The University of Birmingham (UoB) and Jiangsu Industry Technology Research Institute (JITRI) have signed a new ¥6,000,000 agreement to develop innovative equipment that will help researchers test the strength of microparticles.
Both partners will work together on the project that could see the instrument developed by experts in Birmingham and Nanjing being sold to research institutes across China and, ultimately, around the globe.
The agreement was signed at a special ceremony in Birmingham by Professor Qing Liu, President of JITRI, Mr Xiaodong Ye, Deputy Director of Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Equipment at JITRI and Professor Jon Frampton, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (China) and Director of the University of Birmingham’s China Institute.
Professor Zhibing Zhang, Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham will lead the work, which is financially supported by JITRI for three years. The project is the result of an initial agreement signed between the partners in Nanjing during University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir David Eastwood’s visit to JITRI in November 2016.
Professor Jon Frampton said: “Today’s agreement is testament to the exciting partnership developing between the University of Birmingham and JITRI. We look forward to seeing the results of this project enhance nanoparticle research in the UK, China and around the world.
“The University of Birmingham’s reputation in China continues to grow as our researchers foster strong partnerships across the globe. We are honoured to work with JITRI in helping to drive global innovation and manufacturing progress.”
The partnership is intended to help both institutions work together on research, development and demonstration activities that will help to bring new products to global markets.
It also helps to strengthen links between Jiangsu Province and the City of Birmingham in working together on other areas industrial research and development, such as advanced manufacturing and electronic information systems.
Professor Qing Liu, President of JITRI, said: “JITRI’s goal is to make the top scientific research results be actually applied by building relationships with leading universities around the world and also help scientists to achieve their ideas. The successful cooperation of the project is an important breakthrough. We hope that in the future there will be more project teams to come to cooperate with JITRI and specialized institutes of JITRI.”
Following the signing JITRI representatives met top University of Birmingham researchers in the fields of 3D scanning, railway technology and automotive engineering - including Professor Kyle Jiang.
Professor Qing Liu was accompanied by Dr. Haisheng Sun, Director of Resource Development Department; Dr. Sonny Xu, UK Representative of JITRI; Xiaodong Ye, Deputy Director of Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Equipment; Penny Low, Senior Industry Consultant; and Xin Yao, from the Resource Development Department.
JITRI sponsors research collaboration with Chinese and global universities in a range of areas, including: advanced materials; biotechnology and new medicine; environmental protection; next generation information technology and software; and innovative equipment manufacturing.
- The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 5,000 international students from over 150 countries.
- Based in Nanjing, JITRI, is a funding body set up 3 years ago by Jiangsu Province Science and Technology Commission, and aims to support development of new industrial technologies via collaboration with national and international researchers.
- Professor Zhibing Zhang has built an international reputation for developing original work on micromanipulation of single micro-/nanoparticles and encapsulation / bioencapsulation with applications in chemical, food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, household care and human care industries.
- Professor Kyle Jiang is Director of Biomedical Engineering and Micro/Nanotechnology Research Centre. He has authored over 200 publications in books, scientific journals and refereed international conferences. He is the inventor of a number of patents. His research in microengine has received wide public media reports.