News: Former Nuclear AMRC staff move over to AMRC

A new team made up of former staff at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) has been created at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Multimillion pound Rotherham facilities have been retained.

Rothbiz reported last year on Nuclear AMRC staff being told of proposed redundancies with only core research & development activities to be retained by the organisation, also part of the University of Sheffield.

With state of the art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative with industry, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute, and is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.

Based at the AMRC's cluster of research and innovation centres in Rotherham and Sheffield, the new group enhances the AMRC's existing nuclear sector capability and supports its nationally important role in de-risking investment in new technologies that can accelerate and drive manufacturing innovation into the sector.

The group of talented engineers and researchers bring decades of experience with them and build on the research and innovation of the former Nuclear AMRC at its Rotherham facility, which was retained by the University along with more than £35m of production-scale manufacturing equipment to ensure R&D project delivery for the sector continues.

42 members of staff formally transferred into the AMRC to create the new nuclear manufacturing group, following a consultation. The Nuclear AMRC employed over 100 staff.

The team has already had good success in securing new work of scale in recent months in support of the nuclear sector, and is building on existing and ongoing collaborations with the likes of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Sandvik, Cavendish, Nuclear Transport Solutions, EPRI and Deep Isolation.

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The new group is the eighth at the AMRC, which is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult national network or research centres. It adds to the University of Sheffield and AMRC's existing and expanding portfolio of nuclear-related activity, which includes the AMRC's partnership and project work with Rolls-Royce SMR to manufacture and test prototype modules to be assembled into small modular reactors.

Ben Morgan, interim chief executive officer at the AMRC, said: "Nuclear energy is a vital component of the pathway to net zero and effectively harnessed, it can bring high value growth across many parts of the UK. This group will significantly bolster our offering to the sector and help industry to deliver through research and innovation.

"The AMRC and the wider University has a strong track record of providing R&D inputs into the nuclear energy sector on a range of capabilities from new build, to waste, to decommissioning.

"We have been working with Rolls-Royce SMR to de-risk its manufacturing approach which could have a significant UK economic impact as this world-leading technology comes on stream, hopefully in the coming months.

"Our priority looking ahead will be to ensure that the investment in these technologies delivers significant economic benefit for the UK, and in particular regions across the UK."

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News: AMRC Training Centre targets specific skills gaps

The University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre has launched an enhanced apprenticeship programme, offering employers unprecedented flexibility in shaping the learning journey of their apprentices.

With state-of-the-art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the centre has trained over 1,700 apprentices, helping to create the manufacturing workforce of the future.

The new bespoke programme will enable businesses to customise their apprenticeships to specific needs through additional modular training options.

Employers can select modules at any point during an apprenticeship, in addition to the apprentice's core curriculum, to address skills gaps and tailor development in line with evolving business and industry demands.

These modular add-ons, crafted by industry-experienced educators, cover a wide range of in-demand skills, including introductory and intermediate CAD, welding, manual and CNC milling, manual and CNC turning, robotics and metallurgy, with additional modules continually being developed.

The add-ons can be integrated into various pathways, from level three advanced to level six degree apprenticeships, and are available immediately.

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Nikki Jones, director of the AMRC Training Centre, said: “This enhanced apprenticeship programme, built on bespoke, modular training, is a game-changer for employers looking to shape their future workforce.

“It allows them to take control of their workforce development to precisely target skill gaps, ensuring their apprentices receive the training they need to thrive.

“As part of our commitment to strengthening UK manufacturing by nurturing the next generation of engineers, we are continuously refining our apprenticeship programmes based on employer feedback to address challenges and implement the changes they want. Together, we're building the talent pool needed for the sector to grow.”

In January, the University’s apprenticeship training was rated as ‘Good’ for overall effectiveness and Ofsted recognised the institution's commitment to ensuring the content of its curriculum matches the specific needs of employers which, in many cases, extends beyond the requirements of the apprenticeship standard.

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News: New £3m programme launched to support South Yorkshire innovation

The new South Yorkshire Innovation Programme (SYIP) has been officially launched to help regional organisations to innovate, accelerate, and grow.

SYIP is a collaboration led by Sheffield Hallam University with the University of Sheffield and Barnsley Council, and is backed by £3m via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). It has been co-designed and developed with each of the four South Yorkshire local authorities.

The programme will provide opportunities to access expert consultancy, including academic-led innovation audits and discovery days; professional interventions; student projects and placements; and specialist equipment and facilities provided by the universities and Barnsley Council.

Support will be available to South Yorkshire-based organisations of all sizes and across all sectors. Participating organisations will contribute a percentage of full project costs, based on their size, and also be eligible for funding support.

Several partnerships have developed between Sheffield’s universities, local authorities and SYMCA aimed at driving economic growth and inward investment into South Yorkshire.

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South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “Our ideas powered the industrial revolution. We invented the world’s most popular sport. We’ve created products that are used worldwide, from New York fire hydrants that are made in Rotherham to the McLaren supercar in Sheffield.

“Mclaren, Boeing and Rolls Royce already work alongside brilliant local businesses, in and around our world-class advanced manufacturing district.

“My mission is to build a bigger and better economy but to do that we need to create new industries and jobs for the future.

“Innovation is how we will achieve this vision and we can’t do that by just focusing on one sector or capability. We’ll only do it by working in partnership and that’s why I’m pleased to be investing in the Innovation Programme.

“There is talent and opportunity right across our region and by investing in our people and places we can unlock South Yorkshire’s full potential.”

Professor Conor Moss, Executive Dean of the College of Business, Technology and Engineering and of Sheffield Business School, at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “There are more opportunities for businesses and organisations to thrive in South Yorkshire now than there ever have been before. The key is innovation, and we are delighted to be leading this programme to help people in our region to scale-up and reach their goals.

“At Sheffield Hallam, we believe in collaboration and in championing our region. SYIP will help us to take cutting-edge research and knowledge from our academics and turn it into tangible advice and outcomes for businesses."

Professor Sue Hartley, Vice-President for Research and Innovation at the University of Sheffield, said: “At the University of Sheffield we’re committed to collaborating with partners across the region to drive innovation and fuel economic growth. This ambitious programme is a brilliant opportunity to build on our successes and forge new partnerships with businesses and organisations of all sizes.

“We look forward to learning more about regional organisations’ specific challenges and aspirations, and how we can harness our world-leading research and expertise to help them innovate and grow in a rapidly changing landscape.”

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News: New £3m South Yorkshire Innovation Programme to help business innovate and grow

Rotherham businesses can access opportunities to engage in and benefit from innovation-led growth, driving innovation led activities.

The South Yorkshire Innovation Programme (SYIP), a collaboration led by Sheffield Hallam University with the University of Sheffield and Barnsley Council, is backed by £3m via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has been co-designed and developed with each of the four South Yorkshire local authorities.

SYIP will provide opportunities for businesses to engage in and benefit from innovation-led growth, driving innovation led activities. It will build upon a successful track record of delivering innovation support to SMEs in the region.

