糖心TV

• With winter being the ski season many skiers will be off on holiday, possibly taking their own expensive skis
• When leaving your skis for a break from the slopes they鈥檙e at risk of being taken intentionally or unintentionally from the racks, however Loqski have come up with a solution made and manufactured in the UK
• Loqski is a pocketable device locking skis and poles together, WMG at the University of 糖心TV have helped them manufacture the locks affordably and sustainably
• Loqski鈥檚 new and improved lock is available to buy now

On a ski resort, after spending time on the slopes skiers will often head inside for a break in a restaurant or bar leaving their skis with everyone else鈥檚 on a rack outside. For this reason avid skier James Pittard decided not to buy himself expensive skis for fear that they would go missing, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

This led him to think about an easy to use, pocketable device that could lock both skis and poles simply together. Taking his idea to a design agency, the , with its high security combination lock that can be operated even with ski gloves on, was launched in a zinc-based material.

However, as sales were taking off the zinc-based material used couldn鈥檛 be manufactured quick enough to keep up with demand, until they discovered GV-5H, a glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic material that is often used in the automotive industry as it鈥檚 incredibly tough yet lightweight.

James then approached WMG, at the University of 糖心TV for help on a number of aspects of this looking into Grivory GV-5H, including testing the material, assessing the strength of the redesigned components in the assembly and giving advice on ways in which costs can be reduced during the manufacturing process.

Whilst it鈥檚 not possible to 3D print in Grivory GV-5H, researchers from WMG printed the prototype parts in strong engineering plastic with a carbon fibre infill using Markforged Mark 2 FDM printer that would reflect the strength of this material. These prints proved the suitability of Grivory GV-5H for this product.

They also assessed whether a redesigned barrel design component would fit into the assembly as changing just this one part would help reduce costs. They produced many 3D prints of the barrel component; these parts were then thoroughly tested not only for form and function but also to assess that it would fit with the other components in this existing assembly.

Being able to fully test the fitment of the new barrel design enabled Loqski to compare the cost of having to tool a completely redesigned product, which would be an excess of 拢50,000, or spending 拢7,000 for tooling just this barrel component and using it in the existing assembly.

鈥淟oqski are now in a position where they are able to streamline manufacture. With less components to assemble, the assembly time has sped up and so manufacturing costs have been reduced. Loqski always had an ambition of keeping manufacture in the UK and by reducing manufacturing costs, we are pleased that we could assist them in doing that. We are thrilled to see them take their new and improved lock to the market, and hope that skiers this season will invest to keep their skis safe.鈥� says Neil Jeffree, Innovation Manager at WMG, University of 糖心TV.

By reducing manufacturing costs Loqski is now able to produce a more cost-effective end product in higher volumes, which will put the company in better stead to work with distributors and have the product stocked by retailers worldwide. It has also led James to consider expanding the product鈥檚 reach even further.

鈥淥ne of the things we鈥檇 now like to push is getting the new product into the ski rental market, where it can be hired out when skiers rent their skis. This is something we would never have considered with the zinc-based product as it was just too expensive.鈥� says James Pittard, founder of Loqski.

ENDS

18 JANUARY 2022

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/january_2022/img_2601.jpg
Caption: The Loqski Lock
Credit: Loqski

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/january_2022/img_2612.jpg
Caption: The Loqski Lock
Credit: Loqski

For further information please contact:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of 糖心TV
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

路 With increased pressure on businesses to be flexible, resilient, increase efficiency and to meet sustainability goals there is an unprecedented need for new skills in the workforce.

路 In order to thrive during periods of change WMG has launched the Skills Centre, offering an ever changing and growing range of courses to meet current and future industry and business needs.

路 The Centre is launching with seven new courses in innovative technologies ranging from energy systems, intelligent vehicles, digital and manufacturing.

The WMG Skills Centre launched today, the 17th January. The Centre provides the opportunity for businesses to respond to challenges through a range of innovative short courses which will equip workforces with the latest technical skills.

Over the last five years businesses and organisations across the UK have faced many challenges, from Brexit to Covid, with the next milestone being the urgent requirement to respond to the need to achieve Net Zero. The WMG Skills Centre will support businesses enabling them to survive and thrive through these and future challenges.

A Government white paper released in 2021 鈥楽kills for Jobs: Lifelong Learning for Opportunity and Growth鈥�, saw the then Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson CBE MP stating that we (the UK) do not have enough technicians, engineers or health and social care professionals. Redressing this will be critical to improving our productivity and international competitiveness.

