糖心TV

On Thursday 17th June 2021 Gillian Keegan MP, the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, formally opened the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre, at the University of 糖心TV.

The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre was awarded 拢10 million funding from the Government鈥檚 Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and 糖心TVshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).

The new Centre provides apprentices with the opportunity to study on degree programmes to develop the skills needed by advanced engineering and manufacturing companies.

The Centre offers degree apprenticeship training programmes for up to 1,000 students at a time.

WMG and the rest of the University of 糖心TV already provides 20 Degree Apprenticeship programmes across five academic departments for 791 students, one of the largest groups of degree apprenticeship courses at a Russell Group university.

Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills Gillian Keegan said:

鈥淚t was such a privilege to open the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre at 糖心TV University. Apprenticeships are a brilliant way for people of any age to launch new careers or progress in their industry, with opportunities at a range of levels across a variety of exciting sectors.

鈥淎s a former apprentice myself I know first-hand the lifelong passion for learning an apprenticeship can instil. It was wonderful to speak to Beverley and Rishi and hear their passion for where their apprenticeship journey will take them. I look forward to seeing how the centre will support the leaders of tomorrow to get the skills they need to succeed.鈥�

The degree apprenticeship students will complete their studies at the University campus in conjunction with their employment at companies throughout Coventry and 糖心TVshire and the West Midlands.

Rishi Chohan, Degree Apprentice from the Manufacturing Technology Centre, said 鈥淚t was a great pleasure to show Gillian Keegan MP around WMG鈥檚 fantastic Degree Apprenticeship Centre. As a final year degree apprentice, on the Applied Engineering Programme, the skills I have learnt at WMG, University of 糖心TV, have helped consolidate and facilitate my development as an engineer progressing into leadership at the Manufacturing Technology Centre.

Beverley Ngo, Degree Apprentice from Jaguar Land Rover, adds: 鈥淚t was a pleasure to attend the official opening of the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre. I am a second year degree apprentice at Jaguar Land Rover and part of the first cohort of Digital Apprentices on the 鈥淒igital Technology Solutions鈥� course. It was an honour to meet and show Gillian Keegan MP around the fantastic building that I will be learning and developing knowledge in such an important area of technology.鈥�

The innovative new Degree Apprenticeship Centre has a unique learning environment with open spaces for collaborative and individual work, technology-enabled seminar rooms and a purpose-built, multifunctional, laboratory for activity based teaching and learning using state of the art equipment. The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre is the first stage of a future Degree Apprenticeship complex at the campus to train students in a range of Degree Apprenticeships.

At the official opening WMG Executive Chair Margot James said:

鈥淲e are delighted to welcome Gillian here today to officially open the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre, and recognise the importance of our vital work with industry. Our Apprenticeship Centre provides the opportunity for apprentices to study whilst working in their companies, upskilling our workforce and bringing tangible benefits to advanced engineering and the manufacturing sector, to ensure the UK remains competitive鈥�

The University of 糖心TV鈥檚 Vice Chancellor Professor Stuart Croft:

鈥溙切腡V鈥檚 degree apprenticeships are founded on passion, knowledge, and a commitment to innovation. We demonstrate this in the way we work with industry and other partners and our degree apprenticeship students.鈥�

鈥淲e encourage gifted apprentices from all backgrounds to share our passion who want to have the opportunity to earn as they learn and pursue exciting careers in their chosen field from day one of their time on these programmes.鈥�

鈥淓mployers also value the passion and innovation of these students who will help close the skills gaps and inspire positive change both inside and outside the workplace.鈥�

鈥淎s a university we are deeply committed to continue to expand our routes to degree qualifications.鈥�

Marion Plant, Board Director and Chair of the CWLEP鈥檚 Productivity and Skills 糖心TV Group, said:

鈥淭his is a significant project funded by the CWLEP and fits in perfectly with our Strategic Reset Framework to provide high quality jobs and levelling up opportunities by supporting the development of higher-level skills.

