Chelmsford, England, August 13, 2004--e2v technologies and Brunel University have announced the establishment of a new research facility--the "e2v centre for electronic imaging" (CEI). Based at Brunel's Uxbridge campus, the center will be dedicated to the research and development of advanced technologies for electronic image sensing and will welcome its first PhD students in the new academic year (October 2004).
The new center builds on e2v's success in the design and supply of CCD image sensors, and on the relationship between the company and Brunel University. Reinforcing links between universities and industry, the CEI will identify new applications for existing e2v imaging technology and will develop new electronic-imaging technology and products for market.
"In co-funding and co-managing the center, we hope to broaden e2v's knowledge base in electronic imaging and, in turn, our product portfolio in this sector. We may even hope to gain additional expert staff, resulting from our sponsoring of research students," said Trevor Cross, e2v's technical director.
CEI is supported by significant investment from various parties. Over the next five years, e2v will invest up to £0.5m in the CEI. Brunel is funding three new research lectureships, as well as providing the facilities and equipment for the program. Professor Andrew Holland has been appointed to the CEI-sponsored chair, and will be its founding director. "Brunel is currently investing heavily in campus infrastructure," said Holland. "The CEI complements the recently opened research facility, 'BITLab,' which is fast becoming a successful e-science and multimedia-research lab, as well as a hi-tech visual center for meetings and conferences. It is a very positive time to welcome e2v on board with this new research initiative."
The CEI has been conceived and initiated with the blessing of PPARC (Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council) and meets the ambitions of the Research Councils to encourage formal collaborations between like-minded higher-education institutions and industry.
The new academic year will see the e2v CEI come to life with an official launch event and the arrival of the first research students. The center is supported by three lectureships, five research associates, a lab technician, and an electronic engineer and should have six research students in place within a year. Its activities will be governed by a steering committee.