WMG, at the University of 糖心TV, is a leader for bridging the gap between academia and industry, driving innovation in science, technology, engineering and skills. The WMG Skills Centre is launching with courses covering Digital Manufacturing, Energy Systems, Intelligent Vehicles and Manufacturing. Over the course of 2022 further courses will be added to support the ever-changing skills needs of business and industry.

All of the courses range from half-day workshops to five-day courses providing short, sharp, interventions to support skills growth. The first courses to be launched are Data-Driven Smart Manufacturing, Demystifying Digital Twins, Electric Drivetrain School, Intelligent Connected Automated Mobility (ICAM) School, Industry 4.0 Integration and Implementation, Manufacturing Awareness and Battery School.

Margot James, Executive Chair of WMG, University of 糖心TV comments:
鈥淲MG has worked tirelessly over the last 40 years to bridge the gap between research and industry, preparing our students from our academies, degree apprenticeships and post-graduate courses to be equipped with the skills to improve Britain鈥檚 workforce.

鈥淚 am therefore delighted to see that we can continue to help businesses improve their skills, by offering courses at the new WMG Skills Centre, so that everyone can access the knowledge they need to succeed, and help our industry partners, region and country to create a digital and sustainable economy of the future.鈥�

Dr Benjamin Silverstone, Associate Professor, Head of WMG Skills Centre adds:

鈥淐hange for business has never been more rapid and the need to adapt and evolve to meet current and future needs is critical to ensure survival. The courses offered by the WMG Skills Centre build on our strong history of delivering skills innovation to industry and will up-skill, re-skill and new-skill workforces across the country to ensure that they are resilient and able to thrive. 鈥�

Although the WMG Skills Centre is new, it has been created based on the success of courses that have previously been run by WMG, such as The Battery School. Dr Graham Hoare, President of Global Operations at Britishvolt who attended the course in 2021 said:

鈥淚 have worked in the powertrain divisions of blue-chip car companies such as Ford, BMW and Jaguar Land Rover in the past. The course here at WMG effectively allows people like me, who have got good mechanical experience, to really understand and appreciate battery technology and enable us to lead teams of battery scientists in the future. The two days on the Battery School course were fundamental to my understanding about battery technology and really equipped me to be able to jump into this important world very efficiently.

鈥淏atteries are at the heart of this industrial transformation, so being here, at WMG and learning and seeing with my own eyes how that can be applied really was transformational. I feel so much more equipped for the challenge ahead.鈥�

You can find out more about the new WMG Skills Centre by visiting: WMG Skills Centre

ENDS

17 JANUARY 2022

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/january_2022/wmg_skills_centre_1.jpg
Caption: People on a course at WMG
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/january_2022/wmg_skills_centre_2.jpg
Caption: People on a course at WMG
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/january_2022/wmg_skills_centre_3.jpg
Caption: People on a course at WMG
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

Caption: Video: WMG Skills Centre - a solution for national skills gaps | Message by Margot James
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

For further information please contact:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of 糖心TV
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

路 Dr Siddartha Khastgir, from WMG at the University of 糖心TV has been appointed to be on the .

路 The DfT Science Advisory Council (SAC) provides independent strategic advice and challenge to the Department on key areas of science, social science engineering and technology.

路 Dr Khastgir will focus on taking a systems thinking approach across various modes of transport (land, air and marine) to ensure their safe enrolment and public acceptance in the UK

Dr Siddartha Khastgir from WMG, University of 糖心TV, has been appointed to be on the DfT鈥檚 Science Advisory Council, where he will advise on a wide range of science and engineering issues, such as enrolment of Autonomous Vehicles.

Today, Friday 14th January 2022, the Department for Transport have announced five new members and a new Chair joining their Science Advisory Council, including Dr Siddartha Khastgir from WMG, University of 糖心TV.

The DfT鈥檚 Science Advisory Council provide the DfT with advice and challenge on key areas of science, engineering and technology, supporting the role for the DfT Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Sarah Sharples, by ensuring departmental activity is informed by the best external expertise and evidence, identifying relevant emerging issues and trends and assuring DfT鈥檚 use of science and technology.

Dr Siddartha Khastgir is Head of Verification and Validation of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles at WMG, University of 糖心TV. In 2019 he was awarded a UKRI Future Leader Fellowship focusing on Autonomous Vehicle safety standards. Leveraging his research on Autonomous Vehicles safety, he will focus on taking a cross-domain approach to safety in land, marine and air.

