TMCnet News
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER: Space Age Business Solutions; Leicester And Nottingham Universities And emda Apply Out-Of-This-World Knowledge To Boost Enterprise(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) RDATE:08102008 EVENT ON OCTOBER 10th 2008, 9.30-2.30 at the National Space Centre, Leicester Exploiting space age technology for the benefit of business and professionals in the East Midlands is the focus of an enterprise event in Leicester. The Universities of Leicester and Nottingham have teamed up with emda to examine the appliance of science to boost business performance and improve efficiency. Professor Paul Monks, from the University of Leicester, is examining the applications of space data in business. He said: "A revolution is underway in the everyday use of space-based information services, including satellite navigation systems in transport and satellite imagery for Google Earth and Google Map. "Through Europe's investment in satellite navigation with Galileo, and environmental monitoring with GMES, many more applications for space information are emerging. "The University of Leicester is currently launching a knowledge hub for the East Midlands region's network for exploitation and utilisation of GMES space technologies, also incorporating applications to our regional agendas in transport, health and construction. We are setting up mechanisms to support knowledge exchange partnerships with national and regional companies, especially SMEs, with participation through in-situ training and joint projects. "This Workshop on October 10 will explore new opportunities for businesses, public sector users and potential investors regarding commercial and civil-use applications of space-based data services." The event will cover: * Use of space information systems in applications for environmental protection, air quality monitoring, health, security, disaster management, leisure and tourism. * Application of satellite navigation technology in transport and communication, land survey, agriculture, tourism, waste disposal and logistics. * Opportunities for building academic/business partnerships, especially those involving SMEs. * Routes to access European Commission Framework 7 programmes and other funding options for developing these and related applications. Terry Moore, Professor of Satellite Navigation and Director of the IESSG said: "Satellite navigation is one of the most important growth technologies of the early 21st Century. GPS (the basis of the SatNav now familiar in many people's cars) will soon be joined by other systems, including Europe's Galileo, and location and timing services provided by these systems are becoming a fundamental part of all our lives. This event will highlight the East Midlands established position at the very front of the developments of this new technology and how we work with industry." David Wallace, Director of Innovation at East Midlands Development Agency (emda) said: "Over the years there have been many commercial spin offs from space technologies. Applications as diverse as water purification, solar energy, scratch resistant lenses and even golf balls have benefitted from the space programme. "This is why it is vitally important for businesses in the East Midlands to be aware of the latest breakthroughs in space technology. This seminar will make businesses understand how some of these technologies can be applied to the development of commercial products and services." Presentations will be made by: Professor Alan Wells - Emeritus Professor at the University of Leicester, emda NEREUS Network of European Regions Using Space Technology Professor Paul Monks - University of Leicester Applications of Space Data in Business Professor Terry Moore - University of Nottingham Sat Nav - Myths, Realities and Diverse Applications of Satellite Navigation Dr. Richard Gilmore - DG Enterprise, EC Funding Opportunities in the Space Theme in FP7 Dr. Michael Rose - BNSC. National Objectives for Space Technology - Applications in GMES and GNSS Dr. Nick Veck - Infoterra-Global. Business Services from EO - Emergency Services and Risk Management NOTES TO NEWSDESK: Background info: East Midlands, England, capacities in Global and Regional Environmental Monitoring using Space and in situ Earth Observation. University of Leicester The University of Leicester has a long and successful history in space research, there having been Leicester-built instruments operational on orbiting satellites in every year since 1967. Programmes in Earth Observation Science, Space Astronomy and Planetary Exploration are coordinated under the umbrella of the University's Space Research Centre. Earth Observation programmes are supported by a multi-disciplinary team researching in many aspects of remote sensing, atmospheric and Earth-surface science. Core disciplines embrace Physics, Chemistry and Geography, with individual research teams working in each of these departments. Key research areas include: atmospheric composition and air quality; sea and land surface temperatures; fires and burned areas; ground subsidence. Several projects involve participation in international collaborations working on global studies, such as chemistry-climate interactions; global sea surface temperature monitoring; CO2 drawdown through vegetation; climate impacts of aerosol concentrations e.g. from desert dust and volcanoes. Other projects are more regional or local in significance, such as urban heat island studies; local