Overview
This one-day workshop aims to highlight emerging technologies within biomaterials and how Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) can champion these within their institutions.
RTPs attending the workshop will learn about a wide range of techniques and technologies applicable to biomaterials, as well as having the opportunity to discuss best practice for biomaterials laboratory management, the upkeep of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and how best to share knowledge across the biomaterials RTP community.
Background and motivation
Biomaterials is a broad area that requires specialist technicians to be able to work within a variety of different lab set-ups at a scale ranging from nano to large, with the list of emerging technologies expanding. Through an overview of these emerging technologies, including discussion of the technical expertise required for their implementation, it is hoped that opportunities for collaboration within the community will be generated, as well as offering new modes of working at the RTPs’ home facilities. Furthermore, to support RTPs within this field, it is important to be able to share knowledge and best practice. Following presentations from biomaterials laboratory management experts, technicians will be able to discuss equipment, SOPs, and sharing knowledge through databases via a panel discussion. There will also be an opportunity to tour the biomaterial labs within the Henry Royce Institute following the close of the meeting.
Audience
This event is open to RTPs and travel can be subsidised for all attendees.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Note – valid photo ID is required for access to the NPL
Learning outcomes
After the course participants should be able to:
- Identify a variety of emerging techniques and technologies used in biomaterials.
- Discuss current working methods and best practice for laboratory management and knowledge sharing databases in biomaterials.
- Contribute to a network of RTPs in the UK for the advancement of biomaterials.
Event Details
Date: 7th October 2026
Format: In-person
Location: National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Rd, Teddington, TW11 0LW
Cost: Free
Event Programme
| Time | Topic | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 09:30–09:45 | Arrival and refreshments | |
| 09:45–10:00 | Welcome and introduction | NTPMI/Organising Team |
| 10:00–11:10 | Emerging Technologies
|
Speaker sessions by:
|
| 11:10–11:20 | Break | |
| 11:20–12:30 | Emerging Technologies
|
Speaker sessions by:
|
| 12:30–13:30 | Lunch break | |
| 13:30–14:45 | Biomaterials facilities
|
Speaker sessions by:
|
| 14:45–15:15 | Panel Discussion and Service Provision | Panel chair: Ross Nolan |
| 15:15–16:15 | NPL Laboratory Tour | NPL staff |
| 16:15–16:30 | Closing remarks | Organising Team |
Speakers/Trainers
- Sarah Barnett
- Xinyue Chen
- Jascindra Ravi
- Emily Barot
- Ludmila Mee
- Tony Maxwell
- Joanna Ward
- Tushar Dandekar
Organisers
- Ross Nolan
- Rachel Saunders
- Sam Gnaniah
- Andrew Pollard
- Huda Al-Jurani
- Duncan Forster
October 7 2026
