WMG Associate Professor, and MSc Service Management and Design Course Director, Mairi Macintyre and her students presented ‘COVID 19 - Lessons for the Service Professional’ at the prestigious international INFORMS Conference on Service Science (ICSS2021).

The research was based on insights taken from a series of special online seminars, at the height of the pandemic, hosted by Mairi. The series line-up included experts from a mix of sectors including aerospace, engineering, entertainment, energy, finance, travel and education. Companies represented included Rolls Royce UK, Innovate UK, Hong Kong Disneyland, National Grid, and many more.

 The experts shared their insights and experiences of crisis management including their responses to the COVID19 pandemic, and predictions and challenges for the recovery period.

The students then analysed these insights to identify shifting priorities for the service professional, before presenting the findings at the Service Marketing stream at ICSS2021.

Mairi explained: “Congratulations to all researchers involved. To achieve publication at this prestigious conference is a real achievement. The students approached the tasks each week diligently, and with the commitment required to carry out first class research of publishable quality without the opportunity to ever meet in person. It is a fantastic accomplishment and one that we can all learn from.”

The students have also submitted their research to an international education conference taking place in Autumn 2021.

The students working in partnership with Mairi were S. Street; Y. Chen; H. Gao; H. Liu; R. Lu; J. Ma; Z. Meng; Y. Pan; L. Samuel; Y-H. Tsai; S. Wang; Y. Wei; W-K-E. Wong; X. Wu; X. Yang; Y. Yang; B. Zhan; X. Zhang and Y. Zhang.

Find out more about the MSc Service Management and Design (SMD) here: MSc Service Management and Design | University of Warwick

Congratulations to Dr Dani Pearson for making a difference in teaching, outreach and student experience.

Congratulations to all of the brilliant WMG students on their graduation.

This year a total of 406 Master’s, Postgraduate Research and Undergraduate students graduated from across WMG.

There were 302 Master’s students made up of 279 UK and overseas full-time students, and a further 23, from the part-time Master’s programme.

From the Undergraduate courses, 17 graduated from Cyber Security and 74 from the Applied Engineering Programme (AEP).

There were a further 13 from the Postgraduate Research programme including three EngD, eight PhD, one McPhil and one Master’s by Research.

A virtual results celebration will be held today (21st July) with official graduation ceremony expected to take place in summer 2022.

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG and Director of Education, said: “It has been another incredibly difficult year for our students, but they have all risen to the challenge very well and achieved some fantastic results.

“Congratulations to you all, celebrate safely, and I wish you all the very best in your future careers.”

Read more about all WMG courses here: Education (warwick.ac.uk)

We’re delighted to report that Chemistry at Warwick achieved an overall satisfaction score of 86.3% in the most recent NSS.

The Warwick Employability Challenge saw 12 teams, and 70+ students and staff from all areas of the University, come together to re-imagine employability. Congratulations Chemistry winners!

Chemistry's Senior Lecturer, Dr Bo Kelestyn, offers her expertise in generating innovative ideas and bringing them to life through design thinking 101

§ Norton Motorcycles engineers have supported students at WMG, University of Warwick to develop a TT capable electric racing motorcycle, named ‘Frontier’

§ This includes donating a high performance bike frame and data to students undertaking research into study of electric motorcycles at WMG, University of Warwick

§ Students adapted the sports bike platform to run a specially developed electric powertrain rated with a power output of 160kW/201bhp and 400Nm torque

§ Immersion-cooled 16kWh battery pack is the first of its kind for application on a motorcycle, with battery cases manufactured using advanced laser-welding technology to deliver structural integrity and maximise reliability and repeatability.

The Norton Motorcycle Co Ltd is proud to support students at the University of Warwick who are researching the future of electric racing motorcycles. The group of students undertaking the project are aided by the donation of a sports bike frame by Norton Motorcycles, which has been adapted by the student team to be fitted with an electric powertrain, with batteries and control systems designed in-house.

The group of 13 students at WMG, University of Warwick – made up of cross-functional team from first- to final-year degree students, with the support of some EngD students – are joined by a selection of leading academics, engineers and researchers representing WMG, at the University. On-campus research has been reinforced with input, support, mentoring and technical guidance from Norton’s own designers and engineers, further to the supply of the frame.

