Two start-ups incubated at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) Li Dak Sum Incubator have received National High-Tech Enterprise (NHTE) certification, one of the most prestigious honours for Chinese tech enterprises. Remarkably, both companies have achieved this recognition in less than three years since their establishment.
These start-ups, which boast over ten core intellectual property rights and excel in transforming scientific achievements into practical applications, have rapidly risen to prominence in the high-end manufacturing sector. Their success is deeply rooted in the support and resources provided by UNNC, according to Professor Haonan Li, a globally recognised top 2% scientist in the Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Manufacturing Engineering at UNNC.
In 2019, UNNC established the Li Dak Sum Innovation Fund to support student and staff entrepreneurial projects, aiming to address real-world challenges through innovation. With strong funding support, Professor Li and his team embarked on the development of a desktop five-axis CNC machine, now a core product of their company.
This revolutionary machine tool reduces costs by 70%, volume by 80%, and weight by 95%, while achieving micron-level processing accuracy. It has already brought significant benefits to high-value industries, such as local diamond cultivation, where it has greatly reduced processing time.
"Starting a business is challenging. However, UNNC helps us alleviate a lot of pressure," Professor Li said. "In addition to top international research resources, the Incubator provides funding and space, assists with policy interpretation and application, and connects us with global resources, allowing us to focus on development."
The importance of shared core technological resources is also evident in the case of MKC Automation, the other start-up.
MKC specialises in laser processing machine tools and multi-material 3D printing machine tools. These high-end tools enhance manufacturing precision and efficiency, drive innovation in new materials, and play a crucial role in fields such as automotive moulds, biomedicine, aerospace, and electronics, significantly boosting national industrial competitiveness.
In 2018, Professor Yinfeng He, an expert in intelligent manufacturing, joined UNNC, bringing state-of-the-art 3D printing technology from the University of Nottingham to China. Around the same time, a group of young scholars with extensive R&D experience also joined UNNC, further advancing the university's technological capabilities.
Leveraging UNNC's technological strengths, MKC's technical team is making significant strides in the high-end manufacturing sector. This market-orientated innovation also enriches teaching at UNNC.
Professor Li noted that research topics are derived from real-world projects, market needs, social development, and national demands, rather than being purely theoretical. This approach helps students understand industry trends and lays a solid foundation for future innovation.
Beyond advancing core technologies and developing competitive products, Professor Li aims to create a sustainable industry-university-research ecosystem. He believes that combining the university's international strengths with market insights will cultivate students who possess both expertise and market awareness, ultimately benefiting the university and society at large.
Published on 18 February 2025