Examples of synergy leading to innovations in materials science

Abstract This paper is concerned with the translation of science into viable commercial products in an academic environment. It is shown that by combining knowledge of science with experience of industrial problems, it is possible to devise solutions that are able to attract funding, not only for the underlying research but, also, to start spin-out companies. A wide range of problems and solutions are discussed, including carbon nanotubes and batteries, inert anodes, sensors and, finally, wound healing. All these can be directly related to the problems many industrial nations are facing, such as storage and generation of electrical energy, green processing of materials, and the problems with an ageing population.

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