4M Network of Excellence
The existing imbalance between the ease with which batch-fabricated microcomponents and microsystems can be produced in silicon compared to the difficulties and the costs associated with their manufacture in other materials limits the speed with which new microsystems-based products are introduced into the market. At the same time to broaden the range of these products and multiply their capabilities requires the introduction of new materials and processes that are reasonably compatible with IC-based, batch-fabrication processes. The main aim of 4M is to develop Micro- and Nano- Technology (MNT) for the batch-manufacture of micro- components and devices in a variety of materials into user-friendly production equipment, processes and manufacturing platforms for incorporation into the factory of the future. To achieve this the proposed NoE will integrate the currently fragmented R&D capacity in non-silicon microtechnologies in ERA into a European Centre of Excellence. The establishment of such world class expert resource and infrastructure at European level will be crucial to the future of European companies engaged in satisfying the growing demand for portable, wireless communication products and many lifestyle, health and transport related systems incorporating MNT. The network will have 30 partner organisations, including 15 core partners - each an internationally recognised centre of excellence in its own right. The 4M Network will bring together over 150 researchers, state-of-the-art facilities exceeding 110M Euros (approx. £74M) combined research and development programmes stand at 63 M Euros (approx. £42M) It will also develop a strong management structure to ensure that it evolves rapidly into a world class Centre co-ordinating and sharing facilities, equipment and resources for the benefit of the companies and citizens of the EU. The 4M Network of Excellence will hold its first conference, 4M 2005, in Karlsruhe, Germany from June 29th - 1st July 2005. For more information please visit http://www.4m-net.orgManufacturing Engineering Centre (MEC),The MEC was founded in 1996 and since then has seen a spectacular expansion in size and capabilities, winning research income in excess of #20M. The MEC has developed an international reputation for its leading-edge research in advanced manufacturing and I.T. spanning a broad spectrum of subjects including robotics, condition monitoring, high-speed automation, intelligent control, rapid manufacturing, quality systems, concurrent engineering, virtual reality and enterprise information management. This work has received the overwhelming endorsement of sponsors attracting over 200 industrial partners. For its achievements, the MEC has been accredited as Wales's Centre of Excellence for Manufacturing Engineering by the WDA/DTI and has received the DTI's First Prize for University/Industry Partnership (1999) and the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education (2000) with Prof. D. T. Pham being awarded an OBE in the 2003 New Year's honours.