The Royal Anniversary Trust

2009
Edinburgh Napier University
Innovative housing construction for environmental benefit and quality of life
Working extensively with house builders and regulators, the University has pioneered new standards for sound insulation and established a non-profit organisation, Robust Details Ltd, to embed these standards throughout the construction industry. Around 100,000 new homes each year are now built using the University’s designs, bringing efficiency savings worth £40 million per year. The new standards also achieve significant improvements in noise reduction, improving residents’ quality of life and generating considerable interest abroad.
http://www.napier.ac.uk

2009
The University of Leeds
Forty years’ sustained excellence in teaching and applied research in transport
The University’s Institute for Transport Studies (ITS) is a world leader in transport teaching and research. It covers the full spectrum of passenger and freight traffic, as well as pricing, safety, policy and environmental impact. Its innovative software can predict and simulate driver behaviour; other tools examine passenger choice between different modes of transport. ITS graduates hold key positions in transport planning organisations worldwide, giving the Institute enormous influence on national and international transport policies.
http://www.leeds.ac.uk

2009
University of Warwick
Long-term educational partnerships supporting UK competitiveness in manufacturing
In 1980, the Warwick Manufacturing Group was the first industry-focused, modular graduate education programme. It is now a global venture involving more than 500 UK companies and 24,000 students, whose work has generated more than £80 million for the University. Its work has helped companies to achieve significant efficiencies and its methodologies for assessing organisational capability have been widely adopted across the UK and in many countries overseas.
http://www.wmg.warwick.ac.uk

2007
Coventry University
Educating tomorrow’s world leaders in automotive design
The University’s Department of Industrial Design has for many years produced graduates who have gone on to hold key positions in the world’s foremost automotive companies and create numerous ground-breaking design concepts. The undergraduate programme combines industrial and commercial experience with new models and techniques for computer aided spatial design. This outstanding work advances the UK’s position at the leading edge of the global auto industry.
http://www.coventry.ac.uk

2007
Loughborough University
Reducing road traffic deaths: vehicle, road and driver safety research
The University’s applied research into vehicle safety and driver sleepiness has made an outstanding contribution to international policies aimed at reducing deaths from road traffic accidents. The work has led directly to improved in- and out-of-car safety measures, better road and motorway design and new accident data collection processes. It has uniquely and specifically highlighted the problem of driver sleepiness and had a recognised impact on this major cause of road accidents.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk

2007
University of Sheffield
Researching and embedding new manufacturing techniques in aerospace engineering
The University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is the focus of a joint venture with world-class companies, led by Boeing and including Rolls Royce. In a relatively short time it has produced major quantifiable benefits of process efficiency and cost savings in aero-engine manufacture, rapidly turning research outcomes into new shop-floor techniques with international recognition. The Centre has engaged local schools through apprenticeships and is a catalyst for business improvements within the University.
http://www.shef.ac.uk

2005
The University of Lancaster
Connecting the last mile: providing the largest rural high-capacity regional broadband network for education in Europe
The university’s pioneering work in the development and implementation of fast, low-cost broadband for the public sector, and provision of accompanying enabling services, has enabled remote schools and community facilities across Lancashire and Cumbria to access web-based resources. Networked throughout the two counties and connecting over 1,500 sites, it is unique in concept and scale within Europe, covering 10,000 sq km in a mountainous rural area in which physical network provision is exceptionally difficult. The university has acted as both a technological enabler and a regional adviser in order to create significant change in the educational, cultural and economic capacity of the region.
http://domino.lancs.ac.uk/info/lunews.nsf/r/3112

2005
Liverpool John Moores University
Developing the world’s largest robotic telescopes and creating access for the public and school students
Through the development and production of a network of the world’s largest fully robotic telescopes, this leading facility for academic space research is both making a major contribution to the world’s observational facilities at the highest level of sophistication and enhancing public access to and awareness of astronomy. The university’s National Schools Observatory website is opening the field up to schools and enthusing large numbers of young people about the study of science and technology, and increased public engagement in astronomy is promoted through the Spaceport Centre (also contributing to the regeneration of the local area), distance learning courses and amateur access to the telescopes via the internet.
http://www.astro.livjm.ac.uk

