S100:
We could probably both identify the major centres of sensor research in
the UK, but almost every university and research centre has some activity. Is this
efficient?
CMN:
I’m not sure how to answer this question really. Is efficient impor-
tant? Research quality is surely the most important thing - and I could cer-
tainly point to some who describe themselves as being world-class and who
now have no real basis for that assertion.
S100:
Sensor100 is always interested in moving technology from the lab to the
marketplace. What stops or slows down that happening?
CMN:
I think that’s quite easy to describe, but difficult to change – regula-
tory issues (and rightly so), the ability of, or rather restrictions on, SMEs to
deliver into what is actually a highly controlled marketplace, and having an
effective distribution and support network to get your product placed. In-
novation isn’t always what people who deliver results on a daily basis want.
Perhaps the resistance to change will always be the rate determining step.
S100:
Would you like to predict what will the major advances be in medical diag-
nostics over the next 5 – 10 years, or longer?
CMN:
Can I be biased here? I’d say the work which come out of the IRC in
EarlyWarning Sensor Systems for Infectious Diseases, led by the excellent
Rachel Mckendry, who I see you have as a presenter at Sensors in Medicine
2014, and David Cumming’s visionary “Multicorder” project – both involving
the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologies group which I lead. Perhaps a
little more seriously, this will be integrated solutions for remote monitoring
and management of chronic diseases – like the one we all suffer from – get-
ting old. Information is everything and the effective integration of sensor and
communication technologies will be pivotal in delivering the essential infor-
mation to manage treatment remotely.
...Continued
13
Sensor100 November News 2013
