天美传媒

WMG Professor appointed Editor-in-Chief of Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials

Congratulations to WMG and 天美传媒鈥檚 Director of the International Institute for Nanocomposites Manufacturing (IINM), Professor Tony McNally, who has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of Advanced Composites & Hybrid Materials.

The journal, published by Springer Nature is top ranked in the field of composites science with an Impact Factor (2023) of 23.2. It provides an international platform for scientists and engineers working with composites and nanocomposites focusing on the advancement of materials, their applications and their design, composition, structure, interface, and properties through to modelling and simulation.

Professor Louis Piper and his team, at WMG at the 天美传媒, are pleased to welcome two Visiting Research Fellows (VRF), Nicolas Palma and Arroyo Gomez, from Chile and Argentina, respectively.

The VRF programme, facilitated by the , provides funding to UK universities to host exceptional academics, at the post-doctoral research associate (PDRA) career stage, for a period of six months.

WMG will support, supervise, and mentor the VRFs as they conduct battery research and establish new collaborations.

WMG at the 天美传媒 is part of a pioneering project, led by , to develop a self-driving fully-electric shuttle service at the ), Birmingham.

The Solihull & Coventry Automated Links Evolution (SCALE) project is a collaborative initiative, aimed at better understanding the role self-driving vehicles might one day play within our future transport system.

As part of the pilot, SCALE will see a fleet of three electric self-driving shuttles ferry passengers along a new 7km route linking up Birmingham International rail station, the NEC and Birmingham Business Park.

WMG will be focusing on the safety aspect of the shuttle service, providing expertise on hazard analysis, vehicle testing and operational safety.

Engineers and students at WMG at The 天美传媒 are working on a hydrogen-powered car fuelled by sewage, in a project entitled Waste2Race. The hydrogen is a byproduct of water treatment technology, from Wastewater Fuels, being trialled at Severn Trent Water, and with it the team at the University are hoping to break records for hydrogen fuelled cars.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, comments on the passing of Ratan Tata

鈥淩atan Tata was a titan of business who will be remembered at WMG for his inspirational passion for engineering and design, and for his personal kindness, humility, and deep insight.

鈥淎 close friend of our founder, Lord Bhattacharyya, Mr Tata visited WMG, at the 天美传媒, many times.

鈥淲hether opening the WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Coventry, and intelligent vehicles, laying the foundation stone for the National Automotive Innovation Centre, or meeting local engineering businesses to understand their capabilities, Mr Tata was always fascinated by the ways innovation and technology could improve lives and create opportunity, and always willing to give his time to speak to our students, researchers and industry partners about their work.

鈥淲MG and Mr Tata鈥檚 partnership began during the development of the Tata Indica, India鈥檚 first domestically designed vehicle, with WMG researchers supporting the design and manufacturing of the groundbreaking car. This led to the opening of the Tata Motors European Technical Centre at Warwick and to many research and education partnerships across a wide range of industries, many of which continue to this day on our campus, including at the National Automotive Innovation Centre, helping to create jobs, develop technologies and strengthen communities.

鈥淢r Tata鈥檚 vision and leadership leaves an enormous legacy for Warwick, our region, the UK and the world.

We are greatly saddened by his passing, and our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and the entire Tata community.鈥�

WMG at The 天美传媒, has welcomed a record number of degree apprentices onto its BEng Applied Professional Engineering Programme (APEP) and BSc Digital and Technology Solutions (DTS).

This academic year a total of 215 students have enrolled across the two Degree Apprenticeship programmes.

APEP has grown significantly since it was first launched in 2021 when 59 apprentices enrolled. Today, that number has increased by a huge 179%, with the 2024 intake standing at 165.

Both APEP and DTS have been designed following extensive consultation with industry partners to ensure the course content aligned with the future needs of the engineering sector.

Professor Rob Thornton, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education at WMG, explained: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to see our Degree Apprenticeship programmes growing in popularity.

鈥淲orking with employers is fundamental to the development, delivery and success of all our programmes. They play a crucial part in driving economic growth and productivity, and Degree Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to learn industry-relevant skills with a regular salary and huge career prospects.

