Innovate UK

SENFI

SENFI develops and owns proprietary technologies in controlling the structure and surface science of inorganic materials. This profile focuses on the R&D activity, primarily on direct lithium extraction (DLE), at SENFI UK. IDTechEx spoke to Dr Jindui Hong, Technology Leader at DLE, and the profile is based on the interview carried out in August 2024.

Global Progress and Challenges for Autonomous Buses and Roboshuttles

The commercialization progress of autonomous buses and roboshuttles has been slow, falling short of industry expectations. IDTechEx predicts that over the next decade, autonomous buses and roboshuttles will need to demonstrate their commercial viability to continue attracting investment and garner government backing for market development and policy endorsement.

Cambridge Electric Cement

Cambridge Electric Cement has developed a low-carbon cement recycling technology enabled by electric arc furnaces commercially used for steel recycling. In August 2024, IDTechEx Technology Analyst Eve Pope spoke with Co-founder and CTO Dr Cyrille Dunant.

Cenex Expo 2024

IDTechEx attended the Cenex Expo 2024 at Millbrook on 4th-5th September. This year's expo focused on showcasing the latest advancements in electric vehicle technologies, autonomous driving regulations, clean energy solutions, and smart transportation systems. Key topics discussed included sustainability, vehicle electrification, battery technologies, the commercialization of autonomous vehicles, and how policies and innovation can drive the future of clean transport. Around 200 exhibitors participated, mainly from the electrification supply chain, hydrogen fuel cells, and electric vehicle components sectors, including Toyota, Mercedes Commercial Vehicles, Nuvera Fuel Cells, HVS, and Ford. About 20 exhibitors focused on advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), roboshuttles, autonomous buses, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and ADAS simulation. Despite the smaller number of exhibitors in this field, government-related stands, such as Innovate UK, provided valuable information.

PlantSea

PlantSea is a company established in 2020 by three PhD students from Aberystwyth University. It focuses on developing sustainable, biodegradable materials from seaweed, aiming to replace single-use plastics. Its products include packaging and agricultural mulch films, and it has received recognition for creating seaweed-based packaging that is recyclable according to OPRL standards.

Straw Innovations

Straw Innovations is a green technology company planning to license rice straw harvester blueprints to help solve the issue of rice industry emissions.

High-Temperature Material Systems (HTMS)

High-Temperature Material Systems Limited (HTMS) is a UK-based company founded in 2021 to provide material technologies to the high-value manufacturing sector in the UK.

Gravitricity

Gravitricity is based in Edinburgh, UK, and is developing a gravitational energy storage technology.

Molymem

Molymem is a spin-out from the University of Manchester, with a focus on developing ceramic membranes coated with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2). IDTechEx spoke with Dr Mark Bissett, Founder & Chief Scientific Officer.

AQuRand

The AQuRand project is a consortium focusing on progressing the field of assurance for quantum random number generators.

Powerlase Ltd

Powerlase (formerly Andritz Powerlase Ltd) reformed in 2020 - aiming to expand into high-value markets for its laser technology and semiconductor processing IP. IDTechEx interviewed Senior Technology Manager Ioannis Metsios.