The programme will provide access to high-quality and bespoke innovation support including academic consultancy, innovation audits, student projects and placements, access to university equipment and facilities, events and technical workshops.

Support will be available to organisations of all sizes across all sectors based in South Yorkshire, including charities and social enterprises. Further details on the launch of the programme and how organisations can access support will follow later this year.

The project is one of several partnerships between Sheffield’s universities, local authorities and SYMCA aimed at driving economic growth and inward investment into South Yorkshire.

Others include the Sheffield Innovation Spine, a long-term spatial and economic strategy to create and link the infrastructure required to grow knowledge-led businesses and the Innovation Network South Yorkshire which brings together academics, businesses and organisations at free networking events to encourage collaboration.

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South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “We are getting on with the job of building a bigger, better economy in South Yorkshire. But we can’t build a new future without new ideas.

“That’s why it’s vital we bring together our world-leading universities and local authorities to help our local businesses harness innovation. The South Yorkshire Innovation Programme will help our businesses to create the future here, right here.

“I’m determined to build a South Yorkshire that works together to spread wealth, opportunity and success to all our communities.”

Professor Rory Duncan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “At a time of rapid advancements across an ever-increasing range of sectors, the ability to innovate and harness new technology is more important than ever for businesses of all sizes.

“Sheffield Hallam is delighted to be leading this new programme fostering stronger partnerships between academia and business. This collaboration aims to translate cutting-edge research and knowledge into tangible solutions that address the unique challenges of our region’s businesses."

Professor Ashutosh Tiwari, Deputy Vice-President for Innovation at the University of Sheffield, said: “The University of Sheffield has a proven track record of partnering with local organisations to drive innovation and boost economic growth. This collaborative programme offers an exciting opportunity to build on our successes.

“We’re very much looking forward to working closely with some of South Yorkshire’s innovative organisations to help them adapt and thrive as the challenges they face continue to evolve. Together, we can turn our world-leading research into practical solutions to address the region’s specific needs, while strengthening South Yorkshire’s position as a hub for innovation.”

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News: Redundancy threat at Nuclear AMRC

Staff at the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) have been told of proposed redundancies with only core research & development activities to be retained.

With state of the art facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative with industry, The University of Sheffield and The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute, and is designed to help build and enhance the UK's civil nuclear new build industry.

Hailed as being "fundamental in making the difference in the UK and winning vital orders" by the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, Professor Sir Keith Burnett, the insitution, and current vice-chancellor, Koen Lamberts, appear to be scaling back the centre as the wider industry suffers delays in both large and smaller scale nuclear investment projects.

Construction of the 86,000 sq ft centre at Waverley begun in November 2010. With over 100 staff, the workshop includes a range of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment tailored for nuclear industry applications. The building also includes laboratory and technical support space, a VR cave for virtual assembly research and training.

With funding from industrial members (reactor providers such as Westinghouse, and top-tier suppliers such as Rolls-Royce and Sheffield Forgemasters) and government research and support grants, the centre has also developed a supply chain programme to help UK manufacturers get ready to bid for work in civil nuclear.

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Professor Koen Lamberts, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, told The Times Higher Education: “To deliver our priorities around clean energy research and innovation, we have proposed changes to the current structure of the Nuclear AMRC. We are actively working to reduce the need for redundancies where possible and we are supporting our staff throughout the change process.

“The plans propose that the Nuclear AMRC’s core manufacturing research and development activities will be retained by the University of Sheffield.

“The proposed changes reflect the university’s key strength in nuclear manufacturing R&D. Our work to support the design and production of small modular reactors will continue to grow and offer significant opportunities for the South Yorkshire region.”

Large scale nuclear projects are behind schedule and over-budget despite a desire to increase nuclear energy capacity. For example, EDF's Hinkley Point C has been delayed by at least a further two years to 2029 at the earliest.

Focus has shifted to small modular reactors (SMRs) as a more deliverable option for nuclear power, but this sector has also been hit by delays.

Earlier this year, Andrew Storer, CEO at tne Nuclear AMRC called for more action. He said: "As many of the companies at our recent SMR supply chain events pointed out, they are waiting on decisions from government, Great British Nuclear (GBN) and the top-tier developers on which projects might be going ahead and on what timescale.

"The sooner that decisions are made and transferred to the supply chain, the sooner capability and capacity can be developed."

Rolls-Royce, a company intrinsically linked to the university and region, recenlty committed to a £multi-million Module Development Facility to produce working prototypes of the individual modules that will be assembled into Rolls-Royce SMR power plants. The facility is set to be develed inside the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050 building in Sheffield and not at the Nuclear AMRC.

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News: AMRC in the race to inspire next generation of engineers

Make UK and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) are teaming up to inspire the next generation of talented engineers as the two organisations host an event for National Manufacturing Day – with two McLaren show cars joining the starting line up.

Make UK, which champions engineering and manufacturing in the UK, is working closely with the AMRC to celebrate National Manufacturing Day on September 28, which looks to inspire a new generation of engineers by showcasing the range of diverse, highly-skilled and well-paid jobs on offer in the industry. The special day will see the AMRC open its doors in South Yorkshire to welcome 180 young people who are looking to take the next steps in their education journey.

The groups of young people will see the AMRC’s cutting-edge technology in action at its flagship Factory 2050 site in Sheffield, and have the opportunity to get involved with a range of interactive activities including virtual welding, 3D printing and robotics. It’s also a chance for them to chat with engineers about their experiences in industry and hear from businesses about the career opportunities on offer in manufacturing.

McLaren, which as a state-of-the-art production facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, is just one of the businesses that work with the AMRC to promote manufacturing amongst young people, and those in attendance will be able to get up close and personal with a McLaren F1 show car and McLaren Automotive 765LT road car. They will also have the opportunity to speak to McLaren employees about their career in manufacturing, as well as the important role that composite parts play in the manufacture of McLaren’s race and road cars.

National Manufacturing Day is an annual celebration of industry and events such as these are more important than ever as increasing numbers of today’s engineers near retirement and businesses need to build-up an increasingly diverse workforce that’s ready to tackle future challenges – with vacancies at a 20-year high, according to the Make UK 2030 Skills: Closing the gap report.

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Steve Foxley, chief executive officer for the AMRC, highlights the need to encourage and inspire the minds of this next generation, who will play a vital role in closing the skills gap and help to improve digital manufacturing, sustainability and net zero.

“We’re really proud to support National Manufacturing Day,” Steve said. “Young people are our future and it is right that we invest in them to secure that pipeline of talent for industry.

“That is why it is so important for us to be working with Make UK to celebrate National Manufacturing Day, so we can play a part in capturing imaginations by showing them what it is like to work at the very cutting-edge of technology, how what we do here makes an impact, not only regionally, but nationally. I want them to see how we can transform lives through innovation.

