October 14, 2007

Mapping Study Completed by Aston Science Park Experts in Light

The photonics enabled products marketplace which is considered to be worth globally £500 billion by 2015 could be every bit as important to the Northwest Regional economy as it is to the UK as a whole … so says the latest market evidence contained within the technology showcase brochure on Photonics.

The technology showcase document is based on a comprehensive mapping study undertaken by Dr Geoff Archenhold, Dr Neil Haigh and Mr Glenn Barrowman of Birmingham Technology Ltd on behalf of the Business Relations team within the Enterprise, Innovation and Skills directorate of the Northwest Regional Development Agency.

The mapping study identified that Northwest photonics companies contribute annually more than £659 million for the region and employ an estimated 6000 employees. Of the 260 scientific companies investigated, the study identified 188 within the photonics sector and 110 companies active within the Lighting and Energy Applications sector.

Glenn Barrowman of Aston Science Park who facilitated the technical study team commented, “We were delighted to be chosen to undertake this essential research on behalf of the NWDA especially after winning it on a competitive basis against leading UK consultancies. We are confident that the research provided to the agency is the most comprehensive undertaken in this field anywhere in the UK. This gives the NWDA the most accurate information available on which to base their future key investment decisions.”

Sarah Kemp, Director Of Business Relations of NWDA advised, “I consider that this showcase document will be an essential reference guide to our regional companies, government departments, international inward investment agencies, academic, learning and skills institutions as well as our own Northwest Development Agency staff in highlighting how the technology of photonics can be exploited to the benefit of the Northwest Regional economy”

Editors Note - What is Photonics?
Photonics is the generic term for the technology that includes light emission, transmission, deflection, amplification and detection by optical components, instruments, lasers, other light sources, fibre optics, electro-optical instrumentation and sophisticated nanophotonic systems. An easy way to consider what constitutes photonics is to look at the ability of photons to carry information in a similar way that electrons carry information within electronics. Excepting that this can be undertaken dramatically faster and in greater quantities resulting in smaller, cheaper, lighter and faster components and products, with greater functionality. Photonics application is prevalent to an increasing amount within telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, medical, environmental, high performance engineering, civil and structural engineering and other industry sectors.