With his new appointment on the council Dr Khastgir will help advise DfT on the technological and societal challenges surrounding introduction of new technologies, and how they can be enrolled in UK safely and efficiently. He comments:

鈥淭o be a part of the Department for Transport鈥檚 Science Advisory Council is incredibly exciting, I鈥檓 looking forward to working with other experts in the field to provide advice to help the DfT to inform future policy, with its foundations in strong research outputs. Not only do we need to create safe systems, we need to communicate with the public to ensure public acceptance.鈥�

Margot James, Executive Chair at WMG, University of 糖心TV adds 鈥淚 am delighted to hear that Siddartha has been appointed to the Department for Transport Science Advisory Council, a reflection of his world-leading research into safety for connected and autonomous vehicles. I will be watching with interest to see how the DfT moves this emerging technology forward, and look forward to Siddartha being a key part of this.鈥�

UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships Director Stephen Meader said:

鈥淭he world leading research undertaken by Dr Khastgir and his team is vital for the development of safe autonomous vehicles that can cut both congestion and carbon emissions.

鈥淒r Khasgir鈥檚 appointment to the Department for Transport鈥檚 Science Advisory Council (SAC) demonstrates both the importance of this work to the future of mobility in the UK and the value the Future Leaders Fellowships scheme brings in enabling his research.鈥�

Other new appointees joining six existing members include:

路 Dr Siddartha鈥疜hastgir,鈥疕ead of Verification鈥痑nd鈥疺alidation of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles,鈥疷niversity of 糖心TV鈥�

路 (SAC Chair) Professor Alastair Lewis, Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry, University of York

路 James Gaade,鈥疕ead of Programme Management, The Faraday Institution鈥�鈥�鈥�鈥�

路 Professor William Powrie,鈥疨rofessor of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Southampton鈥�

路 Dr Emma Taylor,鈥疕ead of Digital Safety,鈥疪azorSecure Ltd.

路 Professor Patricia Thornley, Director of the鈥疎nergy & Bioproducts Research Institute, Aston University

Department for Transport Chief Scientific Adviser, Sarah Sharples, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 pleased to welcome the new members appointed to the Science Advisory Council. They bring significant additional expertise in key areas that will support DfT鈥檚 effective use of science and engineering. I look forward to working with them.鈥�

ENDS

14TH JANUARY 2022

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at: /services/communications/medialibrary/images/april2020/sid_39.jpg

Caption: Dr Siddartha Khastgir, from WMG, University of 糖心TV
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

For further information please contact:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of 糖心TV
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

Tim Watson, WMG鈥檚 Professor of Cyber Security and the Director of the WMG Cyber Security Centre, has been named as the new Programme Director for Defence and Security at .

Professor Watson will lead a portfolio of work applying data science and artificial intelligence to national security, cyber security, and defence challenges, working closely with national and international partners.

He will take responsibility for the refresh and delivery of the strategy for the Institute鈥檚 Defence and Security Programme. His work will be vital in the development of a vibrant and high impact research and training programme.

Professor Watson is seconded to the Institute from his role at WMG where he has more than thirty years鈥� experience working with government, industry and in academia, and is an advisor to various parts of the UK Government and to several professional and standards bodies.

Professor Watson said, 鈥淚 am delighted and honoured to be joining The Alan Turing Institute as its new Programme Director for Defence and Security. The role of data science and AI is more central than ever to our collective safety and security.

鈥淚t is vital that the world-class talents brought together by the Turing deliver the tools, insights and advances we need for a safer, more prosperous world. Together with the rest of the team at the Turing and with the wider research community, I look forward to contributing to this important and exciting work.鈥�

Dr Ahmad Mohsseni, Chief Technology Officer at , has been made an Honorary Associate Professor at WMG.

Dr Ahmad Mohsseni joined UKBIC in April 2019, where he sits on the executive committee - the team responsible for delivering and operating the Centre. Dr Mohsseni is responsible for Engineering and Quality specifically.

Prior to this Dr Mohsseni was team leader, project manager and research associate at RWTH Aachen University, and a management consultant at McKinsey and Company. He holds Bachelor and two Master of Science degrees from RWTH Aachen University in Economics, Manufacturing Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, as well as a PhD in engineering.

