Frequently Asked Questions

The Materials and Manufacturing in Healthcare Innovation Network (MMHIN) is a UCL-based initiative to create meaningful connections between clinicians, manufacturers and UCL researchers. Traditionally the translation of research discoveries into real-life devices or materials in the healthcare sector has been slow. So often researchers also find it difficult to connect with manufacturers, launch new discoveries, or respond to clinical needs. At the same time, clinicians often find it difficult to connect with researchers who can address their concerns from the hospital and primary care settings.

MMHIN aims to foster relationships and speed up innovation and build a community of connected creators, inventors, researchers and prescribers of medical materials and products. The Network will also host a series of events that explore rapid and connected innovation in the healthcare setting.

MMHIN is a joint venture between UCL’s Institute of Making and UCL’s Institute of Healthcare Engineering. Lead academics at UCL include Dr Rita de Pinho, Prof Mark Miodownik, and Prof Rebecca Shipley. The MMHIN is also guided by an Advisory Group of senior clinicians, manufacturing directors, and senior academics at UCL. Please visit our About Us page to view our MHN Core UCL Team and Advisory Group Members.

This website provides a networking space online. Partners (clinicians, manufacturers, and researchers) can create profiles, share "Challenges" that they have, and get in contact with others doing similar work. It is also a place for both the MMHIN Team and Partners to share innovation news, upcoming events and grant opportunities as "Innovation Stories".

We invite prospective members to submit an Expression of Interest to join the Network via our web form here. Our team will review Expressions of Interest within 3 working days. If approved, you will be directed by a link emailed to you to create a Partner profile on the site. Once a profile has been created, you will be able to connect with other members, post "Challenges", and "Innovation Stories".

A "Challenge" is a clinical, manufacturing or research problem that you would like to present to the Network. This might be a device that you feel should be on the market, a specialised material that you require, a need that your patients have, or even an idea for a device that needs someone to make it. Partners can view Challenges on this platform and connect with each other to solve problems and innovate new materials and devices.

From the horizontal menu at the top of the site, click on “Challenges” and then “Submit Challenge”. If you are not already logged in, you will be directed to do this first. Once logged in, you should complete the form, with a title and description of your Challenge. You may also add a photo if you have one to enhance your description. Once you complete the form, it will be reviewed by an MMHIN Team member, and if approved, it will be posted on our “Challenges” page. Other Partners will be able to like and comment on the Challenge and can contact you directly if they are interested in collaborating.

From the horizontal menu at the top of the site, click on “Innovation Stories”, and then select “News”, “Upcoming Events” or “Upcoming Grants”. If you are not already logged in, you will be directed to do this first. Once logged in, you should complete the form, with a title and description of your Story. If you have one, please add a photo to enhance your description. Once you complete the form, it will be reviewed by an MMHIN Team member, and if approved, it will be posted on the respective page.