“Skills and training matter to us. We really want to see more people getting into apprenticeships because it’s extremely important to ensure that traditional skills continue to be developed, alongside developing new skills that help manufacturers keep pace with changing technologies and overcome industrial challenges.”

Dawn Huntrod, Region Director North, Make UK said: “This is a really exciting day where the whole manufacturing sector is coming together to celebrate all the amazing things that Britain designs and makes.

“Our companies are at the forefront of some of the most innovative engineering and technological developments seen anywhere around the world. This is a sector with a host of wonderful opportunities for people of all ages and we hope this second National Manufacturing Day will inspire people to take a look inside their local manufacturing businesses to see for themselves the high-skilled and well-paid careers available to them.”

The day will provide a valuable insight into the impact that innovative research and advanced manufacturing has, both regionally and nationally, showing young people how they can begin a journey in this amazing industry.

The AMRC, in partnership with a number of businesses, including McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive, Razor, Siemens, FourJaw and Boeing, as well as the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre and the University of Sheffield, will act as a manufacturing hub to showcase the engineering excellence, innovation and skills – all under one roof – at the state-of-the-art Factory 2050 facility.

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News: Rotherham Council updates response to AMRC proposals

Rotherham Council has updated its response to plans for a multimillion pound extension to the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield, talking up collaboration and taking out the word "object."

Rothbiz revealed first exclusively on August 10 that Rotherham Council planners felt that the travel plan and transport assessment was "fundamentally flawed" for the proposed "Factory 2050 Mark III Building" - a 29,600 sq ft L-shaped structure to house a workshop on the site of the former Sheffield Airport.

The centre recently announced an £80m boost to composites research and development for aerostructure manufacturing in the UK that will see a new research facility built in South Yorkshire that has aerospace giant Boeing as its first major research partner.

In its initial response, dated July 3, Rotherham Council said that the assessment included a "level of bus service provision that is many years out of date" and signed off with: "As such Rotherham Council wishes to object to the application currently."

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Now, an updated response dated August 18, reads: "As you will be aware SCC, RMBC, businesses and the universities have a strong track record of collaboration in developing the world-leading research and development facilities clustered around the Advanced Manufacturing Park. These latest proposals will drive opportunities for more innovation-led inward investment, skills and jobs for the region. RMBC are therefore generally supportive of the proposed development in principle.

"Nevertheless, I have consulted with colleagues in our Transportation service regarding the submitted Travel Plan and concerns have been raised that the document is fundamentally flawed in that it quotes a level of bus service provision that is many years out of date. The current level of public transport available is very restricted, both in terms of areas served and the frequency and times of operation.

"This suggests that the number of car trips to the site will exceed those stated in the original transport assessment. Given the sensitive nature of the local road network and the SRN junction at M1 J33 the actions in the travel plan should be revisited to bring it up to date.

"With this in mind, I would be grateful if you would ask the applicant to submit up to date information which would allow us to re-consider the impact of the development on the local highway network within Rotherham."

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News: Rotherham Council objects to AMRC's expansion in Sheffield

Rotherham Council is objecting to a multimillion pound extension to the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield because the application contains out of date information about buses.

A partner in the HVM Catapult (the government's strategic initiative that aims to revitalise the manufacturing industry), the AMRC focuses on advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors. It is a partnership between industry and academia, which has become a model for research centres worldwide.

Having launched on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham in 2003, the centre outgrew the site of the former Orgreave coking works and expanded over the Parkway onto the site of the former Sheffield airport, developing its own "Innovation District" with buildings such as Factory 2050, which opened in 2015.

The latest application for the Sheffield Business Park location is for the "Factory 2050 Mark III Building" - a 29,600 sq ft L-shaped structure to house a workshop that comes at the same time as the centre announced an £80m boost to composites research and development for aerostructure manufacturing in the UK that will see a new research facility built in South Yorkshire that has aerospace giant Boeing as its first major research partner.

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The AMRC application, supported by agents, DLP Planning, also includes a detailed travel plan and transport assessment but Rotherham Council planners have labelled it "fundamentally flawed."

In its response to the application, Rotherham Council states: "The travel plan accompanying the application is fundamentally flawed in that it quotes a level of bus service provision that is many years out of date. The current level of public transport available is very restricted, both in terms of areas served and the frequency and times of operation.

"This suggests that the number of car trips to the site will exceed those stated in the original transport assessment. Given the sensitive nature of the local road network and the SRN [strategic road network] junction at M1 J33, the actions in the travel plan should be revisited to bring it up to date.

"As such Rotherham Council wishes to object to the application currently."

One of the main bus services featured in the applicant's documents is the A1 service that linked Sheffield Business Park, as well as the Waverley development in Rotherham, to Meadowhall.

Previously run by Powell's before the bus operator closed last year, the A1 route was taken on by Cawthornes Travel before it was withdrawn completely in July 2023.

Having to make cuts to services and incentives, South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard recently called the Government’s funding for South Yorkshire’s buses “completely unacceptable."

Funding is under pressure against the backdrop of reduced levels of passenger demand and reducing levels of post-Covid support grants from central Government. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has been unable to protect all non-commercially viable bus services that bus operators are withdrawing from the network and all concessionary fares at present levels.

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News: AMRC’s fibre handling expertise helps develop novel prototype

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is part of a consortium that has developed a novel prototype machine that could lead to lower emissions and increased aircraft performance.

The AMRC is a model for collaborative research which is now being applied to the development of sustainable technologies and products to help its 120-plus industrial partners realise the benefits of a green transition. It operates the Factory of the Future and the AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham and Factory 2050 in Sheffield.

The AMRC has collaborated with Archer Technicoat Limited (ATL), TISICS Metal Composites and Cygnet Texkimp to deliver a project on 'Continuous Interface Coating for Silicon Carbide (SiC) composites’ or CICSiC for short.

The project focused on the manufacture routes for silicon carbide-based Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) - a material of particular interest for high temperature applications of up to 2,000 degrees Celsius in sectors such as aerospace, space and nuclear. The delivery of the project builds on the AMRC’s reputation as one of the leading centres nationally for research in the manufacture of these materials.

The interface between the fibre reinforcement and the matrix is a critical component of CMCs. The project aimed to develop equipment and processing know-how for uniform, continuous coating of interfaces on SiC fibres, such that the mechanical properties of SiC-based CMCs can be more closely specified to enhance their aerospace applications.

This enables the development of more efficient engines, offering significantly lower weight, lower cooling requirements and lower aircraft emissions - resulting in a reduced impact on the environment.

“SiC-based ceramic matrix composites are a promising material for many extreme environment applications including aero engines,” says Ryan Skillett, technical manager at ATL. “The CICSiC project kick-started the development of a new method for manufacturing these high value materials aiming to simultaneously bring down costs whilst improving performance and reliability.”

