05 March 2009

University acknowledged for strong partnership

A successful partnership which saw the University of Sheffield use its expertise to help a manufacturing company develop and design a new antenna to be used in mobile and hand held devices, has been recognised at the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Annual Awards 2009. The University and Sarantel Ltd were presented with the Best KTP Building on EPSRC-Funded Research award at the awards ceremony on Thursday 5 March 2009.

Sarantel Ltd, a manufacturer of the world´s most advanced miniature filtering antennas, entered into the partnership with the University as part of a strategy to enhance the design and development of a new antennae core and to develop cheaper and more manufacturable materials to ensure lower costs.

Dr Mehdi Mirsaneh, the KTP Associate from the University, and Professor Ian Reaney from the Department of Engineering Materials, teamed up with Oliver Leisten, the Technical Director at Sarantel, to look at the use of glass and other ceramic related materials in the miniature filtering antenna. The partnership has seen them move away from conventional technology to develop a component that will be suitable for the GPS-enabled, third generation mobile phones. The technology is smaller and more powerful than most competitors.

The KTP, will enable Sarantel to reach a much broader section of the antenna market and increase its market share and profits in the long term. Dr Mehdi Mirsaneh has acquired considerable research and problem-solving experience within a commercial setting and from on-the-job training in the United States through the KTP.

Dr Mirsaneh commented:"The KTP has been a very constructive placement which has led to subsequent employment"

KTPs offer businesses access to graduates and academic colleagues, whether it is to improve existing products and processes, upgrade manufacturing logistics or develop a marketing strategy.

Professor Ian Reaney, commented: "We are extremely pleased to receive this award. KTPs provide the ideal platform for businesses to engage with the academic community, on a mutually beneficial basis. During the KTP our relationship with Sarantel went from strength to strength and we were able to develop an understanding of each others needs. Which is why I feel this particular KTP was so successful"

Following the successful completion of this KTP, Sarantel and the University have recently been awarded funding for a second KTP which will research, design and embed a process for developing meta materials and improve the antenna metallisation process used in manufacturing.