Nokia and University of Cambridge to partner on research

World-changing telecommunications research projects centred on nanotechnology will be the initial focus of a major new research group at the University of Cambridge West Cambridge site.

Nokia and the University of Cambridge today signed an agreement at a meeting in Helsinki to work together on an extensive and long-term programme of joint research projects. Nokia Research Center (NRC) will collaborate with several departments – initially the Nanoscience Centre and the Electrical Division of Engineering – on projects that, to begin with, will be centred on nanotechnology.

Commenting on the agreement, Professor Ian Leslie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University, said: “This collaboration both recognises and enhances Cambridge's global reputation for excellence in science and technology research. One of the greatest advantages to the University is the opportunity to work closely with a recognised worldwide leader in technology products and applications on ‘real world' challenges and initiatives.”

Nokia will initially base around ten people at Cambridge. The agreement is intended to be long-term and the number of Nokia researchers at the University is set to rise over time.

Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Bob Iannucci, Nokia Senior Vice President and Head of NRC, said: “This is the third partnership with a world-leading research institution NRC has announced in the last eighteen months. Such open collaboration is central to NRC's strategy, because it enables us to bring together some of the leading researchers in our fields of interest and to benefit from each other's different backgrounds and perspective.”

Cambridge is widely seen as a leader in nanotechnology research with successes across the University in nanoelectronics, novel materials and coatings, biologically inspired nanostructures and advanced characterization tools.

“Cambridge and Nokia share a common belief in the ability of nanotechnology to deliver products and applications of tangible value to people,” commented Professor Mark Welland, director of the IRC (Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration) in Nanotechnology at Cambridge. “The fact that we also share a common commitment to the responsible introduction of nanotechnology into the public arena adds a further unique dimension to this collaboration.”

Dr. Tapani Ryhanen heads Nokia global research in the nanotechnology area, and will lead Nokia's collaboration with Cambridge. He added: “Nanotechnology long ago left science fiction movies for the laboratory and, more recently, we saw the first commercial applications. The techniques we are developing really bring us a toolkit for working with the processes of nature at a very basic level – the level of molecules – in a safe and controlled way.”

West Cambridge is the University's growing new science and technology campus.

The site has long been home to the renowned Cavendish Laboratories, the Veterinary School and the Whittle Laboratories. Also long established at West Cambridge are British Antarctic Survey, Schlumberger Cambridge Research, Aveva Group plc (formerly CadCentre) and the Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory.

A more recent arrival has been Microsoft Research, which has its European Headquarters here. This is a fitting match with the University's Computer Laboratory, which is housed in the adjacent William Gates Building, constructed in 2001.

Academic development is focused on the physical sciences and technology. More recent completions have been the Nanoscience Centre and Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics (Electrical Engineering).

Interacting closely with all Nokia business groups and Technology Platforms, Nokia Research Center is responsible for the strategic and long-term research in Nokia. Looking beyond current product development, the Research Center challenges current strategies and drives Nokia's renewal through long-term technology exploration. Nokia Research Center participates in the standardization work and various international R&D projects in cooperation with universities and research institutes. Nokia Research Center employs about 950 people and has activities in Finland, USA, Germany, Hungary, China and Japan. For more information on Nokia Research Center, see the link above right.

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