2005
University of Southampton
Sound and vibration: improving the quality of life for the profoundly deaf and reducing noise pollution
For over forty years the university’s acoustic and vibration research have been contributing fundamentally to our understanding of sound and the resulting engineering innovations have had a profound impact on our quality of life. Significant developments include reducing noise in aircraft and railways; the application of bubble acoustics leading to a prototype device to monitor kidney therapy; and creating bilateral cochlear implants for profoundly deaf people which have been restoring a spatial sense of sound and so improving safety, multi-tasking performance and social confidence.
http://www.isvr.soton.ac.uk

2002
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
Process systems engineering: research and technology transfer
The college uses first-class research to solve 'real-world' problems and its expertise in computational techniques for the process industries is highly valued. The Centre for Process Systems Engineering carries out integrated interdisciplinary research into the design, control, operations management and modelling of processes and plants. Its work is highly relevant to the process industries in general, including the oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, polymers, food and beverage, and consumer goods sectors. The centre's work ranges from fundamental research to technology transfer, and supports key business processes.
http://www.ps.ic.ac.uk

2002
University of Surrey
Research and development of ion beams and optoelectronic devices
The university is the national academic centre for ion beam technology and has been at the forefront of academic and joint academic/industrial programmes in this field. The university pioneered the use of ion beams to analyse important technology problems in the context of health care, the environment and the durability of building materials, as well as in electronic materials. It invented the strained-layer quantum-well laser in the 1980s, which now generates the signals in every long-haul optical fibre in the world, and is in nearly all domestic appliances using lasers, such as CD and DVD players, as well as powering the Internet, memory devices and printers.
http://www.ati.surrey.ac.uk

2000
University of Bath
Power transmission and motion control: teaching, research and knowledge transfer
The Centre for Power Transmission and Motion Control at the University of Bath provides invaluable services for the industrial and scientific communities. It is the leading institution in the UK in the area of fluid power systems engineering and has earned an international reputation for its applied research. Focusing on the generation and transmission of noise in hydraulic machinery through computer simulation, it has developed new test procedures which have been adopted as International Standards and in turn led to the development of quieter products.
http://www.bath.ac.uk/mech-eng/ptmc

2000
Banff and Buchan College of Further Education
Marine engineering education for the fishing industry
The college provides a model of how vocational education and training should evolve to meet local needs and the changing requirements of industry. The college addresses the need for high-quality engineering skills to ensure safe operation in a still hazardous yet increasingly sophisticated fishing industry. With European funding and the support of the fishing industry, marine insurance companies and regulatory authorities, the college has built a dedicated Marine Engineering Centre and offers associated vocational training from short introductory courses to full (Level IV) Vocational Qualifications.
http://www.banff-buchan.ac.uk

2000
Cardiff University
Manufacturing Engineering Centre: partnership with industry
The centre has built up an exceptional programme of support for firms providing first-class research and practical technology transfer. This expanding partnership programme is an exemplar of how a university can meet the diverse needs of small and medium enterprises as well as larger industrial concerns. The centre supports manufacturing industry through advanced research and practical technology transfer. It has increased industrial competitiveness, created or safeguarded some hundreds of local industrial jobs and contributed strongly to regional regeneration.
http://www.mec.cf.ac.uk

2000
Loughborough University
Optical engineering: applications and knowledge transfer
The Optical Engineering Group at Loughborough University has specialised in applying modern optics and laser technologies to solve engineering problems. In partnership with industry it has developed novel techniques into valuable tools, equipping industry with means to remain competitive and effective. There have been applications in manufacturing and environmental industries, in health and safety, medicine, defence, entertainment and the arts.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/mm/research-groups/optical

2000
The University of Nottingham
Magnetic resonance imaging: scientific research and development
The university is a world leader in the development of magnetic resonance imaging as a fundamental tool in medical diagnosis, and also for wider industrial application. This renowned research continues to pioneer and develop new techniques and applications. The university was involved in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ever since development began in the 1970s and is now home to the largest physics-based academic MR group in the world with much of its work focusing on high-speed imaging.
http://www.magres.nottingham.ac.uk

