EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Liquid Metal Engineering
Lead Research Organisation:
Brunel University London
Department Name: Mech. Engineering, Aerospace & Civil Eng
Abstract
The UK metal casting industry is a key player in the global market. It adds 2.6bn/year to the UK economy, employs directly around 30,000 people and produces 1.14 billion tons of metal castings, of which 37% is for direct export (Source: CMF, UK). It underpins the competitive position of every sector of UK manufacturing across automotive, aerospace, defence, energy and general engineering. However, its 500 companies are mainly SMEs, who are often not in a position to undertake the highest quality R&D necessary for them to remain competitive in global markets. The current EPSRC IMRC portfolio does not cover this important research area nor does it address this clear, compelling business need. We propose to establish IMRC-LiME, a 3-way centre of excellence for solidification research, to fill this distinctive and clear gap in the IMRC portfolio. IMRC-LiME will build on the strong metal casting centres already established at Brunel, Oxford and Birmingham Universities and their internationally leading capabilities and expertise to undertake both fundamental and applied solidification research in close collaborations with key industrial partners across the supply chain. It will support and provide opportunities for the UK metal casting industry and its customers to move up the value chain and to improve their business competitiveness. The main research theme of IMRC-LiME is liquid metal engineering, which is defined as the treatment of liquid metals by either chemical or physical means for the purpose of enhancing heterogeneous nucleation through manipulation of the chemical and physical nature of both endogenous (naturally occurring) and exogenous (externally added) nucleating particles prior to solidification processing. A prime aim of liquid metal engineering is to produce solidified metallic materials with fine and uniform microstructure, uniform composition, minimised casting defects and hence enhanced engineering performance. Our fundamental (platform) research theme will be centred on understanding the nucleation process and developing generic techniques for nucleation control; our user-led research theme will be focused on improving casting quality through liquid metal engineering prior to various casting processes. The initial focus will be mainly on light metals with expansion in the long term to a wide range of structural metals and alloys, to eventually include aluminium, magnesium, titanium, nickel, steel and copper. In the long-term IMRC-LiME will deliver: 1) A nucleation-centred solidification science, that represents a fundamental move away from the traditional growth-focused science of solidification. 2) A portfolio of innovative solidification processing technologies, that are capable of providing high performance metallic materials with little need for solid state deformation processing, representing a paradigm shift from the current solid state deformation based materials processing to a solidification centred materials engineering. 3) An optimised metallurgical industry, in which the demand for metallic materials can be met by an efficient circulation of existing metallic materials through innovative technologies for reuse, remanufacture, direct recycling and chemical conversion with limited additions of primary metal to sustain the circulation loop. This will lead to a substantial conservation of natural resources, a reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions while meeting the demand for metallic materials for economic growth and wealth creation.
Planned Impact
The primary impact of the IMRC-LiME research will be on UK based businesses in the supply chain of metallic materials. This impact will be delivered in the following ways: 1) Materials suppliers such as Sapa, LSM and MEL will benefit from an increased range of high quality metallic materials based on secondary metals with reduced cost and environmental impact; 2) Materials processors such as Meridian, JVM and Aeromet will be able to offer an increased range of metallic components with improved quality but reduced cost; 3) Equipment manufacturers such as Foseco and Rautomead who incorporate process innovations into their product portfolio and offer these to markets worldwide; 4) Recyclers such as Norton and MEL who will provide high quality materials from recycled sources with reduced cost, but without expensive chemical conversion routes; 5) Component end users such as JLR and Rolls-Royce who will benefit from the availability of cheaper, higher performance castings to meet their targets for lightweighting; 6) The training and supply of the next generation of young researchers to work in this key area of the UK economy; and 7) The wider metallurgical industry will be enabled to undergo a progressive