£1.2m grant to revolutionise product design and manufacturing
Academics from three UK universities, including Oxford Brookes University, have been awarded £1.2million for a research project which will develop new additive manufacturing aluminium alloys which will revolutionise how products are designed and manufactured.
The project will run for three years and is funded by UKRI’s (UK Research and Innovation) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, is the name given to the industrial process of creating three-dimensional objects by layering materials using computer-aided design. The benefits of AM include the ability to create cost-effective, intricate objects with minimum waste, however the AM industry faces technical challenges related to the quality of the objects produced.
Objects produced through AM can be laden with intrinsic defects. These defects are the result of the types of materials used in AM, as well as what happens to the materials as they go through the AM process.
Currently, the developments of AM are focussed mainly on the printing process, and mitigating the material’s deficiencies by controlling certain aspects of the process. In addition, the majority of the alloys used in AM are originally designed and tailored to suit different manufacturing processes. Consequently, there are a limited number of materials that are designed specifically for manufacturing high-quality AM components.
Addressing the need for bespoke AM materials
“What we are seeking to do with this project, is to develop a new class of AI-based alloys with fine-tuned structures and composition,” says Iakovos Tzanakis, Professor of Engineering Materials at Oxford Brookes University.
“We want to ensure these new, high-quality materials are crack resistant, uniform in structure, have reduced residual stresses and porosity and are optimised for use in additive manufacturing. The new materials will combine the best processing features of existing alloys groups, with lightweight, uniform structure and properties, high rigidity, thermal stability, and designed functionality.”
The research project will also involve academics from Brunel University London and University College London, and is expected to begin in January 2023.
Read more B4 Business News here
Join our LinkedIn Page
More in Education
Art and design students team up with top sustainable fashion designers...
Oxford Brookes University students gained real life fashion industry experience by creating and building a set for two top British designers as part of London Fashion Week 2024.
GCSE & A-Level English Literature & English Language with Cherwell College...
The Power of Studying English Literature and English Language in Oxford
Oxford Brookes Business School students partner with Oxfordshire FA to conduct...
Students at Oxford Brookes University have partnered with the Oxfordshire Football Association to conduct research into inclusivity, diversity and access to grassroots sport for young people.
From this author
Wootton Science Park unveils £35 million masterplan for new SME science...
Hartwell Plc, the automotive and property development company, has unveiled emerging designs to deliver new carbon efficient lab and workspace buildings for small and medium sized science and technology companies and amenities at Wootton Science Park to the south-west of Oxford.
B2B Networking in the UK? Welcome to B4
Connecting Multisector Business Owners, C-Suite, Decision Makers
Unveiling B4 HUB: A New Era of Benefits for B4 Members
In the dynamic landscape of business, connections are the cornerstone of growth and success. At B4, we’ve always believed in the power of collaboration and support within our community. Only last week we saw the power of four of our Platinum Members coming together as the fantastic team at Sobell House stepped up the launch of the incredible OxTrail 2024 at Oxford Brookes University with the support of Darcica Logistics and Aston & James.