Russian businesses visit The University of Manchester to talk research

A Russian trade delegation seeking research opportunities with the UK around green construction, sustainable infrastructure and smart technologies visited the University as part of the 'innovative technologies for urban infrastructure’ mission.

Russian delegates at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre

The visit follows the 'Making smart cities sustainable and resilient' event which took place in Moscow last October.

With the University being a key partner in Triangulum, a five-year innovation project focusing on sustainable mobility, energy, ICT and business opportunities, plus Manchester’s credentials as the UK’s smart-city demonstrator site during the CityVerve pilot, the city’s expertise in this field continues to attract interest from potential international collaborators.

Manchester was the only UK city involved in the mission which was organised by the Department for International Trade (DIT) Russia. In addition to their visit to the University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering to find out more about our advanced materials and energy research, the delegation met with Manchester City Council, Manchester Metropolitan University and a range of northern companies specialising in sustainable infrastructure and urban systems and technologies. 

The delegates visited our recently-opened Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) to hear first-hand about graphene applications such as; improving sensor technologies, innovation in infrastructure; carbon budgets and smart cities from the Graphene@Manchester team and academics from Tyndall Manchester. They were taken on a tour of the new GEIC facilities before also visiting the University’s High Voltage and Energy Storage labs.

Urban planners and civil engineers were among representatives from the Centre for Strategic Research, LED Engineering, Urbanica, STRELKA KB, Metropolis Group, Green Building Council in Russia and the Saint Petersburg Convention Bureau.

Ekaterina Glukhova, Senior Trade Adviser from the Department for International Trade Russia, said: “We had two productive days in Manchester. Our delegation was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the GEIC and to talk to the experts from The University of Manchester about various graphene applications, energy efficiency and possible business collaboration.

“DIT Russia is always happy to promote UK capabilities and support business cooperation between the two countries. We hope this mission was another step for bigger future projects.”