College of Engineering - Swansea University

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] College of Engineering ] Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre (MNC) Since its foundation in 2002, the Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre (MNC) has developed an international reputation in fields that stretch traditional concepts of engineering to the extreme. Thanks to radical thinking which combines engineering with physics, chemistry, biology and medicine, the MNC, led by Professor Huw Summers, has developed a strategy of developing projects to bridge traditional disciplines and provide a step-change in technology. The relatively young field of nanomedicine, for example, has seen recent investment leading to the creation of a dedicated £22 million Centre for NanoHealth (see page 21), in collaboration with the College of Medicine. Research areas include nanomedicine and bio-nanotechnology; nanomaterials and nanosensors; rheometry; theoretical modelling; polymers at interfaces and in thin films; nano-optics and scanning near-field optical microscopy; wide band-gap semiconductors; photonics; and wireless technologies and networks. Professor Summers leads work within the MNC to emphasise the development of applications-driven research and technology transfer from the laboratory to the workplace or health centre. Industry interaction is therefore a key component of MNC’s strategy, with collaborations including major multi-national companies such as Agilent, Boots and Sharp, as well as a number of smaller Wales-based companies. The Centre for NanoHealth has established external network links nationally and internationally, for example with the European Technology Platform (ETP), Nanomedicine, XGEN, Texas/UK collaborative, and various Knowledge Transfer Networks in Electronics, Senors, Phontonics, and Nanotechnology. Nanomedicine research within the MNC is funded by over £2 million in research grants from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), for the development of new metrologies and nanoscale health devices. Researchers are collaborating with Welsh technology companies in a £470,000 research project to develop a hi-tech diabetes blood glucose monitor, which will send a text alert to emergency personnel if the patient is in danger of hypoglycaemia attack. The overall aim is to develop a low-cost, non-invasive, ambulatory and continuous monitoring system using novel sensors and mobile network. The project, led by Dr Vincent Teng, is backed by the Welsh Government’s Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) programme, and the monitoring system will have the capability to be adapted for other chronic conditions, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and asthma. www.swansea.ac.uk/engineering/ research/centres-and-projects/ multidisciplinary-nanotechnology-centre/ Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Materials Swansea University engineers have worked closely with Rolls-Royce for more than 30 years, with research examining diverse engine technology requirements often directly informing component design. Led by Professor Martin Bache, the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Materials at Swansea is a key member of the £50 million Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Strategic Partnership in Structural Materials for Gas Turbines, with the Universities of Birmingham and Cambridge. This partnership aims to harness key academic expertise in addressing frontline materials requirements for Rolls-Royce gas turbine engines, with fundamental materials research critical to improving efficiency and environmental sustainability. The UTC is the ‘pump primer’ for access to major research contracts involving the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and associated industrial sponsors. The value of research funding obtained through these combined sources is substantial and research in progress is consistently exceeding £6.6 million. Frontline research ensures that academic staff involved in project supervision can bring the latest information to a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, helping to form an integral part of the College of Engineering teaching portfolio. The next generation of world-class materials scientists and metallurgical engineers are trained at the UTC, which is a focal point for postgraduate research into structural metals and ceramics and a vital asset to the College of Engineering. Students work closely with Rolls-Royce engineers and, in the case of the EngD programme, are even based with the company to maximise knowledge transfer. Over 90 per cent of UTC postgraduate students go on to work for Rolls-Royce or similar companies in the aerospace industry. www.swansea.ac.uk/utc/ Research Centre in Applied Sports Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) The Sport and Exercise Research Group was established in 2001 to examine aspects of the physical sciences, life sciences and behavioural sciences which influence participation and performance in sport. In 2008/09 the group was integrated into the College of Engineering and expanded its research interests to include technology and sports medicine. Key fields of research include the exerciserelated enhancement of health and sport performance, covering three multidisciplinary research areas: applied physiology in sport, cognition and behaviour in sport performance, and biomechanics and motor control. While the group’s expertise lies mostly within the disciplines of physiology, psychology and biomechanics, a base within the College of Engineering provides avenues to exciting research areas such as human instrumentation and healthcare product design. An increased emphasis on interdisciplinary research also offers collaborative opportunities with medicine and other sciences. Since 2008 Sports and Exercise Science staff have produced over 120 peer-reviewed publications in sports, exercise, health and medicine periodicals. Researchers have also generated almost £1.5 million in research grant awards from charities, research councils, the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), the EU FP-7 framework, Welsh Government, and industry. Current research projects are concerned with the impact of training, competition and travel stress on sports performance, and the role recovery strategies play in managing this physiological stress. Other key interests involve the development of automated control systems for artificial lungs and the neuroscience of group behaviour. The Department of Sport and Exercise Science has developed specialist research facilities, which rank alongside the most prestigious and well known universities in the UK, including a Motor Learning Laboratory, a Biomechanics Laboratory, which is home to a state of the art motion analysis system, a Notational Analysis Laboratory, an Exercise Physiology Laboratory, and a Teaching and Research Laboratory. Swansea University also hosts a £20 million sports village, which houses a Sports Centre, an Indoor Athletics Centre, the Wales National Pool, and outdoor facilities including rugby and football pitches, all-weather tennis courts, water based Astroturf pitches, and an eight-lane running track. www.swansea.ac.uk/sportsscience/ research/ 78 79