2000
University of Salford
Information technology for the construction industry: research and teaching
The university has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the practice of information technology (IT) in the construction industry in this country. It has created an impressive international network and continues to develop the use of IT and other technology to improve efficiencies in a crucial industrial field. Recognising the construction industry’s relatively slow adjustment to change and to advances in IT, the University of Salford has sought to change this by establishing a centre of excellence for teaching and research in construction IT: Construct IT.
http://www.construct-it.org.uk

1998
University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology
Engineering and technology in industry: advanced degree programmes
UMIST has led the UK in the continuous development of formally structured, highly interactive and very successful postgraduate engineering training schemes attracting first-class graduates, some of whom are already working in industry. Designed to produce top-quality professional engineers who can lead UK industry, the portfolio of masters and doctorate schemes is based on close academic/industrial collaboration. Innovatory processes, products and patents have been produced and operational savings have been generated for companies through the development of new systems.
http://www.umist.ac.uk

1998
University of Wales, Swansea
Industry-oriented degrees in materials engineering
The University has created innovative postgraduate degree programmes in association with the UK aeroengine, steel and power industries which train high calibre graduates in materials engineering for progression to Chartered Engineer Status, enhancing their personal, business and managerial skills. Organised as university/industry/government partnerships these cost-effective programmes provide a validated model for quality-enhanced training.
http://www.swan.ac.uk

1996
University of Surrey
Satellite engineering and communications: teaching and research
This centre is a world leader in the design and manufacture of small (50 kg) modular microsatellites, which can be built and launched in under nine months at low cost. It has helped the governments of many nations to take their first steps into space, allowing even countries without superpower budgets to begin using space for their individual purposes. The centre's microsatellites have been used, amongst other things, to observe shipping routes and weather patterns, to give early warning of volcanic activity and global ozone depletion, and to provide defence communications. This work has placed Britain at the forefront of the development of such satellite technology, attracting some of the brightest minds to the university’s teaching and to its ongoing research.
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/SSC

1996
University of Strathclyde
Electrical power engineering: teaching and research
By creating 17 academic posts and a new centre for electrical power engineering, this university has initiated a commanding presence in this field. The combination of high calibre teaching with research has attracted strong support from across the international power industry. New products and techniques applicable to both major companies and small manufacturers are in use and further research is funded externally.
http://www.eee.strath.ac.uk

1996
Leeds Metropolitan University
Technology transfer to small and medium-sized businesses
This university has devised three technology transfer schemes to help small and medium-sized businesses to keep up with the rapid advances in sciences and technology. The partnership scheme aims to provide better graduates, transfer technological skills and aid market development for these companies. These activities carefully integrate teaching with research and technology transfer and together offer a comprehensive interface between the university, its graduates and local industry to the benefit of the regional community.
http://www.lmu.ac.uk/city/regional_development_tcs.htm

1994
Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh
Work of the Department of Petroleum Engineering
The department is recognised internationally as the UK’s leading academic and research centre in this field. Integrating the physical and earth sciences with the engineering disciplines, information technology and economics, graduates of its prestigious Master’s courses occupy key posts in the industry worldwide. The university secured £3.6 million from the international oil industry for large-scale research programmes in 1993.
http://www.pet.hw.ac.uk

1994
Loughborough University of Technology
Partnership with aerospace and other industries
An innovative partnership between the university, British Aerospace (BAE) and Rolls-Royce has created an exemplary model for academic and industrial collaboration. The Systems Engineering Degree – the first of its kind – reflects the need for trained manpower and pioneering research to maintain a world-leading position in the industry.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/el/programmes/systems

1994
University of Manchester
Research and technology transfer to industry
UMIST VENTURES Ltd was set up in 1988 to attract research sponsorship and investors in new technologies and to license research. This research and technology transfer business is a well developed wealth-creating programme which has led to the creation of new businesses and employment opportunities. All profits made by the company are re-invested in the university. The programme brings the university’s full field of scientific and technical knowledge into widespread use for the benefit of the nation.
http://www.umist.ac.uk/departments/ventures