research
DAVID RICHARDS
David Richards joined Swansea University in 2010 to study for a foundation degree in General Engineering and went on to successfully complete a degree in Chemical Engineering with first class honours, in 2015. Now studying for an Engineering Doctorate, researching “Application of Perovskite Solar Cells onto flexible steel substrate”, Dave shares his motivations and experiences of further study.
CATHERINE FRIAR – DECODING DEGREDATION
Organically coated (painted) steel is exposed to many conditions in service from the varied inclement weather conditions around the world, UV exposure and pollution. With some coated steel products now coming with a 40 year warranty it is vital to understand how these products will perform. Catherine discusses the challenges of applying our advanced testing techniques to understand the performance of these coatings after accelerated and real life exposure tests.
SARA MUGABO – PAINTING THE FUTURE
Organically coated (painted) steel is exposed to many conditions in service from the varied inclement weather conditions around the world, UV exposure and pollution. With some coated steel products now coming with a 40 year warranty it is vital to understand how these products will perform. Catherine discusses the challenges of applying our advanced testing techniques to understand the performance of these coatings after accelerated and real life exposure tests.
PHIL ANSELL – SKILLS TO SUCCEED
Despite having a 2:1 degree in chemistry Phil had failed to capitalise on his academic prowess. Phil tells us how his EngD has impacted his life and provides an insight into his new role with Akzo Nobel developing sustainable corrosion resistant coatings.
JAMES EDY – DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOOD PACKAGING
Many of us will open a food and discard it in the recycling without little consideration for the technological advancements that have gone into it. The REACH legislation has meant that many food packaging’s are being remastered and James Edy has been involved in the characterisation and influence of the form of new coatings that will impact all of us in our day to day lives.
SEAN JAMES – TAKING THE WAR TO BACTERIA
Sean has become a leading expert in the application of novel biocides as a result of the skills he gained in his EngD. His career is now excelling after gaining employment within his sponsoring company and is not only utilising his academic skills but also the managerial prowess developed via his EngD training.
UP-SCALING OF CONCEPTS FROM LAB TO MARKET PLACE
Des Brennan’s project, sponsored by Tata Steel Colors, investigates the ‘up-scaling of concepts from lab to market place’ and has provided him with the opportunity to apply his Physics background to an industry process to improve productivity.
SOLAR FUELS TO MAKE AND STORE ENERGY AS HEAT OR BIO-CRUDE
Solving the sanitation challenge in the developing world will require radically new innovations that are deployable on a large scale. Innovation is especially needed in densely populated areas, where billions of people are only capturing and storing their waste, with no sustainable way to handle it once their on-site storage, such as a septic tank or latrine pit, fills up.
INVESTIGATION INTO THE CORROSION MECHANISMS OF NEXT GENERATION PROTECTIVE METALLIC COATINGS (ZMAS) FOR STEEL
Tom Lewis has been investigating the metallurgy and corrosion behaviour of a new generation of functional coatings designed to sacrificially protect steel products.Tom’s work has focussed on the application of novel techniques to assess the fundamental corrosion mechanisms at a microstructural level and rates of material degradation related to alloy content.
ASSESSMENT OF THE BACTERICIDAL ACTIVITY OF A NOVEL POLYMERIC BIOCIDE FOR COATINGS
Research Engineer Sean James has been working alongside Hybrisan to elucidate the mechanism through which a novel polymer based biocide can be implemented to control bacterial adhesion, prevent biofilm maturation, and destabilise established biofilms.
WATER TREATMENT
BASF sponsored Ashley through an MRes and an EngD at Swansea University. Throughout the Masters and EngD projects he garnered a large skill set in a variety of areas from the novel synthesis of metallic nano-particles to modification of compounds to afford novel substrates for photo-degradation.
FLEXIBLE, TRANSPARENT PV LAMINATE
Researcher Daniel Bryant came up with a new design for solar cells that reduced manufacturing costs and production time using earth abundant materials and a novel laminate he developed.
ED LESTER-CARD – REVOLUTIONISING WATER TREATMENT
Billions of litres of water are used each year in industrial processes in applications ranging from heating and cooling through to applying lubrication. After the water has served its purpose it must be treated before being discharged back into the water system. Ed has been working on the problem of water treatment and applying novel green solutions for water treatment and tells us about the impact of his research.
CARLOS LLOVO VIDAL – ATTRACTING TALENT TO SOUTH WALES
Carlos was fortunate enough to see an advert for the M2A scheme whilst in his home town in Spain. Realising the opportunity on offer, Carlos immediately applied to study for an MSc with the M2A and Tata Steel. After excelling in his masters Carlos has now gained employment within Tata Steel, choosing to remain in South Wales to build his career.
AN INVESTIGATION OF TRENDS IN PRECIOUS METAL AND COPPER CONTENT OF RAM MODULES IN WEEE: IMPLICATIONS FOR LONG TERM RECYCLING POTENTIAL
Rhys’ expertise has been utilised by the Welsh Government to inform policy on circular economy and he was also invited to the “APSRG Parliamentary debate” on the recast of UK WEEE regulations that led to participation in EU policy consultations in Brussels.
FROM E-WASTE TO GREEN ENERGY
This video discusses the value of waste as a resource and shows research conducted at Swansea University to asses the viability of using waste thermocouples as a source of platinum for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
BASIC OXYGEN FURNACE (BOF) TUYÈRES AND SURROUNDING REFRACTORIES DEVELOPMENT
Researcher Szymon Kubal’s analysis of tuyères led to a new BOF stirring element design. These changes will enable consistent delivery of mixing energy to the system and extend refractory lining service life, improving overall vessel availability.
BLOODHOUND’S AERODYNAMIC DESIGN WITHOUT A WIND TUNNEL
Dr Ben Evans from Swansea University explains how Computational Fluid Dynamics has helped the designers to shape Bloodhound SSC.
MATTHEW KEAR – “ONE PERSON’S DATA IS ANOTHER PERSON’S NOISE” – K.C. COLE
The presence of noise in any industrial environment is indicative of a transfer of energy that can be detrimental to equipment and personnel. Matthew has used his wide range of engineering skills, gained on the EngD, to successfully predict the levels of noise generated by orifice restriction plates. This was achieved through a combination of experimentation and the production of multi-physics computational models. His work has significantly improved the profile of his sponsoring company, as world leading experts in restriction plate noise. They now have an in-depth understanding of noise generation, which can be applied at the early stages of the design process.
Materials and Manufacturing Academy (M2A) provides industry led postgraduate research training based at Swansea University's new Bay Campus. M2A is part funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.