Sethuraman Panchanathan’s Post

I am thrilled to announce that PfBIO has been awarded its first Innovate UK grant! We are one of the successful companies to have won the Innovate UK's Transformative Technology Competition in the Engineering Biology area. This award will allow us to develop our first biological prototype product for the berry sector. We are very excited to work on this project, and create a bacteria-based solution that will protect strawberry plants (and other berries) from fungal and fungus-like diseases. Berries are one of the most valuable crops in the UK and globally, and production is heavily dependent on the use of synthetic fungicides. They are usually sprayed once a week to prevent fungal and oomycete diseases such as grey mold and crown rot. These diseases are responsible for over 50% of strawberry production loss if plants are not promptly treated. Long term, persistent spraying increases pesticide-resistant pathogens throughout the food chain, causing increased production losses and a reduction of the fruit shelf life. 🍓 #innovateuk #engineeringbiology #sustainableagriculture #bioactivebacteria #biologicals #biopesticides #berry #strawberries #cropprotection

Great to see the UK and Canada deepening their Science and Innovation Ties Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The UK and Canada have signed two major agreements to deepen their collaboration in science and technology. This is a fantastic step forward for both countries to forge a powerful R&D Alliance, as we work together to tackle global challenges and develop cutting-edge solutions. These agreements mark a significant step towards: • Unleashing the Power of AI: A dedicated focus on AI computing ensures researchers and businesses in both nations have access to the resources needed to unlock the full potential of this transformative technology. 🧠⚡️ • Building a Sustainable Future: developing eco-friendly computing infrastructure, minimizing environmental impact while maximizing technological progress. 🌿♻️ • Joint Research Endeavors: From AI to quantum technologies, semiconductors, and biomedicine, our brightest minds will join forces to tackle shared challenges and bring groundbreaking innovations to the world. 🧬🔬 By uniting our expertise and resources, we can address global challenges and generate groundbreaking solutions that benefit us all. 🙌🌎 Department for Science, Innovation and Technology #AI #UK #Canada #Science #Innovation #Collaboration #DSIT #Sustainability

Mary O’Kane recommends more university R&D - but that's not the business innovation solution Much has been written about the Australian universities accord – final report from scientist and engineer Mary O’Kane (pictured). But from an industry innovation point of view her panel’s recommendations fall short of what is needed to kickstart Australia’s fading innovation – and I mean business innovation – performance. The answer is seen in the university sector doing things differently. What needs to be done is not for more excellent research that then goes looking for an industry partner. The need is for structures that respond to real industry needs with applied research, that is more industry/research hubs that perform work for industry, not the other way round. This is the model for the UK’s Catapult centres and Germany’s Fraunhofer Society which has 76 institutes around the country focused on applied science. A number of such centres have become established – around the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in Sydney, the medical research institutes in Melbourne, the ARM robotics hub in Brisbane and the Line-Zero Factory of the future of Flinders University and BAE Systems Australia, in Adelaide. But despite such standouts, these centres are not a feature of national policy. #manufacturing #manufacturingnews #innovation #universities https://lnkd.in/gxBzHKQ6

Science, often perceived as a domain of scholars and researchers, is intricately woven into the fabric of our daily lives. From the moment we wake up to the time we retire for the night, scientific principles and innovations shape our routines, enhance our well-being, and pave the way for a better future. Here’s a closer look at the profound impact science has on our everyday existence >>

PROUD WORKS! The year 2023 was a great year for Indian Science as many scientific initiatives were launched, existing ones were taken forward, and new areas of research introduced, with support of the central govt and autonomous institutions. READ MORE.... https://lnkd.in/giQiVHFk #india #indianscientists #science #technology #scienceandtechnology #scientificresearch #scientificadvancements #initiatives #research #researchanddevelopment #governmentinitiatives #autonomousbodies

💡 Innovate UK 50 Emerging Technologies Report has just been published. 7 groups of technologies are covered: artificial intelligence, digital and computing advanced materials and manufacturing electronics, photonics and quantum energy and environmental biotechnology health and medical robotics and space

“In the 100,000 years since we have existed as a species, it took us 90,000 years to develop agriculture, 10,000 years to industrialise, 200 years to develop nuclear power, 50 years to develop computers – and the pace of human innovation continues to increase at unprecedented speed.” Thanks 🙏 Bugge Holm Hansen for highlighting this report! And for your great contribution to the “foresight community” The report "Eyes on the Future" is a comprehensive literature review developed within the FUTURINNOV project to support the European Innovation Council (EIC) in building strategic intelligence capacity. It focuses on identifying and assessing emerging technologies and breakthrough innovations across eleven primary categories defined by the EIC taxonomy: Health, Mobility, Space, Agriculture & Food, Hardware & Semiconductors, Advanced Manufacturing, Environmental Tech, Energy, Built Environment, Advanced Materials, and Information & Communication Technologies. Key Objectives: 🎯Signal Collection and Assessment: The report reviewed 186 reports and articles, capturing 489 signals, out of which 34 key signals were selected for detailed analysis. These signals are intended to inform funding decisions, policy design, and strategic planning within the EIC framework. 🎯Methodological Approach: The authors used systematic reviews and anticipatory approaches to gather and analyze data. Signals were categorized based on their relevance to EIC funding mechanisms and their potential impact and uncertainty. 🎯Support for Policymaking: The analysis provided in the report aims to offer evidence-based advice to policymakers, particularly in areas of high uncertainty and complexity, and to connect signals with broader European Commission initiatives like the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). Key Findings: 🔑Emerging Technologies: The report highlights novel and impactful technologies across various fields, providing actionable insights for priority setting and decision-making in public funding of innovation. 🔑Interconnectedness of Technologies: It emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of different technologies and their systems to create comprehensive and effective innovation strategies. 🔑Diversity and Maturity: The selected signals span different technology readiness levels (TRLs), from early-stage deep tech developments to near-market innovations, reflecting the diverse scope of EIC's funding programs. The report underscores the role of foresight and anticipatory intelligence in shaping future-oriented policies and funding strategies, aiming to enhance Europe's competitive edge in technology and innovation. Conclusion: The report provides a robust framework for understanding and leveraging emerging technologies and innovations, thereby supporting strategic intelligence and foresight within the EIC and other EU policy-making initiatives . https://lnkd.in/da485waV

Strategic competition is at the core of it.

WIN is excited to highlight our participation in the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum, where our Executive Director, Prof. Sushanta Mitra, shared his insights on the panel of Innovative Engineering, along with two Nobel laureates.   The main takeaways from the forum intersecting with WIN were the need to prioritize sustainability from the outset when considering revolutionary materials and the potential of AI to discover new material combinations based on existing experimental data.  Today's world faces complex challenges that require collective action and global cooperation. WIN values interdisciplinary and international collaboration and our partnerships with National Institute for Materials Science in Japan, Korea Institute of Materials Sciences in South Korea, CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology in Czechia, Brainport Eindhoven in the Netherlands, and Waterloo AI Institute. Please visit the link below to learn more about STS. #nanotechnology #materialinnovation #sustainability #AI #materialdiscovery #interdisciplinaryresearch #internationalcollaboration