A state-of-the-art facility
The Health Tech Hub is based at the University of the West of England (UWE) Frenchay Campus in Bristol, UK. The hub helps businesses to develop and bring to market new technology solutions which promote health and wellbeing, particularly focusing on independent living and citizen-centric health. The hub’s mission is to advance innovation in healthcare, to invigorate the grow of UK companies and to improve the quality of life for citizens. The HTH team identify and create opportunities for businesses, universities and the healthcare sector to work together to solve the demanding problems faced by the healthcare sector in the UK and globally.
A dedicated team
The Hub team comprises researchers, industry specialists and technicians primarily based at UWE. The founding partners are the University of Bristol, Sirona Care and Health, P3 Medical Ltd, Designability and the West of England Academic Health Science Network.
Wet labs
The HTH has a number of wet laboratories that offer space for developing and testing products or concepts. These include facilities for cell culture and performing basic biochemical and molecular biological testing. Supporting technologies in these labs include: PCR, real-time PCR, liquid chromatography, electrophoresis, microscopy, spectrophotometry, and real-time imaging. Cell culture facilities are augmented by a simple bioreactor.
Living lab test bed
The living lab test bed is in effect a single bedroom apartment, with a fitted kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room. This facility could be used to test products and devices in a controlled domestic environment. Video capture can be used to analyse movement and interactions with technologies in the domestic space.
Product design and development
The Health Tech Hub is well equipped with technical expertise that can help to develop models of prototypes and devices. We can help work through developing new sensing technologies and the physical aspects of mounting devices in suitable containers for diagnostic applications.
Testing and validation
The Health Tech Hub offers independent validation and testing facilities to demonstrate that new products and prototypes respond as expected. Feedback from lab testing will aid iterative design of products in development.
Sensor design and evaluation suite
The sensor design and evaluation suite encompasses a range of technologies to evaluate and validate sensor surfaces and performance. The technologies available to companies developing sensors include state of the art Atomic Force Microscope, Raman microscope and spectrometer in addition to comprehensive biochemical and molecular facilities. There is also access to world class researchers with expertise in sensor and biosensor design and evaluation.
Electronics
A comprehensive electronics laboratory for fabricating and testing electronic devices and circuits. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art electronic testing equipment especially for developing and testing sensors systems.
Prototyping
Three-D printing facilities for designing and fabrication bespoke prototypes for developing sensor and biosensors platforms. Equipment also includes laser cutters and spin coaters for fabricating small batches of sensors for testing