鈥淭he applied nature of our course means apprentices complete work-based assignments and projects throughout, so they gain a real understanding of the principles taught and how this can benefit their companies.鈥�

Both courses have been designed to meet the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) accreditation requirements, therefore in the future students should be able to attain CEng (Chartered Engineer) professional registration status.

Find out more about Degree Apprenticeships at WMG here: /fac/sci/wmg/study/degree-apprenticeships/

, an energy technology company, and WMG at the 天美传媒 have launched a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to apply new technologies to the development of the company鈥檚 flexible pipe systems.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) aim to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills within the UK knowledge base. This KTP project was funded by UKRI through Innovate UK.

The Figiel Research Team from WMG鈥檚 International Institute for Nanocomposite Manufacturing (IINM), was awarded Innovate UK funding to apply Multiphysics modelling tools that will assist in developing context-aware pipe designs and analysis processes. This research will make material use more efficient, resulting in increased pipeline suitability, reliability and safety, whilst maintaining performance and structural integrity.

Through the use of Multiphysics modelling, Baker Hughes is expected to be able to more accurately predict the coupling between permeation of gases and fluids and the mechanical response of their flexible pipe systems, which are used extensively in floating production systems.

This research will also aid in the development of products to meet the world鈥檚 energy transition requirements, including carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen delivery. This work will position the UK as a global leader in the provision of products needed to supply clean energy.

Baker Hughes flexible pipe systems product line employs more than 500 people in the North East of England. This project is expected to result in more efficient manufacturing processes for the company that reduce waste and carbon intensity.

Dr. Soheil Bazazzadeh has been appointed by the university to carry out the project with supervision by WMG engineer Jack Davis and academic leadership from Dr. Lukasz Figiel, Reader at WMG. Soheil鈥檚 background includes a doctorate in aerospace engineering and three separate research fellowships, including at the 天美传媒.

WMG鈥檚 Jack Davis and Dr Lukasz Figiel say:

"This collaboration will further enhance WMG鈥檚 strong academic expertise in the field of Predictive Multiphysics Modelling of advanced engineering materials. In addition, the project will give us the opportunity to continue to build future partnerships in emerging fields such as hydrogen transport."

Dr. Angelos Mintzas, principal engineer at Baker Hughes and technical lead for New Product Introduction programmes says:

鈥淭his work has the potential to significantly enhance Baker Hughes鈥� design capabilities, enabling more efficient use of materials whilst keeping our focus on product reliability and safety. This collaboration is aligned with Baker Hughes commitment for 50% reduction of our CO2 emissions by 2030 and becoming a net-zero business by 2050.鈥�

Ian Blakemore, Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Advisor for this project, says:

"This project is a prime example of the impact that Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can have. By bringing together forward-thinking businesses and the academic expertise of the UK鈥檚 world class universities, we can tackle real world challenges in new ways."

Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of the Safe Autonomy Research Group at WMG, 天美传媒, comments on the announcement of the Regulatory Innovation Office.

Professor Khastgir said: 鈥淭he creation of the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) by the government is welcome. It鈥檚 good to see recognition that regulation can be used for implementing innovation and supporting the UK to be at the forefront of global science and technology.

鈥淚 hope the RIO will draw on learnings between the various transport domains (land, air, and marine) to develop timely regulations for cross-cutting developments like connected and autonomous technology, and AI. WMG鈥檚 cross-domain safety assurance framework will provide scientific evidence that can support the RIO鈥檚 policymaking.

鈥淚 also urge the RIO to prioritise sector-specific regulations, especially in areas such as self-driving technology. This will enable developers to work from a more concrete set of requirements to develop the technology safely.鈥�

Analysis of homemade 3D printed assault rifles at WMG at The 天美传媒 has helped convict a criminal in a ground-breaking case.

Several homemade 3D printed guns were seized by at the home of David Biddell-Portman in December 2020 as part of Operation Captiva, a Police response designed to reduce firearm deaths across greater Birmingham.