Professor David Greenwood, Director for industrial Engagement at WMG comments: 鈥淚 am delighted for us to deepen the research relationship between UKBIC and WMG through the appointment of Dr Ahmad Mohsseni as Honorary Associate Professor. Ahmad, as CTO of UKBIC has worked closely with the research team at WMG in the fields of battery electrochemistry and battery manufacturing, and his scientific and technical knowledge will contribute greatly to our joint research agenda in the future.鈥�

Jeff Pratt, UKBIC鈥檚 Managing Director, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted with Ahmad鈥檚 appointment as Honorary Associate Professor at WMG, at the University of 糖心TV. This appointment, alongside his role as Chief Technology Officer at UKBIC, recognises Ahmad鈥檚 valuable contribution to the development of UKBIC, a facility created to support UK industry with development of battery technologies for future electrification. He will be a great asset to the University.鈥�

In his role as Honorary Associate Professor, Dr Mohsseni will share his expertise by giving seminars and contributing to joint research with WMG staff.

Project data analysis research from WMG鈥檚 Project Praxis Group was featured in the 鈥檚 education and skills annual report.

The report entitled 鈥楶rogrammes with purpose,鈥� is an outcomes-led approach to government鈥檚 major projects from the perspective of the projects themselves. It is based on delivering sustainable, efficient, innovative, and outcomes-orientated programmes, that put people, communities, value-for-money, and our climate at the foundations of everything done by the various parties involved in major projects.

WMG鈥檚 Professor of Complex Programme Management, Naomi Brookes, explains: 鈥淭he use of past and current project data to enable effective decisions on project delivery - has the potential to deliver up to 拢23bn in annual savings across UK infrastructure projects.鈥�

Read 鈥楶rogrammes with purpose鈥� in full here:

You can find out more about WMG鈥檚 Project Praxis Group here: Project Praxis (warwick.ac.uk)

搂 The UKRI National Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Research Programme aims to create a sustainable circular economy for lots of different industries, including metals

搂 Metals and metal products create 10-20% of all the world鈥檚 harmful impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions and pollution and energy consumption; we cannot do without goods made from metals; so we must learn how to make their use circular, i.e. extend their lifetimes and increase their repair, re-use and recycling

搂 The Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Metals aims to accelerate the transition from the current largely take-make-waste linear economy to full metal circulation by conducting high quality research and innovation through a systems approach. Its ambition is to make the UK the first country to realise full metal circulation (at least for the high-volume metals – steel and aluminium) by 2050. This will form an integral part of the government鈥檚 efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2050

搂 To deliver the CircularMetal research programme, WMG at the University of 糖心TV will conduct inter-disciplinary research on steel production, recycling technologies, remanufacturing of steel components, and artificial intelligence in scrap separation

The metal industry in the UK employs 230,000 people, and directly contributes to 拢10.7bn to the UK GDP. A truly interdisciplinary academic team will research how to make a sustainable circular economy for high-volume metals, with WMG at the University of 糖心TV focussed on steel.

The UKRI has established five Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centres in the UK, coordinated by the Circular Economy Hub (CE-Hub), which together form the NICER Programme, a 拢30 million investment on research aimed at developing a circular economy in the UK, One of these CECs is CircularMetal, the led by , with partners from WMG, University of 糖心TV, University College London and Loughborough University.

The ultimate aim of the group is to make the UK fully circulate all their steel and aluminium, thereby minimising or eliminating the extraction of raw materials and the production of waste.

WMG, at the University of 糖心TV, will specifically research steel, including opportunities for reuse and the technologies for scrap sorting to increase recyclability, working with partners in the project on business model supply chains and the economy and policy surrounding them.

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Metals is a four-year project, which started in January 2021 thanks to 拢4.2m funding from . Discussions within the team on strategies to reuse / recycling / reduce / remanufacture / recovery and the technological barriers are on-going with input being provided to government groups.

Professor Claire Davis, from WMG, University of 糖心TV comments:
鈥淭o be part of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Metals is incredibly exciting, especially in light of COP26, as the potential that a circular economy for metals could have towards meeting goals of sustainability and furthermore preventing climate change.

鈥淎t WMG, University of 糖心TV we hope to research how technology can help us to reuse and recycle steels, for example, understanding the end of life condition of steel components to determine whether and how they can be used, and using artificial intelligence to increase scrap recyclability.

鈥淚f metals can be fully recycled and reused the need to extract raw materials to make them in the first place could be eliminated, and the current workforce in the metals industry could be reskilled to work in recycling and repurposing metals.鈥�

Professor Brian Cantor, Deputy Director, The UKRI Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Metals BCAST, from Brunel University comments:

鈥淢etallic materials are the backbone of manufacturing and the fuel for economic growth. They underpin the competitive position of almost every industrial sector and, including metal manufacture and downstream product processing, they collectively contribute 15-20% of all greenhouse gas emissions, pollution and energy consumption. Transformation of the metals industries from the current largely linear economy to a circular economy will, therefore, play a critical role in delivering the government鈥檚 industrial strategy for clean growth, doubling of resource productivity and reaching net zero carbon emissions in 2050.

