WMG News - Latest news from WMG

WMG, University of Warwick is part of an industry-academia consortium, with Mint InnovationLink opens in a new window, Jaguar Land RoverLink opens in a new window (JLR) and LiBatt Recycling (Recyclus Group)Link opens in a new window, to accelerate Lithium-ion battery recycling research.

Funded by the UK Department for Business and Trade through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UKLink opens in a new window (APC), the project will see the expansion of Mint Innovation’s technology platform to recover lithium, nickel and cobalt from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, helping the UK automotive industry with onshore and circular supply of lithium, cobalt and nickel critical for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Each partner, within the consortium, has a role to play in ensuring a sustainable lifecycle for lithium-ion batteries, from end-of-life battery supply and processing through to integrating recycled materials into new batteries, closing the loop and increasing supply chain resilience.

WMG’s Professor David Greenwood has been appointed as the independent co-chair of the Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC), to the Department for Energy Security and Net ZeroLink opens in a new window (DESNZ), alongside Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Paul Monks.Link opens in a new window 

The role of the council, compromising 16 members selected through an open and competitive process, is to provide independent and academically sound scientific and technical advice to DESNZ and its Secretary of State through the Chief Scientific Advisor.

It will also offer independent viewpoints and cutting-edge research on topics from climate science, energy networks and engineering, to the latest technologies and artificial intelligence.

Professor David Greenwood, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) Centre at WMG, University of Warwick, was delighted to welcome Tom Adeyoola – Executive Chair of Innovate UK – on Tuesday 1 July, as part of his tour of the UK’s Catapult Network.

Engineering students are putting the finishing touches to their projects in preparation for a series of international challenges and competitions.

As part of its commitment to enhancing the student experience, WMG offers a variety of multi-disciplinary, student-led engineering projects at the undergraduate level, with connections to industry partners.

These projects help students develop essential skills such as time and risk management, teamwork, and practical hands-on experience, with each member of the team assigned a specific role and area of responsibility – from engineering and technical leads, to marketing and sales support. The projects have a strong track record of producing highly employable graduates for industry and academia.

Congratulations to Ton Peijs, Professor of Polymer Engineering and Head of the Centre for Polymers and Composites (CPC) at WMG, University of Warwick, who has won this year’s esteemed Leslie Holliday PrizeLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.

Awarded by the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3)Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, the prize recognises significant or technological contributions to composite materials and is one of the most illustrious prizes in the field.

Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) recognised as focus for battery innovation to improve UK economic resilience

Experts at the University of Warwick welcome the government’s new Industrial Strategy, announced today.

“The industrial strategy will be welcomed our partners in manufacturing,” said Greg Clark, Executive Chair of Warwick Innovation District*. “In having the confidence to choose particular sectors in which to invest over the long-term, the strategy sets out a roadmap that will secure the future of industries vital to the UK economy. We look forward to playing our part, here at the University of Warwick, in supporting its successful implementation.”

From developing greener materials and processes to growing more sustainable supply chains, a new £13.6 million research hub, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), will help researchers at WMG at the University of Warwick, tackle some of the UK’s biggest manufacturing challenges.  

The new Manufacturing Research Hub in Sustainable Engineering Plastics (SEP) will be led by WMG’s Professor of Polymer Processes, Ton Peijs.

Researchers from WMG will work, over the next 7 years, alongside the University of Manchester and UCL to improve the way durable plastics – commonly used in cars, buildings, and electronics – are created, reused, and recycled. Researchers aim to reduce waste, support greener manufacturing practices, and advance the circular economy, with support from over 60 industry partners, including JLR, Polestar, Siemens, BEKO, Bellway, and Biffa, to turn research into real-world solutions. 

Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG at The University of Warwick, has been appointed as a member of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV)Expert Advisory Panel (EAP).

Along with another 11 panel members, Professor Khastgir will advise and inform on the implementation programme and policies within the UK's Automated Vehicles (AV) Act.

Professor Siddartha Khastgir, comments on the UK Government's plans to postpone fully self-driving vehicles in the UK to 2027.

Professor Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG, The University of Warwick, said:

‘‘The government’s new proposed date of rolling out self-driving vehicles on UK roads is the correct approach to ensure the safety of the technology and the public. Any policy decision, especially for emerging technologies like self-driving vehicles, must be made by gathering and using scientific evidence.

“While we are glad to see that many international self-driving developers would like to deploy their products in the UK, the recent technology recalls in the US and China are a testimony to the fact that we are still learning. More needs to be done before we can introduce the technology on our roads.

“At WMG, we believe safety has two sides: engineering safety and communicating safety. We need global consensus on both aspects, and we are championing this by working with our international partners.’’