The research team supported by WMG Centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult have developed an electric motorcycle powertrain, using a high performance sports model as a platform. The electric powertrain designed to work in the Norton frame is rated with a power output of 160kW or 201bhp, and delivering 400Nm of torque from a standing start. The acceleration and speed characteristics of the electric bike in motion roughly translate into a combustion-engine equivalent of around 900cc to 1,000cc – only slightly less than Norton’s own petrol powertrain, they have called the bike Frontier.

The electric motor draws power from an immersion-cooled battery pack that has been designed and tested by the students and is the first of its kind for application in an electric motorcycle. The battery with a capacity of 16 kWh is designed to last longer with the application of robust thermal management strategies, while also allowing for larger short term power peaks required by a racing motorbike.

In addition, the cooling system will enable the team to operate at a more efficient temperature range by optimising the starting temperature of the dielectric fluid prior to a race or testing, based on the requirements of the track.

The battery can be recharged with the common CHAdeMO connector, facilitating fast charging where available and allowing for a full charge of the battery in around an hour (up to 80% from empty in just 32 minutes). These impressive figures have supported the testing and development of the electric bike prototype, with research teams able to maximise riding time on the track thanks to reduced charging times, allowing for further track-side development and optimisation with the help of a fully instrumented bike.

The battery case was manufactured using laser welding techniques developed at WMG, The University of Warwick, a manufacturing process that is easily repeatable for potential serial production, while also incorporating process-control to maximise reliability and strength of the joints.

Students have been able to craft a functioning electric motorcycle based on the Norton frame in just seven months. The project began in October 2020 with the donation of the frame and associated parts, with students working hard to realise their goal alongside studying for their degrees. The bike has undergone significant testing including much computer-based validation such as CFD of battery cooling, modelling around thermal management, along with physical testing of cells and modules – whilst constantly reviewing engineering decisions to minimise and mitigate the risk of failure.

Aman Surana, Chief Engineer of the Warwick Moto team, said:
“Ever since we started the Warwick Moto project, the overall goal has always been around learning and enhancing our engineering experience. We have gained practical experience in our research that is required to deliver a real-world project, along with balancing considerations such as tight budgets and deadlines, while learning logistics and everything around delivering an industry project. This has made us all the more proud with the way the Frontier looks.

“To have access to Norton’s engineering team, years of experience and data has been a great resource, integral to the design of the bike. Combining the motorcycling knowledge from Norton, with the leading research at WMG, University of Warwick has been a fantastic learning opportunity for all students involved. We’re very excited to see what this collaboration leads to.”

Dr Robert Hentschel, CEO of Norton Motorcycles, said:
“We are thrilled to be able to support the engineers of the future, who are developing tomorrow’s technology today on the basis of a Norton frame. Our support by means of donation of the frame is just the beginning. Norton’s team of designers and engineers have been very interested to observe how this project is taking shape, supporting the student team wherever possible with advice and guidance.

Follow the Warwick Moto team’s journey:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warwick.moto/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warwickmotoracing/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/warwick-moto/

ENDS

30 JUNE 2021

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res image available at:

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/junes_2021/wmg---norton_pr_002.jpg
Caption: The finished electric racing bike ‘Frontier’ next to a model of the Norton Motorcycles frame it is built on. The full team from left to right are: Robert Driver – Battery Testing & Characterisation Engineer, David Cooper – Precision Engineer at WMG, Professor Dave Greenwood - CEO of WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Tom Weeden – the professional rider for the team, Lee-Rose Jordan – Project Manager, Student Projects at WMG, Malcolm Swain – Lead Engineer a WMG, Martin Neczaj – Chief Chassis Engineer at Norton Motorcycles, James Grohmann –Lead Design Engineer (Student), Aman Surana – Chief Engineer of Warwick Moto team (Student)
Credit: Norton Motorcycles

About Norton Motorcycles

Norton Motorcycles was founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of fittings and parts to the two-wheel trade.

Norton Motorcycles went on to become one of the most iconic British motorcycle brands, manufacturing famous models such as the 650SS, Atlas, Commando, Dominator, Manx, Navigator and more – constantly innovating in motorcycle technology, with features advantageous for lightness and strength in motorcycle racing. Norton Motorcycles has an unrivalled history in motorsport and the brand name is synonymous with Isle of Man TT racing.

