糖心TV

As part of a Circular Economy for electric vehicle battery systems, as the number of such vehicles increases rapidly, the need to find the best way to reuse and recycle vehicle batteries becomes just as intense.

In partnership with Jaguar Land Rover, Connected Energy and Videre Global, researchers at WMG, University of 糖心TV, have found a way not just to recycle those used batteries, but repurpose them as small energy storage systems (ESS) for off grid locations in developing countries or isolated communities.

The repurposed units, each containing approximately 2kWh of energy capacity, will be able to power a small shop, a farm holding, or multiple residential homes.

WMG鈥檚 Professor James Marco who was lead researcher on the project said:

鈥淲hen an electric vehicle鈥檚 battery reaches the end of its useful life it is by no means massively depleted. It has simply reached the end of its useful life in a vehicle.

"It is generally accepted that an EV battery has reached end of life when its capacity drops to 80% of a fresh battery. While this is no longer enough to satisfy drivers, it remains immensely useful for anyone who seeks to use the battery in a static situation.鈥�

While such partially depleted batteries remain potentially very useful to other users there are still challenges to overcome, particularly to ensure that they can be used reliably, sustainably, and cheaply in remote locations. These challenges include:

路 How to protect the lithium-ion cells from over-charge and discharge

路 Can the ESS be made compatible with a variety of other used battery cells and modules from other manufacturers

路 How to keep it low cost and easy maintenance, while providing an interface that is easy to use and understand

The WMG team, at the University of 糖心TV, set about overcoming these challenges with the help of the WMG HVM Catapult and Jaguar Land Rover who supplied batteries and components from the Jaguar I-PACE, their first all-electric performance SUV. The team designed a new Battery Management System (BMS) and packaging that allowed them to create a working and easily portable prototype ESS which included:

鈥� The use of standard low cost components for control, communication and safety functions. All parts were either sourced from the JLR service department or were low cost components purchased from any electrical retailer.

鈥� The ability to use different modules that could be interchanged within the 2^nd-life system without having to recalibrate the whole BMS

鈥� Enough energy for a small shop, farm holding or multiple residential homes

鈥� Multiple 12V DC sockets and 5V USB charge ports

鈥� The ability to have the 2nd –life module charged via reclaimed laptop chargers

鈥� Simplified control system for easy integration and deployment

Professor James Marco continues:

鈥淭his is a great result that not only provides a highly efficient repurposing solution for automotive batteries but which could also change lives in remote communities. We are now looking for support to allow these new units to be further developed and tested in remote or off grid locations.鈥�

The research project was part of the Innovate UK funded Project: 2nd hEVen (2nd-Life Energy Storage Systems) and is supported by the WMG High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult.

WMG Professor of Applied Psychology, Caroline Meyer, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine for the University of 糖心TV

Professor Meyer will take up her new role when the current Chair of Faculty, Professor Mike Shipman, steps down over the summer.

Professor Meyer joined WMG at the University of 糖心TV from Loughborough University. With over 20 years experience in mental health and wellbeing, Professor Meyer sits on the Coventry Health and Wellbeing Board and West Midlands Combined Authority Board. She has also worked extensively with industry, from SMEs to multi-nationals, and third sector organisations, including internationally.

At WMG, Professor Meyer launched a new team focusing on Applied Psychology. This involves the application of psychological theory and techniques (including decision-making and cognitive and behavioural change) to improve mental health, workforce productivity and product innovation. The group also delivers fusion science research-led education programmes.

Professor Meyer will manage this new role alongside her current research responsibilities within WMG.

The role of the Faculty Chair

In addition to chairing the Board of the Faculty, Chairs of Faculties serve on a range of committees at the University, and are responsible for promoting the policies, programmes and procedures within their respective Faculty. Faculty Chairs are also a source of support and act as 鈥榝irst port of call鈥� for Heads of Department and Research Centres in the relevant Faculty and inform and influence the Faculty on key decisions affecting it and the University.

