You can be a part of our work helping the research into measurement methodologies and protocols that help to create standards. In addition, we develop new product innovations through collaborative research and development and bespoke measurement services. If you would like to know more about any of these projects and/or be involved in Industry Advisory Groups, please contact us.
Development of future capability for microstructural characterisation
Structural and chemical analysis at the nanometre level of advanced materials, including medicines, coatings, biomaterials and battery materials, is essential to understand their performance and to enable design for manufacture with new and improved materials. This project will ensure the necessary capability for microstructural characterisation into the future, focusing on developing the expertise and forward-looking technology required for a leading materials metrology capability.
End-to-end digitised materials testing and verification
The aim of the project is to deliver a digitised materials test and verification framework. To accelerate competitiveness, agility and productivity for organisations while decreasing the carbon impact of their products. Devlivered through an end-to-end (within the measurement environment) provision of high quality, trusted and traceable measure–process–store–disseminate chain of value-added information driven by FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. We aim to contextualise material data in a consistent way across the smart design-make-test-use engineering framework, maximising the benefits for innovators - this will be delivered using the Mechanical Testing Facility (MTF).
Measurements for improved lifetime prediction of coatings and engineered surfaces
This project will provide validated and appropriate measurement methods for coatings to characterise both their mechanical properties and microstructure at the nano- and micro-scales with high spatial resolution. Enabling high fidelity measurement methods and assured data for mechanical behaviour and adhesion under conditions representative of their in-service environment, will provide manufacturers with essential guidance for the development of durable coatings with reliable lifetime prediction.
Polymer composites metrology in support of regulations, codes and standards (RCS) infrastructure
This project will develop physical and digital metrology for polymer composites assurance with a focus on
- liquid composite moulding (LCM) processing
- mechanical characterisation
- standardisation of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques enabled for defect criticality assessment via digital twins
- durability/sustainability infrastructure for product life-cycle assessment (LCA) and lifetime prediction
Outputs will enable a step-change in productivity and competitiveness for the advanced manufacturing sector. Helping to achieve net zero and clean and sustainable growth, through the increased use of existing, new and emerging breeds of polymer composites.
Validation of multi scale measurements of additively manufactured parts
This project is focused on additive layer manufactured materials (ALM). To enable uptake of these novel materials within component builds and implementation in safety critical applications, there is a need for material assurance, regulations, and standards to support decision making and legislation. All material properties are governed by their microstructure, hence characterisation of this is critical. This project will start by producing best practice guidance for these measurements and, through industrial consultation, identify the measurement needs for materials assurance and standards development. Identifying these requirements will ensure future activity is integrated with the user community to deliver testing approaches which confirm the applicability of results across the length scale to support simulations and digital twins.
Cross-sector knowledge transfer of thermal property measurements
The dissemination of thermal properties of advanced and emerging materials focuses on enhancing and developing best practice to deliver high quality data for a range of industry sectors. There is a clear need for reproducible and traceable data for materials used in safety critical applications. This project is essential to position the UK as a global leader in the field and ensure a succession plan is implemented to maintain ongoing research and development.
Enabling innovation to meet UK net zero targets through physicochemical metrology of nanoscale advanced materials
The advanced materials industry will underpin improvements in many different technologies required to address the UK’s net zero targets. Whilst allowing the UK to realise Government’s plan for growth to ‘build back better’ and ‘build back greener’and whilst simultaneously contributing to significant GDP growth. Robust nanoscale chemical metrology is critical for the development, manufacture and integration of advanced materials across the supply chain of many industries, and will address the UK challenges of zero emission vehicles and a renewable energy supply. In collaboration with key partners, and through dialogue with industries and regulators to identify and prioritise measurement challenges, this project will expand the metrological infrastructure and assurance necessary to accelerate industry growth.
Electrification for net zero
Electrification requires significant innovation in materials and components that need to operate under challenging conditions. This project will develop world-leading measurement facilities for measurements under realistic and accelerated conditions, new instrumentation for quality assessment, best practice guides and measurement services to accelerate the UK-led global transition to electric transport in support of net zero.
Bioelectronics integrated multifunctional physiological measurement platform
This project will provide breakthroughs in physiological measurements with high temporal and spatial resolution through the development of innovative electronic-biological interface measurement technologies. Resulting in one of the first steps to establish and build the reputation of the bioelectronics metrology for the UK.
Metrology and standards for the UK battery value chain
Building on highly successful cross-theme research, this project will establish the underpinning metrological infrastructure to facilitate UK innovation in battery materials, design, manufacture, operation, safety, reuse and development of next generation batteries. The capability established will provide the highest point of reference for battery measurements in the UK and lay the foundation for the electrification component in support of the UK’s Green Recovery.
Metrology for clean hydrogen energy
This project will develop the metrological infrastructure to support the UK’s clean hydrogen revolution for net-zero transport and energy, addressing measurement challenges in hydrogen production, distribution and end use in all sectors. Improving end user, regulator and investor confidence in the rollout of UK hydrogen infrastructure, through technology validation, cost reduction and the development of new international standards.