In April 2020, Norton Motorcycles was acquired by TVS Motor Company, India’s third-largest motorcycle manufacturer. Under the leadership of TVS, Norton is based out of a new manufacturing facility in Solihull, West Midlands, building British bikes in England using traditional hand-crafted techniques with modern day machinery for consistently high quality.

About Warwick Moto

Warwick Moto is a student led project, with the ultimate aim of creating an electric motorbike to race at the Isle of Man TT. Despite the temporary moratorium of the TT Zero, the team’s ambitions to develop a leading electric motorcycle remain. Originally based on the Honda Fireblade platform, the team switched to a Norton platform in October 2020 for their first electric motorcycle.

The group of 13 students at the University of Warwick, is made up of a cross-functional team from first- to final-year degree students, with the support of some EngD students from different disciplines across the University. They are joined by a selection of leading academics, engineers and researchers representing WMG, University of Warwick.

2016 Senior Manx GP winner, Tom Weeden is the development rider for the team with experience both on track and road racing events. Tom has been an integral part throughout the development process.

The project is possible thanks to sponsors: WMG University of Warwick, WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Norton Motorcycles, DYMAG Performance Wheels, Michelin Tyre PLC, MIVOLT Immersion Cooling by M&I Materials, PWR Advanced Cooling Technology, laserlines Ltd., Xometry Europe, RS Components, Embed Limited, HEL Performance, Renthal, R&G Racing, Rock West Composites, Pro-Bolt & Wraptastic.

For further information please contact:

NORTON MOTORCYCLES:

Andrew Roberts
E-mail: andrew@influenceassociates.com 
Tel: +44 (0) 7432 718 801

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of Warwick
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

WMG Senior Teaching Fellow, Rink Desai has been awarded a prestigious Transforming Education Award, from the University of Warwick’s Student Union, for Student Communication.

The Student Communication award is for any individual staff member who has gone above and beyond in using meaningful ways to ensure that everyone has access to relevant and timely information.

This may specifically encompass communicating developments with regards to changes in light of Covid-19 restrictions, but also in general. The awarding panel noted that: “Rink has done an excellent job communicating with his (apprentice) students and kept them updated with early release of learning resources and timetables which helped them to plan their employment and degree commitments at a turbulent time. This was a result of Rink acting on the ‘voice of the student’ which was very much appreciated by his cohorts.”

Rink said: “I am very honoured to have been recognised by the degree apprenticeship students. We have had a challenging year where students and staff have dealt with difficult circumstances, and also a time in which communication has been key to ensuring a rewarding learning experience. My sincere thanks go to the students who have contributed to such a positive learning environment.”

Rink teaches Process Optimisation on the BEng Applied Professional Engineering programme. Find out more about the programme here: BEng Applied Professional Engineering Programme : University of Warwick

Today we celebrate Chemistry's worthy Warwick Awards for Teaching Excellence winners 2021: Stefan Bon, Jim Judges, Dani Pearson and Mike Ward!

WMG has launched it’s 2021 summer internship programme for University of Warwick undergraduate students.

Approaches to learning are changing and the traditional model of mass lectures has evolved significantly - even more so in light of the COVID19 pandemic. New concepts of delivery, assessment, feedback and communication have changed the student journey considerably.

The eight-week programme offers students the opportunity to work with academic staff to explore and develop new concepts of teaching and learning (pedagogy). Whilst exploring these pedagogical possibilities, interns can gain research and employability skills.

2018 WMG summer intern, Severign Hagemeijer explains: “I think it was really valuable to do research in this area outside of my degree. It has given me a lot of helpful experiences (e.g. in setting up, doing, and presenting the research) and the entire process was just very enjoyable. I would completely recommend it to anyone.”

WMG Associate Professor, Angela Clarke, adds: I was over the moon with what Severijn was able to achieve in the space of eight weeks. Coming from a different department, he was able to bring a different perspective to this topic.”

Severign’s internship involved reviewing video assessments, and considering how they could be implemented, considering different approaches from both staff and students. The research was so useful that it has had a significant impact on the use of video assessment within WMG.

Angela added: “With Severign’s help we are now able to assess students more flexibly and innovatively.”

Find out more about the WMG Summer Internship Programme here: WMG Summer Pedagogical Research Internships (warwick.ac.uk)

Closing date for applications is 30th April 2021.