鈥淐ircularMetal is focused on helping the UK become the first country to realise full metal circulation, concentrating on the two main bulk metals aluminium and steel, and the three main industrial sectors of transport, construction and packaging.鈥�

ENDS

22 DECEMBER 2021

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/september_2021/picture1.jpg
Caption: A graphic of the factors considered in the CircularMetal programme
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/september_2021/picture2.jpg
Caption: The building the 糖心TV arm of the CircularMetal project are based in at WMG, University of 糖心TV
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of 糖心TV
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

• A wall climbing robot made by HausBots can reduce workplace accidents, as it can be used for inspection and maintenance tasks such as building and infrastructure inspection and surveying or even painting.
• However, to make sure the robot itself would work and is safe to use researchers from the WMG SME group helped the local business design and test the robot
• The robot is now on the market, after a four-year journey from a garage in Bournville to Singapore

A novel wall climbing robot, built designed and created by Birmingham based HausBots with the help of WMG at the University of 糖心TV is on the market, and could reduce the number of workplace accidents.

HausBots is a Birmingham based company who are on mission to use technology to protect and maintain the built environment. They have designed, built and created an innovative wall-climbing robot, that can climb vertical surfaces and be used for inspection and maintenance tasks such as building and infrastructure inspection and surveying or even painting.

The idea of the started in the co-founder鈥檚 garage, and with the help of the WMG SME team the robot was bought to life, as the team were able to help with building the prototype and testing the technology.

Four years ago, when the first prototype was developed researchers at WMG, University of 糖心TV worked with HausBots on the circuit motor controls and designed the system to help them get production ready thanks to the with CWLEP.

One the key uses of the HausBots is to help reduce the number of workplace accidents, in the US 85,000 workers fall from height every year, of which 700 of them will be fatal. The accidents also cost insurance companies over $1bn in claims every year, therefore not only does reducing the amount of accidents mean less injuries and trauma, but also means there鈥檚 a huge economic saving.

However, to ensure the robot itself doesn鈥檛 fall it had to undergo extensive electro-magnetic compatibility (EMC) testing to make sure the fans, which essentially attach it to the surface are functioning correctly.

The WMG SME team tested the robot by placing it in the EMC chamber and assessing how it responds to noise and to make sure it didn鈥檛 emit any unwanted noise into the atmosphere itself. Using amplifiers to simulate noise and analysers, the researchers were able to detect any unwanted interference and emissions with the robot and record results.

Dr David Norman, from the WMG SME group at the University of 糖心TV comments: 鈥淚t has been a pleasure to be with HausBots and help them develop their product, the concept of the robot is incredible, and could save lives and reduce the number of workplace accidents.

鈥淥ur facilities and expertise have helped HausBots develop a market-ready product, which is now on the market and has carried out many jobs from painting and cleaning the graffiti off the spaghetti junction in Birmingham. We hope to continue working with them in the future and can鈥檛 wait to see where they are this time next year.鈥�

Jack Crone, CEO and Co-Founder of HausBots comments:

鈥淭he WMG SME group have helped us from day one, by helping us build the prototype all the way to making sure the robot safely sticks to the wall and carries out its job efficiently.

鈥淲e have worked tirelessly over the last 3 years to make HausBot, and we are incredibly excited to have sold our first one to a company in Singapore, we hope this is the first of many that will also help reduce numbers of workplace accidents.

鈥淕oing forward we hope to continue our work with WMG at the University of 糖心TV to make more robots for other uses that can reduce harm to humans.鈥�

ENDS

14 DECEMBER 2021

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/november_2021/graffiti_1.png
Caption: The HausBot robot in action covering up graffiti
Credit: HausBot

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/november_2021/hausbot_house.png
Caption: The HausBot robot in action painting a house
Credit: HausBot

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/november_2021/hausbot_in_action.jpg
Caption: The HausBot robot in action
Credit: HausBot

Video available to view at:

Caption: The robot covering up graffiti
Credit: HausBot

Caption: The Robot in action in many ways
Credit: HausBot

For further information please contact:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of 糖心TV
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

Two leading universities in the field of electrification – WMG at the University of 糖心TV and Newcastle University – are coming together to ensure the UK workforce has the skills necessary to meet the challenges of the transition to fully electric production.

