One of the University of Bristol projects aims to transform the way medicines are manufactured to make the process more sustainable, while the other project will improve the design of wind turbine blades to make wind energy more affordable and reliable.
The EPSRC is funding a total of 23 Prosperity Partnerships with a £41 million investment, matched with a further £56 million from businesses and academia. The projects will deliver pioneering technologies that will improve lives and grow the economy.
The two successful University of Bristol projects are:
Earth-abundant metal catalysis in the production of pharmaceutical drugs (drEAMcat) | Led by Professor Robin Bedford, Professor of Catalysis | Business partner: James Douglas, AstraZeneca, Other partner: Labman
This project aims to transform how we make medicines by replacing palladium – a rare, polluting metal currently used to speed up chemical reactions in drug manufacturing – with sustainable earth-abundant metals like iron and nickel. Iron produces over 2,500 times less carbon dioxide than palladium during extraction, making it far better for the environment. These metals enable faster, simpler and more sustainable drug production supporting the development of potentially life-changing treatments for patients.
Led by researchers at the University of Bristol, AstraZeneca and Labman, the project brings together experts from across the UK science landscape and industry to pave the way for a greener and more efficient future in medicine. The project will receive £2.1million from the EPSRC, with further contribution from AstraZeneca and Labman.
Professor Robin Bedford, Professor of Catalysis at the University of Bristol, said: “This Prosperity Partnership will bring together a wealth of expertise and experience to drive transformational change in the manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs, change that will impact on both the carbon footprint of drug manufacturing processes and the time taken to develop new pharmaceuticals.”
BladeUp: secure upscale of wind turbine blade production capacity | Led by Professor Alberto Pirrera, Professor of Nonlinear Structural Mechanics | Business partner: Adrian Gill, Vestas Wind Systems, Other partner: LMAT
As the world moves towards net-zero emissions, demand for wind power is growing rapidly. This project will transform the design and manufacture of wind turbine blades using advanced computer modelling and machine learning, which will cut costs, reduce waste and speed up production, making wind energy more affordable and reliable. The aim is to boost production capability using existing infrastructure to facilitate the rapid growth of renewable energy. In pursuing this goal, the partnership will generate innovations that will also benefit industries like the aerospace and the automotive sectors through lighter, more efficient composite structures. Ultimately, this partnership will strengthen UK manufacturing and ensure national energy systems are secure and resilient. The total project value is £5.29 million, with an EPSRC contribution of £2.24 million.
Professor Alberto Pirrera, Professor of Nonlinear Structural Mechanics at the University of Bristol, said: “BladeUp is a bold step forward in our long-standing collaboration with Vestas and LMAT. As the world races to decarbonise its energy systems, we urgently need to scale up wind turbine production without compromising quality or sustainability. This partnership will deliver the science and technology needed to meet that challenge, transforming how we design and manufacture blades, and helping to secure the UK’s position as a global leader in clean energy innovation.”
Science Minister, Lord Vallance said: “These partnerships show the range of real-world challenges the UK’s world-class research base is helping to tackle – from cutting carbon emissions in heavy transport, to improving access to life-saving medicines.
“By backing scientists to work hand-in-hand with industry, we’re combining cutting-edge research with business expertise to turn science into practical solutions that can make a difference in people’s daily lives.”
EPSRC Executive Chair, Professor Charlotte Deane said: “Our flagship Prosperity Partnerships scheme brings together world-class expertise from businesses and academia to solve big challenges to support the growth of industry and advance UK research.
“These 23 ambitious projects present a significant investment in the UK’s future. From speeding up drug manufacturing to longer lasting batteries, these partnerships have the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives and help boost the economy”.
Each of the 23 Prosperity Partnerships is co-created and co-delivered with UK business partners to ensure the research addresses industry needs.
Since 2017, when the initiative was launched, 100 Prosperity Partnerships have received a total share of more than £600 million from EPSRC, industry partners and research organisations.