Warwick Manufacturing Group will build a world first International Institute for Nanocomposites Manufacturing at the University of Warwick.
The £4.1 million institute will exploit polymer-processing techniques, which will enable industry to innovate their manufacturing technologies to produce polymer nanocomposites.
The IINM will focus on the manufacture of nanocomposites by adopting a holistic approach. Through synthesising nanoparticles and incorporating such particles into polymers using innovative manufacturing techniques, industry will be able to scale up and commercialise products with added functionality.
The new institute will house modern facilities including characterisation laboratories, a wet chemistry laboratory, processing hall, offices and open plan research space. A team of 50 academics and researchers will work collaboratively with other academic groups and industrial partners, both national and international, on fundamental and applied research projects with application in a broad range of industries, including telecoms, electronics, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, automotive, security and medicine.
WMG chairman Professor Lord Bhattacharyya said: “The research and development expectations of industry are increasing and we need to be at the forefront of enabling them to develop world class products.
“This is why we are creating the first institute, in the world, that will enable industry to manufacture large scale nanocomposite parts,” he added.
Professor Tony McNally, chair in nanocomposites at WMG and build leader of the IINM said: “I am extremely excited to be establishing a world first at WMG. Whilst the outputs from the IINM will directly impact industry, the research that will be undertaken will be rooted in fundamental engineering science.”
