The collaboration is supported by a £4m Knowledge Transfer Account (KTA) from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and an additional £6m in funding from industrial partners and the University of Surrey. The joint Surrey/NPL team will focus on three specific areas of technology, each with the potential to create transformational benefits for the UK economy and society. The areas are:

• Communications and Signal Processing - including advances in mobile communications and internet connectivity.
• Next Generation Materials and Characterisation - with applications in automotive, aerospace, and the growing sector of space and satellite engineering.
• Nanotechnology and Photonics - covering the latest in high-speed optical communications and the next phase of miniaturisation in the semiconductor industry.

Professor Christopher Snowden, Vice Chancellor of the University of Surrey, says, "This award affirms Surrey's track record as a leading university for innovation and commercialisation. Surrey developed the laser diode that is used in CD and DVD players worldwide, and NPL has also had a fantastic track record of transferring technology to industry. This major award will enable Surrey and NPL to work together to create more opportunities of this kind."

Dr. Brian Bowsher, MD of NPL, adds, "NPL is delighted to have this opportunity to continue our work with the University of Surrey. The knowledge transfer programme is the latest in a series of joint activities initiated under our Memorandum of Understanding with Surrey and affords us the chance to demonstrate real impact from EPRSC funded research into the UK economy."

The KTA will start on 01 October 2009. Over its three-year duration, Surrey's EPSRC-funded research will drive increased engagement with industrial users and accelerate the exploitation of new technology. In addition NPL has developed well-proven systems that will enable EPSRC and Surrey to monitor the impact and value the programme is delivering to the UK.