Research into environmentally-friendly technology has been given an £18 million boost by the government.

Trade and industry secretary Stephen Byers has announce the investment into eight new Faraday partnerships with industry.

The partnerships will receive nearly £10 million funding from the DTI, £1 million from MAFF and £7 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Research will focus on increasing the take up of green energies in office buildings. The programme, known as INREB (Integration of New and Renewable Energy in Buildings), will looking at ways of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing the growth of renewable energy products in the UK.

The Partnerships focus on turning academic research into new products and services in a way that enables businesses to increase their competitiveness.

A further aim of the scheme is to enable universities to establish commercial arms to strengthen ties with industry - and ensure they profit from their ventures.

Byers said the scheme was an important step forward. "We need to encourage small businesses to exploit the very best academic knowledge and skills to make sure they have the competitive edge in the UK and in the global market," he said.

He continued: "This vital investment will have an impact on the future of UK manufacturing and industry and ensure good ideas are properly developed and that researchers understand the potential that their work offers industry."