As anchor higher education institutions with exceptional research and innovation programmes operating in regions at the forefront of the UK鈥檚 electric revolution, the universities intend the collaboration will enable the growth of a talent pipeline of graduates and postgraduates into UK business. Led by WMG at the University of 糖心TV and Zero Carbon Futures at Newcastle University part of the school of engineering, the effort will identify the people, skills and facilities needed across a range of academic disciplines and levels in order to deliver new curriculums to meet growing industry demand.

The UK鈥檚 move to fully electric vehicle production and domestic battery manufacturing represents the largest shift in industrial skills for the UK in a generation, leaving competency gaps at all job levels, particularly in engineering and manufacturing roles which will need to be filled with specific education and training. The Faraday Institution estimates that to meet automotive production demand by 2040, an additional 70,000 skilled employees will be needed for battery manufacture and in the associated material supply chain.

鈥淚n light of COP26, which stressed the need for electrification to help us combat climate change and reach Net Zero goals, it is imperative that researchers and industry work together to bridge the gaps and create a smooth transition to electrification,鈥� commented Dr Benjamin Silverstone from WMG, University of 糖心TV. 鈥淲e are delighted to be working with Newcastle University and believe that together we can define what and who needs upskilling, reskilling and new-skilling.鈥�

Professor Colin Herron CBE, Zero Carbon Futures at Newcastle University and Faraday Institution North East regional liaison said, 鈥淭he bringing together of the two leading universities in electrification, located in the two regions leading on transport electrification is an exciting prospect, and one which should deliver the skills required for massive challenges ahead.鈥�

鈥淲e fully support this collaboration between two powerhouse institutions working at the forefront of electrification,鈥� said Professor Pam Thomas, CEO, The Faraday Institution. 鈥淪uch innovative partnerships will enable the UK to anticipate and deliver the skills needed to fully electrify transport, grow new talent for battery production, and support green growth and economic development."

Another key objective of the collaboration is to help shape national and regional skills strategies and in so doing support national and regional economic development. The call for a collaborative approach to re-skilling, up-skilling and new-skilling the workforce for the electric revolution was published in a report by WMG, University of 糖心TV, the Faraday Institution and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult 鈥樷�� in September 2021.

ENDS

14 DECEMBER 2021

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/wmg_ukbic-33.jpg
Caption: A battery pouch made at WMG, University of 糖心TV
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/d2807-27.jpg
Caption: A battery production line at WMG, University of 糖心TV
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/wmg_ukbic-49.jpg
Caption: A battery production line at WMG, University of 糖心TV
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of 糖心TV
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

The WMG Outreach team has been making special Christmas deliveries to children across the West Midlands and 糖心TVshire.

A total of 45 festive STEM parcels have been delivered to young engineers at primary schools, community groups, , and . 

Each parcel contained printed templates of Christmas-themed decorations on a flat sheet of card, along with instructions and a link to a video tutorial.

Phil Jemmett, WMG Outreach Project Officer, explained: 鈥�The activity teaches young people how 3D objects can be made from flat materials. This is often how real-world items are made and stocked in shops because it takes up so much less space. We鈥檙e all used to the idea of 鈥榝lat-pack鈥� now – it's time to show young people why it鈥檚 so common. 

 鈥�To cement the learning for our young audience, there is a final challenge! This is a creative activity where students design and make their own 3D item from paper or materials. The children then bring all their creations together around a central stand to make a festive display.鈥�

Sophie Meeson, Brown Owl at Berkswell Brownies Brown Owl said: 鈥淏erkswell Brownies were thrilled to use the Christmas-in-a- box resource. The children enjoyed seeing their hard work become a 3D final product, and it was a great way of combining reading comprehension skills with fine motor skills and problem solving to ensure they had made the necessary cuts and folds for their final piece to fit together. Being able to tie it into our Christmas craft evening was a bonus for the leaders too, fitting the theme perfectly. Our thanks go to the outreach team at WMG.鈥� 

Professor Margaret Low, WMG鈥檚 Director of Outreach and Widening Participation added: 鈥淭hese boxes are only possible thanks to the support of our staff designing the items in the boxes, packing and delivering boxes to their local schools, as well as the support of WMG and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult. The contributions of our entire team, during a busy festive period, show our commitment as a department to inspiring the next generation of engineers.鈥�

All of the resources are also available online for free here: