➀ NOAA deploys five solar-powered C-Stars sailing robots from UK-based Oshen to gather hurricane-related meteorological and oceanographic data;
➁ The autonomous robots navigate via wind and thrusters, transmitting real-time data and storing high-resolution information onboard, enhancing hurricane forecasting accuracy;
➂ Oshen aims to scale deployment with a 50-robot fleet in the North Atlantic to predict climate tipping points, following a £2m ARIA contract.
➀ The UK's Digital Catapult invests £510,000 in Sheffield startup Productive Machines to support its autonomous milling optimization software, SenseNC, which simulates and optimizes CNC machine settings;
➁ SenseNC reduces waste, lowers costs, and improves sustainability and productivity, currently available for Siemens NX/Mastercam users and Siemens' Xcelerator Marketplace;
➂ The investment (via convertible loan) aims to expand Productive Machines' customer base and boost UK manufacturing reshoring efforts, with plans for direct sales and partnerships.
➀ SolderKing Assembly Materials met King Charles III at Windsor Castle after winning the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, reflecting the company’s global impact;
➁ The company reported a 71% growth in overseas sales over three years, with exports now comprising 44% of total revenue, serving markets in Ireland, Scandinavia, and Central Europe;
➂ Founded in 2018 and ISO 9001:2015 certified, SolderKing maintains full UK-based manufacturing control to ensure product quality and support international expansion.
Swansea University in Wales has installed gallium tri-oxide (Ga2O3) deposition equipment at its Centre for Integrated Semiconductor Materials (CISM). The material is an ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor suitable for high voltage applications. The university has added a close-coupled shower head deposition system to its MOCVD laboratory to grow crystalline gallium oxide thin films on 4 inch substrates. This new facility is expected to enhance research capabilities and collaboration opportunities.
➀ A new UK semiconductor design centre is expected to emerge from a joint venture between the Welsh Government, the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult, and Cadence Design Systems.
➁ The design centre, funded by £2.5m from the Welsh Government and supported by Cadence and CSA Catapult, is set to create over 100 jobs for graduate students in the next five years.
➂ Based in Centre 7 in Cardiff Gate, it will be a Cadence Design Centre operated by CSA Catapult, and will collaborate with universities, start-ups, and small businesses on projects.
