Engineering news
The funding, awarded via the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), will support research and innovation at the Henry Royce Institute in Manchester and is aimed at ‘cementing the UK’s position as a world-leader in advanced materials’.
Possessing unique properties with superior performance to traditional options, advanced materials – including biomaterials, smart materials and nano-engineered materials – have potential uses in sectors including health, transport, energy, electronics and utilities.
Projects supported by the Henry Royce Institute have included 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering, turning waste materials into sustainable plastics, and development of new materials to enable quantum technologies.
Another scheme brought together academia and industry to investigate how zirconium alloy insulation can improve the safety and cost-efficiency of radioactive fuel used in nuclear reactors, as well as reducing carbon emissions.
The financial boost, announced yesterday (3 November) by business secretary Grant Shapps during a visit to the institute, is aimed at advancing its work supporting early-stage research, access to research facilities, and opportunities for collaboration between businesses and researchers.
“Growing an economy fit for the future means harnessing the full potential of advanced materials, making science fiction a reality by supporting projects from regenerative medicine to robots developing new recycling capabilities, right across the country – including here in the heart of Manchester,” said Shapps.
“Today’s £95m investment will do just that, bringing together the brightest minds across our businesses and institutions to help futureproof sectors from healthcare to nuclear energy.”
The Henry Royce Institute was formed in 2015 with a £235m government investment through EPSRC. To date, it has worked with 295 UK SMEs and ‘industry users’, and facilitated 350 collaborations between academia and industry.
Based at the University of Manchester, the institute works with academic and industry partners including Johnson Matthey, Rolls-Royce, Siemens and Tata Steel.
Stephen Phipson CBE, chief executive of manufacturers’ organisation MakeUK, said: “This is a welcome announcement which recognises the world-class research which takes place at this facility.
“If we are to maintain the UK’s position as a leader in research and development together with advanced manufacturing and materials then facilities like this should be at the forefront of industrial strategy.”
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.