![\"Simon](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/2017-06-20-12.30.59-scaled.jpg\")
Scotland\u2019s laser innovation facility, the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP), has been recognised by the UK government in a new deal that will see the Centre receive \u00a38m over the next four years.<\/p>\n
The new funding will be\u00a0in addition to the \u00a31.3m\u00a0received annually\u00a0from Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is core support which enables further investment in doctoral training and proving new processes and technologies to be prepared for industrial needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, the Glasgow centre has a track record of leveraging this core support more than ten times over in R&D activity across its customer base.<\/p>\n
This national support also mirrors the proven model of national and local support used in Germany and cements Fraunhofer CAP\u2019s place in the UK innovation landscape.<\/p>\n
Fraunhofer, named after German physicist Joseph von Fraunhofer, is a network of independent research organisations across the world playing a leading role in accelerating technology development.<\/p>\n
Established Glasgow in 2012, the not-for-profit Centre for Applied Photonics\u2019 specialist team carries out research and development for a wide range of industrial clients of all sizes \u2013 from SMEs to global corporations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology had previously given \u00a32m of capital equipment support to Fraunhofer CAP in a recent competition to bolster the research and technology community capability.<\/p>\n
Scientists at the Centre for Applied Photonics create and develop complex lasers and optical systems to solve many of society\u2019s most pressing challenges across key areas such as space, security and defence, healthcare, renewable energy and communications.<\/p>\n
The importance of Fraunhofer CAP as a UK, not just a Scottish asset, has been recognised by influential UK bodies including the Royal Academy of Engineering and UK Government strategies in Innovation, Quantum and Semiconductors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Simon Andrews, executive director of Fraunhofer UK Research said: \u201cWe are extremely pleased to accept this important support from the UK government.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the last nine years, support from Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise alone has been invaluable.\u00a0 Fraunhofer CAP leverages that support for student training, strategic R&D, and subsequently wins contracts and grants. In the last year alone, our team has delivered more than \u00a36m of applied R&D projects for industry. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we have a strong local customer base \u2013 45% of our business comes from the central belt of Scotland \u2013 funding from the UK government will enable us to meet the growing demand for our services in a world increasingly turning to photonics and quantum technologies to solve problems across a variety of critical fields.\u201d<\/p>\n
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: \u201cTo unlock the potential of quantum \u2013 which will bring transformative benefits to fields like encryption, navigation, and medicine \u2013 we are relying on cutting-edge photonics.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe funding we are announcing for Fraunhofer\u2019s world-class centre in Glasgow will cement the UK\u2019s place as one of the global leaders in the development of this crucial technology.\u201d<\/p>\n
The evidence of growth, delivery and efficiency has led to the UK Government to confidently back this world-class\u00a0centre which has delivered more than 300 projects to more than 200 industrial customers and collaborators, with many projects culminating in field demonstration of cutting edge hardware, giving industry the evidence to pursue commercialisation.<\/p>\n
Scotland\u2019s Minister for Business, Richard Lochhead said: \u201cThe Scottish Government, with Scottish Enterprise, has provided core funding to Fraunhofer CAP since its inception in 2012. This has been used to build an impressive project portfolio benefitsuoing companies both in Scotland and across the UK.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI welcome this additional core funding from the UK Government which will enable further growth for our critical technologies supercluster; an innovative cluster of strategic importance to both Scotland and the UK.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Professor Stephen McArthur, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, added: \u201cStrathclyde values our longstanding partnership with Fraunhofer UK, which has helped drive growth in the UK\u2019s photonics and quantum sectors. <\/p>\n \u201cThis funding recognises the Centre\u2019s world-class expertise and its role in delivering high-impact research that supports industry and strengthens the UK\u2019s global competitiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n Fraunhofer CAP works in strategic partnership with the University of Strathclyde, and is based at the University\u2019s Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow.<\/p>\n The partnership includes a formal joint appointment between\u00a0 Fraunhofer CAP and Strathclyde\u2019s Institute of Photonics, alongside joint studentships and a number of strategic collaborative projects.<\/p>\n In August this year, Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics announced its expansion into the second floor of the neighbouring Inovo Building, doubling its lab and office capacity.\u00a0 <\/p>\n This was made possible by the Scottish Government\u2019s decision to give Fraunhofer CAP an additional \u00a3500,000 of funding this year, with Scottish Enterprise giving an additional \u00a3300,000 to further develop its pioneering work in rapidly growing markets.<\/p>\n \t <\/div>\n![\"Richard](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Richard-Lochhead-employment-minister.png\")