INTRODUCTION

  Queensgate Instruments Ltd is an SME which designs and manufactures test and measurement equipment for the telecommunications and semiconductor industries. The company has participated in three LINK schemes. The first involved evaluating polymer bearings and the others the development of distributed fibre-optic sensor systems.

FIRST AWARENESS OF LINK

  First awareness was through contacts within the university system. In the mid-1980s Queensgate was developing a range of products for positioning and position sensing with nanometre precision. Engineers and managers were in contact with National Physics Laboratory and Warwick University staff who were assisting in evaluating prototypes.

  Queensgate subsequently became partners in the first LINK Nanotechnology scheme, with Warwick University and Rank Taylor Hobson.

  I was invited to join the Nanotechnology Steering Group, and made other contacts which eventually led to Queensgate being a partner in a LINK scheme (fibre sensors) managed by Kent University.

OBJECTIVES

  Yes, the development objectives of the proposals were met in both cases. But the unstated objective of establishing close and lasting relationships with the universities involved was also met.

IMPACT OF LINK

  The schemes allowed easy access to the academic institutions involved and vice-versa for them to Queensgate. Our engineers now recognise and appreciate the valuable role that universities can play in new product development.

BARRIERS

  Continuity of funding after the first Nanotechnology scheme was a problem in that the universities then turned their attention to other sources of funds, which inevitably meant other types of project. Queensgate were unable to continue the more basic collaborative research characteristic of LINK.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

  Excellent vehicle for encouraging collaboration between industry and universities, but the lack of longer-term commitment ensured that all of the potential benefits were not realized.

31 December 1998