reconfiguration from one that is profoundly dependent on primary metal supply to a new one who thrive on secondary metal sources. The overall benefit to the UK supply chain will be enhanced by economic competitiveness in the global market and improved sustainability through technological innovation. The overall accumulative contribution, the UK economy could be in billions of pounds in the next 10-20 years. One of our long-term goals is to create an optimised metallurgical industry based on full metal circulation. Achieving this not only requires advanced technologies, but also changes in government legislation and the attitudes in a wider society. This may have a significant impact on policy makers such as international trade organisations (IAI, IMA), government departments (BIS), government funding bodies (EPSRC, TSB) and local authorities. Such policy makers need to direct research funding to the development of innovative technologies to achieve metal circulation, to increase the public awareness of the importance of metal circulation to achieve the environmental goals, and to reinforce metal circulation through legislation if necessary. The long-term impact of IMRC-LiME research on our environment, and therefore, the general public, will be highly significant. Take the aluminium industry as an example. Currently, 37 million tons of Al are produced each year. This uses 217 Mt bauxite and 1.67 trillion kWh electricity, and releases 444 Mt CO2 into space. 20 years later, if we have achieved full circulation with only 25% primary metals, each year we would save 163 Mt bauxite and 1.25 trillion kWh electricity (equivalent to 3 times of the UK's annual electricity consumption), and reduce CO2 emission by 333 Mt. The energy saving and CO2 emission reduction could be much more significant if other metals also achieved full circulation. The LiME Management Group (LMG) will be responsible for the delivery of the above impact. As well as embedding exploiters of the research in specifying the IMRC-LiME programme from the outset and in all our research, our proposal contains a number of additional specific initiatives to help ensure the delivery of the expected income, including: 1) Partnerships with intermediate organisations who are already engaged with our target community and comprising industry trade bodies including (CMF, AlFed), learned society (ICME), knowledge transfer networks (Mat KTN (IOM)), etc so we draw on best-practice without duplication; and 2) A Programme Manager and associated LiME Network budget to deliver a programme of out-reach and dissemination seminars, workshops, publications, website, etc where gaps appear in the existing provision of partners.
Organisations
- Brunel University London (Lead Research Organisation)
- Doncasters (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Sapa Profiles UK Limited (Project Partner)
- Meridian Lightweight Technologies UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Rautomead Limited (Project Partner)
- Norton Aluminium (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- New Pro Foundries Ltd (Project Partner)
- Vesuvius (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Tata Motors (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Co (Project Partner)
- Rolls-Royce (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Project Partner)
- Grainger & Worrall Ltd (Project Partner)
- Sandvik (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- JVM Castings Limited (Project Partner)
- Aeromet International (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Yan F
(2014)
Effect of Cu on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Diecast Al-Mg<sub>2</sub>Si-Mg Based Alloy
in Materials Science Forum
Yan F
(2012)
Preliminary study of the characteristics of a high Mg containing Al-Mg-Si alloy
in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Yan F
(2015)
Effect of solutionising and ageing on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a high strength die-cast Al-Mg-Zn-Si alloy
in Materials Chemistry and Physics
Yan H
(2013)
A New Approach to Solute Effect on Grain Boundary Migration
in Materials Science Forum
Yang H
(2014)
Effect of nickel on the microstructure and mechanical property of die-cast Al-Mg-Si-Mn alloy
in Journal of Materials Science
Yang H
(2015)
Effect of Mg level on the microstructure and mechanical properties of die-cast Al-Si-Cu alloys
in Materials Science and Engineering: A
Yang H
(2015)
Effect of heat treatment and Fe content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of die-cast Al-Si-Cu alloys
in Materials & Design
Yang H
(2014)
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ductile Aluminium Alloy Manufactured by Recycled Materials
in Materials Science Forum
Yang L
(2015)
Effect of traces of silicon on the formation of Fe-rich particles in pure magnesium and the corrosion susceptibility of magnesium
in Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Yang L.-Q.
