Funded R&D Projects

A collaboration aimed to advance the commercial viability of MEMS gravity sensors from SMG. This initiative sought to overcome historical challenges faced by gravity sensors in gaining widespread commercial use. 

By combining the unparalleled sensitivity and accuracy of the MEMS sensors, the project aimed to create a gravity sensing system. This system would provide precise measurements of absolute gravity and gravity gradients, crucial for applications in civil engineering, utilities, environmental monitoring, carbon capture, and defense/security.

In this approach, the sensor functioned as a stationary or rail-mobile Base station, offering a stable absolute gravity reference. Meanwhile, MEMS sensors operated autonomously on drones or vehicles, conducting stationary measurements at predefined locations and returning to the base for drift correction. 

This innovative system promised to meet the diverse needs of end-users requiring extensive gravity surveys over large areas, offering a practical solution that balances accuracy, mobility, and cost-effectiveness in real-world applications.

ISCF Project Number: 10032230 

Total Project Funding: £424,779 

https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=10032230

 Central to this project is a removable battery that extends the e-bike's electric-assisted range by up to 10 miles. This compact power bank is designed to be portable enough for users to carry in their pocket and doubles as a power bank for personal devices. 

By addressing the current barriers of high cost and weight in traditional e-bike sharing schemes, this initiative seeks to redefine market standards and make e-bikes more accessible and practical for shared use.

Innovate UK Project Number: 35262

Total Project Funding: £278,854 

https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=35262

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a sleep disorder where throat muscles and soft tissues relax, obstructing the airway for 10 seconds or more during sleep. While severe cases pose serious health risks including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, moderate OSA primarily leads to chronic fatigue and diminished quality of life due to disrupted sleep patterns. Current treatments involve using airway obstruction devices during sleep, which alleviate symptoms but do not cure the condition, necessitating lifelong use.

SMT has developed a novel solution in the form of a tongue-mounted device that delivers daily 20-minute treatments using mild electric pulses (neuromodulation). This device targets the tongue's rear muscle to enhance tone and prevent airway collapse, aiming to provide a long-term cure for OSA. The project aims to evolve the device into an intelligent platform that collects biosensor data during treatment. Utilizing machine learning and AI, 

This innovation not only seeks to improve patient outcomes and quality of life but also aims to reduce healthcare costs associated with managing severe OSA and its long-term health impacts. 

ISCF Project Number: 26526 

Total Project Funding: £802,291 

https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=26526

In the UK, there are approximately 35,000 kidney transplant recipients who rely on lifelong immunosuppressant medication to prevent organ rejection. While modern immunosuppressants have improved ten-year kidney graft survival rates to 60%, up from 40% a decade ago, their narrow therapeutic range and variability between patients necessitate regular clinic-based monitoring. 

MW is addressing this critical issue by developing a self-testing diagnostic device that allows kidney transplant patients to monitor immunosuppressant levels conveniently at home using their smartphone. Results are transmitted wirelessly to an online dashboard for immediate review by healthcare providers, enabling timely adjustments to medication regimens. This patient-centric approach promises to enhance transplant maintenance, improve patient quality of life, and potentially save the NHS £72 million annually by extending graft survival for approximately 3,000 new kidney transplants each year in the UK.

The project is advancing from a functional proof of concept to developing a pre-production prototype and conducting initial clinical trials in collaboration with leading clinicians. Their support is crucial in expediting the availability of this innovative solution, which aims to revolutionize immunosuppression therapy with precision medicine, reduce healthcare system costs, and alleviate burdens on patients and providers alike.

Innovate UK Project Number: 720780 

Total Project Funding: £249,999 

https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=720780