Plastic Electronics Technology Centre (PETeC)
Cenamps is leading the development of the new Plastic Electronics Technology Centre (PETeC). Working in collaboration with multinationals and leading research bases, Cenamps, in partnership with the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), will establish PETeC as an internationally recognised facility for the development and commercialisation of printed electronic devices and flexible functional materials.
PETeC will be established as a national prototyping operation based at NETPark, County Durham, providing world-class facilities, services and expertise at the hub of a UK-wide network in plastic electronics.
The state-of-the-art facilities will include high-tech cleanrooms and laboratories, production and testing equipment together with an intensive and rich design and engineering skill base, available on an open access basis to meet the needs of industry, for late-stage research & development, prototyping and pre-competitive stage mini-manufacturing of products based on plastic electronics.
The core services include contract R&D, licensing/equity investment, technology consultancy, foundry services, and space/equipment rental and will be supported by a number of customer engagement services including collaborative programme management, market and business intelligence, business mentoring, membership and events.
The Centre will establish North East England as a global leader in the application of plastic electronics and will enable the development of internationally competitive, knowledge intensive activities from the UK.
Plastic electronics will form the basis for a completely new range of applications across a broad set of markets including electronic consumer goods, automotive, aerospace, energy, retailing, food packaging, imaging, healthcare and fashion.
Potential applications include smart packaging, real-time newspapers, intelligent signage, point-of-care medical diagnostic devices, novel drug delivery devices, smart sportswear, fashion clothes and accessories, printed electronics for consumer products, flexible solar cells and solid state lighting.
A key aspect of PETeC's strategy is that it is designed to address the needs of both multinational players and dynamic new spin-outs - all attracted by the quality of its volume prototyping facilities and experienced team of scientists, engineers and business professionals.
Other partners of this exciting initiative include One NorthEast, The Northern Way, County Durham Development Company, County Durham Economic Partnership, the DTI and the European Commission. Planning permission has been granted for constructing the 30,000 sq ft premises with the facilities and services coming on-stream during 2008.
For more information visit : www.ukpetec.com