The project aimed to develop a new reel-to-reel coating technology to replace the current batch coating method to apply interphase coatings to CMCs. In the batch coating method, a preform is made from uncoated fibre which is treated in one step, making it difficult to ensure an even coverage of all areas of the preform with equal precision. The new method uses a reel-to-reel process to apply the interphase coating. Material is wound from its original spool onto a new spool with the interphase being applied in-between. This ensures an uniform coating. As the material is still on a spool, it can easily be used in fibre processing technologies. This allows for shapes with increased complexity to be formed with a uniform interphase coating.

Ryan says the results of the project have drawn international interest from specialists. He added: “The project worked towards the creation of a continuous fibre coating system to work in harmony with the existing batch-based technology, and in doing so, look to take on some of the major barriers to market for the product. The results of this project have drawn international interest from specialists in the material, leading us to believe it has a very bright future.”

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The AMRC’s role in the project focused on the industrial scale processing of SiC fibres to produce preforms with increased complexity. The ability to process the fibre is key to realising the potential of this material. Utilising SiC fibres in processing technologies such as weaving and Tailored Fibre Placement (TFP) is important for building confidence in the handling of these materials so that they can be adopted into industry, and understanding the current processing limits.

The work on handling fibres was performed on as-purchased SiC and on SiC provided by ATL that had undergone the coating procedure in order to understand the difference in processing requirements, limitations and the quality of the output.

“Silicon Carbide composites (SiC-SiC) are of interest to many industry sectors looking at high temperature applications,” said Steffan Lea, a technical fellow in the AMRC’s composites team. “The ability to produce more complex preforms from continuous silicon carbide fibre will enable new designs and applications for this high performance ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material.”

Steffan says the AMRC’s understanding of how to process SiC fibres has developed. He added: "During the CICSiC project, the AMRC has gained familiarity and knowledge on how to process SiC fibre on industrial-scale machines. Our knowledge on how to process SiC fibres on weaving looms to produce 3D woven preforms enables the production of unitised preforms with added complexity. Using the Nicalon on Tailored Fibre Placement (TFP) allows us to make efficient use of the material, only placing it where it is required and controlling the path of the fibre to make best use of its properties.”

Kevin Morris, National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) technology manager at Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, said the project has proved to be a ‘very successful’ collaboration, and with the help of funding from NATEP has delivered ‘a winning project’.

He added: “The CICSiC project itself was able to develop the innovation and methods associated with the continuous coating of silicon carbide fibres, and demonstrated how issues could be overcome paving the way for more efficient propulsion systems for future aircraft, fulfilling the aims of the NATEP programme.”

Ryan commended the AMRC’s contribution to the project, adding: “The AMRC provided key insight and experience with handling the fibres, both in their coated and uncoated forms. Without its input, the CICSiC project would not have been as successful and the next generation equipment would not have gained as much interest.”

Andy Whitham, director of process development at Cygnet Texkimp Ltd said: “Working on this project has allowed us to understand the challenges associated with handling very delicate ceramic fibres. These are unusual in some of their characteristics, so having first hand experience of the difficulties involved in their use is invaluable. Beyond that, the opportunity to work with new partners from outside Cygnet Texkimp's main sectors, always provides a different view on the machinery we might supply for a given application.”

The CICSiC project showcases the excellent work done by AMRC’s composites team and the spread of its activities in the SiC- SiC Composites area. It promotes and accelerates the development and manufacture of advanced materials technology and high strength, high temperature materials such as ceramic matrix composites within the UK supply chain.

CICSiC was funded by the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP), a £15m programme to develop 60 aerospace technologies in the UK aerospace supply chain. Funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute and managed by ADS, it is aimed at small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop innovative technologies to enhance their capabilities and increase their ability to win new business.

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News: AMRC spin-out raises £2.2m for machine tool AI

Productive Machines, a Rotherham-based artificial intelligence (AI) startup from The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), has raised £2.2m in Seed funding to make its advanced machine tool process optimisation technology available to a far wider range of manufacturers worldwide.

Based within the Advanced Manufacturing Park's (AMP's) Technology Centre, Productive Machines uses a software simulation process called digital twinning to accelerate milling process design, reduce cycle time, eliminate quality problems and maximize productivity. Creating virtual replicas helps companies machine parts right the first time.

The funding will enable Productive Machines to expand its team of eight people to more than 20.

UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) led the round with participation from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, ACT Venture Partners and Fuel Ventures, alongside grant funding from Innovate UK.

Alexander Leigh, Investment Director for UKI2S and Future Planet Capital Group, said: “We are thrilled to cornerstone this investment into a UK-based deeptech University spin out from Sheffield. We are excited by the technology’s ability to reduce energy consumption by up to 25 per cent, in addition to the improvement in surface quality, yield, and waste reduction, all of which offers the potential to bring high value jobs back to the UK in the machining industry.”

“We are particularly pleased that as an Innovate UK investor partner we enabled Productive Machines to successfully apply for £700,000 in non-dilutive grant funding alongside the investment round.”

Productive Machines will use the funding to deliver its AI technology as a fully-automated Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) product.

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Founded by Dr Erdem Ozturk (CEO) and Dr Huseyin Celikag (CTO), Productive Machines is commercialising the results of a six-year AMRC research project on machining dynamics. This research covered process and machine tool interactions, including how cutting forces and resulting vibrations affect machine tool performance.

Productive Machines has developed a powerful computational model to predict and mitigate the influence of these harmful vibrations at every stage in metal and composite milling jobs. It uses a digital twin to determine the best parameters for each machine tool and production run, eliminating wasteful configuration experiments and ensuring that milling jobs are right the first time.

The technology has already been deployed at ten major manufacturers, including Renault and MASA Aerospace. Machines configured by Productive Machines can produce parts in half the time it took originally and deliver significant surface quality improvements due to the mitigation of chatter vibrations created by instability in machining processes. Users report that cutting tools last up to 30 per cent longer on optimised machines.

Productive Machines is developing a network of partners to take its technology to market. These include measurement technology specialist Kistler, metal cutting solutions company Seco, and various other machine tool and cutting tool manufacturers.



Dr Erdem Ozturk, CEO at Productive Machines, said: “Manufacturers want to reduce costs, improve quality and cut carbon emissions. But most don’t want to buy complex software products or hire PhD-level engineers to make them work. We are meeting all of their goals. The results of our research and innovation are proven with major manufacturers, and this investment enables us to make the significant benefits more accessible to manufacturers of all sizes, anywhere in the world.

“Our cutting-edge technology is already best-in-class in a $400 billion industry ripe for optimisation. There are three million machines in the world that would be more accurate, productive and sustainable with our AI, and we are removing the cost and skill barriers to its adoption.”

Keira Shepperson, Director at British Business Bank, added: “Partnerships between research hubs and corporations foster new ideas and blend the talent and creativity of both worlds together. With funding from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, Productive Machines will now be able to make an even greater impact on manufacturers by providing them with cost-cutting and efficiency improvements. The sector is brimming with opportunities for new ways of working and it’s encouraging to see Northern companies leading the way.”

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News: UKAEA and University of Sheffield partnership to drive fusion technology

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the University of Sheffield have entered a partnership that is set to drive the development of fusion technology and the UK’s future fusion industry.

