Two design research projects led by Professor James Roddis at Sheffield Hallam University examined how to overcome the technical factors that make it difficult to convert waste glass into a useful, high value material. The main output was a composite material that was attractive, durable and sympathetic to the environment.
Impacts included:
• Improving the UK’s economic competitiveness by a creating a new innovative material that has wide application in domestic and commercial locations.
• Helping to sustain a spin out company and a local manufacturer by providing a high quality material.
• Benefiting the economic prosperity of an area of the UK that needs regeneration.
• Supporting sustainable development by utilising recycled resources, including previously ‘difficult’ waste from consumer, building and automotive waste streams. This supports EU and UK government objectives for the re-use of waste.
The developed composite material, typically consisting of 85% recycled glass and 15% solvent free resin, was subsequently licensed to Resin Building Products Ltd based in Doncaster, and manufactured under the trade name TTURATM. Funding was also provided by the EU as the intellectual property for the product was given to this South Yorkshire company, which is situated in a recognised regeneration area. Three further companies have each been given a distribution licence to sell TTURATM finished products. TTURATM won the prestigious Material ConneXion Award in 2004, and is sold to make kitchen tops, paving slabs, wet flooring and for various other commercial and domestic uses. Its most recent large scale application has been designed by Martha Swartz, and is part of the Dublin Docks reconstruction.
Further details:
http://www3.shu.ac.uk/c3ri/Details.cfm?Action=DetailsOfProject&ProjectID=67
Further information:
These short overviews have been produced as an aid to understanding some of the impacts arising from arts and humanities research. The examples are taken from existing AHRC projects, ranging from small awards up to large Research Grants and Centres. They are not exhaustive; impact from research takes many forms. It can occur at any stage of the research process, from its beginning to well after the research itself has finished.
The Research Councils define impact as the demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy. This definition accords with the Royal Charters of the Councils and with HM Treasury guidance on the appraisal of economic impact. Impact embraces all the extremely diverse ways in which research-related knowledge and skills benefit individuals, organisations and nations by:
• fostering global economic performance, and specifically the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom
• increasing the effectiveness of public services and policy, and
• enhancing quality of life, health and creative output
These case studies offer some, but in no way all, of the diversity and variety of those impacts. They are not, however, intended as guidance on completing the Impact Requirements sections on proposals, for which you should refer to the Je-S guidance for Standard Grant proposals and Fellowship proposals.
It should also be remembered that the impacts described here will not necessarily be replicated by undertaking the same activities. The pathways to impact are as diverse and varied as the impacts themselves. These examples can, however, provide some illustration of what can be achieved.