WMG Warwick Manufacturing Group

New research on the enhancement of the lifespan and performance of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles has been published by experts at WMG, the University of Warwick.

The paper, published in Joule – a leading sustainable energy journal - explores charge compensation in Li-ion battery cathodes by assessing the electronic structure.

WMG scientists in collaboration with academic partners in the Faraday Institution’s Degradation and FutureCat projects have experimentally demonstrated that oxygen (rather than the transition metal, as previously believed) is the redox active species, and is responsible for the energy storage mechanism.

Matthew Ogley, PhD Researcher at WMG, who led the project together with Dr Ashok S. Menon, explained: “This work highlights the bulk stability of NMC811 cathodes within high voltage cycling windows. By now focusing on surface stabilisation to minimise degradation, our research highlights practical strategies for the creation of longer-lasting batteries, which is crucial for electric vehicles.”

WMG at the University of Warwick proudly hosted the Thermo Fisher Scientific Clean Energy Forum and extends its gratitude to all distinguished speakers and attendees.

WMG was pleased to be part of an incredible array of speakers from both industry and academia, participating in the exchange of knowledge about groundbreaking work underway to benefit the battery industry.

The event provided an excellent platform to highlight WMG’s state-of-the-art pilot line facilities and advanced characterisation capabilities, including microscopy, operando techniques, and in-line metrology, which are pivotal for pioneering battery projects in collaboration with industry partners.
 

WMG’s Professor of Battery Innovation, Louis Piper, explained: “The Clean Energy Forum provided an exceptional platform for fostering collaboration and dialogue between academic experts and industry leaders across Europe. We are excited about our collaboration with Thermo Fisher in the areas of in-line metrology and characterisation for battery prototyping and scale up."

Congratulations to WMG’s Dr Harjinder Lallie, Director of the Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE), who has joined two other members of the Cyber Security team, Dr Hany Atlam, Assistant Professor and Professor Carsten Maple, Director of the Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR), in the Stanford-Elsevier Top 2% Scientists listing.

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

Congratulations to WMG and University of Warwick’s 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 University of Warwick, 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 Faraday Institution, 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 University of Warwick is part of a pioneering project, led by Solihull CouncilLink opens in a new window, to develop a self-driving fully-electric shuttle service at the National Exhibition Centre (NECLink opens in a new window), 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 University of Warwick 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

“Ratan 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.

“A close friend of our founder, Lord Bhattacharyya, Mr Tata visited WMG, at the University of Warwick, many times.

“Whether opening the WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Coventry, meeting our researchers on materials 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.

“WMG and Mr Tata’s partnership began during the development of the Tata Indica, India’s 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.

“Mr Tata’s 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.”

WMG at The University of Warwick, 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: “I’m delighted to see our Degree Apprenticeship programmes growing in popularity.

“Working 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.

“The 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.”

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: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/study/degree-apprenticeships/

Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, and WMG at the University of Warwick have launched a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to apply new technologies to the development of the company’s 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’s 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’s 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’s background includes a doctorate in aerospace engineering and three separate research fellowships, including at the University of Warwick.

WMG’s Jack Davis and Dr Lukasz Figiel say:

"This collaboration will further enhance WMG’s 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:

“This work has the potential to significantly enhance Baker Hughes’ 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.”

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’s world class universities, we can tackle real world challenges in new ways."