The collaboration will see Sheffield appoint two Chairs in fusion research and development. Both roles will establish new research programmes to address global fusion challenges.

The position of Chair in Qualification for Fusion will address fundamental engineering challenges in the qualification of components, fabricated assemblies and systems for use within future fusion powerplants.

The position of Chair in Fusion Materials will focus on innovation in materials design and processing to improve powerplant performance and the decommissioning and recycling of new materials developed.

Both Chairs will work closely with UKAEA staff and the University of Sheffield Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) in Rotherham, part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which helps to move cutting-edge research from universities into the commercial market.

The University’s Faculty of Engineering will host the two Chairs. UKAEA has chosen to work with the University because of its expertise and strong track record in materials science, engineering and manufacturing research, which are crucial for developing new low-carbon technologies.

As part of the partnership, UKAEA will also collaborate with the University’s UK-leading research in thermal hydraulics - a key research area in the development of fusion as an energy source.

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Dr Amanda Quadling, Director of Materials Research at UKAEA, said: “We are pleased to partner with the University of Sheffield. Their Department of Materials Science and Engineering has a combination of process innovation capabilities, metals performance testing and high calibre microscopy skills which will complement our post-irradiation activities.

“This partnership will help to address intrinsic engineering and materials challenges in order to make fusion energy commercially viable. It will also develop a pipeline of talent for the future of our thriving fusion industry.”

Professor Jim Litster, Vice-President for Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: “Here at Sheffield we have a long track record of world-leading research excellence across materials science, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and low-carbon energy research. This is coupled with successful translation into industry and UK government policy.

“Developing strong external partnerships is a key part of our Faculty of Engineering’s strategy. With the University, UKAEA’s Fusion Technology Facility in Rotherham and the STEP prototype fusion powerplant site at West Burton, Nottinghamshire, all in relatively close proximity to one another, the partnership will develop a strong regional focus on fusion excellence in South Yorkshire and surrounding regions. Harnessing the research strength of northern universities, such as ours at Sheffield, is crucial if the UK is going to transition to low-carbon energy sources and protect its energy supply over the long-term.”

It is expected the two positions will attract collaborations from a wider range of industrial partners who will be able to sponsor students and work in partnership with them on research projects.

Stephen Wheeler, Director of Fusion Technology, UKAEA, said: ”The challenge of how we test and qualify components for future use in a fusion environment is critical for the delivery of a fusion powerplant. Partnering with the University of Sheffield to launch a new Chair in this field will accelerate the application of cutting edge techniques from across all sectors of engineering and the development of new experimental and digital techniques specific to fusion.

“The UKAEA’s Fusion Technology Facility based at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, South Yorkshire, is enabling us to access and grow regional capabilities to support the delivery of fusion. This includes local skills development from schools to universities and also the world class capabilities within the local manufacturing supply chain. We look forward to accessing the University of Sheffield’s expertise in engineering testing and qualification to enhance our national programme.”

Along with many other framework agreements with universities and industry partners, the agreement aims to bolster the UK’s strong position in commercialising fusion energy as a major source of low carbon electricity for the second half of this century.

Fusion is the process which occurs at the centre of stars; it is the source of light and heat emitted by the Sun.

Finance invested in fusion energy enables new materials and technologies to be developed that can benefit not just fusion energy, but also a wide range of industries including space, healthcare and decommissioning.

UKAEA’s mission is to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic benefit.

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News: Local apprentices take ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ trip to home of McLaren

Apprentices who had the rare opportunity of a visit to McLaren’s flagship technology centre described the trip as being ‘one of the coolest things they had ever seen’ and was ‘an amazing tour that money couldn’t buy.’

The group of ten were finalists in the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre’s Apprentice of the Year Awards 2021, with the delayed ceremony being held earlier this year. Part of their prize was a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip to the headquarters of McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive, which was gifted to them by the awards’ headline sponsor, Stanley Black & Decker and its offshoot manufacturing company, DEWALT.

The AMRC Training Centre has multimillion pound facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Kate Todd-Davis, a manufacturing engineer for Rolls-Royce, who was crowned the overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at the awards, said: “The McLaren Technology Centre is a very impressive, world-class manufacturing facility and it’s one of the coolest places I have ever seen.

“It was fascinating to see the evolution of Formula One (F1) cars on display and having the opportunity to go into the manufacturing areas and see the different technologies they use.”

From the outside, the Woking-based facility has a picturesque green landscape surrounding it – reminiscent of a scene taken straight from a Jane Austen novel – and from above it looks like the Chinese symbol of Yin and Yang. But it is on inside where heaven on Earth can be found for car fanatics.

As soon as you set foot through the door, visitors are greeted by a sea of colour in the shape of legendary McLaren racing cars from throughout history, alongside a showcase of McLaren sports cars through the ages.

With glass windows as far as the eye can see, the facility also houses a fully-operational manufacturing facility for all of its F1 demands, countless trophy cabinets showcasing their achievements spanning several decades, as well as its impressive sports car production centre, which is a dream sight for any serious petrolhead.

Jack Gascoigne, a project engineer at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), said the trip was brilliant. He added: “I am a big F1 fan and I’ve gone from never seeing an F1 car before, to then getting to see about 20 in one day.

“I could not stop smiling the whole time. My highlight of the tour was getting to hold Daniel Ricciardo’s steering wheel. It was a visit like no other and will be hard to top – it was an amazing once- in-a-lifetime tour that money cannot buy.”

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Connor Blades, who is a process engineer for Stanley Black & Decker, says the tour was the best experience of his life.

“It felt such a privilege to get to go and see the McLaren facility. I love F1, but even for people that don’t, you can still appreciate the centre and what’s there,” said Connor.

“It’s cool to be able to tie in a work trip around something that I enjoy as a hobby. My favourite part of the visit was when I walked into the sports car production area and saw the McLaren cars being built.

“I feel very grateful that from undertaking an apprenticeship at the AMRC Training Centre, it has allowed me the chance to access such a place.”

Anne Griggs, head of business development and contracts at the AMRC Training Centre, said it was great to see the apprentices receive such a fantastic opportunity. “We are so thrilled that our apprentices were given such an amazing prize to visit McLaren’s HQ,” she added.

“Our apprentices work very hard, so it’s good to see that their efforts are rewarded and are given the chance to visit such industry-forward facilities.”

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News: AMRC's economic impact and influence on Rotherham, Yorkshire and the UK

Some of the biggest private sector investments into UK advanced manufacturing over the last 15 years ‘would not have happened without the AMRC’, according to a new report confirming it as a ‘signature asset’ having brought more than £260m and 600 jobs to South Yorkshire.

Founded in 2001 by the University of Sheffield and Boeing on the site of the former Orgreave Colliery in Rotherham, the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) now has centres in the North West and North Wales and is a model for collaborative research which is now being applied to the development of sustainable technologies and products to help its 120-plus industrial partners realise the benefits of a green transition.

