Daping is an expert in holography for diffractive optical elements and fabrication processes for plastic electronics and has experience of delivering postgraduate teaching in these areas. He holds numerous patents and currently has a large research activity in flexible displays and electronics.

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Andrew was awarded a PhD from Imperial College (University of London) in 1994 for his work at NPL on the development of a phase-stepping interferometer for the measurement of engineering length standards. Since then, he has worked in many research subjects in dimensional metrology including phase-stepping interferometry, swing arm profilometry for aspheric optics, contact-based coordinate metrology, laser-based large-scale metrology and interferometer-based micro-scale coordinate metrology.

Andrew has designed, built, and programmed several world-class metrology instruments which are now sold commercially. He has managed NPL measurement services that are used by industry, as well as spending a short time as Group Leader of the Length Metrology group. Andrew is now the Science Area Leader for Dimensional Metrology and represents NPL and the UK on several international committees including the CIPM’s Consultative Committee for Length (where he chairs one of the CCL Working Groups), and the EURAMET Technical Committee for Length (which he chaired for four years).

Andrew has written and presented training courses in dimensional metrology, talked about metrology on two BBC TV programmes, run several large international comparisons as well as provided contract R&D and consultancy for other metrology laboratories, precision engineering companies, and the European Space Agency. When not working, Andrew enjoys several hobbies including general aviation, motor sport, windsurfing, gardening, photography and walking.

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He is also the research portfolio manager for the EPSRC Centre.

Bill has an extensive academic background. He has held prestigious research appointments which include a Royal Society Research Fellowship and an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship. Research grants include an EPSRC funded Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre led by Cambridge and he has previously collaborated with Cranfield University through its EPSRC funded Integrated Knowledge Centre and Grand Challenge 3D Mintegration project.

Bill established the Centre for Industrial Photonics in 2006 and continues to research and develop next generation photonics based manufacturing solutions. He has a strong international profile, serving as an international advisory panel member of the National Laser Centre in South Africa, board director of the Laser Institute of America, and advises industry on numerous laser based manufacturing technologies. In 2010 Bill was elected as a Fellow of the Laser Institute of America.

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Paul has strong background experience across industry and academia. During his time at Cranfield Unit for Precision Engineering, Paul co-ordinated the UK’s first DTI funded project under the National Initiative in Nanotechnology entitled “Ultra Precision Machining Research”.  Its output capability was instrumental in establishing the UK’s largest ultra precision production facility for infra-red optics.

Paul also held a number of technical positions at the International SKF Group prior to becoming responsible for the Group’s precision production engineering research.  He worked in the Netherlands and Sweden, introducing pivotal new production systems and processes that opened up new markets such as large scale bearings applied to wind turbines.

When Paul led the Precision Engineering Institute at Cranfield University, he established it as a world-leading research facility and a recognised system supplier to NASA, ESA, ESO and NPL.  He has led major collaborative projects through the Research Councils UK Basic Technologies programme and most recently an Integrated Knowledge Centre funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Paul has developed a large number of Masters level training programmes in ultra precision at Cranfield University, many of which attract a large number of short course delegates from industry.

Paul is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and was elected President of the European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology from 2011-2013.

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Nick has managed commercial research and development groups at Cancer Research UK, Thorn EMI Central Research Laboratories, Scipher plc and Microsharp.  He has also been involved in a number of company start-ups including Spinox (now Oxford Biomaterials) and designed, developed and licensed the text understanding system used in OpenText Corporation’s Enterprise Content Manager (originally for Fulcrum Technologies).

Nick will be helping the Centre into the supply chain and research arenas relating to film based products, including display and plastic electronics.

Email Nicholas Walker