minister for business and employment, saw some of Fraunhofer CAP's work when he visited the new facility on Tuesday. Fraunhofer UK Research observed the Scottish Government had recently convened the industry-led Scottish critical technologies supercluster advisory board to 'progress and promote key technical areas in which Scotland excels, such as photonics, quantum technologies, semiconductors and sensing', noting these are all areas in which Fraunhofer CAP is heavily involved. Simon Andrews, executive director of Fraunhofer UK Research, said: 'We have proven the success of the Fraunhofer model here in Scotland, as evidenced by the large number of projects we deliver for industrial partners. 'Our photonics and quantum expertise is helping industry stay at the forefront of innovation and this ministerial visit demonstrates the importance of the part we have to play in the economy.' He added: 'Both the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are key stakeholders for our organisation and have provided support since our inception in 2012." Mr Lochhead said: 'The Scottish Government is a proud supporter of Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, having providing core funding for the institute since its inception in 2012. As the only Fraunhofer in the UK, it plays an important role in turning cutting-edge research into real-world industrial solutions across critical industries. 'I am pleased that increased Scottish Government funding this year has helped it expand operations in Glasgow, increasing its capacity to support vital projects across energy, net zero and space, while growing Scotland's critical technologies supercluster. 'The supercluster is strategically important to the Scottish economy, and the Scottish Government will continue to support the incredible capability, talent and innovation across the industry as it pursues ambitious growth over the coming decade.'
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
World-leading laser centre in Glasgow to expand after £800k in funding
Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP), which leases six laboratories and space for around 80 employees and doctoral students, has grown exponentially since it was established in 2012. Scientists at the facility specialise in creating lasers and optical systems to help crack complex challenges in industries such as security and defence, healthcare, renewable energy and communications. Fraunhofer CAP is currently housed in the University of Strathclyde's Technology and Innovation Centre and has expanded into the second floor of the university's neighbouring Inovo Building - doubling its lab and office capacity. READ MORE: Israeli-owned Rosebank oil firm reveals profits doubled in last six months The expansion comes after the Scottish Government decided to award Fraunhofer CAP an additional £500,000 of funding this year, with Scottish Enterprise also giving an additional £300,000 to further develop its pioneering work in rapidly growing markets. Business Minister Richard Lochhead visited the lab on Tuesday, where he said the Scottish Government is a proud supporter of Fraunhofer CAP, having provided core funding for the Institute since its inception in 2012. (Image: Fraunhofer UK Research) He said: 'As the only Fraunhofer in the UK, it plays an important role in turning cutting-edge research into real-world industrial solutions across critical industries. 'I am pleased that increased Scottish Government funding this year has helped it expand operations in Glasgow, increasing its capacity to support vital projects across energy, net zero and space, while growing Scotland's Critical Technologies Supercluster. 'The Supercluster is strategically important to the Scottish economy and the Scottish Government will continue to support the incredible capability, talent and innovation across the industry as it pursues ambitious growth over the coming decade.' Fraunhofer, named after German physicist Joseph von Fraunhofer, is the name given to a network of research organisations across the world considered the gold standard when it comes to innovation. Fraunhofer CAP helps provide support for student training, carries out research and development, and also wins contracts and grants. In the last year alone, it delivered more than £5 million of research and development projects for industry. Recently The Scottish Government convened the industry-led Scottish Critical Technologies Supercluster Advisory Board to progress and promote key technical areas in which Scotland excels, such as photonics, quantum technologies, semiconductors and sensing, all areas in which Fraunhofer CAP is heavily involved. Simon Andrews, executive director of Fraunhofer UK Research said the facilities photonics and quantum expertise has helped Scotland's industry stay at the forefront of innovation. He said: 'We have proven the success of the Fraunhofer model here in Scotland, as evidenced by the large number of projects we deliver for industrial partners. 'Our photonics and quantum expertise is helping industry stay at the forefront of innovation and this ministerial visit demonstrates the importance of the part we have to play in the economy. "Both The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are key stakeholders for our organisation and have provided support since our inception in 2012."
