As part of e2v's focus on innovation and the development of next generation technologies, it is participating in the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme backed by a consortium of UK public bodies including the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The three projects jointly funded by e2v and the KTP scheme are a key element of the company's growth plans and provide access to the wealth of knowledge and expertise in the UK's universities, colleges and research organizations.
KTPs are designed to facilitate the transfer of knowledge through projects undertaken by high caliber, recently qualified people under joint supervision from a company and an academic institution. Providing the individuals with company based business-relevant training, the programs help increase the interaction between businesses and academic institutions.
Two projects are currently underway. At the University of Nottingham, a two-year project is supporting e2v's strategy to increase the scope of supply in RF power generation systems from key components to sub-systems, while at the University of Manchester, a three-year project is supporting the development of new sensing technologies for the medical, automotive and industrial markets. A third three-year project with the University of London, Queen Mary College is now being established to work on electro-magnetic modeling, which will help in the design and development processes across a broad range of the company's vacuum tube products.
"While the initial benefit of the KTPs is access to the wealth of knowledge in our universities, it also helps introduce us to the next generation of engineers," said Paul John, e2v's co-coordinator for the KTP programs. "Over the two to three years they are working with us, the graduates get to learn about e2v and our business and could then join our next generation of development engineers."