Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre Phase II

Completed

Energy Efficiency(Transport)
Not Energy Related
Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of transport biofuels (incl. Production from wastes))

Basic and strategic applied research

BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Environmental dimensions)
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour)

Dr K Young
The Manufacturing Technology Centre: MTC

Professor RJ Dashwood
School of Engineering
University of Warwick

Standard

EPSRC

01 April 2008

31 December 2011

45 months

£6,880,763

Environmental engineering

West Midlands; West Midlands

Manufacturing : Manufacturing

Dr K Young, The Manufacturing Technology Centre: MTC
Professor RJ Dashwood, School of Engineering, University of Warwick

Dr JJ Angelis, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
Dr DJ Bal, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Dr G Barker, Warwick HRI, University of Warwick
Dr DR Billson, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Dr SAF Bon, Chemistry, University of Warwick
Dr MR Broome, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick
Professor P Bryanston-Cross, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Professor TDH Bugg, Chemistry, University of Warwick
Dr K Burton, Warwick HRI, University of Warwick
Dr R Cain, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Professor A Chalmers, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Dr A Clark, Chemistry, University of Warwick
Dr A Contu, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
Dr JA Covington, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Professor RM Davies, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
Dr AP Dove, Chemistry, University of Warwick
Dr P A Jennings, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Dr R Jones, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Dr KEA Kirwan, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Professor SCL Li, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Ms M MacIntyre, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Dr D Nicolini, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
Dr JT Pinheiro, Biological Sciences, University of Warwick
Professor D A C Pink, Crops Group, Harper Adams University College
Dr Z Radnor, Business and Economics, Loughborough University
Professor SP Singh, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick
Dr G Smith, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Professor JA Swan, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
Dr BH Timmerman, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Dr MA Williams, School of Engineering, University of Warwick
Professor D Wolke, Psychology, University of Warwick

Project Contact, New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research
Project Contact, TATA Motors Engineering Technical Centre
Project Contact, Jaguar Land Rover Limited
Project Contact, Liverpool Hope University
Project Contact, Potenza Technology Limited
Project Contact, Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd
Project Contact, Queen Mary University of London
Project Contact, Bruel and Kjaer UK Ltd

Warwick IMRC will be active in two focus sectors as follows:Intelligent and Eco-Friendly VehiclesThe future of road transport will undoubtedly require vehicles to become more intelligent. This will facilitate the reduction in the number of accidents, improve infrastructure utilization, thereby reducing congestion, and help to minimize environmental impact through more efficient vehicle dynamics. The application of intelligence will allow significant changes to the construction of vehicles andthe reduction of unladen weight, since structures to absorb impact damage will become redundant if collision avoidance systems are installed. The research will investigate the impact of intelligent systems on vehicle design, the technologies required, changes in manufacturing processes, final test implications and vehicle maintenance and upgrade throughout the product lifetime. In addition, aspects of the driver -vehicle interface will be researched to minimize the impact of such technology on "driver satisfaction".In parallel with this work research will be conducted on materials, fuels and propulsion schemes that will offer more eco-friendly vehicle solutions. The existing hybrids group will investigate computer models that can help in the definition and optimization of next generation propulsion systems. Other teams will investigate the potential for using agricultural waste or non food crops to produce new chemical food stocks in energy efficient processes and go onto determine the most effective ways of using the chemicals to manufacture materials and fuels for next generation vehicles. Thus research will be integrated with activities planned for the TSB/EPSRC/DfT/AWM low-carbon vehicle demonstrator programme.Next Generation HealthcareA major challenge for the healthcare industry is to deliver high quality care at the time of need at minimum cost and with maximum customer/supplier (patient/healthcare practitioner) satisfaction. There are many challenges that can be addressed through the application of design, technology and management processes. Many of the lessons learnt in other industries can be adapted to address these challenges and in particular the processes used in "lean manufacturing" are thought to be especially relevant. Projects in this area will include hospital based initiatives such as robotically assisted rehabilitation, primary care research in health centres and doctors' surgeries, remote diagnostic systems applicable to the long-term ill living at home and the application of best practice in new product introduction to improve the roll-out and acceptance of innovation in the healthcare industry. Areas of opportunity include working closely with companies such as GE Healthcare and hospitals in the development of preventative early health (rather than the current retrospective diagnosis driven system), incorporation of advanced analysis approaches in diagnostic equipment and exploring the application of scanning technologies in non-medical and mental health applications. The WIMRC will build on the developing partnership with the Strategic Health Authority with a shared agenda of technology driven change and the location of the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement on the Warwick campus

22/10/08