air quality monitoring; pollution mapping; green space audit in conjunction with GIS applications. The University of Leicester is a partner is the government-funded Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI) with technology interests in next generation instrumentation for EOS satellites, especially SENTINEL 5, building on heritage with instrument involvement with ATSR on ERS1 & 2, ENVISAT and GERB on MSG2. Expertise also extends to aircraft and in situ sensors, spectroscopy for remote sensing; algorithm development for data extraction and calibration/validation of operational instruments. The University is currently launching a project called G-STEP which is a knowledge hub for the East Midlands region's NEREUS network for exploitation and utilisation of GMES space technologies, also and construction. Through G-STEP we are setting up mechanisms to support knowledge exchange partnerships with national and regional companies, especially SME's, with participation through in-situ training and joint projects. G-STEP will become the hub for our regional participation in EC space strategies in GMES through NEREUS and inter-regional joint projects. The current research portfolio that supports these programmes stands at GBP2.6M. University of Nottingham The University of Nottingham houses the Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodsy (IESSG), a centre of excellence in the field of positioning technology and applications. IESSG works with leading industrial organisations as well as ESA, BNSC and the UK Meteorological Office in collaborative projects in GNSS. The institute covers a diverse range of research topics including: navigation and positioning systems; remote sensing; sensor integration; geodesy; environmental research and GIS. With regional funding support from emda, the University has launched GRACE, the GNSS Research and Applications Centre of Excellence, for the purposes of developing downstream applications using GNSS technology across industry and the public sector. Housed in a new building on the University of Nottingham Innovation Park, GRACE will provide new services and facilities designed to provide: GNSS research laboratories and training service; GNSS applications development; GNSS simulation and test bed facilities; training suites; business incubation and support; and a Galileo cluster capability for spin-off SME activites. National Space Centre The National Space Centre is the UK's foremost science visitor centre dedicated to the theme of SPACE and aims to increase understanding of how space science and technology affects the lives of citizens in the 21st century . Opened in 2001 at a cost of GBP60M, the National Space Centre attracts over 200,000 visitors annually, 50,000 of these being school children engaged in science education programmes. Promoting the role of space in science education is an integral part of the Centre's work. The Centre provides a showcase for the significant and pioneering role of the space industry in European Space programmes. The Centre is frequently used as a venue for major space events, such as launches and announcements of new space discoveries, and already hosts exhibitions and events relating to Galileo and GNSS technologies. A new gallery is currently being planned to demonstrate the importance of Space in the understanding and mitigation of the effects of climate change on the Earth's environment. Supported by regional funding, the National Space Centre leads the UK's first Space Academy in a partnership with the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham. The Space Academy provides a powerful education resource, using the inspiration of space to support science education and outreach projects for students from age nine to 19, through science master classes, summer space schools, road shows and distance learning programmes, all aligned to the science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM) national curriculum. Careers fairs help students to link with universities and employers and the Academy will be running an annual Space Conference for Science Teachers from 2009 onwards. About emda East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development. Working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations the aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) A Flourishing Region', which sets out regional priorities until 2020. The RES, coordinated by emda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies; Prosperity Through People' and Destination 2010'. In early 2007 the National Audit Office announced emda had received the highest possible grade of 'performing strongly' in an independent assessment of our work - scoring 22 out of 24. For more details visit www.emda.org.uk . Business Meets Space The above organisations are collaborating in a consultation activity with national and regional industries and public sector in a workshop and networking event entitled "Business Meets Space". This will take place at the National Space Centre, Leicester, on October 10 2008. The objectives and programme are available at www.leos.le.ac.uk/businessmeetsspace. CONTACT: Professor Paul Monks, University of Leicester Tel: +44 (0)116 252 2141 e-mail: [email protected] Dr John Remedios Tel: +44 (0)116 223 1319 e-mail: [email protected] Professor Terry Moore, University of Nottingham Tel: +44 (0)115 951 3886 e-mail: [email protected] ((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])). Copyright ? 2008 M2 Communications Ltd. |