(2012)
Microstructural features of semi-solid A357 alloy slurry under high-shear melt processing
in Zhuzao/Foundry
Yang W
(2014)
Precipitation behaviour of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy and diffraction analysis from ?' precipitates in four variants
in Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Yang W
(2014)
Heterogeneous Nucleation of a-Al Grain on Primary a-AlFeMnSi Intermetallic Investigated Using 3D SEM Ultramicrotomy and HRTEM
in Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A
Yang W
(2015)
Grain boundary precipitation induced by grain crystallographic misorientations in an extruded Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy
in Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Yang W
(2017)
Insight into the partial solutionisation of a high pressure die-cast Al-Mg-Zn-Si alloy for mechanical property enhancement
in Materials Science and Engineering: A
Yang W
(2015)
Melt superheating on the microstructure and mechanical properties of diecast Al-Mg-Si-Mn alloy
in Metals and Materials International
Yang W
(2015)
Heterogeneous nucleation in Mg-Zr alloy under die casting condition
in Materials Letters
Yang W
(2014)
Initial precipitation and hardening mechanism during non-isothermal aging in an Al-Mg-Si-Cu 6005A alloy
in Materials Characterization
Yang X
(2016)
High shear dispersion technology prior to twin roll casting for high performance magnesium/SiC p metal matrix composite strip fabrication
in Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Yue Y
(2012)
Modelling of different entrainment mechanisms and their influences on the mechanical reliability of Al-Si castings
in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Yue Y
(2013)
Modelling of the Effects of Entrainment Defects on Mechanical Properties in a Cast Al-Si-Mg Alloy
in Materials Science Forum
Z Fan (Co-Author)
(2012)
Microstructural Features of Semi-Solid A357 Alloy Slurry Under High-Shear Melt Processing
in Foundry
Zarif M
(2010)
Study of Heterogeneous Nucleation of Eutectic Si in High-Purity Al-Si Alloys with Sr Addition
in Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A
Zhang H
(2015)
Processing and microstructure characterisation of oxide dispersion strengthened Fe-14Cr-0.4Ti-0.25Y2O3 ferritic steels fabricated by spark plasma sintering
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Zhang L
(2012)
Influence of Melt Feeding Scheme and Casting Parameters During Direct-Chill Casting on Microstructure of an AA7050 Billet
in Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B
Zhang L
(2012)
On the mechanism of the formation of primary intermetallics under ultrasonic melt treatment in an Al-Zr-Ti alloy
in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Zhang L
(2011)
Influence of ultrasonic melt treatment on the formation of primary intermetallics and related grain refinement in aluminum alloys.
in Journal of materials science
Zhang L
(2012)
Effect of inlet geometry on macrosegregation during the direct chill casting of 7050 alloy billets: experiments and computer modelling
in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Zhang L
(2012)
Light Metals 2012
Zhang Y
(2010)
Modelling and Experiments Concerning Dendrite Re-Melting and Its Role in Microstructural Evolution in Spray Formed Ni Superalloys
in Materials Science Forum
Zhang Y
(2012)
The Role of Fe on the Grain Refinement of High Purity Aluminium
in Advanced Materials Research
Zhang Z
(2012)
Refinement of primary Si in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys by intensive melt shearing
in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Zhou L
(2014)
Effect of Free Ti on Grain Refinment of Aluminium Inoculated with Potent TiB<sub>2</sub> Particles
in Materials Science Forum
Zhou L
(2016)
Effect of potent TiB2 addition levels and impurities on the grain refinement of Al
in Journal of Alloys and Compounds
ZHU G
(2010)
Effect of high shear rate on solidification microstructure of semisolid AZ91D alloy
in Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China
Zuo Y
(2011)
Microstructures of DC Cast Light Alloys under the Influence of Intensive Melt Shearing
in Materials Science Forum
Zuo Y
(2013)
Grain refinement of DC cast AZ91D Mg alloy by intensive melt shearing
in Materials Science and Technology
Zuo Y
(2013)
Degassing of LM24 Al alloy by intensive melt shearing
in International Journal of Cast Metals Research
Zuo Y
(2012)
Magnesium Technology 2012
Zuo Y
(2012)
Grain refinement of DC cast magnesium alloys with intensive melt shearing
in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Zuo Y
(2013)
Modification of a Hypereutectic Aluminium Silicon Alloy under the Influence of Intensive Melt Shearing
in Materials Science Forum
Zuo Y
(2011)
Refining grain structure and porosity of an aluminium alloy with intensive melt shearing
in Scripta Materialia
Description | Our key findings fall into one of three categories: theoretical research; materials development; or technological development. Theoretical Research: 1. We have determined that the nucleation stage of solidification begins with a pre-nucleation phenomenon in which there is ordering of atoms in the liquid close to the interface between the liquid and the substrate on which nucleation takes place. 2. We have developed a new model for heterogeneous nucleation, known as epitaxial nucleation, which overcomes the deficiencies of classical nucleation theory when substrates are potent. This model provides a guideline for the development of new grain refiners. 3. Al-Ti-B grain refiners have been used in industry for more than 60 years, but until now the precise mechanism of grain refinement has been unknown. We have discovered that grain refinement is due to adsorption of an atomic monolayer of composition Al3Ti on the surface of TiB2 particles that makes them potent for heterofeneous nucleation. 4. We have demonstrated that heterogeneous nucleation of liquid metals can take place on oxides that occur naturally in the melt. If well dispersed then these oxide particles are potent and grain refining additives may no longer be necessary. 