Five Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) involving the University of Salford have been awarded a ‘Very Good’ rating by Innovate UK. This recognition highlights the successful collaborations that have enabled businesses to innovate, enhance their capabilities, and stimulate growth.
The partnerships, which include collaborations with KP Acoustics, Greenjets, Valves Instruments Plus (VIP) Ltd, Farrat, and Irwin Mitchell, showcase how organisations can leverage the University’s specialist expertise to accelerate innovation and transform research into practical applications.
These KTPs have facilitated the development of new technologies, bolstered digital capabilities, enhanced workplace wellbeing, and addressed intricate business challenges across five diverse sectors.
Funded in part by Innovate UK, KTPs unite a business, a university, and a dedicated KTP Associate to tackle strategic business issues through research and innovation. The University of Salford has participated in this initiative since its inception in 1975, being one of the original pilot universities, and has dedicated over 50 years to helping organisations convert research into tangible impacts.
Innovation Across Multiple Sectors
One of the projects, in collaboration with acoustic consultancy KP Acoustics, has led to the creation of an intelligent soundscape system. This system generates personalised, adaptive sound environments aimed at making workplaces healthier, more comfortable, and less distracting. The partnership combined expertise in acoustics and human perception to develop a prototype with commercial viability.
Another project, spearheaded by Professor Torija Martinez from the Salford Acoustics Innovation Institute, partnered with Greenjets to create innovative tools for designing quieter electric propulsion systems for drones and future aircraft. This initiative allows for the prediction and mitigation of noise from the earliest design stages, enhancing the University’s expertise in a rapidly evolving field while enabling Greenjets to consider noise factors throughout the development cycle. This approach helps the company identify optimal, cost-effective designs early on, reducing the need for costly redesigns and expediting the advancement of quieter, more sustainable aviation technologies.
The University also collaborated with engineering supplier Valves Instruments Plus (VIP) Ltd to facilitate the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM), allowing for the earlier specification of its products in construction projects.
In partnership with Farrat, the University translated cutting-edge research on thermal bridges into practical tools that assist architects and engineers in minimising heat loss in buildings. This project not only enhanced the University’s expertise in sustainable construction but also laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration in retrofit and low-carbon building design.
Additionally, a project with Irwin Mitchell focused on integrating artificial intelligence and data science within one of the UK’s premier law firms. By developing new machine learning tools and fostering in-house expertise, this partnership is enabling the firm to leverage data more effectively, thereby improving client services, supporting business decisions, and driving future growth.
All five partnerships received a ‘Very Good’ grading after assessment by Innovate UK, acknowledging the quality of the collaborations and their significant impact on both the businesses involved and the University.
These partnerships exemplify The Power of Us, the University’s rallying call that encapsulates a shared narrative of progress, resilience, and achievement through teamwork and collaboration.
Susan Suttle, Knowledge Transfer Adviser at Innovate UK Business Connect, remarked, “These five ‘Very Good’ gradings are a strong endorsement of the quality, ambition, and impact of the University of Salford’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. Each project shows how KTPs can help businesses access world-class academic expertise, embed new knowledge, and deliver practical innovation that supports growth, productivity, and long-term capability.”
Professor Mandy Parkinson, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Knowledge Exchange at the University of Salford, stated, “These partnerships demonstrate what can be achieved when academia and industry come together to tackle complex challenges. Working closely with our partners, we are driving innovation, supporting business growth, and creating positive impact across the region. We’re delighted that all five partnerships have been recognised by Innovate UK as ‘Very Good’. It’s a fantastic achievement and a testament to the commitment and collaboration of everyone involved.”
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships represent one of the avenues through which the University of Salford collaborates with organisations to translate research into practical solutions. In addition to consultancy, collaborative research, and innovation programmes, KTPs enable businesses to access specialist expertise, develop new technologies, enhance processes, and bring innovative ideas to market.
