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Minister shown how WMG literally weaved design of Very Light Rail 鈥 Braided structure lightweight

Andrew Stephenson MP with Darren HughesWMG, at the University of 糖心TV, has worked with partners, to create a new design of incredibly lightweight Very Light Rail (VLR) vehicle frame which is weaved, or braided, from carbon fibre composites into a series of tubes to create a first prototype demonstrator frame. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for 糖心TV and Industry became one of the very first people to see the new design, outside of the research partnership, on a visit to WMG on 16th May.

BRAINSTORM framework designWorking with the lightweight structural composite components company Far, and Transport Design International Ltd in Stratford upon Avon the demonstrator can be easily assembled by adhesive and simple welding.

Dr Darren Hughes Associate Professor in Materials and Manufacturing at WMG at the University of 糖心TV said:

鈥淥ur BRAINSTORM VLR research partnership has achieved significant weight-saving, allowing VLR services to accommodate more passengers while reducing the energy required to propel the vehicle and the weight stress it will place on its rails and road surface.鈥

鈥淭he technology also ensures that the vehicle is tough for a long life in service, easily repairable when accidents happen and strong enough to protect the passengers on board.鈥

The innovative highly efficient very light weight approach consists of an underlying tubular spaceframe chassis which provides the body shell. In the first demonstrator frame the partners have produced they were able to keep the beams the same outside diameter but their wall thickness is tailored to give the optimum performance depending on where it will be used. This keeps the tooling costs low and allows for all the joining to be standardised through a combination of welding and adhesive bonding.

If any significant damage is caused to any individual beam through an accidental impact each damaged beam can simply be entirely replaced with a new one. Best of all the thermoplastic material is inherently recyclable.

Darren Hughes with Lyndon Sanders The whole moulding cycle has been shown to be capable of being reduced to less than five minutes, demonstrating the potential of this affordable process for high-volume applications. The braiding process is highly automated and with rates of over a mile a day of braided tubing.

This braiding method also allows for a wide range of materials to be used. Almost any fibres (carbon, glass and aramid) can be combined with a huge range of thermoplastics, from low cost Polypropylene to high end Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) to create a material that suits the given application

Lyndon Sanders Director and General Manager of Nottingham based lightweight structural composite components company said:

鈥淭he BRAINSTORM Project feels like a real step forward to the team at Far Composites. Being able to tap into the industry experience of TDI to hone the principle of a new type of body structure for mass transit applications was great. Add to that the collaborative working with Composites Braiding and WMG to turn that thinking into a physical demonstrator to show what it would be like in practice was really powerful. Now it鈥檚 more than a good idea, now it鈥檚 an eye opener for industry players who can see it, touch it and even pick it up.鈥

ENDS

20 MAY 2019

Note for Editors:

High-res images available, please credit The University of 糖心TV:

The design of the frame with some other sections attached

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Dr Darren Hughes (right) showing Lyndon Sanders Director and General Manager of Far (left of picture) the braiding pattern on the frame

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Dr Darren Hughes Associate Professor in Materials and Manufacturing at WMG at the University of 糖心TV (left) showing Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for 糖心TV and Industry Andrew Stephenson (right of picture) all the design stages of the VLR vehicle

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The frame with less attached

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Another view

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A further view

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The Full list of partners on the project are: WMG at the University of 糖心TV, the UK's Governments innovation agency Innovate UK, Far composites, Composite Braiding ,and Transport Design International Ltd in Stratford upon Avon

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

 

Mon 20 May 2019, 10:13 | Tags: Pioneering Research

Andrew Stephenson makes his first official visit as Under Secretary of State at BEIS

Professor Dave Mullins, interim Head of WMG, was delighted to welcome Andrew Stephenson MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for 糖心TV, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to WMG today (Thursday 16th May).

Andrew Stephenson, Under Secretary of State with Prof. Dave Mullins, interim Head of Depeartment, WMG, University of 糖心TV

Andrew Stephenson MP was keen to hear more about our world-class research and meet the lead academics and research teams involved in collaborative R&D projects across the transport sector.

Andrew had a tour of a range of research facilities including our Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) and Centre for Imaging Metrology and Additive Technologies (CiMAT) facilities. He learned more about our battery technology, vehicle electrification projects, intelligent vehicles research and the Coventry Very Light Rail scheme.

