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Programme

Smart Nano NI

About the programme

Smart Nano NI is a Northern Ireland consortium collaborating to develop game-changing advanced prototyping and smart manufacturing methods to deliver new technologies. The consortium shares a niche capability around nano manufacturing and world-leading knowledge in photonics and aims to support innovation-led economic growth, both in the area and nationally, as well as enhancing local research and innovation collaborations. The consortium has been awarded £42.4m UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund. The total project value including leveraged funding from other sources is £63.9m. Our collaboration is aimed at driving self-sustaining local industry and economic growth through research and innovation.

The collaboration is led by Seagate Technology, a world leader in data storage and management solutions. Its facility in NI is recognised as one of the foremost 200mm wafer fabrication plant in the world and brings together leading organisations from across Northern Ireland:

  • Analytics Engines – leader in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning,
  • Causeway Sensors – photonic therapeutic device specialists
  • Cirdan – leading provider of medical informatics and imaging solutions
  • Digital Catapult – a deep tech innovation organisation
  • North West Regional College – a national award-winning Business Support Centre for skills development, R&D and innovation
  • Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) – leads the Centre of Doctoral Training in Integrated Photonics and Advanced Data Storage
  • Ulster University – the Intelligent Systems Research Centre (ISRC) is an established Centre of Excellence in Intelligent Systems specialising in artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Yelo – photonics test equipment vendor.

Consortium Partners

Digital Catapult’s Role in Smart Nano

 

Digital Catapult is the lead delivery partner for Smart Nano NI with two key objectives:

Accelerate the adoption of industrial 5G: Establish and lead on a new 5G testbed to be used by consortium members and local industry to explore the potential of enabling 5G technology, machine learning, sensor technology and IoT. Additionally, the testbed will be used by programme participants who wish to trial 5G enabled applications and solutions.

Accelerate the practical application of deep tech in manufacturing: Lead, set up and run a multi-threaded innovation programme for multiple cohorts of startups and SMEs primarily with an interest in nano manufacturing, digital industrialisation, and the application of integrated photonics. Innovation activities raise awareness and facilitate engagement in NI and UK industry of Smart Nano capabilities and help disseminate knowledge from consortium partners to the local eco-system.

Smart Nano Manufacturing Innovation Challenge participants

The Digital Catapult Smart Nano NI Team

Digital Catapult’s Smart Nano NI team brings together a breadth of disciplines covering expert technologists, innovation practitioners, project management, marketing, and communications.

Technologist’s share expertise, knowledge and advice to the consortium and industry across areas including:

  • Photonics
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
  • Future networks: 5G, the internet of things (IoT) and advanced network technologies
  • Immersive technologies
  • Distributed systems including blockchain

The Innovation Practice team, led by Senior Innovation Partner Brendan Lowry, provide a range of delivery activities including eco-system building, industry outreach, acceleration programme delivery and innovation consultancy.

Project management, led by David Gourley David plays a key role in engaging internal and external stakeholders across the consortium on these elements of the programme including timelines, work package progress and reporting functions.

The Marketing and Communications team led by Julie McCullagh, work collaboratively with consortium partners to help promote Smart Nano NI, develop industry focused case studies, blogs and digital/ hard copy materials, alongside engagement activities during recruitment for programmes and interventions.