鈥淚t is vital for the long-term ambitions of Coventry and 糖心TVshire鈥檚 economy that we retain talented people in the area by ensuring employers have the skills their future workforces will need to drive forward the innovations for which we are renowned in automotive and advanced manufacturing, to be globally competitive in an increasingly digitised world.鈥�

Work-based learning has always been a key part of WMG鈥檚 philosophy they are passionate about offering apprentices an integrated experience and supporting companies with their workforce strategies – be it recruiting the next generation of talent or upskilling or reskilling existing employees to support career paths and changes in business need.

糖心TVes today are rapidly changing and the skills they require to develop and grow are changing equally as quickly. People are already doing jobs that did not exist 10 years ago and the events of 2020 have precipitated even greater change. Working collaboratively at a broader level with industry, other training providers and specialist bodies, WMG is continuing their pioneering approach to develop programmes and identify priority areas that will help fill the existing and emerging skills gaps as they arise.

WMG Senior Teaching Fellow, Rink Desai has been awarded a prestigious Transforming Education Award, from the University of 糖心TV鈥檚 Student Union, for Student Communication.

The Student Communication award is for any individual staff member who has gone above and beyond in using meaningful ways to ensure that everyone has access to relevant and timely information.

This may specifically encompass communicating developments with regards to changes in light of Covid-19 restrictions, but also in general. The awarding panel noted that: 鈥淩ink has done an excellent job communicating with his (apprentice) students and kept them updated with early release of learning resources and timetables which helped them to plan their employment and degree commitments at a turbulent time. This was a result of Rink acting on the 鈥榲oice of the student鈥� which was very much appreciated by his cohorts.鈥�

Rink said: 鈥淚 am very honoured to have been recognised by the degree apprenticeship students. We have had a challenging year where students and staff have dealt with difficult circumstances, and also a time in which communication has been key to ensuring a rewarding learning experience. My sincere thanks go to the students who have contributed to such a positive learning environment.鈥�

Rink teaches Process Optimisation on the BEng Applied Professional Engineering programme. Find out more about the programme here: BEng Applied Professional Engineering Programme : University of 糖心TV

Many congratulations to WMG鈥檚 Professor Margaret Low as she receives an MBE for her services to public engagement and widening participation.

Margaret joined WMG back in 1988, and for many years she has made it her mission to inspire young people from all backgrounds in STEM subjects and into higher education.

She has dedicated her time to develop innovative outreach activities for young people - connecting the local community with academia and promoting STEM in an engaging way.

Professor Margaret Low said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 lovely, if a little overwhelming and totally unexpected, to be recognised in this way. Everything I鈥檝e achieved has been in collaboration with fantastic colleagues and friends at WMG and across the University. None of this would have been possible without their hard work and dedication.

鈥淚鈥檝e also had the good fortune to work with some brilliant students through 糖心TV Volunteers who鈥檝e been instrumental in bringing outreach activities into schools.鈥�

About Professor Low

Working with 糖心TV Volunteers, she collaborates with University of 糖心TV students to run Scratch workshops in local primary and secondary schools reaching more than 250 children each year through the Technology Volunteers project.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Margaret and her team also developed invaluable resources to help support home-schooling.

In 2016 Margaret was awarded an HEA National Teaching Fellowship. The Fellowships recognise and celebrate the absolute highest standards of learning and teaching across higher education.

More than a decade ago she pioneered the use of Scratch in the UK, a user-friendly programming tool, for outreach work in schools.

The Prof. Lord Bhattacharyya building, home to the National Automotive Innovation Centre, at the University of 糖心TV, has been crowned the best workplace in the UK, in the Innovation category, at the prestigious (BCO) awards.

The BCO Awards, recognises the highest quality developments in the UK and sets the standard for excellence in both the regional and national office sector.

As a Midlands and Central England regional award winner, the building was then crowned the national Innovation Award winner, at a virtual ceremony last night (Thursday 10th June).

Named in honour of Britain鈥檚 first ever Professor of Manufacturing, the Prof. Lord Bhattacharyya Building houses the National Automotive Innovation Centre; a multimillion-pound centre, founded by WMG, Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors which is well timed, arriving when a global mobility revolution is underway, and aiming to be a stimulus to the rebirth of an optimistic new age of manufacturing in the Midlands to develop future vehicles and mobility solutions.