In 2021 the AMRC celebrated 20 years of innovation, impact and investment. The Economic Impact Analysis report by Lichfields sets out how the AMRC is a magnet for capital investment, acts as a lever for improved social mobility through its training centre, and supports a 520-strong high-value workforce that contributes more than £55m to the economy.

An executive summary has been published ahead of a formal launch for the report, which captures the economic benefits attributable to the AMRC, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, during its first 20 years of operation. It looks at the impact made through innovation, research and development (R&D), education and skills, high-value employment, levelling up, and being a model that can be ‘exported’ to other regions to stimulate economic regeneration.

It shows that in 2019/20, the value of innovation activity undertaken by the AMRC - supporting industry by delivering step changes in productivity, increasing competitiveness, and developing new products and processes - totalled £32.1 million. In addition, the centre unlocked a further £55.6 million of private sector leverage or match funding, supporting the UK government’s aim to double the value of private sector investment in R&D by 2030.

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In the new report, Rachel Clark, director of trade and investment at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, says: “The AMRC is a key attractor of foreign direct investment (FDI) and an important part of South Yorkshire’s pitch to prospective investors. Some of the biggest investments into the area over the last 10 to 15 years would not have taken place without the AMRC.”

It is the first time the AMRC has directly commissioned analysis into its impact, having been founded in 2001 at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham by Prof Keith Ridgway and local businessman Adrian Allen, with critical support from the University of Sheffield and aerospace giant Boeing.

The first tenants on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP), the AMRC has played a "key role in transforming the site into an attractive location for advanced manufacturing businesses", drawing major inward investors such as Rolls-Royce and McLaren which have built facilities in the area, and helping the local economy to emerge from the decline of its traditional industrial strengths of coal and steel.

Data shows on average, the AMRC provided manufacturing innovation and technology support to more than 1,100 businesses each year between 2017/18 and 2019/20, and 42% of those were small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is also identified as ‘an important employer’, supporting 520 high-value, high-productivity jobs in 2021/22 - generating a Gross Value Added (GVA) equivalent of £55.8m per annum.

Rotherham Council leader, Coun Chris Read, said: “The AMRC has been critical to securing major private sector investment in the borough, providing training, opportunities, and remarkable careers for our young people.

“From its iconic location on the former site of the Orgreave Coking Works, the University of Sheffield AMRC is not only a tremendous example of successful regeneration, but it is part of the fabric of our community, sitting at the heart of the flagship series of investments which are writing the next chapter of Rotherham’s economic history. “It is a partnership that we value highly and with the AMRC's knowledge and expertise, we can build on the growing cluster of green manufacturing in the region and support industry to drive and thrive in the low-carbon transition, creating the modern manufacturing economy of the future. We look forward to seeing it go from strength-to-strength over the years to come.”

A jewel in the research centre’s crown is the AMRC Training Centre with the report showing that since opening in 2013, more than 1,700 apprentices have been trained, working with 400 manufacturing firms. Of those apprentices, 80% live in South Yorkshire, demonstrating the important contribution the AMRC makes to upskilling local residents and ensuring local businesses have access to a pipeline of skilled workers.

“In addition, the centre helps to support improved social mobility and inclusion, with 50% of all learners from South Yorkshire living in areas of high deprivation during their apprenticeship,” the report states.

It also notes how the AMRC unlocks innovation activity ‘that could not otherwise take place’ according to its industrial partners and adds value by de-risking innovation; improving the leverage of R&D expenditure; providing access to dedicated R&D space and an unrivalled breadth of industrial expertise; and accelerating the commercialisation of research.

“The AMRC’s profile and reputation positions it as a signature asset for South Yorkshire, supporting the area’s efforts to attract inward investment from advanced manufacturers. This, in turn, has helped to create high value, high productivity jobs in the local economy,” says the report.

“The benefits of locating close to the R&D, innovation and training capabilities offered by the AMRC have attracted a cluster of advanced manufacturing occupiers to the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, and the neighbouring Sheffield Business Park. This includes globally significant businesses with strong ties to the AMRC including Boeing, McLaren and Rolls Royce.

“In total, it is estimated that £260m of investment has been attracted across both sites - at least in part - by the presence of the AMRC, resulting in the creation of 600 jobs.”

AMRC CEO, Steve Foxley, said: “It is fantastic to see the impact the AMRC has had over the last two decades in black and white. This Economic Impact Analysis perfectly demonstrates our strengths: driving national innovation, magnetising investment into South Yorkshire and creating a pipeline of manufacturing talent.

“However, the report similarly highlights where we must improve and that is in moving the productivity dial for manufacturers in the regions in which we operate. If we are to maintain our impact we must commit to helping companies on our doorstep improve their processes, upskill their workforces and cut their carbon footprint.

“We should see this Economic Impact Analysis report as a hinge point for the AMRC: it confirms how well we have done in the past and illustrates how we can do even better in the future. We have a great story to tell, but we can raise our game.”

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News: "Through the keyhole" tours at AMRC

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is joining a stellar cast of companies up and down the country who will be throwing open their doors to the public to celebrate British manufacturing.

On July 7 - National Manufacturing Day - the AMRC, a network of world-class innovation centres conducting cutting-edge research into advanced manufacturing technologies and techniques, is taking part in this year’s inaugural event, organised by manufacturing trade body Make UK.

The aim of the event is to help encourage all age groups, from school leavers to more experienced workers looking at reskilling or upskilling, to consider the possibilities of a career in manufacturing, as well as helping local communities understand more about the industry and businesses on their doorstep.

The AMRC is running free tours in some of its most impressive buildings including the Factory of the Future and the AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham and Factory 2050 in Sheffield - so people can see firsthand the difference it is making to manufacturing and the surrounding local communities through its innovation and research. Visitors will also be able to talk directly to members of staff about how the AMRC works, discuss career opportunities, and learn more about our apprenticeship programme.

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Steve Foxley, CEO of the AMRC, said: “We are delighted to be taking part in National Manufacturing Day and are looking forward to welcoming local residents, school students and those with a keen interest in manufacturing and engineering to visit us for a day and experience what makes the AMRC so special.

“It’s great to be able to give our local communities the chance to step inside our facilities and discover what we really mean when we say we’re working on the cutting edge of manufacturing innovation as we showcase some of our most impressive buildings, technologies and projects that are transforming industry and supporting manufacturing on the journey to net zero.

“As an organisation that recognises people are our greatest asset, visitors will be able to meet some of our talented team and hear first-hand what inspired them to join us. It’s also a chance to show the diverse range of careers within the AMRC and the opportunities available through our apprenticeship programmes at the AMRC Training Centre where we’re equipping the talented engineers of tomorrow with the knowledge and practical skills they need to make a real difference to industry.”

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, said: “This is a really exciting day where the whole manufacturing sector will come together to celebrate the amazing things that Britain designs and makes. During the pandemic, Britain’s manufacturers stayed open to keep the country running and switched production almost overnight to make vital medical supplies.