Andrew Stephenson, Under Secretary of State with Darren Hughes, WMG, University of 糖心TV

Professor Dave Mullins explained: 鈥淲e are delighted to have hosted the first official visit of Andrew in his new role as the Under Secretary of State at BEIS and share with him how we are helping to deliver on the UK Government鈥檚 Industrial Strategy.鈥

糖心TV and Industry Minister Andrew Stephenson said:

鈥淭he world-class research being delivered at WMG is evidence of our modern Industrial Strategy in action – driving innovation in applied science, technology and engineering to create good jobs and increase earning power.

鈥淭he West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy launched today - the first of its kind - is tailored to the specific challenges in the region, and sets an example for other regions to follow.鈥

The visit co-insided with the launch of the , at the Advanced Propulsion Centre, on the University of 糖心TV campus. We鈥檙e honoured that West Midlands Combined Authority chose to dedicate the West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy to Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, founder of WMG. It is a poignant testament to Lord Bhattacharyya鈥檚 dedication to manufacturing, Coventry and to the West Midlands region.

Prior to the West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy launch, Andrew was at the site to announce a further 拢28m funding from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund for the development of the Centre. WMG, along with Coventry City Council and Coventry and 糖心TVshire Local Enterprise Partnership are leading the creation of this scale-up battery facility of the Faraday Battery Challenge.

Thu 16 May 2019, 18:51

Improving mental health in the workplace pilot is awarded 拢6.8m funding

We are delighted to be partnering with project leads Coventry University and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in a major new mental health pilot.

The programme will involve the university co-leading a group of health professionals, academics and business leaders who have been awarded 拢6.8m by the Government to tackle poor mental health in the workplace.

At any one time, a sixth of the population in England aged 16 to 64 has a mental health problem鹿, which costs employers between 拢33 billion and 拢42 billion a year in lost productivity虏.

Recognising the huge impact mental health issues have on employees鈥 wellbeing and employers鈥 productivity, the Midlands Engine Mental Health and Productivity Pilot has been created to break down the barriers to people suffering mental health problems and facilitate their return to work.

A partnership between the University of 糖心TV, Coventry University, West Midlands Combined Authority and supported by MIND, the pilot will be delivered by a multi-disciplinary group including:

  • Seven universities in the West and East Midlands
  • Occupational and clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, public health specialists, service delivery leaders, Public Health England and the NHS
  • Small, medium and large businesses, policy makers, economists and nine Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) across the Midlands Engine region.

The collaborative approach and multi-channel engagement of all of the partners is essential for the pilot to complete a number of different work streams over the next three years.

The pilot will start by scoping data collection from health professionals and recruiting over 1,000 small, medium and large businesses to take part.

As the programme develops, measures will be employed that allow for the early identification of mental health problems, and provide a range of bespoke actions to provide support to those with difficulties and develop appropriate advisory mechanisms. The pilot will then deliver a model of how a mental health specialist can interface between businesses and mental health providers, as well as an online toolkit for mental health sufferers.

Caroline MeyerProfessor Caroline Meyer, from WMG said: 鈥淚 am delighted to be leading the University of 糖心TV arm of this Midlands Engine project. Working in close collaboration with our partners at Loughborough University and the Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham, we will gather and pilot interventions that we believe will make a huge difference to employees and employers across the whole region and further. A step change in activity is required to address poor mental health and help people to thrive at work.

鈥淭he workplace provides a unique opportunity to identify and support those people who might otherwise receive no intervention, as well as supporting those with existing problems. The result of this project will be tools that will enable us to do deliver these things.

Professor Guy Daly, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Health and Life Sciences, said: 鈥淥ver the next three years, the Midlands Engine Mental Health Productivity Pilot will engage with over 1,600 businesses, train 45,000 staff and offer a free online resource that aims to reach one million people.

鈥淭ogether we will deliver a step change in the support offered to employers and employees, which will deliver better mental health, leading to higher levels of productivity across all types of organisations in the East and West Midlands.鈥

West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Wellbeing Director Supt Sean Russell said: 鈥淲e are delighted to have been given this opportunity to scale up our work and build on some of the existing Thrive initiatives which have been developing in the West Midlands over the last three years.

鈥淲e can also learn from the work undertaken by MIND nationally to promote a strong evidence-based delivery programme for the whole Midlands.鈥

Thu 16 May 2019, 17:31 | Tags: Pioneering Research

WMG partners with Triumph Motorcycles in electric motorcycle project

Triumph_WMGTriumph Motorcycles has announced a new collaboration with UK industry experts, academic leaders including WMG at the University of 糖心TV, and Innovate UK, to develop specialist electric motorcycle technology which will provide significant input into potential future electric motorcycle offers from Triumph. This two-year project (TRIUMPH TE-1) also includes partnership work with Williams Advanced Engineering, and Integral Powertrain Ltd.

