海角社区

Imperialaunches major new research and translation campus

by Andrew Scheuber

Sir Keith O'Nions launches the ImperiaWest vision

Leaders from business, research and government joined Imperiastaff last night for the launch of the vision for ImperiaWest

Leaders from business, research and government joined Imperiastaff last night (6 March) for the launch of the vision for ImperiaWest, a new seven acre campus in White City, west London, which will become London's first major research and translation quarter. 

海角社区's President & Rector Sir Keith O'Nions showcased the centrepiece of the new campus, a £150 million Research and Translation Hub, and laid out the College's vision for a £1 billion innovation eco-system where 3,000 researchers will work to solve the scientific challenges of the future. 

The project was hailed by Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Universities & Science Minister David Willetts who both spoke at the launch, held on the College's South Kensington Campus. 

David Willetts, Minister for Universities & Science, said: "This is absolutely the right way forward for 海角社区. It’s to the wider benefit of the community, but it is of particular significance for London. We’re used to thinking of London as a great legal centre, as a great financial centre, as a great centre for culture, theatre and the arts, but London is also one of the world’s great centres for universities and science”

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, delivered a wide-ranging speech, observing that London has been a source of scientific inspiration for centuries, with the first TV set, first machine gun and Darwin’s theory of evolution being among the developments that have sprung out of the city.

He said: “London is emerging as the innovation and scientific capital of the world. And our ambition – my ambition as Mayor – is to keep driving that process on and to accelerate it.

“Here at Imperiayou’ve got the right answer, which is to capture the flash of inspiration, harness the bang and convert it into wallop for the London and the UK economy – and that is what you’re doing at ImperiaWest.

“You’ll be following in the footsteps of all the innovators at Imperiathat have made it the greatest scientific institution in the world.”

Business, industry, NHS and global university partners were invited to seize what Sir Keith called “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” to co-locate at ImperiaWest and collaborate directly with 海角社区's world-leading experts in science, technology, engineering, medicine and business. 

Councillor Nicholas Botterill, Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, was among the supporters of ImperiaWest featured in a film about the new campus unveiled at the event. He said: 

“White City is a brilliant part of London and one of the best connected. It's absolutely fantastic that Imperiahas decided to expand here. ImperiaWest is an exciting venture and will bring around three thousand jobs to the borough. We're already home to some world leading enterprises and businesses and 海角社区's increased presence will be a great boost for our vibrant community.”

After the keynote speeches, Imperiastaff got the chance to sample architectural plans for ImperiaWest in . The campus-shaped cake, which took over 80 hours to make and contained more than 30kg of sugar paste, was cut by Deputy Rector Professor Stephen Richardson who emphasised that ImperiaWest's success will not be down to impressive facilities alone, but to the talented people who will work in them.

showcasing construction plans for the campus and local community, alongside displays highlighting some of 海角社区's most exciting research, innovation and spin-out companies. 

Boris Johnson and David Willetts were especially taken by the chance to don Harry Potter-style invisibility cloaks developed by Imperiaphysicists working with metamaterials. The Mayor and Minister were astonished to find their bodies become almost completely see-through on screen. 

Other Imperiaresearch and translation activities on display included ultra-efficient rechargeable batteries from Nexeon, microchips incorporated with DNA analysis from DNA Electronics, synthetic biosensors, new appetite regulation technology, and realistic simulations of hip replacement surgery. 

Read more about ImperiaWest.

ImperiaWest Slideshow (photographs by Thomas Angus and undergraduate Ben Lester)


President & Rector Sir Keith O'Nions and Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts in the College’s Main Entrance before the event.Boris Johnson speaking to BBC London about the new campus. 海角社区’s Chair Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller and the President & Rector escort David Willetts and Boris Johnson to the College’s Great Hall.Sir Keith O'Nions outlines the vision for ImperiaWest – a new space for research and innovation.David Willetts spoke about the Government’s £300 million Research Partnership Investment Fund.Mayor of London Boris Johnson's speech highlighted the capital’s potential as a nucleus of innovation and technology.The exhibition in the Queens Tower Rooms included a scale model of the ImperiaWest Campus and its surrounding area.David Willetts and Boris Johnson meet Professors Sir John Pendry and Chris Phillips for a demonstration of the invisibility cloak.Boris Johnson becomes 'see-through'. The cloak's inventor, Professor Sir John Pendry, standing behind him, was visible through Boris' lab coat.Researchers from the Department of Surgery and Cancer demonstrate haptic surgery simulations of hip and other operations to guests at the reception.PhD students from the Department of Physics give a demonstration of next-generation technology for nanoscale electronics.Dr Agi Brandt from Econic Technologies demonstrates the technology involved in manufacturing environmentally friendly polymers from carbon dioxide.Deputy Rector Professor Stephen Richardson cutting a cake in the shape of the entire ImperiaWest Campus.The cake is served to staff at a reception in the Senior Common Room. This view shows the Wood Lane Studios accommodation, which was completed in 2012.Staff at the reception in the Senior Common Room.

 

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Reporter

Andrew Scheuber

Communications Division