“But this sector is agile and exciting all of the time, not just in times of crisis. Our companies are at the forefront of global renewable technology development and some of the most innovative engineering developments seen anywhere around the world. This is a sector with amazing opportunities and we hope this first National Manufacturing Day will give people who have never had the chance to see inside their local businesses just what is going on and the opportunities available to them.”

Founded in 2001 by the University of Sheffield and Boeing on the site of the former Orgreave Colliery in Rotherham, the AMRC now has centres in the North West and North Wales and is a model for collaborative research which is now being applied to the development of sustainable technologies and products to help its 120-plus industrial partners realise the benefits of a green transition.

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News: Battery company on the charge to South Yorkshire

The Ultimate Battery Company is set to create hundreds of jobs in South Yorkshire in its new production plant for lightweight, eco-friendly batteries.

The company, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions through transformative new technologies and energy storage solutions, will anchor its manufacturing base in the region following a pledge of financial support from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), and help from the Department of International Trade (DIT).

At the Global Investment Summit last year, the Ultimate Battery Company said it would invest £28m setting up a UK production plant for lightweight, eco-friendly batteries, creating 300 jobs.

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has also supported the firm to mature its breakthrough green energy technology.

Maurizio Cunningham-Brown, CEO of Ultimate Battery Company, said relocation support from the SYMCA, along with help forging close research connections with the AMRC and wider University of Sheffield, have been invaluable.

He said: “We looked at around 15 different areas, but the one that stood out most for us was South Yorkshire. Not only does the region have a great infrastructure, state-of-the-art research facilities and a talented workforce, but the SYMCA was the most supportive in helping us to drive forward our ambitions.

“They also helped us to develop a close partnership with the University of Sheffield’s engineering students and the University of Sheffield AMRC’s engineering team. During the research stages, they have both been phenomenal in helping us to further develop the technology for our new units and in achieving our goals.

“The SYMCA team are extremely forward thinking, well connected and experts in guiding us through the funding process, and they also helped us to pinpoint the most suitable business support and research opportunities available, which are proving invaluable to our business.”

Steve Foxley, CEO of the University of Sheffield AMRC, welcomed the news as another vote of confidence in South Yorkshire’s capabilities for future energy systems.

He said: “It has been a great pleasure to work with Ultimate Battery Company around its manufacturing innovations for energy storage technology. We are delighted to see they are now building on that collaboration with inward investment into South Yorkshire, close to the research expertise of the AMRC.

“It further adds to the growing cluster around the manufacture of sustainable energy systems that we are seeing in the region. This will be hugely important for South Yorkshire’s future and our national mission to drive and thrive in the low carbon transition.

“We look forward to working with Ultimate Battery Company on future projects, accelerating the journey to net zero and opening up new opportunities around cheaper, greener future energy systems.”

Maurizio explained that existing battery technology is monopolar based, which he says makes it ‘inherently inefficient, very costly, heavy and environmentally unfriendly’.

“For all batteries, including stop/start and lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries, this translates to shorter run times and limited travel range, as well as a substantial cost for the customer,” he said.

“Our aim is to deliver a new battery that provides Lithium-like performance at 35% of the cost, enables twice the energy to be stored in the same physical space and provides a faster charging rate. These batteries also significantly reduce weight by up to 15Kg per vehicle, driving down CO2 emissions and manufacturing costs, while increasing energy densities.

“To achieve production and development of these products we needed to find a location that would help make the process as smooth as possible and provide our business the support needed to get our plans in motion.”

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Ultimate Battery Company worked closely with the Department of International Trade to determine key requirements, such as available land and facilities, access to business support and a talented workforce. After being put into contact with a number of regions across the UK, and after reviewing the key opportunities available within each area, the company decided South Yorkshire was the most suitable location.

The SYMCA has pledged significant financial support to the Ultimate Battery Company to enable it to set up a new research and development centre and manufacturing facility in the region to develop lighter, more energy dense batteries for the automotive sector, which will create hundreds of new jobs.

Gareth Morgan, SYMCA senior business development manager for trade and investment said: “With so many exciting plans in place, the Ultimate Battery Company offers a huge range of opportunities for our region in terms of recruitment, education and export opportunities.

“The company is already making valuable connections with the AMRC and University of Sheffield, which both offer excellent resources and expertise to help UBC get their plans in motion. We are confident that working in partnership, these organisations are destined to be at the forefront of greener battery solutions in no time.

“South Yorkshire was once a key location for the UK’s energy sector and as the move to greener energy picks up the pace, there is great potential for us to be leading the way again. We have many innovative organisations working in the energy sector already based here and each one is making real waves in zero carbon technologies.

“These companies and the UBC are important assets in helping us to develop a dedicated low- carbon hub and meet the targets set out in our energy strategy; which outlines our ambitions to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years before the goal set by the government. We are very pleased to welcome UBC to South Yorkshire, and we look forward to supporting the business further as it begins the next step of its ambitious growth plans.”

Richard Gardiner, senior innovation fellow at The AMRC said it has been hugely rewarding to work with the Ultimate Battery Company in the development of its innovative battery technology.

“To take a design concept and collaboratively work with them to mature their concept such that the results have facilitated inward investment, will bring future economic benefit to the region, and ultimately make a positive environmental contribution to net zero targets is what the AMRC is here for. I am excited to be working with UBC and look forward to where future collaboration leads.”

As well as continuing to work alongside the AMRC, the Ultimate Battery Company also has its sights set on making the switch to electric vehicles easier for manufacturers.

“For both manufacturers and consumers, one of the major reasons for not adopting the use of electric vehicles is the increased cost compared with a traditional combustion engine motor vehicle,” said Maurizio.

“Our new battery changes the equation – not only will the electric vehicles achieve purchase price parity with traditional cars, but the total cost of ownership will be significantly less - both lower operating and maintenance costs. Additionally, as we further develop our new batteries we also expect to be able to significantly improve charging times.

“The demand for these products is out there and has already been confirmed by a wide range of leading automotive manufacturers and other related industries. As such, we are confident that with the resources we will have in place at our new facility and the technology we are looking to bring online, we can support the drive to move to electric vehicles long before the 2040 target.

“In the meantime, we’re looking forward to being located in South Yorkshire to make these exciting plans a reality and working with SYMCA, the AMRC and DIT to get our new facility up and running and push the start button on what will be the new car battery of the future.”

Ultimate Battery Company website

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News: Funding secured to build on AMID

£763,000 has been secured from the government for the development of innovation-led opportunities connected to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID) in Sheffield and Rotherham.

Awarded through the Government’s New Development Corporation Competition, the money will be used to unlock and accelerate transformational economic development activity across the AMID, which has expanded from the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

The AMID is home to the UK’s largest research-led advanced manufacturing cluster. It also boasts developing centres of innovation in health and wellbeing as well as vital energy research focussed on net-zero carbon processes.