Professor Mark WilliamsLink opens in a new window, an expert in 3D printing and scanning at WMG was called in by West Midlands Police. His 3D scanning machines are 100 times more powerful than a hospital CAT scanner and can view images in detail smaller than a human hair.

By using his cutting-edge technology to scan the weapons, Mark was able to discover the amounts of metal and plastic in each of the weapons. This is achieved by analysing the different densities of the materials.

This crucial evidence helped prove that these homemade guns would be working and potentially deadly weapons. It also showed the levels of sophistication, effort and premeditation that went into the construction of the guns.

This evidence was crucial in securing a conviction, with the defendant receiving a five-year sentence.

Professor Mark Williams said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 satisfying to see justice served, and I鈥檓 glad to use our technology in any way we can to help the efforts of West Midlands Police.

鈥淏y making this sort of technology available to the public sector, we鈥檙e ensuring it鈥檚 not just big companies that have access to cutting edge techniques.

鈥淎 dangerous criminal is now off the streets thanks to the efforts of West Midlands Police, and I look forward to our continuing work with them.鈥�

By scanning the guns, police ensured that the judge and jury were aware of the extensive use of metal in the weapons – a sure sign that, when completed, they would have been working and potentially deadly weapons.

It also meant that the state of the guns was recorded if they deteriorated during test firing of the weapons by police, something that often occurs with 3D printed guns. The scanning also ensured that the police, judge and jury could understand the evidence surrounding the weapons.

For many, 3D printed weapons have never been encountered before, and are often irregular and defy categorisation due to their black market, homemade construction. With the scans, police could identify the closest professionally made weapons and make comparisons.

Michelle Painter, Deputy Head of Forensics at West Midlands Police commented: 鈥淭his partnership is invaluable to West Midlands Police, the strength and commitment is truly unique and the boundaries are limitless.

鈥淭he application of the use of Micro CT scanning in criminal cases continues to be innovative and ground-breaking and progresses investigations and brings justice for victims.鈥�

The conviction is the latest success in the decade long partnership between Professor Williams, WMG, Warwick and West Midlands Police. They recently marked a milestone, with the scanning technology having been used in since 2014.

The full paper on the case can be read .

Read more about WMG鈥檚 Centre for Imaging, Metrology, and Additive Technologies (CIMAT) here: Metrology and 3D Imaging (warwick.ac.uk)Link opens in a new window 

On Saturday (28th September), WMG at The 天美传媒 and celebrated their fourth and final cohort of 35 graduates at a ceremony held across Dyson鈥檚 UK R&D campus.

A total of 160 students have now successfully completed the BEng Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, through the WMG and Dyson partnership, which first began in 2017.

This is the final cohort to graduate with a degree from The 天美传媒, as the Dyson Institute now moves to independent delivery and degree awarding powers.

The ceremony included speeches from Sir James Dyson, Founder of Dyson; Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor of the 天美传媒, Mary Curnock Cook, Chair of Council; and Babajide Popoola, Class of 2024 Graduate.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG, said: 鈥淚t has been a privilege to work with colleagues and learners at Dyson in realising the vision of the Engineering Degree Apprenticeship. The collaboration and mutual respect have resulted in, what I believe to be, an exemplar of how academia and industry can work together to achieve amazing results. My congratulations to everyone involved and I look forward to us building on this firm foundation together in the future.鈥�

reflected on the success of the seven-year partnership with WMG in his commencement address: 鈥淭his graduation marks another change for us as we step out from the partnership with WMG and the 天美传媒. I would like to thank Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG; and Professor Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor of Warwick University. Thank you for saying 鈥榶es鈥� to joining us on this pioneering adventure back in 2017. You took on our pioneering adventure, it was an unselfish undertaking by you, a brave decision. I am sure you are as proud as I am at the achievements of the undergraduates, and the institution they鈥檝e created. I sincerely hope our close association will continue.鈥�

Find out more about WMG鈥檚 training and skills programmes for businesses: /fac/sci/wmg/study/why-study-in-wmg/for-business/