This new collaboration will combine Triumph鈥檚 globally-renowned motorcycle expertise with advanced automotive-based capabilities to generate technological innovation for future electric motorcycles.

鈥淭his new collaboration represents an exciting opportunity for Triumph and its partners to be leaders in the technology that will enable the electrification of motorcycles, which is driven by customers striving to reduce their environmental impact, combined with the desire for more economical transportation, and changing legislation,鈥 said Nick Bloor, Triumph CEO. 鈥淧roject Triumph TE-1 is one part of our electric motorcycle strategy, focused on delivering what riders want and expect from their Triumph, which is the perfect balance of handling, performance and usability.鈥

A unique collaboration between industry experts, academic leaders and Innovate UK

Project Triumph TE-1 now represents a ground-breaking collaboration between Triumph Motorcycles and the UK鈥檚 electrification experts, each of whom will create innovations in their own areas:

  • Triumph Motorcycles will lead the project, providing advanced motorcycle chassis design and engineering expertise, manufacturing excellence and pioneering functional safety systems, as well as defining electric drivetrain power delivery characteristics.
  • WMG, at the University of 糖心TV will provide electrification expertise, and the critical vision to drive innovation from R&D to commercial impact, through modelling and simulation based on future market needs.
  • Williams Advanced Engineering will provide industry-leading lightweight battery design and integration capability, using its test and development facilities to deliver an innovative battery management system combined with vehicle control unit.
  • Integral Powertrain Ltd鈥檚 e-Drive Division will lead the development of bespoke power-dense electric motors and a silicon carbide inverter, integrating both into a singular motor housing.
  • Innovate UK, the government agency that promotes science and technology programmes expected to grow the UK economy, will support the partners and administer funds. This forms part of the BEIS modern funding strategy with the aim of creating a market-leading UK electric vehicle capability.

A two-year project focused on developing technical innovation and advanced electric motorcycle capabilities

The project will be organised into four main phases, with one of its key aims being increased systems integration. By developing individual components of automotive-based electric drivetrains and optimising them into innovative combined units, the project aims to deliver sophisticated electric motorcycle systems which reduce mass, complexity and package requirements.

Triumph Motorcycles will work alongside the partner organisations to accelerate joint expertise in the packaging and safety of batteries, optimum electric motor sizing and packaging, the integration of braking systems including regenerative braking, and advanced safety systems. The innovation and capabilities developed in these areas will input into Triumph鈥檚 future electric motorcycle strategy.

The Project Triumph TE-1 partnership, with the support of Innovate UK, is focused on facilitating the creation of:

  • Electric motorcycle capability that meets the needs of customers seeking lower environmental impact transportation, delivering against the UK鈥檚 focus on reducing emissions
  • Strong, commercially viable and sustainable partnerships with UK industry manufacturers and supply chains
  • Expertise and capability within the UK workforce, creating jobs and a talent base that both ensures sustainable employment and drives the UK鈥檚 reputation and influence on the world stage.

Professor David Greenwood, Professor of Advanced Propulsion Systems at WMG, University of 糖心TV said: 鈥淓lectric motorcycles will have a vital role to play in future transport across the globe - delivering reduced congestion and improved urban air quality as well as easing parking. They will also be great to ride, with copious, easily controlled torque delivered smoothly at all road speeds. WMG has experience of battery technology and vehicle electrification for road, rail, sea and air which it will bring to this exciting sector. Our expert team will lead the modelling and simulation work within the project, to ensure the vehicles are safe and efficient without compromise to dynamic performance.鈥

鈥淭he team at Williams Advanced Engineering is looking forward to applying our expertise in the electrification of transport with our partners,鈥 said Craig Wilson, Managing Director of Williams Advanced Engineering. 鈥淲illiams has powered a number of world-renowned electric vehicles already and this will be a significant further step in our work by taking that knowledge onto two wheels.鈥

鈥淚ntegral Powertrain has always pushed the boundaries of e-drive technology working with clients to find the best solution to meet their exact requirements鈥, said Andrew Cross, Chief Technical Officer at Integral Powertrain Ltd. 鈥淭his project will draw upon the extensive motor and EV experience gained over the past 20 years working with major OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in the automotive and motorsport sectors. We are extremely pleased to be supporting Triumph Motorcycles with their future electrification strategy and in a project where we can apply our experience to engineer an extremely power dense, efficient and highly integrated motorcycle electric drive.鈥