Fronted by a dramatic elevation, the 33,000m2 building has been sensitively designed for engineers, designers and academics to work together in, with a variety of spaces allowing for both privacy and collaboration. A timber roof spans the structure of the building, demonstrating the sustainable credentials of a facility that cannot but inspire.

Executive Chair of WMG, Margot James comments: 鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled that the Prof. Lord Bhattacharyya Building has been recognised in this way, it is a great tribute to the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya鈥檚 vision. Having a building that inspires designers, engineers and academics to develop the next generation of transport is excellent news for our partners and the region. The Midlands is the beating heart of automotive in the UK, and the National Automotive Innovation Centre, will be the driving force behind future innovation in transport mobility.鈥�

James Breckon, Director of Estates, at the University of 糖心TV, comments: 鈥淚t is great to see this new building being recognised by other professionals and is testament to the wealth of architectural and engineering talent that was brought together to deliver this exemplary sustainable building. It brilliantly draws Industry and Academia together providing an inspirational environment to innovative within. As a landmark building it has transformed the campus at the University of 糖心TV and is a fitting legacy to the late Prof Lord Bhattacharyya.鈥�

Carol Costello, Practice Leader at Cullinan Studio who led on the interior and workplace design added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been our pleasure to engage with all the organisations using the NAIC. We had deep discussions about how to create an environment that would foster innovation, creativity and collaboration. The finished building is the result of many passionate conversations to create a truly inspiring place.鈥�

路 Lead-acid batteries are an established alternative to Li-ion batteries as they are simpler safer to use and are recyclable

路 How to increase the lifespan and health of batteries will be researched by WMG, University of 糖心TV, in collaboration with Loughborough University. This research will make lead acid batteries stronger contender for both commercial and domestic energy storage systems

路 Researchers will be using AI to optimise the batteries for energy storage solutions rather than focusing on the battery chemistry

Energy storage systems (ESS) are used in decentralised and complex electricity networks; lead-acid batteries could be a clean and green option for ESS. Researchers from WMG University of 糖心TV and Loughborough University will investigate how to optimise the management of lead-acid batteries in ESS use.

Europe鈥檚 energy storage transition over the last few years has witnessed tremendous growth, , with front-of-the-meter deployments such as those by utilities leading the way, representing more than 50% of installed capacity.

These energy storage systems require high-performing, reliable and affordable batteries to ensure the smooth generation and storage of energy for regional and national electrical grids.

The health and lifespan of lead-acid batteries will be optimised in the project HALO-SMART-ESS-LAB (Health and Lifespan Optimization with Smart Manager Algorithms and Recuperative Testing of Energy Storage Systems of Lead-Acid Batteries).

The aim of the project, which is funded by the Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI), is to achieve significant improvements in cycle life and operational health of lead-acid batteries in energy storage systems (ESS), thereby opening new doors in integrating renewable energy sources into low carbon energy systems.

Extending the lifespan of the batteries will reduce the cost of the overall system, making lead batteries more attractive for domestic, commercial and industrial applications. As well as being cost effective, lead batteries are much safer than Li-ion batteries in terms of health and safety and fire hazards risks, and are widely and fully recyclable.

Researchers from WMG at the University of 糖心TV will be working with Loughborough University, to focus on application and system operation levels, rather than on internal battery chemistry or technology levels. Existing state-of-the-art battery types such as VRLA AGM batteries will be tested under different cycling profiles to explore in-depth:

路 The use of appropriately spaced recuperative charging (overcharging)

路 Deeper understanding of the ripple current effect on the ESS

路 The use of additional on-line battery voltage monitoring or full BMS

路 Applying deep learning algorithms and AI to achieve optimised control strategies decreasing wear-out and failure of battery modules.