5. We have developed an analytical modelling for spherical growth during solidification, which moves forward the understanding of microstructure formation during chill casting and twin roll casting. Materials Development: 1. We have developed a new high strength aluminium casting alloy with an ultimate tensile strength of over 420 MPa but retaining adequate ductility. The novelty of this alloy is that it is based on the Al-Mg2Si system rather than the Al-Si system conventionally used in casting alloys. 2. We have developed an aluminium casting alloy with exceptionally high ductility, based on the Al-Mg-Si-Mn system. It has a ductility of >15%, but retains adequate strength. The alloy is also chemically compatible with automotive Al alloy sheet so aids recycling of Al intensive vehicles. 3. Based on our new fundamental understanding of grain refinement, we have developed an effective grain refiner for Al-Si casting alloys, a practice that is not well established for such alloys. 4. Until now no effective grain refiner has been available for magnesium alloys containing Al, which is an important class of Mg alloys. Again using our new fundamental understanding of grain refinement, we have developed a novel grain refining system for these particular alloys. 5. We have developed a high strength extrudable aluminium alloy targeted at the automotive industry which matches the strength of more expensive aerospace grade alloys that are not easily extruded. Technological Development: 1. New High Shear Technology: We have previously introduced the high shear melt conditioning technology based on a twin screw mechanism. Although effective this mechanism has drawbacks for industrialisation related to the large size of the equipment and potential cost. We have now introduced a new rotor/stator mechanism which is extremely compact and simple in design. The high shear technology can be used for physical grain refinement by dispersing naturally occurring oxides, degassing of Al alloy melts, preparation of metal matrix composites and preparation of semi-solid slurries. The system can also be used to remove detrimentally high Fe content from scrap aluminium. 2. Melt Conditioned Direct Chill Casting: The rotor/stator high shear device has been implemented in the direct chill casting of aluminium alloys. The benefits include: reduced casting defects; uniform, grain refined microstructures without the need for grain refiner additions; reduced chemical segregation; and improved billet quality. We have carried out full scale industrial trials with a number of partners. 3. Melt Conditioned Twin Roll Casting: The rotor/stator high shear device has been implemented in the twin roll casting of aluminium and magnesium alloys. The microstructures of strip produced by MC-TRC are highly refined and free of centreline segregation. The resulting materials are significantly more deformable than conventionally twin roll cast materials, in particular in Mg alloys, which are normally extremely difficult to form. 4. Continuous High Shear Processing: Based on the rotor/stator mechanism, we have developed a pump which includes multi-stage high shear. The new device allows the high shear mechanism to be sued in continuous processes, or for the pumping of melt conditioned shots to a casting facility such as a high pressure die casting machine. |
Exploitation Route | We are taking forward our findings in one or combinations of the following ways: 1. Seeking additional research grant funding to deepen and broaden our fundamental understanding. 2. Taking part in industry focused R&D projects, such as those funded by Innovate UK and Horizon 2020, to raise the technology readiness level of our materials and technological developments. 3. Carrying out industrial trials 4. Direct development with partners. 5. Licensing our technologies 6. Developing strategic industrial partnerships. For instance we have established the Constellium University Technology Centre at Brunel. 7. Upscaling our technologies using large scale equipment housed in our Advanced Metals Casting Centre (AMCC, funded by EPSRC), and our forthcoming Advanced Metals Processing Centre (AMPC, funded by HEFCE) |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport |
Description | Industry always favours cast materials to have fine and uniform microstructures and uniform compositions, which lead to improved and predictable mechanical properties. The findings of the EPSRC Centre - LiME programme offer a range of alternatives for industry to achieve this. More specifically: 1. We have trialled our high shear technologies in a number of industrial situations, as far away as China and Australia. 2. We are developing our novel grain refiners with industrial partners and are working towards commercialisation. 3. We have licensed our new high strength casting alloy to a Tier 1 component supplier. They have been able to produce a particular component at a high production rate using low cost high pressure die casting instead of expensive and lengthy CNC machining of forged material. They have produced 30,000 components. 4. Through the establishment of the Constellium UTC at Brunel and the AMCC, we are enabling Constellium to prototype components from the high strength extrusion alloy more quickly, and as a result they have won two large commercial automotive orders (details confidential). |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport |
Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
Description | A20X high value large structure casting |
Amount | £196,250 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 101010 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2011 |
End | 04/2013 |
Description | Advanced high-tin aluminium plain bearing alloys produced by intensive melt shearing technology |
Amount | £191,224 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 5658-44805 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2011 |