Steve Sargent, Triumph鈥檚 Chief Product Officer said 鈥淥ur future product strategy is focused on delivering the most suitable engine platforms for the changing landscape of customer needs, and we see a Triumph electric powertrain as a significant requirement alongside our signature twin and triple cylinder engines. As part of our electric motorcycle initiative, Project Triumph TE-1 represents an exciting collaboration that will provide valuable input into our future line-up. We are incredibly pleased to have the support of OLEV and Innovate UK, and to be working together with the UK鈥檚 electrification experts and academic leaders, in an endeavour that ultimately is focused on the future prosperity of British industry, and the future of motorcycling.鈥


New report tackles key issues for transport electrification 聽

WMG has provided battery expertise and knowledge for a new report examining the UK Chemical Supply Chain for Battery Manufacture.

The report was launched last night with over 40 senior figures from across the Chemical, Battery and Automotive sectors along with Government officials in attendance.

The report, produced by E4 Tech, provides an in-depth assessment of the current capability to support the growth of a UK Battery Manufacturing Industry.

Professor David GreenwoodDavid Greenwood, Professor of Advanced Propulsion Systems at WMG explained: 鈥淎utomotive batteries will halve in cost, double in energy density and see tenfold increases in manufacturing volumes before the end of the next decade. To do this we need advanced materials supplied in bulk and at very high quality. High value opportunities exist in cathode powders, anode powders, electrolytes, collector foils and separators, and the supply chain to provide them is in its infancy.鈥

Key findings

It is no secret that the UK ambition of the UK Government is to stimulate the supply chain so that the UK can attract a 鈥楪iga-factory鈥. This report engaged with those members of the supply chain who would support new production capacity.

Currently three fifths of a vehicle battery pack鈥檚 value is chemicals and materials. The report has found that the UK could capture a 拢4.8bn/year share of this by 2030. This is down to the strong foundation of UK-based companies already embedded within many global battery supply chains.

Through strategic Government support and collaboration between our Automotive and Chemical sector there is a real opportunity to expand these existing capabilities growing capacity to serve UK-built batteries as well as significant growth in exports, especially as EU battery production grows.

For battery cell manufacturing to be economically viable there is a need for local suppliers of many materials. However, the expectation is that battery chemistry will evolve over the next decade, so it is fundamental that the companies involved within this supply chain are primed for innovation and manufacturing investment. An increase in capability and capacity offers further export potential.

The Government has already invested 拢246M through the Faraday Battery Challenge which has delivered valuable assets like there UKBIC and provided invaluable opportunities for the chemical, battery and automotive sector to work together and learn from one another. In order to realise this 4.8bn supply chain opportunity, the Government will continue to have a critical role to play in supporting the strategic investments in the UK battery and battery materials sectors, whilst also continuing to provide targeted funding for CR&D that allows the UK chemical sector to co-develop battery technologies with its customers.

The full report can be found

Tue 30 Apr 2019, 14:30 | Tags: Battery Systems

New forensic centre to support police investigating homicide

WMG at the University of 糖心TV has secured investment from West Midlands Police for the WMG Forensic Centre for Digital Scanning and 3D printing – a research hub supporting Homicide Investigation, where they can scan and reproduce 3D prints of injuries to bones to help in court testimonies.

The new WMG Forensic Centre for Digital Scanning and 3D printing – a research hub supporting Homicide Investigation has secured investment from West Midlands police to scan injuries and produce 3D print outs for use in expert testimonies.

The scans are 1000 times more detailed than hospital scans, and can detect microscopic injuries which could otherwise be missed by conventional medical CT scanners. 3D renderings are then produced of the injuries, and their age can be identified too. The renderings are used in court to during trials to provide visual context and support the Pathologist鈥檚 testimony.

Facilities at WMG, University of 糖心TV, have been used to provide expert witness testimony in over 100 Homicide cases by 13 different police forces across the UK. Cases include strangulation, stabbing, blunt force trauma and bone fractures.

A recent case study is the murder of 9-week-old baby Teri-Rae.
Researchers at WMG used the high resolution X-ray (micro-CT) scanner, to scan the toddler鈥檚 ribcage. They were able to detect microscopic injuries which could otherwise have been missed by medical CT scanners. The evidence produced helped reveal a total of eleven injuries of varying ages. 3D renderings of these injuries were shown during trial to support the bone specialist鈥檚 expert testimony.

