NPL is a world-leading centre in the development and application of highly accurate measurement techniques. As the UK's national standards laboratory, NPL underpins the national measurement system, ensuring consistency and traceability of measurements throughout the UK.

Other areas of expertise include the design and characterisation of engineering materials, and the development of mathematical software, especially its application to measurement and instrumentation.

www.npl.co.uk

The BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing is a senior scientific and technical Federal Institute with responsibility to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). The technological productivity of the Federal Republic of Germany is based on competitive high-quality products, which are to be ensured by innovative measurement and testing technology. BAM has its responsibility in:

• Advancement of safety in technology and chemistry
• Physical and chemical inspections of materials and plants including supply of reference methods and reference materials
• Promoting the transfer of knowledge and technology in BAM's key areas
• Collaboration in developing legal regulations like on safety standards and threshold values
• Consulting on safety aspects of materials technology for the Federal Government and industry.

BAM is the successor of the Public Materials Testing Office (Staatliches Materialprüfungsamt) founded in 1871 and of the Chemical-Technical State Institute (Chemisch-Technische Reichsanstalt) set up in 1920.

Our mission: Safety in technology and chemistry

Pursuing our mission as a Federal Institute for materials technology and chemical engineering, we ensure ongoing safety in technology and chemistry through

• Research and development
• Testing, analysis, approval and certification
• Consultation, information and advice

within our objective of promoting German and European industrial development.

Key areas of research

• Analytical chemistry
• Safe handling of dangerous materials and dangerous goods
• Safe and environmentally compatible use of materials
• Safe operation of technical systems and processes
• Damage mechanisms and damage analysis

The Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRIM) is a public body under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research. INRIM is devoted to the study of the science of measurements and to research into materials; furthermore it works on developing innovative technologies and devices.

Performing the duties of primary metrological Institute, INRIM realises the primary standards for the basic and derived units of the International System of units (SI), assures the maintenance of such standards, their international comparison, provides the national measurements traceability to the SI, represents Italy in the international metrology.

PTB performs fundamental research and development work in the field of metrology as a basis for all the tasks entrusted to it in the areas concerning the determination of fundamental and natural constants, the realization, maintenance and dissemination of the legal units of the SI, safety engineering, services and metrology for the area regulated by law and for industry, as well as technology transfer.

Only fundamental research work performed by PTB itself using latest technologies will enable it to ensure on a long-term basis its metrological competence recognized on the international level, and to extend it further.

Danish Fundamental Metrology (DFM), the Danish national metrology institute

Medtronic is the world's largest medical technology company, offering an unprecedented breadth and depth of innovative therapies to fulfill our Mission of alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life. Last year, more than 8 million people relied on our medical therapies, which treat cardiac and vascular diseases, diabetes, and neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.

With a global reach that extends to more than 120 countries, we have a deep understanding of many universal healthcare challenges. We're using our experience, extensive partnerships, and the passion of 45,000 employees to help transform healthcare worldwide by improving outcomes, expanding access, and enhancing value.

For more information please visit www.medtronic.com

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma, Smith & Nephew has almost 10,500 employees and a presence in more than 90 countries.

At the Leibniz University around 22,000 students are educated in the natural sciences and engineering, the humanities and social sciences as well in law and economics. In research the university concentrates on nationally and internationally competitive key areas in order to sharpen its profile in this way. The research is strengthened by cooperation with internationally leading universities and research centres.

The Analytical Chemistry group at LUH is one of the leading groups for research in Analytical Chemistry at German Universities and responsible for the education of students who will finish with a Master degree in Analytics. The group has strong expertise in the investigation of implant materials, the analysis of biomaterials, the synthesis and characterization of stratified polymer materials with variable mass shares of inorganic or organometallic components, in archaeometry and isotope analysis. The Analytical Chemistry group at LUH works since 2003 in the field of implant materials which includes alloy development, in vitro and in vivo testing, analytical studies and method development as well as support in the development and optimization of manufacturing equipment and materials. All projects are performed in close cooperations with leading groups in Medicine and alloy manufacturing.

The University of Nottingham's position as a world-class University is confirmed by its ranking in the global league tables. We are ranked in the UK top 10, the European top 30 and in the top 1 per cent of all universities worldwide.

The School of Pharmacy was the highest ranking for research quality in the last UK research assessment with 80% of research rated as "internationally excellent" or better.

Founded in 1993, the Laboratory of Biophysics and Surface Analysis consists of 9 independent academics with complementary expertise in solving fundamental and applied biomolecular, biomaterial and (bio)formulation problems.