End | 01/2014 |
Description | Aluminium Scrap D Base |
Amount | £153,902 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 656943 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 08/2015 |
End | 08/2017 |
Description | Analytical study for overcast aluminium matrix composites |
Amount | £12,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC |
Department | Jaguar Land Rover |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2013 |
End | 05/2014 |
Description | Analytical study for overcast aluminium matrix composites |
Amount | £12,500 (GBP) |
Organisation | Composite Metal Technologies |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2013 |
End | 05/2014 |
Description | Anti-microbial, self cleaning copper composite coatings applied in metallic objects against infections transmission |
Amount | £275,182 (GBP) |
Funding ID | GA 606104 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 12/2013 |
End | 11/2015 |
Description | Application of Grain refiner Master Alloy Al-Si Alloys with Specific Fe Impurity Levels |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2015 |
End | 03/2017 |
Description | Application of Master Alloy to HPDC Alloy |
Amount | £60,284 (GBP) |
Organisation | Renault |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start | 09/2015 |
End | 02/2017 |
Description | Ballistic resistant lightweight hybrid metal matrix nano-composite structures |
Amount | £144,963 (GBP) |
Funding ID | DSTLX1000084334 |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2013 |
End | 09/2017 |
Description | Characterization and processing of high-thermal conducting Al-MMCs |
Amount | £105,407 (GBP) |
Organisation | Korea Institute of Industrial Technology |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | Korea, Republic of |
Start | 05/2011 |
End | 09/2016 |
Description | Constellium Industrial Research Fellowship |
Amount | £300,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Constellium |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start | 01/2012 |
End | 12/2016 |
Description | Continuous twin screw rheo-extrusion of light alloys |
Amount | £100,452 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/J500793/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2011 |
End | 07/2012 |
Description | Degassing machine for aluminium casting process based on ultrasound |
Amount | £49,216 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 606090 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 12/2015 |
Description | Development of a degassing system for aluminium castings processing based on ultrasound |
Amount | £273,761 (GBP) |
Funding ID | GA 286344 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 09/2011 |
End | 09/2013 |
Description | Development of aluminium composites |
Amount | £187,094 (GBP) |
Organisation | Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2012 |
End | 06/2015 |
Description | Development of biodegradable nanocrystalline beta-TCP/Mg alloy composites |
Amount | £12,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2013 |
End | 04/2015 |
Description | Development of efficient and scalable ultrasound assisted solidification technologies for manufacturing advanced metallic alloys |
Amount | £328,610 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/L019884/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2014 |
End | 06/2017 |
Description | Development of grain refiner for magnesium alloys |
Amount | £111,121 (GBP) |
Organisation | TWI The Welding Institue |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2012 |
End | 03/2016 |
Description | Feasibility Study on application of novel grain refiner to two different cast alloys |
Amount | £127,469 (GBP) |
Organisation | Toyota Motor Corporation |
Department | Toyota Motor Europe NV SA |
Sector | Private |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 01/2012 |
End | 09/2016 |
Description | Grain Refiner - Industry Testing |
Amount | £75,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | CBMM Technology Suisse |
Sector | Private |
Country | Switzerland |
Start | 04/2016 |
End | 04/2017 |
Description | Grain Refiner Property Database |
Amount | £22,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2015 |
End | 03/2017 |
Description | Grain refiner for high performance lightweight aluminium automotive castings |
Amount | £118,928 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 101177 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2012 |
End | 10/2014 |
Description | High pressure casting test |
Amount | £50,191 (GBP) |
Organisation | Bronze Alu |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 02/2015 |
Description | High shear processing of recycled aluminium scrap for manufacturing high performance aluminium alloys |
Amount | € 2,396,209 (EUR) |
Funding ID | GA 603577 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 12/2016 |
Description | Improved brazing processes for joining ceramics to metals to enhance structural integrity of the assembly |
Amount | £22,482 (GBP) |
Organisation | TWI The Welding Institue |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2013 |
End | 10/2016 |
Description | Industrial case studentship |
Amount | £69,121 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 11330329 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2011 |
End | 09/2015 |
Description | Industrial case studentship |
Amount | £67,443 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/K504270/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2012 |
End | 09/2017 |
Description | Innovative microstructural design for advanced Al alloys (IDEAL) |
Amount | £163,115 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 101222 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2012 |
End | 08/2014 |
Description | Jaguar Land Rover Lectureship in Solidification Research |
Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC |
Department | Jaguar Land Rover |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2010 |
End | 03/2015 |
