About the Series
Innovate UK’s Materials and Manufacturing Vision 2050 details the opportunities that lie ahead of the UK Materials and Manufacturing sectors as we strive for a net zero future. However, the technological breakthroughs of tomorrow are not possible without the research we pursue today.
The Materials and Manufacturing Show and Tell series aims to increase the reach of innovative research born out of UK universities. Our academics are world leaders in terms of the quality and impact of the research they produce, and the scale up of their novel ideas play a vital role in boosting the UK economy and ensuring a more resilient, secure, and sustainable future.
Join us each week and learn about the incredible innovation taking place within our research institutions, where we can work to enable collaborations and partnerships between academic research and the commercial world.
Click here to watch recordings from previous events in the series (June-July 2025).
The events planned in this series for 1 and 8 October were cancelled or postponed. Recordings from the remaining events will be available post-event.
-
Speaker: Dr Yasith Jayakody | Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering, Department of Aerospace Engineering Kingston University
Title: Novel high-performance coating process for corrosive and extreme temperature environments
-
Speaker: Dr Sameer S Rahatekar | Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Polymers and Composites, Centre for Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Cranfield Univearsity
Title: Revolutionizing Sustainable Fashion/Textiles Sector Through Circular Cellulose Fibres Manufacturing Process
-
Speaker: Prof Michael S. Johnson | Head of Composites Research Group, Rail Vehicle Lightweighting, University of Nottingham
Title: Hybrid Vacuum Robotic (HyVR) Forming of Composites
Abstract: Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic (FRTP) composites have been “the future” for seemingly decades. Their promise of recyclability, improved toughness, weldability and faster processing compared to thermoset composites remains attractive to customers. The capital cost of a press and matched tooling for typical FRTP thermostamping is a drawback for small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s). As part size increases, the drawback is compounded. This presentation highlights a collaboration between the University of Nottingham (UoN) and the National Composites Centre (NCC) through the Researcher in Residence (RiR) Innovation Scheme. It explores a closed-loop (circular) process for manufacturing large FRTP composite components at costs that are achievable by SME’s. The process for manufacturing involves the interplay between bulk diaphragm (vacuum) forming and robotic assisted incremental sheet forming. This process is named Hybrid Vacuum Robotic (HyVR) forming. The “demanufacturing process” is an inversion of the HyVR process. Benefits of the HyVR process will be shown, concluding with the existing implementation level at the NCC.
Accessibility and Inclusion
We are committed to ensuring our events are accessible for all.
If you experience any barriers to registering, for any reason, please contact us by email: enquiries@iukbc.org.uk or phone: +44 03333 403250 and we will support your registration.