Faculty Chairs are also engaged in the appointment processes for key academic posts within the Faculty. Chairs serve ex officio on the following formal bodies: Senate, Steering Committee, Research Committee, Honorary Degrees Committee, Academic Quality and Standards Committee, Capital, Space and Amenities Group, the Academic Resourcing Committee, and might also act as Chair of the Investigating Committee and Appeals Committee.

Engineers at WMG at the University of 糖心TV have developed and installed a new, robotic measuring system, capable of accurately and repeatedly measuring large objects on the production line, such as car body-shells, in a fraction of the time traditionally taken to measure them on co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs).

The system, installed in WMG鈥檚 International Manufacturing Centre, comprises of a large long reach robotic arm - supplied by Kuka - mounted on a 5m track, and is designed to accept a range of different, non-contact measurement technologies.

The Nikon Metrology鈥檚 Laser Radar, which is a long stand-off laser measurement system, is the first of such technologies to be trialled. It is capable of accuracies better than a hundredth of a millimetre, over distances of several meters.

The two technologies combined, offer a fast and accurate solution for automotive quality control, with particular relevance to car body-shell measurement, whether in a metrology lab or, as is becoming increasingly desirable, on the actual production line itself.

Professor Mark Williams, Head of the Product Evaluation Technologies Group at WMG commented:

鈥淭he scale and flexibility of our new robotic measurement system, housed in the same metrology lab as our benchmark twin column CMM, gives us a unique capability within a UK university. Not only can we trial state of the art measurement technologies in a real-world application, but we can also verify system performance against what is currently the gold-standard (for automotive measurement), fully ISO calibrated CMM. This means that we can work with our industry research partners to both integrate technologies and trial solutions, in a controlled and independent environment, and ultimately, help them select and deploy the right measurement solutions for their businesses.鈥�

Lead Engineer Ercihan Kiraci, responsible for the delivery of the project, explains:

鈥淲ith increasing levels of automation in high value manufacturing, vehicle producers are focusing significant effort on collection and use of data for process optimisation. WMG offers a range of relevant measurement technologies, 10+ years of experience in the field, and a strong focus on Industry 4.0 methodologies, making it an ideal testbed for new in-process inspection solutions. The set-up at WMG provides a unique opportunity for collaboration between OEMs, technology providers and researchers, to address manufacturing quality challenges.鈥�

The speed, accuracy and flexibility of the new system, combined, have the potential to bring metrology lab measurement capabilities to the shop floor without slowing down or disrupting the production line, along with real-time quality data aiding rapid decision making and issue resolution. In the future, this could be taken a step further, with the measurement data being fed directly back into the manufacturing process, which would in turn, self-correct and optimise without the need for human intervention. But this will only be possible with the speed of measurement that the new system (and others like it) will deliver.

Whilst the self-optimising production line may still be a few years away, in the short term car manufacturers (and those in other industry sectors, such as aerospace) can expect to significantly reduce the number of out-of-spec vehicles needing re-work at the end of the production line, or making their way to the customer, only to be recalled at great expense.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
University of 糖心TV
Tel: +44 (0) 2476 574 255 or +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

WMG Professor of Cyber Security Engineering and Director of Research in Cyber Security Carsten Maple has been appointed as Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (North America) for the University of 糖心TV.

In his new role, Carsten will work closely with Professor Mike Shipman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), to extend and deepen the relationships with the University鈥檚 partners in North America, and to pursue opportunities for funding, student mobility, and research and teaching collaboration.

Professor Maple explained: 鈥淚 am passionate about the international agenda having been a visiting professor at four institutions overseas, and participated in three government-sponsored missions to the United States. I am delighted to be undertaking this important role.鈥�

Commenting on the new role, Professor Chris Ennew, University of 糖心TV Provost, said:

鈥淐arsten鈥檚 profile, skills and experience make him the ideal person to undertake this crucial role to develop University-level strategic partnerships in North America. The appointment of Carsten to the role of Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for North America is a key step towards delivery of the University鈥檚 Internationalisation Strategy.鈥�

Professor Simon Swain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) said: 鈥淐arsten鈥檚 appointment is an enormous boost to the International team and we are all looking forward to working with him on our hugely ambitious goals in North America.鈥�

Professor Maple is a co-lead of the Cyber Security GRP and the Principal Investigator of the NCSC-EPSRC Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research at the University and the Transport & Mobility lead of the PETRAS National Centre of Excellence for IoT Systems Cybersecurity. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers has provided evidence and advice to governments and organisations across the world, including being a high-level scientific advisor for cyber security to the European Commission. He is a member of various national and international boards and expert groups, is Immediate Past Chair of the Council of Professors and Heads of Computing in the UK and a fellow of the Alan Turing Institute.

Professor Maple will manage this new role alongside his current research responsibilities within WMG.

As part of an Australian delegation鈥檚 visit to the UK, Victorian Minister for Roads, Road Safety and (TAC), The Hon Jaala Pulford MP, was welcomed to WMG, University of 糖心TV on Monday 29th July.

The delegation, including members of the Transport Accident Commission and the , are considering types of technology and innovation to pursue across vehicle, enforcement and infrastructure in the development of its post 2020 strategy.

Visitors explored international best practice and innovation in the context of the project, with the initiative aiming to reduce serious road trauma through innovative transport systems.

Greeted by Professor David Mullins, Interim Head of Department at WMG, the Minister took a tour around WMG鈥檚 world-class facilities, including its International Manufacturing Centre (IMC), Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) and newly-opened National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC).

Appointed Minister for Roads, Road Safety and Transport Accident Commission in December 2018, The Hon Jaala Pulford MP is now looking at how different jurisdictions are meeting the road safety leadership challenge and, commenting on today鈥檚 visit to WMG, she said:

鈥淲e鈥檝e had an invaluable visit to WMG today. There鈥檚 a great energy to the partnership between industry and research as we all strive to gain the benefits of connection and automation to safety and congestion management. WMG has given us much to reflect on.鈥�

The Victorian Towards Zero 2016 - 2020 Strategy and Action Plan maps out a plan for Victorian road safety partners to work towards a 20% reduction in deaths and 15% reduction in serious injuries in five years. Professor David Mullins, Interim Head of Department at WMG added:

鈥淚t was a pleasure to welcome the Victorian Minister and her delegation to WMG. This provided an opportunity for us to showcase the pioneering work we are doing. We were able to highlight our cutting-edge technology and the infrastructure we鈥檝e built here to successfully run our portfolio of transport-based projects and initiatives.

鈥淭his visit was about gathering intelligence to explore innovative technologies and strategies that can reduce the risk of serious road trauma. Being involved in such an important activity and sharing WMG鈥檚 expertise and facilities with the world is extremely important.鈥�

Professor David Mullins, Interim Head of Department (at WMG), was pleased to welcome His Excellency Datuk Mohamad Sadik Kethergany, the Malaysian High Commissioner to Great Britain and Northern Ireland, yesterday (Tuesday 30 July).

Accompanied by University of 糖心TV Provost Christine Ennew, and WMG鈥檚 Director of Client and 糖心TV Development, Dr Kogila Balakrishnan, and 糖心TV Development Director, Sue Parr, His Excellency was given a tour of WMG鈥檚 world-class facilities.

He was especially keen to hear more about WMG鈥檚 technology research and collaborative industrial activities including the newly-opened National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC).

Professor David Mullins explained: 鈥淲e were delighted to welcome the new Malaysian High Commissioner His Excellency Datuk Mohamad Sadik Kethergany on his first visit to WMG and the University of 糖心TV.