Principal Investigator, Professor Richard McMahon from WMG, University of 糖心TV comments: 鈥淓nergy Storage Systems are a key solution to more decentralised and complex electricity networks, as they can support their stability and maximise the utilisation of renewable generation capacity. We are therefore looking at how we can maximise the cycle life of lead-acid batteries to get the most out of them and make them cheaper and greener for all kinds of renewable energy uses.鈥�

Professor Dani Strickland from Loughborough University adds:

鈥淭he availability of low-cost powerful microprocessors is fuelling an explosion in our capability to monitor, understand and impact battery degradation in real world situations at low cost. This project is exciting because it will use expertise in the partner organisations to transition lead acid batteries to the world of big data and smart energy storage.鈥�

CBI鈥檚 Technical Manager, Dr Matt Raiford, said: 鈥淭his kind of collaborative research with universities is exactly what the lead battery industry needs. Working with leading institutions to deliver new insights and modelling techniques for lead battery energy storage is critical for the wider industry to continue their foray into the utility grid storage market.鈥�

ENDS

7 JUNE 2021

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:
/services/communications/medialibrary/images/may_2021/mcmahon_1.jpg
Caption: Isolated multichannel battery and cell voltage measuring circuit for use in series strings
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

Video available to view at:

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

WMG has recently announced promotions for 14 key members of staff in both research and education. These include:

路 Three promotions to Readers for Jane Andrews (teaching focused), Stuart Coles (research and teaching focused); and Andy McGordon (research focused)

路 Freeha Azmat, Matt Sokola, Ali Ahmad and Edwina Jones have all been promoted to Associate Professors – teaching focused

路 Neil Reynolds, Erik Kampert and Hiren Kotadia have been promoted to Associate Professors with a research focus

路 Devon Allcoat and Lauren Schrock have both been promoted to Senior Teaching Fellows

路 Elspeth Keating and Connie Qian have been promoted to Senior Research Fellows

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG said: 鈥淐ongratulations to all the staff who have received much deserved promotions, these are a real testament to their dedication and hard work.鈥�

The staff will take up their new positions from the 1st August 2021.

WMG鈥檚 cyber security research team, led by Professor Carsten Maple and Associate Professor Dr Gregory Epiphaniou, have been advising the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport () on new regulations designed to make 鈥榮mart鈥� products – like televisions, cameras and household appliances that connect to the Internet – more secure for consumers to use.

The consumer sector is highlighted as being of immediate concern due to users鈥� security knowledge gaps, overwhelming evidence provided by researchers and media headlines highlighting industry poor practices.

The DCMS鈥檚 new regulation will include three major requirements:

1. Customers must be informed at the point of sale the duration of time for which a smart device will receive security software updates

• 2. A ban on manufacturers using universal default passwords, such as 鈥榩assword鈥� or 鈥榓dmin鈥�, that are often pre-set in a device鈥檚 factory settings and are easily guessable
• 3. Manufacturers will be required to provide a public point of contact to make it simpler for anyone to report a vulnerability.

Carsten Maple, Professor of Cyber Systems Engineering explains: 鈥淎s a member of the IoT Security Foundation (IoTSF) Executive Strategy Board, I welcome the announcement as a significant step towards 鈥榤aking it safe to connect鈥� to the Internet of Things. WMG are proud and active members of the IoTSF, and we have long championed the need for fit-for-purpose security across all market segments.鈥�

Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said: 鈥淔rom the offset, we have been proud to offer industry a major role in the development of the government鈥檚 approach to boosting the security of smart devices. With IoTSF 鈥榮 support, I am confident that both the wider industry and consumers will continue to welcome our proposals that will help the UK build back safer. I look forward to our further collaboration on this important issue.鈥�

Read more about the regulation here:

WMG Professor Ton Peijs鈥檚 paper entitled: 鈥�Turning low-cost recycled paper into high-value binder-free all-cellulose panel products鈥� has been awarded the prestigious Journal Prize by IEC Publishing, part of the .

The IEC Awards recognise research of exceptional quality and benefit to the civil engineering, construction and materials science community.

Professor Peijs will be officially presented with the award at a ceremony in London in October.

