Our second year PhD students showcased their research in a poster session on the Physics concourse on Wednesday 18th May. PhD students are really the powerhouse of research in the department and it was great to hear all about the fantastic progress they are making. We awarded poster prizes to Luke Smith (1st place), Manisha Islam and John Pontin (joint runners up) for their particularly fascinating, clear and enthusiastic poster presentations. Many thanks to all who took part in the event.

WMG’s Dr Greg Gibbons has been awarded the Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

Senior Fellowship of SFHEA is an advanced level of professional standing that evidences expertise in teaching and learning in higher education.

Dr Gibbons said: “I am extremely pleased to have been awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). It is recognition of my understanding and use of effective approaches to teaching and learning support, and my contribution to providing high quality student learning within WMG.”

Dr Gibbons is responsible for the mentoring of student projects within the field of Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) processing of materials (metals, ceramics and polymers), at undergraduate, master’s and postgraduate level.

Read more about Dr Gibbons career and expertise here: WMG :: Our People :: Profile (warwick.ac.uk

WMG’s composites manufacturing expertise, on Project TUCANA, has been recognised at the prestigious JEC World Composites Innovation Awards 2022, in Paris.

The Awards celebrate innovation in design and manufacturing within the global composites industry. Project TUCANA, led by Jaguar Land Rover in partnership with WMG at the University of Warwick; Expert Tooling & Automation Limited; Broetje-Automation UK Ltd; Toray International U.K. Limited; CCP Gransden Ltd; and CFMS Limited, was announced as the winner of the Automotive and Road Transportation - Structural category.

WMG experts, led by Professor Ken Kendall, helped to develop a stiffer and lighter vehicle structure using light weight carbon fibre composite components.

The research, which took place in the Materials Engineering Centre, has developed world-leading cost effective, scalable carbon fibre composite solutions, with the view to boosting the performance of electric vehicles. Upon adoption of the design philosophy in JLR vehicles the total combined CO2 benefit of the project between 2023-2032 is projected to be 4.5 million tonnes.

Professor Ken Kendall explains:“Our research helped develop the design and manufacturing technology needed to optimise the vehicle body architecture required for electric vehicles, improving their environmental impact through reduced weight, improved rigidity and range extension.

“This project has helped develop the understanding of what is achievable through the use of mixed composite materials to improve structural performance at affordable cost for high volume manufacture. WMG were a key partner in developing and demonstrating the technologies required and transitioning this knowledge to our industrial partners. We are delighted that the project has received the recognition it deserves.”

Kanishka Arumugam, WMG MSc Engineering Business Management alumnus, has been recognised at the prestigious Global Pump Industry Awards.

Kanishka, who graduated in 2015, is Co-CEO of EKKI WATER TECHNOLOGIES in India. Kanishka and EKKI were recognised in two categories at the ceremony, in Kenilworth, organised by the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) along with leading European pump industry members.

The Pump Industry Awards (PIA) is not only one of the most prestigious, but also one of the oldest and most revered in the world. The Awards aim to recognise outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and skills. EKKI is the first Indian company to be recognised in two categories.

EKKI was recognised as a key contributor for skills and training in the industry through its EKKI International Water Technology Centres (EIWTC). EIWTC is a global centre of excellence for training, research and entrepreneurship in pumps and water related technologies, partnering with leading industries, government and academic institutions globally.

Kanishka was also acknowledged as a ‘Rising Star,’ for his significant contribution in transforming the fortunes of his family business, EKKI, from making agriculture pumps to cutting-edge water technologies around the world. He is credited for setting up India’s first waste water joint venture with German Pump major HOMA which has a presence in more than 120 countries across the world.

Kanishka Arumugam said: "We at EKKI are immensely proud to be recognised internationally for our innovative initiatives within the industry. This recognition from the world’s most respected and important members of the Pump Industry, recognises the true success and potential of EKKI.

“At EKKI, we are really passionate about producing globally competitive products from India and make EKKI as one of the most respected family-owned companies from this part of the world.

“WMG at the University of Warwick, taught me the importance of applied academia, and I was very fortunate to be mentored by Professor Sujit Banerji who taught us to make global quality. Professor Banerji has recently been appointed as a Chief Advisor to EKKI and continues to mentor us, which is of immense value to both me personally and the company.”

He added: “I dedicate this recognition to my father our Group Founder Mr.Arumugam.P, members of EKKI, our partner HOMA in Germany, distributors, dealers and supply chain partners across the globe.

“I would also like to thank my alma mater, Warwick University, for fostering in me the art of applied academia in industry.”

Commenting on this prestigious European recognition, EKKI’s German partner Mr. Hans Hoffmann, CEO of HOMA said: “EKKI is seen as one among the fastest growing water tech companies in India and globally. EKKI as a company has proved to a German partner like us that they are full of potential with extraordinary quality and capable of designing and producing highly competitive products, with impressive profits.

“Kanishka Arumugam is one of the most successful young executives we have in the industry. Backed by his strong academic background from Oxford and Warwick he is an intellectually curious young leader who is ready to pause, to reflect, seize new opportunities, and create an impact in the water industry.”

Arumugam.P, Group CEO and Founder said: "EKKI serves as a role-model for all our other companies within the group. By this distinguished recognition, it has once again led the way. I could not be any prouder, because I know that no one is more capable of leading EKKI successfully into a sustainable and digital future than Kanishka.”