There are also proposals for further world-leading research in areas such as gene therapy, modern methods of construction and future mobility.

With more than 30 nationally recognised research and development facilities, backed by Sheffield’s two outstanding universities, the AMID’s applied research capabilities are unrivalled and continue to attract world leading businesses such as McLaren, Rolls-Royce and Boeing.

It also supports new and established businesses across South Yorkshire to adapt positively to new challenges and changing economic conditions.

The AMID already hosts over 120 advanced manufacturing and tech firms which employ more than 2,300 people. Ambitious plans being developed aim to generate 4,000 new jobs and 2,000 additional apprenticeships.

Improving access to the emerging economic opportunities will also involve place-based regeneration including improving local amenities, building public spaces and creating over 8,000 new homes within the AMID and its surrounding communities by 2040 - creating sustainable neighbourhoods for the next generation.

Sheffield City Council, the Sheffield City Region (now the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority), The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, Rotherham Council and the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park have worked together to secure the crucial funding which will also go towards improving connections to communities, businesses and education providers.

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Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: “The partnership between Rotherham and Sheffield has already helped to secure high quality jobs with world renowned companies, and high quality homes as well.

“This funding will help us to maximise opportunities in the future as we continue to support world class advanced manufacturing across South Yorkshire and we look forward to working with our partners across the region.”

Mayor of South Yorkshire, Dan Jarvis said: “This funding is great news. We’ve been working closely with Sheffield, Rotherham and the universities to develop the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District into a world-class centre of innovation and productivity.

“This funding will mean more high-quality jobs, more homes and will help us deliver the future we want for South Yorkshire.”

The New Development Corporation Competition is a £10m competitive fund launched in October 2019 to support up to ten local places with exploring delivery models that have been less commonly used in a contemporary context, such as development corporations.

Development corporations can help boost developments by providing focus, help coordinate plans for new development across different council boundaries and give builders the confidence to invest in sites.

Kevin Kerrigan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business and Enterprise at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “This funding enables us to shape a compelling future vision for advanced innovation in Sheffield, Rotherham and the wider region, to embrace community building alongside business growth and to showcase our creativity and application to the world.

“Sheffield Hallam University will be a key partner in delivering a world leading innovation district that is a catalyst for investment and growth.”

Dr Sarah Want, Director of Partnerships & Regional Engagement at the University of Sheffield said: “We are delighted that the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District has been awarded funding to enable its further development.

“Over the last two decades, we’ve worked very hard with regional partners and have seen how the clustering of local businesses, national and global companies and our research facilities has led to inward investment and provided opportunities for regional manufacturers to expand into new markets and for the region’s skills base to develop.

“For all partners, it's very exciting to receive this funding as a recognition of the things that we’ve already achieved together. We're looking forward to working with partners old and new to realise even more of the region’s potential through this project.”

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News: Wall of Women to help inspire more girls to study engineering

Women engineers from the University of Sheffield are sharing their own personal stories in order to help more girls study engineering and go on to develop a career in the industry.

The Wall of Women, launched by the University’s Faculty of Engineering, features the personal stories of some of the women who have studied, worked or graduated into successful careers in engineering from Sheffield over the past five years.

Among the engineers on the wall is Dounia Bakira, an Applications Engineer at Rotherham-based AESSEAL, who had a difficult journey to becoming a chemical engineer, but she graduated with a first class degree. Dounia has shared her story through the Wall of Women in the hope of inspiring others.

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Dounia said: “After moving to the UK from Morocco and after four years of marriage, I found myself divorced with a two year old daughter. I felt lonely, hopeless and sad. A change in circumstances meant I had to find a new way to support my daughter. I started my journey by studying GCSEs at Liverpool City College, then moved to Bradford to study A levels since it offers day time courses for mature students.

“The diversity in the university offered a welcoming atmosphere, where I felt comfortable to grow and build connections with people from diverse backgrounds. I saw opportunities for personal development and enhancing my soft skills through the many societies and activities.

“As well as achieving a first class degree, I have been a member of the Women in Engineering Student Society, acquired a scholarship and done two internships: at the University of Sheffield and at the University of Sheffield AMRC.

“Humanity is currently facing, and will continue to face, challenges in the future, so engineers will play a central key role in tackling these challenges. Therefore, there are infinite career opportunities for engineers as a whole.”

With its global headquarters at Templeborough, AESSEAL designs and manufactures mechanical seals and support systems.

Dounia added: "With AESSEAL I have all the tools I need to make a successful career. AESSEAL is one of the leading engineering companies who supports efforts in the areas of gender equality in engineering. I am pleased to be a woman still actively raising awareness of engineering and encouraging more girls to study STEM subjects in primary schools. I have been involved in activities and events held on site, which aim to show the young generation how fun engineering can be."

AESSEAL website
University of Sheffield Wall of Women website

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News: Productive machines and digital twins

A high-tech Rotherham company that maximises the productivity of machine tools has taken part in an accelerator programme supported by the likes of Boeing, GKN Aerospace and Rolls-Royce.

Based within the Advanced Manufacturing Park's (AMP's) Technology Centre, Productive Machines uses a software simulation process called digital twinning to accelerate milling process design, reduce cycle time, eliminate quality problems and maximize productivity. Creating virtual replicas helps companies machine parts right the first time.

The spinout from the University of Sheffield joined the ATI Boeing Accelerator at the start of the year as one of ten startups in the second cohort that were selected from nearly 200 applications, from more than 40 countries.

The accelerator was created in partnership by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and Boeing and is delivered by European accelerator Ignite. GKN Aerospace is the programme’s corporate sponsor and Rolls-Royce recently joined as a programme partner. The three month programme is intended to support innovation and the growth of startups in the UK's aerospace ecosystem.

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Dr Erdem Ozturk, CEO and founder of Productive Machines, said: "Productive Machines is solving three problems in the aerospace industry: productivity, sustainability, and the skills gap.

"Although we have demonstrated the impacts of using digital twins in several case studies, not all the companies in the industry are benefiting from these yet. It is common to use an experimental trial and error approach in machining process design. It results in productivity losses, errors lead to scrap parts and results in waste and, moreover, it is not an efficient use of resources.

"Sustainability is high on the agenda for aerospace companies. The waste due to scrap parts and inefficient use of resources are not the things that companies can afford moving ahead. Many companies do not have in-house expertise in machining process optimisation. Our software upskills our customers’ staff."

Erdem highlights the project carried out at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) (where he used to work), which reduced the time it took Rolls-Royce to machine a new turbine disc by 50% but he grew frustrated that many other research projects in universities were resulting only in reports and publications and not being exploited to make an impact in the industry. He added: "I didn’t want to see this happen with the digital twins that we developed and I decided to build a startup to use the digital twins to serve the machining industry."

As well as access to top aerosapce companies, the accelerator offers a £100k equity investment. Productive Machines said that it was applying for more grants this year and is working with more companies - the process having already benefitted the likes of MASA Aerospace and Renault. A first investment round is also planned.

Productive Machines website

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