Professor Mark WilliamsProfessor Mark Williams of WMG comments:

鈥淚t is a real privilege to be able to support West Midlands Police and formalise our relationship through the establishment of a research centre. The opportunity to apply state-of-the technology to support Homicide investigation is very exciting.

"3D X-Ray scanners allowed us to identify multiple fractures to Teri-Rae鈥檚 ribs that had occurred over an extended period of time. The ability to produce highly detailed 3D images of these shocking injuries that could be presented at court helped establish the truth and show what had happened. It鈥檚 an honour for us to provide critical evidence in cases like this, and to be able to help the police investigate such an unfortunate tragedy.鈥

The technology itself has been used beyond the West Midlands, with police forces throughout the United Kingdom using the technology as part of their investigations.

Assistant Director Michelle Painter Head of Forensic Services for West Midlands Police comments:

鈥淭he strategic partnership with WMG has enabled police forensics to access state of the art technology to progress investigations. In addition to the homicide cases being delivered through the centre, we are pushing research boundaries; combining scientific skill, knowledge and history with innovative technology and presentation techniques.

鈥淎dditional PhD studies have commenced on dismemberment tools and we will soon be finalising further research projects including scanning fingerprint and footwear marks and assessing damaged digital devices for protected data sources. The research and partnership possibilities are endless and exciting!鈥

WMG technology has helped in previous cases, West Midlands Police Detective Superintendent Mark Payne comments:

鈥淚t鈥檚 a fantastic development in the field of forensics and, as we鈥檝e proved in the few cases to date, can be crucial in helping us uncover the truth behind some of our most serious crimes.鈥

ENDS

30 APRIL 2019

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

Image available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/april2019/wmg_280219-89.jpg Caption: The scanning machine at WMG, University of 糖心TV. Credit to WMG, University of 糖心TV

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Caption: Detective Superintendent Mark Payne (left) and Professor Mark Williams (right) at the facility. Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/april2019/professor_mark_williams_left_and_detective_superintendent_mark_payne_right_look_at_a_scan_of_murder_victim_michael_spaldings_humerus_o.jpg

Caption: Professor Mark Williams (left) and Detective Superintendent Mark Payne (right) look at a scan of a murder victim Credit: WMG, University of 糖心TV

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/april2019/professor_mark_williams_right_shows_detective_superintendent_mark_payne_left_a_3d_printed_model_of_murder_victim_michael_spaldings_hum.jpg

Caption: Professor Mark Williams right shows Detective Superintendent Mark Payne (left) a 3d printed model of a murder victim鈥檚 Humerus 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) 2476 574 255 or +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

Tue 30 Apr 2019, 13:00 | Tags: Metrology and 3D imaging

WMG welcomes Deputy CEO of NatWest Holdings

WMG welcomes Deputy CEO of NatWest Holdings WMG was delighted to welcome Alison Rose, Deputy CEO of NatWest Holdings, to a special SME event at the Professor Lord Bhattacharyya Building at the University of 糖心TV.

Alison, and her colleague Richard Hill, Head of Automotive and Manufacturing at NatWest, joined CEO of WMG Centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Archie MacPherson to meet with a series of SMEs that NatWest and WMG are currently supporting on the 鈥楥reate Test Launch鈥 (CTL) Programme.

The CTL Programme was launched in 2017, with WMG experts providing hands on advice and support with new product development.

The potential of the Programme was recognised by NatWest, who then partnered with WMG to subsidise ten clients through CTL.

At the event Alison, described as 鈥榯he most influential woman in investment banking鈥, spoke with passion about the need to prioritise innovation in the boardroom and sparked a lively discussion. Key topics included the challenges of balancing operational pressures against the desire to innovate, the crucial role of good leadership, understanding the innovation process, and support for SMEs in an uncertain political and economic climate.

With 50,000 manufacturing clients nationally, NatWest is keen to promote innovation and leadership in industry. Following the visit, WMG will continue to work closely with NatWest to strengthen the UK manufacturing sector.

Wed 24 Apr 2019, 15:52 | Tags: SME

Dr Kogila Balakrishnan joins expert line-up at prestigious Chevening Conference

Dr Kogila BalakrishnanDr Kogila Balakrishnan Director of Client and 糖心TV Development at WMG, University of 糖心TV, Dr Kogila Balakrishnan, is on the expert panel on Friday (12th April) at the

She joins senior academics from across the world, Chevening Alumni, and inspiring community leaders for Chevening鈥檚 35th annual conference entitled 鈥楶ushing boundaries and shaping the future.鈥

Dr Balakrishnan, a Chevening Alumnus herself, will discuss, debate, and share ideas on pushing boundaries and the importance of building international networks, as well as those documented in her recent book 鈥楾echnology Offsets in International Defence Procurement.鈥 The book is the first to focus on both the theory and practice of offsets, combining developmental economic theories, technology theories, business and management theories and international business practice.