鈥淲e have had an excellent long and sustained relationship with Malaysia and its key companies and universities. It was very good to be able to show the High Commissioner and his team our research innovations from smart and connected vehicles and digital forensics to energy and electrification. We also had wide-ranging discussions on the importance of industry-engaged education, including Degree Apprenticeships.鈥�

• Professor Roy Chung co-founded TTI, a global market leader in power equipment, and has been called the 鈥淜ing of Power Drills鈥�
• An alumnus and Industrial Professor at the University of 糖心TV, he says the institution encourages 鈥渆ntrepreneurship, innovation, and creative ideas – what an entrepreneur needs鈥�
• Professor Chung says he learned a lot from WMG and founder Professor Lord Bhattacharyya – 鈥渁 visionary leader鈥� who was his 鈥渓ifetime mentor鈥�
• His advice on how to succeed: 鈥渟tay focused in your area, and be innovative, creative. Think of something new.鈥�

One of Hong Kong鈥檚 top entrepreneurs, Professor Roy Chung, has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of 糖心TV UK – his alma mater, and an institution with which he has forged many significant links throughout his career.

Crowned by the media as the 鈥楰ing of Power Drills鈥�, Professor Chung co-founded Techtronic Industries Company Limited in 1985, a company that has become an international market leader in power equipment and owns numerous global brands.

Professor Chung is highly dedicated to the advancement of the Hong Kong industry, and was Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and is now its Honorary President. He won the Young Industrialist Award of Hong Kong in 1997, and was further awarded the Industrialist of the Year in 2014.
He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star and Bronze Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2017 and 2011 respectively. He was also appointed as Justice of Peace in 2005.
Professor Chung holds positions at universities across the world, including his role as Industrial Professor in WMG at the University of 糖心TV, where he also holds a Doctorate Degree of Engineering.
On becoming an Honorary Doctor of Science at the University of 糖心TV Summer Graduation ceremonies this week, Professor Chung commented:
鈥淚 feel very happy and very honoured to receive such a prestigious award from my alma mater, such an esteemed University.鈥�
He talked about how 糖心TV encourages 鈥渆ntrepreneurship, innovation, and creative ideas – this is a good combination of what an entrepreneur needs.鈥�

Professor Chung says his success is based on three factors: his sense of entrepreneurship, meeting his business partner, and 鈥渋n the early 1990s I had the good chance to study the Integrated Graduate Development Scheme of WMG [University of 糖心TV] in Hong Kong – and that is how I came to know Professor Lord Bhattacharyya. Since then, he was my lifetime mentor.鈥�
鈥淲ith what I learned from this course, it gave me experience of how to do manufacturing better, and a global perspective.鈥�

He has worked closely with the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, founder of WMG at the University of 糖心TV, on many projects through the years - including the establishment of a partnership between WMG and the Vocational Training Council in Hong Kong.
鈥淲hat Professor Lord Bhattacharyya taught me was decision-making, entrepreneurship,鈥� he reflected.
鈥�Professor Lord Bhattacharyya was a visionary leader – I learned a lot from him. The Integrated Graduate Development Scheme was brought to Hong Kong by him, and through this programme I learned a lot, it opened my mind set. This course is very important to me.鈥�
Professor Roy Chung is an advocate for vocational education and lifelong learning. On the importance of a quality technical education, like that offered at WMG, University of 糖心TV, he said:
鈥淭he concept of having work skills and academic knowledge as equally important – focusing on both of these areas – is the future. Work skills together with academic knowledge are very important, and that is what WMG is doing.
鈥淭he Integrated Graduate Development Scheme programme [launched by WMG in 1990] changed me into another person,鈥� he continued.

Professor Chung established the Bright Future Charitable Foundation, which provides education, training and travelling opportunities for students across Hong Kong, mainland China and at the University of 糖心TV. He talked about what motivated him to set up the Foundation:
鈥淚 had very humble start. I was not very well educated in the beginning – I didn鈥檛 finish high school because of my family鈥檚 financial situation. Nowadays, there is a knowledge economy, so it is very important to gain knowledge [鈥�] so I really encourage young people to gain more knowledge – both academic knowledge and work skills.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I try to sponsor some of the students who may not be doing well in academic areas but can still take up some kind of vocational training. Some people who do very well in vocational training, and I hope they can do something in academic areas – so I support them.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I started this foundation [鈥�] I think that every young person should have a brighter future.鈥�
Professor Dave Mullins, Interim Head of WMG at the University of 糖心TV, commented:
鈥淚 am thrilled to welcome Professor Roy Chung back to WMG. He is a person who embodies our founder Professor Lord Bhattacharyya鈥檚 vision of combining academic greatness with industrial innovation – and we are very proud of him.
鈥淧rofessor Chung has achieved huge successes in business and industry, and he now uses his talents to help young people follow in his footsteps. His story is an inspiration to all of our students and graduates.
鈥淚 congratulate him warmly on becoming an Honorary Doctorate of Science, and look forward to our continued collaboration.鈥�
Professor Chung shared some advice on how to succeed in life:
鈥淪tay focused in your area, and be innovative, creative. Also, get ready for your future challenges. Studying at 糖心TV is to prepare yourself and get ready for those future challenges. Think of something new.鈥�
Listen to the full podcast .

