Scientific Services
Scientific Services To Accelerate Innovation
At the Durham Institute of Research, Development & Invention (DIRDI), we offer comprehensive scientific services that connect cutting-edge academic research with real-world challenges.
With a network of over 430 Fellows across the UK’s top universities – spanning physics, engineering, mathematics, AI, quantum technologies, fluid dynamics, sensor development, and more – we deliver scientific insight, interdisciplinary collaboration, and end-to-end research services to Government and industry.
Bridging the Gap Between Research and Application
DIRDI enables innovation across the full Technology Readiness Level (TRL) spectrum, from basic research through to applied science and commercialisation.
Our services are designed to match complex research needs with the right experts, reduce time to impact, and ensure scientific rigour and innovation are embedded at every stage of your R&D journey.
The DIRDI Approach to Scientific Collaboration
We provide a structured, scalable, and interdisciplinary service that includes:
Expertise Matching At Scale
Through our deep knowledge of academic strengths across hundreds of scientists, we can rapidly map research challenges to the right individuals or teams. Whether you need a single expert in post-quantum cryptography or an interdisciplinary team in AI, EM sensing, and aerospace.
Challenge Translation
We work with Government departments, commercial leaders, and technical teams to convert operational problems into academically tractable research questions. This ensures alignment between your needs and academic deliverables.
Project Formation & Delivery
We don’t just advise, we deliver. From shaping collaborative research projects to managing multi-institutional teams, DIRDI ensures high-quality, timely results that bridge theory and practice.
TRL Navigation & Innovation Pathways
Our joint work between DIRDI & Coltraco enables seamless transition from research (TRL 1–4) to development and commercial deployment (TRL 5–9), providing continuity across the innovation lifecycle.
Why DIRDI Scientific Services?
Unmatched Network Access
Access 430+ leading scientists across Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Imperial, UCL, and more, combined with strong partnerships across UK academia and industry.
Interdisciplinary Firepower
Our Fellows cover an extraordinary breadth of disciplines, from hypersonics and AI to quantum sensing and advanced instrumentation.
Government & Industry Engagement
We have successfully delivered projects for defence, maritime, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing sectors, helping clients align with national priorities and commercial needs.
Academic-Industry Integration
Our unique position as both a scientific institute and an advanced engineering firm allows us to integrate academic depth with operational practicality.
Accelerated Engagement
We eliminate the overhead of scouting for the right expertise, using our continuously updated understanding of academic capabilities.
Core Capabilities
DIRDI Scientific Services span key areas of strategic innovation:
Feasibility Studies & Research Roadmapping
Structured analysis of emerging technologies, including AI, quantum, EM, and advanced sensors. We identify opportunities, gaps, and scientific enablers for your innovation goals.
Multidisciplinary Expert Teams
Rapid assembly of tailored research teams, from postdoctoral researchers to senior professors, to address complex, interdisciplinary challenges.
Proposal Development & Collaboration Formation
We co-develop funding bids (e.g., Innovate UK, DSTL, EPSRC) and form research consortia aligned to national and commercial needs.
Advanced Modelling, Simulation & Analysis
Access state-of-the-art computational and experimental techniques via our university partners, across fluid dynamics, optics, EM simulation, AI modelling, and more.
Early-Stage Research to Prototyping Support
Our collaboration between DIRDI and Coltraco means early-stage scientific concepts can be taken through to functional prototypes and test platforms, ready for field trials or productisation.
Scientific Due Diligence & Independent Review
From second-opinion assessments to structured literature and landscape reviews, we provide neutral, expert validation of scientific claims and concepts.
Some of the industries we serve include:
Naval
Our instruments are utilised aboard 17% of the world’s commercial shipping fleet, including the Royal Navy and most allied Navies, and on offshore energy platforms in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Wind Renewable Energy
Recognised as a Top 35 Global supplier to one of the largest wind renewable energy companies, we operate in 120 countries with distributors in 80 of them.
Built Environment
Our innovative RDDE team applied the principles of fluid dynamics to airflow and created the Portascanner™ AIRTIGHT, the first portable instrument for detecting and quantifying air leaks and monitoring building airtightness. This earned us our second Innovate UK grant as part of the Net Zero Heat programme.
Fire Safety
Portagas® represents a groundbreaking advancement in the noninvasive, nondestructive monitoring of pressurised inert gas systems. In the UK, all fire impression systems must be tested to be legal, with Coltraco and our Portagas® we can keep you safe.
Why Partner with DIRDI?
- Deep links across UK academia and applied research
- Proven track record managing university-industry projects
- Access to interdisciplinary expertise is not easily found through conventional channels
- Ability to deliver full-spectrum services from ideation to research, development, and invention
Scientific clarity and collaboration can define strategic advantage in today’s rapidly evolving world. DIRDI is your partner for research that matters: rigorous, relevant, and ready for real-world application.
