Real-world impact from Materials Science & Metallurgy research
Have you developed a new material, process or technology with the potential to change the world?
Date: Thursday, 3 December, 2026
Time: 16:00 – 17:15
Location: Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, 27 Charles Babbage Road, CB3 0FS
Join us at the Department for Materials Science and Metallurgy for a late afternoon exploring how research can create impact beyond academia. Through a series of fast-paced interview-style conversations, you’ll hear from researchers from the department who have worked with Cambridge Enterprise to translate their ideas into real-world applications through consultancy, licensing and venture creation.
Whether you’re a PhD student, postdoctoral researcher, early-career academic or established researcher, this event will provide practical insights into the different routes available for taking research beyond the lab.
Stay afterwards for pizza, drinks and informal conversations with the Cambridge Enterprise team, innovation champions from the Department and others interested in turning research into real-world impact.
Agenda
4.00pm – Arrival
4.15pm – A welcome from:
- Professor Xavier Moya
Professor of Materials Physics
4.20pm – Interviews with:
- Dr Sebastian Dixon
Postdoctoral Researcher
Commercial pathway: Venture creation - Professor Xavier Moya
Professor of Materials Physics
Commercial pathway: Licensing & spin‑out formation - Dr Simon Fairclough
Senior Advanced TEM Officer for the Wolfson Electron Microscopy Suite
Commercial pathway: Consultancy & industry collaboration
4.40pm – Speeches concludes
4.45pm – Pizza & Networking
5:15pm – Event Close
Every major technology company started with an idea. So make sure to join us to discover how research can become real-world impact, connect with fellow innovators and learn how Cambridge Enterprise can help you navigate the journey from breakthrough research to technologies that benefit society.
From materials science & metallurgy research to real-world impact
Cambridge Enterprise
Part of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Enterprise supports academics, researchers, staff and students in achieving knowledge transfer and research impact. We do this by helping innovators, experts and entrepreneurs use commercial avenues to develop their ideas and expertise for the benefit of society, the economy, themselves and the University.
Cambridge Enterprise is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and as part of that we’re partnering with University departments for specialised editions of our annual “Ideas to Reality” showcase to celebrate the translation of University research into real-world impact.
The Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy
The Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy has a large and vigorous research school, with about 100 research fellows, postdoctoral scientists and visiting scientists, and more than 140 research students studying for the postgraduate degrees. The growth in our research activities over the past twenty years has been almost exponential, with a current research income of more than £10 million per year.
Although our research has always been closely linked with industrial needs and supported in large part by industry as well as government, recent trends have seen the development of larger-scale working relationships with major research sponsors. Similarly, our wide range of international contacts which bring visiting researchers to Cambridge has been extended through formal collaboration agreements with institutions from around the world.