The recently finished Knowledge Transfer Partnership led by Professor Steven Brown from our NMR group funded by Innovate UK in partnership with AstraZeneca to improve pharmaceutical product quality and manufacturing processes has been graded as outstanding!

Read the case study.

Noor Abu-Jbara, WMG MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship alumna, has won a prestigious Study UK Alumni Award.

Noor, who graduated from WMG in 2019, was announced as the winner in the Business and Innovation Award category for Jordan at an awards ceremony held on Sunday (30 January).

The UK Alumni Awards are led by the British Council to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the UK’s international alumni. Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries.

The Business and Innovation Award category specifically recognises those who are active in initiating and contributing to innovative or creative new ideas, solutions or business opportunities, that have the potential for growth.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG said: “This award is a true testament to Noor’s dedication and passion for entrepreneurship and empowering women in Jordan. I’m delighted that her efforts have been recognised. Congratulations Noor!

“We look forward to seeing the wonderful things that she continues to achieve throughout her career.”

After graduating Noor became the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Supervisor at TheTank by Umniah and the Founder of SHEE. She is trainer and mentor for start-ups and has worked as a consultant and researcher in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, women empowerment and management consultation.

You can read more about Noor’s career here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/education/wmgmasters/alumni-profiles/noor-abu-jbara_iae/

Noor Abu-Jbara, WMG MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship alumna, has been selected as a finalist for a prestigious Study UK Alumni Award in her native Jordan.

Noor, who graduated from WMG in 2019, has been nominated for a Business and Innovation Award.

The UK Alumni Awards are led by the British Council to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the UK’s international alumni. Award winners and finalists are leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, professions and countries.

The Business and Innovation Award category specifically recognises those who are active in initiating and contributing to innovative or creative new ideas, solutions or business opportunities, that have the potential for growth.

Professor Jay Bal, MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship course lead at WMG said: “Noor is passionate about Women’s Entrepreneurship as a tool for empowering women in developing countries. We hope her efforts get recognised at the awards.”

After graduating Noor became the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Supervisor at TheTank by Umniah and the Founder of SHEE. She is trainer and mentor for start-ups and has worked as a consultant and researcher in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, women empowerment and management consultation.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 30th January.

You can read more about Noor’s career here: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/education/wmgmasters/alumni-profiles/noor-abu-jbara_iae/

Congratulations to Professor Sandra Chapman, who leads the Centre for Fusion Space and Astrophysics on receiving the 2022 Chapman Medal by the Royal Astronomical Society. Professor Chapman received this award for 'paradigm shifting' research into the physics of the solar wind and magnetosphere, our near-earth plasma environment.

Find out more about Sandra's research and the award.

Congratulations to Dr Rebecca Milot and Dr Matt Kenzie who have both secured European Research Council Starting Grants, following the first call for proposals under the EU's new R&I programme, Horizon Europe.

Dr Rebecca Milot has been awarded €2,473,363 to investigate one of the most promising new materials for solar energy conversion, metal halide perovskites.

Dr Matt Kenzie's award of €1,490,202 will aim to enhance our understanding of the physics underpinning the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the universe, which is fundamental in explaining how our universe arrived at its present state.

Read more about the research projects.

The nominations for the Physics Postdoc Prize 2021 were numerous and of an exceptionally high quality this year and it was incredibly difficult to select a “best” paper. After much deliberation the two winners are as follows:

Rosalie Thompson (Cresswell)

Importance of Water in Maintaining Softwood Secondary Cell Wall Nanostructure

Rosalie Cresswell, Ray Dupree, Steven P. Brown, Caroline S. Pereira, Munir S. Skaf, Mathias Sorieul, Paul Dupree, and Stefan Hill

Biomacromolecules 2021, 22, 11, 4669–4680 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00937

Water is an integral part of wood; living wood can be deformed beyond its yield point without breaking whereas dried wood will fracture. Rehydration of dried wood does not restore its properties yet, prior to this work, there was no molecular level picture of water’s role. Rosalie led this paper which uses state-of-the-art multidimensional NMR supported by MD modelling to determine the irreversible molecular changes that occur upon drying. It presents a model of a hydrated cellulose microfibril and the changes occurring during the drying and rehydration. The paper has been enthusiastically received with approaching 1000 article views since publication in late October.

Ingrid Pelisoli

A hot subdwarf–white dwarf super-Chandrasekhar candidate supernova Ia progenitor

Ingrid Pelisoli , P. Neunteufel, S. Geier, T. Kupfer, U. Heber, A. Irrgang, D. Schneider, A. Bastian, J. van Roestel, V. Schaffenroth and B. N. Barlow

Nature Astronomy, 5, 1052–1061 (2021) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-021-01413-0

Over twenty years ago, Type Ia thermonuclear supernovae were key to the discovery of the acceleration of the Universe, but their precise origin is a mystery. Ingrid led a paper published in Nature Astronomy presenting the discovery of a binary star whose 99-minute orbital period makes it an excellent candidate to host a thermonuclear supernova in the future. Ingrid and collaborators applied a combination of leading observational and theoretical techniques to map the future of this exciting system. With this detection, they constrained the supernova rate due to this particular type of binary, shedding light onto the origin of supernovae.