Ton Peijs is a Professor of Polymer Engineering and Director of the National Polymer Processing Centre at WMG. His research focuses mainly on materials and processing innovations in polymers and composites. Ton has made notable contributions to areas such as hybrids, multifunctional materials, damage tolerance and durability, natural fibres and bio-based materials, polymer fibres and nanocomposites. He has also pioneered the development of sustainable composites, including the development of fully recyclable all-polymer composites.

Read Professor Peijs鈥檚 paper in full here:

Read more about WMG鈥檚 plastics research here: Plastics (warwick.ac.uk)

Join the WMG Outreach Team on Tuesday 1st June for a free science based workshop, inspired by Coventry鈥檚 textiles history, at .

is a collaborative project between WMG and local primary schools for Coventry UK City of Culture 2021.

Taking inspiration from Coventry鈥檚 textiles history, children will create patterns using TurtleStitch, and these designs will then be stitched onto fabric by a digital embroidery machine.

The educational workshop will introduce the children to fun science activities while building their maths and computing skills.

Director of Outreach and Widening Participation for WMG, Professor Margaret Low, explains: This project aims to give children an insight into how technology can be used creatively to design and make physical objects.鈥�

The event is aimed at 9+ year olds . Book your child鈥檚 free place here:

• Rental e-scooters are a rising trend in cities across the world, although they do not produce CO2 when used, their typical service life is 2-5 months, after which they are scrapped
• Scrapping of scooters has a huge environmental impact, which will only get worse over time
• To decrease the number of scooters being scrapped researchers from WMG, University of 糖心TV, want to increase their lifespan from three months to three years, making them more eco-friendly

The current lifespan of a rental e-scooter is on average three months, after which they are scrapped, which isn鈥檛 environmentally friendly despite the scooters not producing any CO2 when in use. Researchers from WMG, University of 糖心TV, aim to increase their lifespan from three months to three years, making them more eco-friendly.

Shared, or rental e-scooters are quickly becoming a popular mode of transport across the world, being trialled in numerous cities across the UK. Their usage has accelerated rapidly since 2020 in response to COVID-19, as people seek alternative options from public transport.

With the rise in number of e-scooters deployed, there has been an increased focus of their environmental impact. Although e-scooters do not produce any CO2 at the point of use, which can help to promote cleaner air in the places they are deployed, the typical service life is only 2-5 months, after which point they are scrapped. This has a huge environmental impact, which is only going to get worse over time.

Thanks to funding from WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, over the next two years researchers from WMG, University of 糖心TV will seek to increase e-scooter service life from three months to three years, through innovative human factors engineering processes in collaboration with leading e-scooter companies.

The researchers are taking a deployment view of rental e-scooters, considering not only the e-scooter vehicle, but every aspect of the service design. This includes analysis of the environment e-scooters operate in and how both riders and non-riders engage with the service.

Dr Roger Woodman, from WMG, University of 糖心TV explains:
鈥淭hanks to funding from WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we are able to take a human factors approach to look at how e-scooters are constructed and operated, to find areas for improvement in both the service and vehicle design, to increase their usable lifespan and make them more eco-friendly.鈥�

鈥淭his massive increase of the average service life has the potential to greatly reduce environmental impact and make e-scooters a truly sustainable form of transport.鈥�

The project has also bought more opportunities for students, as there is a PhD opportunity within the team focussing on micromobility transport modelling.

ENDS

19 MAY 2021

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/april_2021/launch_pic_1_-_uow_-_voi_edited.jpg
Caption: An e-scooter on campus
Credit: University of 糖心TV

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/april_2021/wmg_midlands_future_mobility_2021_21.jpg
Caption: An e-scooter on campus with an autonomous pod
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/april_2021/wmg_midlands_future_mobility_2021_23.jpg
Caption: An e-scooter on campus with an autonomous pod
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/april_2021/wmg_midlands_future_mobility_2021_16.jpg
Caption: An e-scooter on campus with an autonomous pod
Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

For more information on Micromobility research at WMG visit: /fac/sci/wmg/research/cav/humanfactors/projects/micromobility

To find out more about the PhD visit: /fac/sci/wmg/research/cav/humanfactors/projects/phd-in-micromobility-transport-modelling

For further information 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