Lancaster University and the Greater Innovation for Smarter Materials Optimisation (GISMO) Team are proud to announce that earlier this year we became members of the five major chambers of commerce representing all regions of Cheshire, including North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, and Warrington Chamber of Commerce.
The £4.4 million GISMO project, delivered by Lancaster University and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, allows Cheshire and Warrington small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access world-class ‘smart materials’ expertise and facilities at the Lancaster University Materials Science Institute, helping to put businesses in this region ahead of the curve in the use, design and manufacture of materials.
Angela Wilkinson, Membership Co-ordinator for South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce said:
“We’re pleased to have Lancaster University join the Chamber. It provides them with the opportunity to promote their services and in particular their GISMO project to local businesses who can take advantage of the project. The Chamber prides itself on linking businesses with academic institutions.”
The Lancaster University Materials Science Institute has over 200 academic and research staff who are active in interdisciplinary research, development, commercialisation and education of new materials science. Their knowledge of the latest developments in materials and our state-of-the-art facilities is helping businesses to improve the effectiveness of their products and processes, test and develop materials, find new materials and formulations, trial new processes and technologies and develop and build prototypes.
Sue Bowden, CEO of North Cheshire Chamber of Commerce said:
“North Cheshire Chamber are delighted to welcome Lancaster University on board as a member and look forward to working with James, Jenni and the team to raise awareness of the exciting things coming out of one of the UK’s highest ranked universities. Through the University’s GISMO project, businesses in Cheshire and Warrington can break new ground by taking advantage of a project that puts world-class ‘smart materials’ expertise and facilities at their fingertips. A fantastic opportunity for our local businesses to tap into cutting-edge expertise!”
‘Smart materials’ can be reactive to their environment and can respond to thermal, biological, chemical, mechanical, electric, and magnetic stimuli by changing shape, position, stiffness and other characteristics. These advanced properties can enable new and improved products and components, as well as adding significant value to commodity materials and products.
The project will help businesses to improve the performance of surfaces, coatings, bulk materials and chemicals in their products and processes and to develop their capabilities in additive manufacturing – commonly known as 3D printing.
Lancaster University has a long and demonstrably successful track record in increasing the innovation capacity and competitiveness of SMEs within North West England. Lancaster University has delivered a range of European Structural Investment Fund projects and programmes aimed at SMEs as well as forming over 11,000 successful partnerships with SMEs.
Jennifer Kennedy, Membership Director at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said:
“It is a pleasure to welcome Lancaster University and its GISMO project as a Chamber member. As members, Lancaster University will be able to connect with businesses across West Cheshire & North Wales, giving them the platform to spread their message throughout the region.”
The range of projects and programmes run by Lancaster University, including GISMO, enable businesses to easily access world-class facilities and expertise from experienced researchers, helping organisations to enhance their skills, technology, and research so they can come up with innovative solutions to business challenges.
Stephen Fitzsimmons, Chief Executive of Warrington Chamber of Commerce said:
“Warrington Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to be working with Lancaster University and its GISMO project. The North West of England has always led the way with innovations that have transformed the rest of the world, from the first passenger train to the electronically stored computer. It’s not always easy to find the time and the expertise to research ideas that could take an organisation to the next level so it’s reassuring to know that the University is here to do just that.”
We look forward to working with the chambers and their members in the Cheshire and Warrington region. This membership will allow businesses to access the facilities and expertise at the Materials Science Institute though the GISMO project, as well as taking advantage of other projects Lancaster University has to offer.
East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce said:
“East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to welcome new members Lancaster University and we look forward to working together to help promote Greater Innovation for Smarter Materials Optimisation (GISMO) to the Cheshire and Warrington area.”
GISMO is open to SMEs across all sectors in Cheshire and Warrington. We can help you to exploit new technologies, make the most of your existing approach, test your products and processes and solve design issues. If you would like to find out more about the GISMO project and how we can help you to solve materials challenges, please get in touch.
GISMO project manager, James Stancombe, said:
“The GISMO project is open to SMEs across all sectors in Cheshire and Warrington. We can help whether you aim to exploit new technologies, need to develop prototypes, or find new materials and formulations for your products
“We are very excited to be working with the chambers of commerce in the region, which will allow businesses to connect with the experts and world-class facilities available at Lancaster University through the GISMO project.”
If you would like to find out more about the other science and technology projects Lancaster University has to offer and ways of working with us, please visit our website.
GISMO is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
