One of the biggest companies in the world is investing in a 1.5m research centre at Oxford University's new science park.
The Ford motor company is setting up the centre with the latest Oxford University spin-out company at the ten-acre Begbroke Business and Science Park, which was being opened this afternoon by Science Minister Lord Sainsbury.
The site is one of the first in Europe to integrate leading-edge university material science research with start-up businesses and commercial laboratories. Half the Begbroke site has university labs concentrating on industry-backed applied research, including recycled aluminium alloys for pollution-free cars, long shelf-life plastic packaging and new high brightness displays for videophones and flat TV screens. Companies like Rolls-Royce, Hewlett-Packard, Ford, AEA Technology and Alcan are working closely with the academics.
The rest of the site houses hi-tech companies, including recent University spin-out companies Nanox and Opsys.
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