] College of Engineering ] “It is a great way for us to tap into the knowledge and enthusiasm that exists in abundance within the University. The EngD and MRes students we have working on the STRIP scheme have brought a fresh way of thinking to our company. They receive valuable training and access to real industrial conundrums. ” Paul Jones, Technology and Innovation Manager, Tata Steel, partner through the Steel Training Research and Innovation Partnership (STRIP) and Sustainable Product Engineering Centre for Innovation in Functional Coatings (SPECIFIC) Steel Training Research and Innovation Partnership (STRIP) and the Centre of Advanced Training for Engineering Doctorates (COATED) The Steel Training Research and Innovation Partnership (STRIP), made possible by the EU’s Convergence European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, is helping to build a robust metals and manufacturing sector in Wales. Led by Swansea’s College of Engineering, the project trains people from academia and industrial backgrounds in a range of fields from metallurgy and corrosion, to coatings, manufacturing and mechanical properties. This helps knowledge transfer and the dissemination of cutting edge expertise back into the industry. Research projects have covered all aspects of steel making from ore to finished, coated strip steel and automotive components. Projects are usually submitted by industry to solve a real issue, with each project embedded within a business plan and steered by a nominated industrial supervisor. Previous projects include: • Sustainable steel construction – a lifecycle analysis of steel in construction; • Surface properties and corrosion characteristics of low tin alloy coatings; • High speed processing of low cost photovoltaics; • Novel hybrid coatings for high temperature applications; • Computer simulations of hot-forming process for boron steels to support development; • Study of localised corrosion on aluminium using electrochemical techniques; • Functional coatings for dye solar cells; • Study of Boron Steels as suitable ‘Spring Steel’ for automotive rear chassis twist beams. STRIP is currently running projects with Tata Steel, BASF, EM Coatings, Joseph Ash galvanisers, Valero, Metamet, RTech Services, Novelis, Vector International, Crown Packaging and Akzo Nobel. EngD activity has been extended to focus on functional coatings through a new doctoral centre called COATED – the Centre Of Advanced Training for Engineering Doctorates. COATED is joint funded by the EPSRC and the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) and will provide funding to recruit a further 21 EngD students between 2012 and 2014. Centre for Water Advanced Technologies and Environmental Research (CWATER) Pressure is building on limited global water resources. With an increasing number of people needing clean water, effective and efficient water recycling solutions are in high demand. The Centre for Water Advanced Technologies and Environmental Research (CWATER) is an internationally leading centre of excellence for the development of advanced water treatment technologies, led by Professor Nidal Hilal. It benefits from world-leading expertise in the areas of desalination and membrane technologies for water treatment, with research interests including membranes as filtration devices. While the work of CWATER is multidisciplinary and encompasses a wide variety of topics, broadly-speaking, its research falls into one of three categories: drinking-water treatment, waste-water treatment, and process-water treatment. Drinking-water treatment involves improved methods of potable water treatment which aims to meet tightening regulations at cheaper costs. Waste-water treatment involves technologies used for the efficient removal of environmentally harmful materials and subsequently reduced emissions. Processwater treatment involves methods for treating process streams that enable the recycling of water and valuable chemical intermediates. www.swansea.ac.uk/cwater/ Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating (WCPC) The Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating (WCPC), led by Centre Directors Professor Tim Claypole and Professor David T Gethin, is a world-leading centre for the research and development of printing and coating processes. It specialises in the application of materials by all forms of printing processes, including multi-roll coating technology. Established in 1994, WCPC has continued to develop fundamental understanding and expertise in screen, flexographic, offset gravure, rotogravure, digital and pad printing. It is also experienced in print process modelling, using techniques such as finite element, finite difference and statistical and neural networks. Comprehensive laboratories are fully equipped for sample analysis and characterisation of material properties relevant to the print process. Supplementing laboratory research facilities are installed roll-to-roll flexographic, sheet fed lithographic, pad press, ink jet and screen printing equipment used in industrial prototyping and materials development. WCPC houses other centres and facilities with unique industry offerings. The Knowledge Transfer Centre for the Printing of Functional Materials supports printing as a major disruptive technology for efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing. This is broadly applied across sectors from automotive and garments, to packaging and point of care medical diagnostics. It complements existing support such as quality and productivity improvements and process mapping solutions. Graphic Arts in Manufacture (GAIM) is an additional hub concentrated on themed special interest groups which explore new opportunities, establish potential markets and overcome technology barriers. Building on WCPC expertise in the technology of graphic printing, a knowledge exchange programme with artistic strengths in design, fabric, ceramics, architectural glass and fine art of Swansea Metropolitan University and Coleg Sir Gar helps to fuel a number of specialist market sectors. There is also strong WCPC involvement in Fast2light, a European consortium for the development of cost-effective, high-throughput, roll-to-roll, large area deposition processes which fabricate light-emitting polymer-OLED foils for intelligent lighting applications. Consisting of 14 partners from eight countries, each partner has been selected as a leader in their area. www.swansea.ac.uk/printing/ www.strip-project.co.uk/ 80 81
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