Aberdeen hits industrial stage with Axeon aid

Technology company Axeon has signed a second-stage deal with Aberdeen University to take a pioneering approach to high-bandwidth communications through to the manufacturing stage.

Under an agreement signed two years ago, the university researches ideas for products in information technology and associated electronics for which Aberdeen-based Axeon provides the necessary product development, management, marketing skills and financial backing. The university receives royalties on successful products.

Axeon has developed two core products - a software tool for increasing the amount of data that can flow through corporate networks and a learning processor that allows more reliable, higher quality communications in third-generation mobile phones.

Aberdeen's vice-principal for commercialising research, Alex Forrester, said: "The agreement with Axeon is an example of how a university can work successfully with industry to translate its intellectual research into products with real practical application. Our relationship with Axeon combines the university's scientific creativity with Axeon's project management, sales and marketing skills."

In a spin-off from the partnership, David Hendry of the university's engineering department will begin a one-year secondment to the company from Monday. He will lead the design team working on the next version of the processor chip.

The company, which sponsors a postgraduate student in microprocessor technology, has also introduced an award for final-year electronics students, sponsoring them at an industrial event to boost their career development.