Dr Balakrishnan is responsible for international business development, research in defence management and offsets as well as teaching at WMG. Her specific role is to develop and enhance education and research collaboration focused in Malaysia and South East Asia.

Find out more and book your place .

Wed 10 Apr 2019, 10:38

PhD Students Gain Hands-On Battery Engineering Experience at WMG's Battery School

PhD students, and future battery engineers, from leading universities across the UK joined us for a special week-long Battery School at our Energy Innovation Centre, for the Faraday Institution, recently.

eicIn our role as the Electrical Energy Storage APC Spoke, our battery experts facilitated a mix of lectures and practical sessions covering electrochemistry, applications, future technologies, manufacturing, safety, testing, forensics and battery end of life.

Fran Long, Education and Training Co-ordinator, at The Faraday Institution, said: 鈥淭he WMG Battery School, at the University of 糖心TV, gave our PhD students a wonderful week of detailed theory and practice with an abundance of high quality lectures and 鈥榟ands-on鈥 lab sessions.

鈥淲e would like to thank all of the WMG staff involved in making this such a valuable experience for the students. Encouraging the next generation of engineers into battery related careers, is extremely important for the UK鈥檚 electrification sector.鈥

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 part of the Faraday Battery Challenge, along with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (of which WMG was part of the winning consortium).

Find out more about our Energy Innovation Centre here.


High-resolution scanning helps secure guilty verdict against child鈥檚 mother

Researchers from WMG at The University of 糖心TV, have used a high resolution X-ray (micro-CT) scanner, a novel 3D imaging technology more commonly employed in industry and materials research, to scan 9 week old Teri-Rae鈥檚 rib cage.

The scans images with one thousand times of the detail of a hospital scanner, meaning they were able to detect 2 more microscopic injuries which could otherwise have been missed by conventional medical CT scanners.Prof. Mark Williams' scanning machine. Credit: University of 糖心TV

The evidence produced helped reveal a total of ten injuries of varying ages. 3D renderings of these injuries were shown during trial to provide visual context and support the bone specialist鈥檚 expert testimony.

This secured a guilty verdict for the charge of manslaughter for Teri-Rae鈥檚 mother Abigail Palmer, who has been sentenced today - 4th April 2019.

The work was conducted as part of an ongoing research partnership between 糖心TV University and West Midlands Police which uses such scanning technologies to support homicide investigations.

Professor Mark Williams of WMG at the University of 糖心TV comments:

鈥淪tate-of-the-art 3D scanning technology allowed us to identify multiple fractures to Teri-Rae鈥檚 ribs that had occurred over an extended period of time.

鈥淭he ability to produce highly detailed 3D images of these shocking injuries that could be presented at court helped establish the truth and show what had happened. It鈥檚 an honour for us to provide critical evidence to this case, and to be able to help the police investigate such an unfortunate tragedy.鈥

West Midlands Police Sergeant Mick Byron from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, comments:

鈥淲e were able to show that Teri-Rae suffered 10 rib fractures over a four to 12 hour period between 3am and 11am on 2 January.

鈥淧almer had been at a pub for six hours on New Year鈥檚 Day but claimed to have drank mainly squash, not alcohol, as that would have breached a condition of the Child Protection Plan she was bound by.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 believe her鈥 and neither did the jury. We suspect she came home drunk, was awoken by her baby in the night and inflicted these terrible images in response to Teri-Rae鈥檚 crying.

鈥淧almer admitted the baby was never out of her sight and never mishandled by anyone else; she offered no plausible accidental explanation for her daughter鈥檚 injuries. There was no indication Teri-Rae suffered a bone fragility condition and she was not independently mobile enough to have injured herself.

鈥淪ignificant force is required to cause rib fractures in a baby鈥 the presence of rib fractures in a baby of this age is indicative of abusive, deliberately inflicted, injury. This was a truly heart-breaking case to investigate, that a little baby鈥檚 life was taken by the one person who should have been protecting her.鈥

Thu 04 Apr 2019, 14:43 | Tags: Metrology and 3D imaging Pioneering Research

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