£50 million research funding secures Rolls-Royce committment to Science and Innovation campus
Swansea University’s planned Science and Innovation Campus at Swansea Bay has been given a massive boost following the announcement of more than £50 million in research and training funding by Rolls-Royce and the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) at a national level.
The Rolls-Royce/EPSRC award to the Strategic Partnership in Structural Metallic Systems for Advanced Gas Turbine Applications, further underpins the world-leading research in structural materials carried out at the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) at Swansea University. The funding will also help secure Rolls-Royce’s involvement in the University’s Science and Innovation Campus.
The Strategic Partnership in Structural Metallic Systems for Advanced Gas Turbine Applications will harness key academic expertise via a three-way collaboration between Swansea University, Cambridge and Birmingham Universities.
Over the next ten years, the UTC at Swansea will undertake fundamental materials research necessary to improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of gas turbine engines and help train the next generation of world-class materials scientists and metallurgical engineers in structural metallic.
Ric Parker, Director Research and Technology, Rolls-Royce said; “Materials research is a vital part of ensuring we have the technology and skills needed to produce future gas turbines that will meet our customers’ needs. We look forward to working with all three universities and building on the excellent relationship we already share with them.”
Commenting on the funding, Swansea University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard B. Davies said: “This is a historic day for Swansea University. The Rolls-Royce/EPSRC announcement is the first major announcement by a leading multi-national company, which will enable Swansea University to realise its ambition of a Science and Innovation campus. The announcement clearly demonstrates that a 21st Century campus which intermingles industrial research and development, academic research and postgraduate and undergraduate students, is being positively received by companies wanting to have a presence on the site.
“This Strategic Partnership in Structural Metallic Systems for Advanced Gas Turbine Applications builds on the long established collaboration in the field of advanced structural materials and will enable Swansea University to expand its applied research strengths in Engineering Materials which in turn will help support many small and medium-sized companies across South West Wales.
“This announcement further demonstrates the world-leading research undertaken in the School of Engineering at Swansea University and I would like to applaud my colleagues who have brought about this enhanced reputation.”
The Director of the Swansea UTC, Professor Martin Bache and his co-investigators Dr Karen Perkins and Dr Mark Whittaker will now embark on a number of individually designed packages of research. These will address more efficient use of existing metals (mainly titanium and nickel based superalloys) together with the development of novel materials for future engine applications – the so called “Vision 20” alloys.
The expansion in knowledge transfer between these academics and the company will also help to generate a greater understanding of the performance of key components whilst in service, including safety critical parts such as rotating turbine discs and aerofoils, shafts and combustors.
Professor Bache said: “To develop, optimise and evaluate any new structural alloy to the stage where it can be approved for service application by the International certification authorities can take anything up to 15 years. Our research aims to reduce this lead time, whilst at the same time providing a more efficient use of existing materials and reducing the environmental impact of gas turbines. Such long–term funding is essential to sustain a stable team of academics and support staff at Swansea that can then establish a close working relationship with the company.
“This announcement is not only a welcome boost to the present UTC team but also recognises the tremendous efforts by former materials colleagues who have forged such a strong relationship between Swansea and Rolls-Royce since the 1970s.”
Professor Javier Bonet, Head of Swansea University’s School of Engineering said: “The School of Engineering is world-leading in this research field where close working relationships with key industrial players like Rolls-Royce are crucial. Along with Cambridge and Birmingham, Swansea will transfer its cutting edge technology to real industrial benefit, also providing training for the next generation of engineers."