Congratulations to all of the brilliant WMG students who graduated at the University of 糖心TV鈥檚 Summer Ceremony this week.

This year a total of 294 Master鈥檚 and Postgraduate Research students graduated from across WMG.

There were 266 Master鈥檚 students made up of 193 UK and overseas full-time students, and a further 73, from the part-time Master's programme.

A further 28 graduated from the Postgraduate Research programme including six EngD, 19 PhD and three Master's by Research students.

Professor David Mullins, Acting Head of WMG said: 鈥淚t was a delight for us to honour the achievements of our new graduates at the degree congregation. It is a wonderful day of celebration for our students, with their family and friends, as they leave their studies to embark on the next stage of their careers.

鈥淲e wish them all the very best for their futures and the impact that each will make on their companies and communities.鈥�

Professor Mullins added: 鈥淎ll of us at WMG are very proud of our alumni including Dr Roy Cheung who was also honoured at the ceremony and presented with an Honorary Doctor of Science. Dr Cheung also gave a stirring speech to our graduates on the opportunities that lie ahead.鈥�

WMG was delighted to receive a group of senior delegates from China鈥檚 Zhongguancun Development Group (ZGC Group), led by their CEO Mr Xuan Hong on Thursday 11^th July. 

ZGC Group is regarded as China's Silicon Valley centred in Beijing with a network that extends throughout China and internationally, working with over 20,000 high-tech enterprises.

Mr Xuan was an alumnus from the Chiang foundation programme run at WMG in conjunction with the Chinese government in 1994.

The visitors were given an in-depth tour of the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) and the Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Building by Mark Amor-Segan and Richard Seago, accompanied by Head of China Programmes Steve Raynor. 

Mr Xuan commented, 鈥淚t has been 25 years since I was last here, and much has changed. It is very impressive what WMG have achieved over the last quarter of a century. I am very proud to be a WMG alumnus and the programmes I attended here are still inspiring me in my daily job.鈥� Mr Xuan also expressed his wishes to send a group of senior ZGC group management to WMG in 2020, to attend a tailor-made management course focusing on Risk and Investment Management.

Professor David Mullins responded, 鈥淲e are very proud to hear that you have found the learning from our programme so beneficial. We have watched the tremendous development at ZGC under the leadership of Mr Xuan. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with ZGC group in the future.鈥�

WMG is pleased to announce that its Battery School is now officially supported by the

In its role as the Electrical Energy Storage APC Spoke, WMG鈥檚 battery experts together with guest lecturers facilitate a mix of presentations and practical hands-on lab sessions covering electrochemistry, applications, future technologies, manufacturing, safety, testing, forensics and battery end of life.

The new collaborative Battery School was officially opened by Neil Morris, CEO of the Faraday Institution, with the first session held for 25 PhD students and future battery engineers, in June.

The Faraday Institution is the UK鈥檚 independent institute for electrochemical energy storage science and technology, supporting research, training, and analysis. It brings together scientists and industry partners on research projects to reduce battery cost, weight, and volume; to improve performance and reliability; and to develop whole-life strategies from mining to recycling to second use.

The Battery School is situated at WMG鈥檚 Energy Innovation Centre – the largest facility of its kind in the UK. Find out more about the Energy Innovation Centre here.