Individuals, companies and institutions are being invited to share their views about key degradation issues affecting structural materials as part of a major landscaping exercise.
The Henry Royce Institute, working in collaboration with Frazer-Nash Consultancy, has been funded by the EPSRC to undertake the review which will help offer solutions on how the UK can reach its ambitious goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Dr Andrew Bowfield, Project Co-ordinator, said:
“The primary objective of the review will be to identify key research and development drivers that present opportunities for investment which the UK can exploit to ensure the transition occurs in a safe, timely and efficient manner. Topics that are common to several industries, or which could slow or prevent the transition, will be highlighted.”
Focus
The study focuses on five key industries that will play a pivotal role in the transition:
- Wind power generation (onshore and offshore)
- Transportation (air, road, rail and sea)
- Nuclear fission
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
- Hydrogen production and usage (end to end including hydrogen substitutes such as ammonia)
Added Dr Bowfield:
“The project is looking for contributions from people with both industrial and/or academic expertise in these industries to identify the current structural degradation landscape, and we have designed a very user-friendly and short questionnaire to gather key information.”
Iain Palmer, Senior Consultant at Frazer-Nash, added:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for contributors to help shape the future research landscape, and I look forward to the ongoing discussions with experts as part of this review.”
Roadmapping
The study forms part of a wider roadmapping and landscaping exercise by the Institute which is targeting a number of pressing national materials challenges, and which is designed to stimulate and drive new advanced materials research in the UK.
The objective is to bring together the UK materials community to discuss, analyse and assimilate opportunities for emerging materials research that will lead to economic and societal benefits. It reflects a growing recognition that highly functional, next generation advanced materials are central to delivering the new technologies needed to meet the challenges we face – from a clean-energy future to health improvements for an aging population.
You can access the degradation survey here.
If you would like any further information about the study please contact Dr Bowfield direct at andrew.bowfield@manchester.ac.uk. The deadline for responses is 14 March.
