CFPR moves to new home on Frenchay campus

The Centre for Fine Print Research (CFPR) is pleased to announce their new premises in W Block, Frenchay Campus, having recently moved most of its facilities from Bower Ashton Campus. CFPR focuses on innovation around all aspects of print history, practice, manufacturing and materials and is made up over 30 researchers from a range of scientific and artistic disciplines.

Tracey John, Director of Research, Business and Innovation (RBI), Professor Carinna Parraman, Director of the Centre for Fine Print Research and Professor Martin Boddy, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise

Moving the Roland machine

New lab space for CFPR graphene research

Director of the CFPR, Professor Carinna Parraman, said: ‘‘Moving to Frenchay will provide us with more space that will enable the whole of CFPR to be in one location and allow us to develop our research activities. We’ll also benefit from greater collaboration and knowledge exchange with departments, labs and centres to establish new research opportunities and funding applications.

‘‘Once the move is complete, our new site will be bigger and better, with investment in new equipment and state-of-the-art refurbished facilities. These include graphene and photography laboratories, and print and ceramics studios. Our long-term aim is to have a fully functioning series of laboratories that allows us and collaborative colleagues to further put ideas into practice, develop prototypes and develop proof of concept.’’

The development of CFPR

The CFPR has continued to grow from strength to strength over the years. Founded in 1998 as a small, distinctive centre of research excellence, the centre had a huge boost when awarded a £7.7 m grant from Research England’s Expanding Excellence Fund in 2019. The grant was used to triple the number of research and technical staff and purchase a wide range of high-value equipment, including robotic arms and 3D printers as well as entirely bespoke machines developed by CFPR staff. Since 2019, CFPR has established 45 new relationships with companies, won 11 more grants and has been awarded six prizes for their work.

CFPR research projects are as varied and exciting as the researchers themselves, spanning across the fields of art and science. Some of the projects include the use of graphene for the development of wearable electronic textiles that are capable of regulating temperature and monitoring vitals; laboratory-grown crystals which could offer a more sustainable supply chain for the jewellery industry; intelligent inks that can provide in-built security features to packaging; and lifelike organ simulators which can improve surgical training.

Find out more

CFPR will be hosting a series of industry days later in the year to introduce staff and external stakeholders to their work, past successes and facilities. All those who are interested in finding out more about CFPR and possible collaboration are welcome. Details to be announced.