EPSRC Network for Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM)
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF BATH
Department Name: Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
The research area of porous materials is extremely diverse, including inorganic materials, organic polymers, synthetic frameworks, biological tissues and composite systems. The variety of applications is equally wide ranging, including renewable energy, separation processes, carbon capture, catalysis, water purification, electronic materials and medicine. This requires combined expertise across multiple science and engineering disciplines, and access to specialist characterisation facilities to study both pore sizes and phenomena that can span multiple scales. A single institution cannot cover the full range of expertise, facilities and applications and a combined effort is therefore required. The EPSRC Network in Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM) therefore aims to foster multiscale and applications- led collaboration between scientists and engineers that spans the entire engineering and physical sciences portfolio. These collaborations will inspire new research directions and new applications to achieve globally significant outcomes with academic, commercial and societal benefits.
The vision of the ESPRC Network for Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM) is to make the UK an internationally recognised beacon for multiscale porous materials research, where new collaborations are formed, new research directions are identified, expert advice can be sought, and innovations are commercialised.
The vision of the ESPRC Network for Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM) is to make the UK an internationally recognised beacon for multiscale porous materials research, where new collaborations are formed, new research directions are identified, expert advice can be sought, and innovations are commercialised.
Organisations
- UNIVERSITY OF BATH (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of Bristol (Collaboration)
- Vesuvius UK Ltd (Collaboration)
- Aston University (Collaboration)
- University of Warwick (Collaboration)
- Carbon-Tex (Project Partner)
- Silent Sensors (Project Partner)
- Hiden Isochema Ltd (Project Partner)
- Johnson Matthey (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Poro Technologies Ltd (Project Partner)
Publications
Dunkley G
(2025)
The effect of Si/Al ratio and drug loading level on the molecular behaviour and controlled release of 5-fluorouracil from zeolite H-Beta
in Journal of Materials Chemistry B
| Description | The research area of porous materials is extremely diverse, including inorganic materials, organic polymers, synthetic frameworks, biological tissues and composite systems. The variety of applications is equally wide ranging, including renewable energy, separation processes, carbon capture, catalysis, water purification, electronic materials and medicine. The EPSRC network in Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM) aims to make the UK a beacon for multiscale porous materials research, where we will form new collaborations, find new research directions, and provide routes for dissemination. We have organized three online workshops in "Porous Materials in Energy Storage and Generation" in May 2024, "Interface between Academia & Industry in Porous Materials'' in Dec. 2024, and "Interfacing Simulation and Experiment in Porous Materials Research" in Dec. 2025. These have been successful events in bringing the community together. We have also organized (to date) two annual EPoMM conferences. 1st EPoMM conference in Sept. 2024 https://epomm.co.uk/bath-hosts-the-1st-conference-on-engineering-porous-materials-at-multiple-scales-epomm/ The 1st Conference on Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM) took place on September 18th-19th, 2024, at the University of Bath, bringing together over 70 researchers from around the world to present their innovative work in the field of porous materials with over 50 oral and poster presentations. 2nd EPoMM conference in Sept. 2025 https://epomm.co.uk/the-2nd-conference-on-engineering-porous-materials-at-multiple-scales-epomm/ The 2nd Conference on Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM) was held at the University of Bath on 17-18 September 2025, bringing together researchers from across the UK and beyond to showcase the latest advances in porous materials science. The event attracted over close to 100 delegates, both in person and online, and featured more than close to 30 oral presentation and over 30 excellent poster presentations spanning a remarkable breadth of materials, methods, and applications in the field. We have also financially supported UK to UK visits, where EPoMM members can access funding via the EPoMM webpage https://epomm.co.uk. The third EPoMM conference is being organized for Sept 2026. |
| Exploitation Route | It is intended the EPoMM will develop a range of new collaboration via the annual conference, the online workshops and the mailing list. EPoMM will continue to operate beyond the funding terms of the grant. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Energy Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| URL | https://epomm.co.uk |
| Description | We have had discussions with a company (located in UK and Europe) who are interested in using freeze casting to manufacture ceramics for high-temperature filters, such as filtering molten metals. In this regard, the interest it to use the porosity left by the ice when it is removed to provide the pores that would be used in high-temperature filtration. After a visit to the University of Bath by the company to discuss and view the process, we are considering initial informal trials of the freezing process and then seeking funding. [This narrative also applies to EP/X018679/1 Porous Piezoelectric Single Crystal Sensors (POPSICALS)]. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Chemicals,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | Collaboration of porous beads and filaments for catalysis and sensors |
| Organisation | Aston University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Based on a meeting at the University of Bath, we met with researchers at Aston University who were producing porous materials via a phase separation process. They had not attempted the manufacture of piezoelectric materials before, therefore we discussed the potential of using their process for forming porous piezoelectric materials - potential applications include piezo-catalysts and novel sensors. We are able to characterize the piezoelectric properties of these material. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners at Aston have now provided a range of piezoelectric beads to Bath for characterization. Porous filaments have also been produced. |
| Impact | We intend to write a joint publication. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | Discussion on freeze casting with international company on filtration. |
