The Open University and e2v announce the opening of the e2v Centre for Electronic Imaging

The Open University and e2v, a leading developer and manufacturer of specialised components and sub-systems have announced a collaboration to open the e2v Centre for Electronic Imaging (CEI) at The Open University’s Milton Keynes campus.

The centre will be dedicated to the research and development of advanced technologies for electronic image sensing and provide knowledge exchange between the UK technology industry and the academic world.

The collaboration will see The Open University and e2v investing £3m in the UK knowledge economy over five years in new research activity through the e2v CEI.

e2v is a world leader in the design and supply of image sensors to organisations such as NASA (e.g. for the 2009 upgrade of the Hubble Space Telescope), whilst The Open University’s Planetary and Space Science Department (PSSRI) is a world leader in the development of instrumentation for Space Science, (e.g. lead the Beagle-2 lander and lead group for the Surface Science package on ESA’s Huygens probe). The joint research centre (CEI) will focus on the development of technology opportunities in space and terrestrial imaging, with plans to extend to the scope to health and environmental applications.
Professor Brigid Heywood, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise said “The Open University is a world leader in using innovative technologies to deliver high quality education, and educational research. We embrace the opportunity to work with organisations like e2v who are world leaders and committed to advancements in technology and knowledge exchange.”

Andrew Holland, Professor of Electro-Optics with The Open University says the collaboration will provide long-term benefits to science, training and the creation of world leading intellectual property. “Both academic research and the development of industrial technology require highly skilled researchers with a thorough understanding of the needs of industry. The e2v Centre for Electronic Imaging will provide an avenue for doctoral students and research staff to explore routes to industrial advancements for business sustainability, and technological break throughs in science and medicine,” Holland said.

Trevor Cross, Chief Technology Officer at e2v said “We are very excited about this collaboration with The Open University. This new phase in the development of the e2v CEI, originally located at Brunel University, will see it take a significant step forward in supporting research to benefit knowledge exchange and industry advancement”.

Media contacts:
The Open University:
Jane Dillon, j.dillon@open.ac.uk Tel : +44(0)1908 652 580, Mobile: +44 (0) 7768 658913
e2v:
Jessica Broom jessica.broom@e2v.com Tel: +44 (0) 1245 453 607

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

e2v

e2v’s objective is to be a global leader in the design and supply of specialised components and sub-systems that enable the world’s leading systems companies to deliver innovative solutions for medical and science, aerospace and defence, and commercial and industrial markets.

e2v has 4 major product groups:

• High performance electron devices and subsystems for applications including defence electronic countermeasures, radiotherapy cancer treatment, and radar systems
• Advanced Imaging sensors and cameras for applications including industrial process control, dental X-ray systems, space science and life sciences
• Specialist semiconductors, including logic, memory and microprocessors for high reliability mission-critical programs in avionics, defence and telecommunications, sensor data acquisition, and high speed data conversion
• A range of professional sensing products for applications including fire, rescue and security thermal imaging, X-ray spectroscopy, and military surveillance, targeting and guidance

For the year ended 31 March 2008, e2v achieved sales of £205m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. In October 2008 e2v acquired QP semiconductor, a leading US-based designer and supplier of specialty semiconductor components used in military and aerospace applications, establishing e2v’s first US manufacturing base.

The Company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has approximately 1800 employees in six production facilities across Europe and North America. e2v also operates a global network of sales and technical support offices, supported by local distributors and resellers.

Further information is available from www.e2v.com

About The Open University

The Open University (OU) is the United Kingdom's largest university and the world leader in distance education. Its mission commits the University to furthering social justice and to making higher education and educational opportunity accessible to all. More than two million people have studied with the OU since it began in 1969. The OU has more than 200,000 students in over 40 countries studying for a variety of degrees and vocational qualifications ranging from short courses to PhDs. The Open University works in partnership to deliver distance learning in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. It has more than 4,000 full-time and 7,000 part-time staff with a turnover of £420million.