Professor Sir Ian Chapman, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), visited the University of Liverpool to explore how its research excellence and industry collaboration are driving regional and national prosperity.
Hosted by Professor Laura Harkness, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Science and Engineering, Sir Ian toured the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF), which combines robotics, artificial intelligence, lab automation and digital technologies to accelerate materials discovery. Co-created with Unilever, the MIF is widely recognised as a successful model of academic-industry collaboration supporting high value jobs and SME growth across the region.
At a roundtable session, discussions focused on the University's global leadership in AI-enabled materials chemistry and how this expertise can attract investment, stimulate growth and strengthen the UK's research and innovation ecosystem.
The University recently unveiled plans for AIM-HI (AI Materials Hub for Innovation), a £100 million national flagship AI-driven materials discovery centre to support key sectors of the UK economy, including the transition to net zero, while expanding opportunities for industrial partnership.
Sir Ian also met staff and students to discuss skills development and the training of future scientific leaders. Early-career researchers and PhD students from the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital and Automated Materials Chemistry showcased their work, highlighting the strength of interdisciplinary research, commercial applications and partnerships with industry.
Professor Laura Harkness said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Sir Ian to campus. His visit provided an important opportunity to demonstrate how our strengths in advanced materials, robotics and AI are delivering tangible impact - from fundamental discovery to industrial application.
"Through close collaboration with industry and partners across the region, we are accelerating innovation, attracting investment and equipping the next generation of scientists to address global challenges and support sustainable prosperity."
Professor Sir Ian Chapman said: "It's been excellent to see first‑hand the pace of innovation at the Materials Innovation Factory and to hear directly from researchers and industry partners on the benefits of academic-industry collaboration. The ambition here is clear, and it aligns strongly with UKRI's drive to back world‑class science that delivers real‑world impact."
Materials Discovery frontier
The Materials Discovery frontier accelerates solutions to tackle net zero challenges through pioneering digital materials design and automation. Our research has applications in clean energy, healthcare, sustainable living and consumer products, and we work with major global partners to translate original ideas into real world impact.