| Organisation | Vesuvius UK Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Following a workshop on porous materials led be the EPoMM EPSRC Network, an international company visited Bath to discuss the potential of using directional freezing (a key part of the ProSPECT project) for the formation of filtration systems. The involved laboratoy tours to see the process, and discussions on potential routes to scale up the freezing process and the current landscape in terms of intellectual property. We have undertaken some initial testing of the fabrication of porous material to demonstrate the process. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We are at an early stage and have made a plan for initial sample exchange and discussions on existing patents in this area. |
| Impact | Initial plan for collaboration and search of current intellectual property in this area. No formal agreement yet. |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | Porous polymer foams for ferroelectrets |
| Organisation | University of Warwick |
| Department | Warwick Evidence |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The University of Bath undertook poling studies and characterized the piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of the poled ferroelectret foams. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partner manufactured the polymeric foams and undertook mechanical and chemical characterisation studies of the foams. |
| Impact | A publication is in progress and another has been uploaded and linked via ResearchFish. The project is multi-disciplinary and involved mechanical properties, polymers, manufacturing, electric properties and functional materials. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Properties of new porous wood |
| Organisation | University of Bristol |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided microstructural analysis of Molongo wood via careful sectioning and microscopy. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners provided new wood and characterised the mechanical properties and tomography of microstructure. |
| Impact | A paper is in preparation and this led to a presentation at the EPoMM annual conference in 2025. Jacopo Lavazza, University of Bristol, Microstructure and Mechanical Performance of Molongó Wood: Unveiling an Unexplored Amazonian Timber |
| Start Year | 2025 |
| Description | 1st?Conference on Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | The EPoMM conference took place 18-19 September 2024 at the University of Bath, bringing together over 70 researchers from around the world. They presented their innovative work in the field of porous materials with over 50 oral and poster presentations. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the EPoMM network aspires to position the UK as a global leader in multiscale porous materials research - and to understand these materials across their scales of use, study, and porosity. Presentations not only explored the intricacies of pore dimensions but also delved into the mass production of these materials and their evolution and usage over time-some timescales spanning thousands of years. In addition to inspiring talks from early-career researchers and esteemed academic keynote speakers, there were representatives from major organisations such as Johnson Matthey and Nuclear Waste Services. Earlier stage commercial innovators also spoke, with novel spin-outs such as Ensilitech discussing their pathways to commercialisation-connecting cutting-edge research with real-world impact.The conference also highlighted an array of advanced characterisation methods, emphasising the strong relationship between material properties and their porosity. We also celebrated the achievements of our early-career researchers, awarding prizes for outstanding oral and poster presentations, recognising the next generation of innovators in this exciting field. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/bath-hosts-inaugural-conference-on-engineering-porous-materials... |
| Description | BlueSky account for EPoMM |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dissemination of activities by EPoMM |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://bsky.app/profile/epomm.bsky.social |
| Description | EPoMM website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Setting up website for EPoMM, including newsletters, workshops, annual conferences, and travel grants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://epomm.co.uk |
| Description | Setting up Twitter for EPoMM |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Settting up X social media presence for dissemination of activity related to EPSRC Network for Engineering Porous Materials at Multiple Scales (EPoMM). Now over 300 members. In addition to network activities, also highlight and repost other research/engagement related to porous materials; these include publications, PhD and other research positions, patents. @EPoMM_UK https://twitter.com/EPoMM_UK |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/EPoMM_UK |
| Description | Workshop 1 : Porous Materials in Energy Storage and Generation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Online workshop on porous materials for energy, where the topic was selectd by EPoMM members and steering board. We aimed bring together research communities that work across different length scales who have not traditionally interacted through existing fora to generate new ideas in the use of porous materials for energy. The workshop objectives were to: i. identify research challenges, barriers and opportunities that are relevant to the use of porous media for energy applications (energy generation, storage). ii. outline basic research challenges (low TRL research), informed by the needs of stakeholders. iii. identify existing (well developed) and new/emerging areas where porous materials can contribute to the energy sector. iv. Identify strengths/weakness is existing research. v. Provide an opportunity for networking. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.bath.ac.uk/projects/epsrc-network-for-engineering-porous-materials-at-multiple-scales-ep... |
| Description | Workshop 2 : Interface between Academia & Industry in Porous Materials |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Workshop 2 : Interface between Academia & Industry in Porous Materials Thursday 5 December 2024 The workshop included over 10 industry/commerical attendees to discuss real challnges with academics in terms of working with industry, future technical direction and methods of collaboration. The workshop objectives were to: 1. Identify emerging industrial areas of interest in porous materials and gaps in fundamental understanding for academic research to address. 2. Identify disconnects and opportunities between academia and industry in the field of porous materials. 3. Consider the balance between exploratory academic research and industry-led impact in the development of porous materials . 4. Identify and evaluate established and novel mechanisms for academia and industry to work together. 5. Considerations when bringing a porous materials based technology to market. 6. Provide an opportunity for networking and formation of academic/industrial partnerships in porous materials research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://epomm.co.uk/interface-between-academia-and-industry-in-porous-materials/ |