The UK’s AI-driven innovation, which dramatically speeds up the development of advanced materials used in wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries, has won the UK’s £1 million Manchester Award.
Advanced materials are essential to modern life, from metal alloys that reinforce bridges and skyscrapers to batteries that power electric vehicles.
But developing them has traditionally been slow, expensive and unpredictable.
Polaron, a spin-out from Imperial College in London, has speeded up the development of these materials over years to days. This could change the game as government change plans to build the UK, provide economic growth and accelerate net zero.
AI can predict the performance of advanced materials
Polaron will receive £1 million in UK government funding to develop more groundbreaking AI solutions. It uses microstructure images, a microscopic feature of the material visible under a microscope, to analyze and predict how quickly a high-speed material will be performed.
This new approach will help manufacturers create more powerful, lighter and more efficient advanced materials for clean energy, transportation and infrastructure.
Secretary of State Peter Kyle explained: “AI can generate £400 million for the economy over the next five years. Supporting pioneering companies like Polaron is essential to achieving that vision.
“Technology like this helps meet net zero targets while creating new jobs and opportunities for people at work.
“Our commitment is clear. We fully embrace AI, promote growth, improve public services, and position the UK as a global leader in AI innovation.”
Provides national updates at the Manchester Awards
The Manchester Awards will reward innovative AI solutions that address key social challenges in the first round focusing on energy, environment and infrastructure.
Nearly 300 teams across the UK competed in their first year, with 10 finalists receiving £100,000 each to help further develop the innovation.
Polaron’s initiative to develop advanced materials using AI is behind the UK government’s new blueprint for AI.
Using these innovative AI solutions not only drives industry breakthroughs, but also demonstrates the potential for AI transformation to transform public services and improve the lives of citizens around the country.
“It is important to support companies such as Paularon across the UK in providing cutting-edge, advanced materials supported by our industrial strategy,” said Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
“This government is determined to embrace all opportunities for new technologies like AI, which not only helps British companies develop products that can be used at home, but also allows them to begin access to export overseas.”
Government and industry collaboration is important for innovation
The government is already taking steps to accelerate the way game-changing technologies and innovations are put into the hands of the British people. Announces a new Regulatory Innovation Office.
This includes ensuring regulatory support updates regulations, speeding up approvals and allowing regulators to work seamlessly together.
The Manchester Awards will be launched in December 2023 by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and will be held in collaboration with Challenge Works. Supports UK AI innovation. This helps you tackle some of the biggest shared challenges in society, such as Advanced Materials Development.
The second round of the Manchester Awards began in November 2024 and focused on “AI in Clean Energy Systems.”
The 10 finalists selected to receive £100,000 will be confirmed in the spring before the judges select a winner.
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