WMG Warwick Manufacturing Group

“The Engineering Doctorate within the CDT program is a unique opportunity to combine research at three top class universities and making a direct impact of technology on society with help of my local industry partner ELG Carbon Fibre Ltd.

“The university cohort gives us access to several devices outside the home university and increases the network possibilities enormously. Integrated inspiring master modules spread over the first three years give a base knowledge to the topic and support my professional development.”

Christina Froemder | Modifications of Thermo

“This has added to my skills in lots of ways. I am debating setting up my own company developing bespoke solutions for Industry 4.0/IoT challenges as well as the automotive industry.”

Liz James | On-Board and Off-Board Data Platforms

“I very much enjoyed my time at Warwick; it was both demanding and rewarding. I learned such a lot from my fellow research students, experts and practitioners in the field of technology-enhanced learning. Without the help and enthusiasm of the participants in my study or the support and guidance of my supervisor, Professor Neailey and staff at WMG, I wouldn’t have been able to complete my project.

“I was, and still am extremely passionate about ensuring we provide real solutions to the challenges our communities face. In South Africa it was so important for me to evidence the impact of our research and ensure we could use applied engineering technologies to tackle the issues we faced in delivering education services to the poorest communities. We must provide opportunities for our next generation and help them to gain access to a better life. We must take away all barriers, and provide access to education as a way to do this for those who need it most. My EngD at Warwick gave me the opportunity to apply what I learned, and enabled us to really make a difference in our communities.”

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Appointed as Deputy President of South Africa from 2005 to 2008, Phumzile was the first woman to hold the position, and was the highest-ranking woman in the history of South Africa at that point. During her period as deputy president of South Africa, she oversaw programmes to combat poverty and ensure the poor benefit from the advantages of a growing economy.

“I studied Electrical Engineering and Industrial Management at the University of Applied Sciences Mittweida in Germany. I specialised in energy system technologies and grid-connected battery storage. I was searching for a doctorate opportunity in my chosen field and this EngD project was recommended to me by EDF Energy. It was a perfect match for me.

“My project evolves around the evaluation of Lithium-Ion battery storage from a third-party perspective. It is aimed to simulate the long-term behaviour and financial performance of such a storage system given the comparatively limited amount of information available to customer.”

Martin Rogall | Value-Based Optimisation of Behind-The-Meter
Lithium-Ion Battery Storage

“My project is all about how we can improve trust in autonomous vehicles, and I partnered with Jaguar Land Rover on this research. Having an industry partner meant the project had real world impact which made it really attractive to me.

“I liked that an EngD has greater flexibility than a PhD so instead of one big thesis you can work on a number of projects that are related to each other, and the end result is that you have to have real world application in industry.”

Arun Ulahannan | Autonomous Vehicles

“My project was focussed on the joining of multi-material structures for future lightweight vehicles. These structures enable the use of optimum material combinations to maximise vehicle weight savings, enhance performance and minimise fuel consumption.

“Specifically, the project addressed the use of structural adhesives to join the vehicle structure. Key areas being optimal surface treatment techniques and achieving the required cure speed to meet high volume manufacturing requirements.

“My EngD was a thoroughly rewarding experience, with a great sense of self achievement and ability to influence your own project direction. The EngD programme sets you up perfectly for a career in engineering, developing valuable analysis and problem-solving skills.”

Richard Woodward | Towards high-volume, primary bonded,
lightweight automotive

Richard now works full time at Aston Martin Lagonda since completing his EngD, in a very similar area to his research project’s focus.