Description | LSM Industrial Research Fellowship |
Amount | £130,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Co Ltd |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2011 |
End | 03/2015 |
Description | Large equipment account for advanced metal casting centre |
Amount | £3,855,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/L017466/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 01/2023 |
Description | New generation of protective coatings alternative to hard chrome |
Amount | £317,820 (GBP) |
Funding ID | FP7-SME-2013-606110 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 12/2013 |
End | 11/2016 |
Description | Next Generation of Automotive Casting Alloys |
Amount | £822,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC |
Department | Jaguar Land Rover |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2016 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | Physical processing of molten light alloys under the influence of external fields |
Amount | £744,800 (GBP) |
Funding ID | GA 280421 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 05/2012 |
End | 07/2016 |
Description | Processing of bulk MgB2 superconductor |
Amount | £97,021 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2012 |
End | 10/2013 |
Description | Rautomead Industrial Research Fellowship |
Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Rautomead Limited |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2010 |
End | 03/2015 |
Description | Recyclable aluminium structural casting alloy (RASCAL) |
Amount | £220,308 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 101172 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2012 |
End | 10/2014 |
Description | Research development award |
Amount | £23,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2013 |
End | 05/2013 |
Description | SAPA Industrial Research Fellowship (Brunel) |
Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | SAPA |
Sector | Private |
Country | Norway |
Start | 03/2010 |
End | 01/2015 |
Description | SAPA Industrial Research Fellowship (Oxford) |
Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | SAPA |
Sector | Private |
Country | Norway |
Start | 04/2011 |
End | 04/2016 |
Description | Siemens Industrial Research Fellowship |
Amount | £375,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Siemens AG |
Sector | Private |
Country | Germany |
Start | 03/2012 |
End | 03/2017 |
Description | The composition and effects of various grain-refiners in Brabant Alucast Alloys |
Amount | £17,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Brabant Alucast |
Sector | Private |
Country | Germany |
Start | 03/2012 |
End | 04/2014 |
Description | The development of effective grain refiner for the production of high performance light metal castings |
Amount | £121,144 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/J013749/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2012 |
End | 07/2013 |
Description | UltraMelt - Fundamental study of cavitation melt processing opening the way to treating large volumes |
Amount | £321,908 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/K005804/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2013 |
End | 01/2016 |
Description | Upgrading small equipment base for early year researchers |
Amount | £380,304 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2012 |
End | 03/2013 |
Description | X-Ray imaging of dendrite fragmentation during solidification of Al alloys induced by external fields |
Amount | £75,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Diamond Light Source |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2012 |
End | 08/2012 |
Title | Alloy and Method of Production Thereof |
Description | |
IP Reference | GB1205655.2 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | No |
Title | Apparatus and method for liquid metals treatment |
Description | |
IP Reference | GB1015498.7 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | No |
Title | Method of refining metal alloys |
Description | |
IP Reference | GB1102849.5 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | No |
Title | Oxide-Based Grain Refining Master Alloys and the Method for Producing the Same |
Description | |
IP Reference | GB1107060.4 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | No |
Title | Synthetic TiB2/TiC based Grain Refining Master Alloys and the Method for Producing the Same |
Description | |
IP Reference | GB1107059.6 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | No |
Description | Brunel Universities Public Lecture Series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Project outreach A better understanding and trasference of knowledge related to sustainability |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Casting Division Re-launch |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Community building Emphasis on importance of having a board of combined academia and industry for contiuned professional development, knowledge exchange, and collaborations |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Creativity@Home |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Community building and research exploration/brainstorming New ways of thinking to access new research directions, further team and local community building |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Feasibility Studies 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Collaboration and radical research explored New collaborations and research participation in more radical / newly informed ways |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Weekly Seminars |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Inform and disseminate data Valuable knowledge exchanged locally |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Work Experience |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Insights into metallurgy, BCAST, LiME Insights and information exchanged between young school leavers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |