果冻传媒

The 果冻传媒 is not just backing today鈥檚 CBI report 鈥�Greener Miles:鈥疍elivering on a net-zero vision for commuting鈥欌��–鈥痺hich calls on businesses to鈥痵houlder鈥痝reater鈥痳esponsibility for ensuring their workers adopting greener travel habits – it has already taken action. The 果冻传媒 is already on route with a two year extensive programme to cut personal car use on campus and therefore reduce emissions. WMG, at the 果冻传媒, is also deep into a suite of intense research programmes that will help industry, the public sector and consumers across the UK and beyond find sustainable transport solutions which will cut emissions.

The new report鈥痯ublished today (Friday 30th April 2021) by the CBI and KPMG鈥痑nd entitled鈥疓reener Miles:鈥疍elivering on a net-zero vision for commuting鈥�–鈥痟as proposed鈥痑鈥痵eries of recommendations designed to cut travel鈥痚missions鈥痑head of the Government鈥檚 upcoming Transport Decarbonisation Plan.鈥�鈥疜ey among those recommendations is a call for businesses to鈥痵houlder鈥痝reater鈥痳esponsibility for ensuring their workers adopt greener travel habits.鈥�鈥�

In fact, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has already teamed up with the 果冻传媒 on a two-year programme to do just that:

E-scooters, buses on demand, Enterprise Car Club vehicles and the Betterpoints sustainable travel app are just some of the innovative transport projects that form part of this two-year 鈥楥hoose Your Way 果冻传媒鈥� trial encouraging participants to adopt more sustainable transport choices and receive rewards for greener travel.

The trial will look at how the use of new transport solutions like e-scooters, or a car club can affect travel behaviour and replace traditional car use in and around the University campus area.

The projects include:

• Voi Technology, the UK鈥檚 leading e-scooter operator, has brought e-scooters to the 果冻传媒 campus as part of a pilot research project to help inform Government e-scooter legislation in the UK and research into micro-mobility.
• Membership of Enterprise Car Club with access to two low emission Hyundai Ioniq cars, for use by staff, students and the local community (subsidised for staff). The vehicles can be booked for anything from half an hour to a full day. As well as the two car club vehicles, members can also use any of the car club鈥檚 1,400 vehicles around the UK and access the wide range of vehicles from Enterprise鈥檚 daily rental fleet.
• The West Midlands on Demand responsive bus service operates in a similar way to a taxi The convenience of the DRT will make it easier for the local community, staff and students to use public transport where a traditional bus service may not be appropriate.

The University has also made a travel policy commitment sets out that travel by train is to be the default mode of transport for journeys under 6 hours and a departmental 鈥榞reen levy鈥� will be charged for any air travel.

The 果冻传媒鈥檚 Provost Professor Chris Ennew said of this and all the University鈥檚 sustainability initiatives:

鈥湽�冻传媒 has always been a forward-facing university and today is no different. We know the way ahead has to lead to a better, more sustainable, relationship between people and the planet. As one of the region鈥檚 largest employers, we know 果冻传媒 has a critical role to play. We have a responsibility as a community and organisation to moderate our individual actions, our research and teaching, and how we run and develop our University. We aim to reach net zero carbon from our direct emissions and the energy we buy by 2030 and to achieve net Zero carbon emissions from emissions arising from procured goods and services by 2050.鈥�

WMG, at the 果冻传媒, are also already working with companies and organisations on a range of research programmes to support the sort of sustainable transport that will help deliver the 鈥渘et-zero vision for commuting鈥� sought in today鈥檚 CBI report and the governments Ten Point plan.

Professor David Greenwood, Professor of Advanced Propulsion Systems in WMG said:

鈥淎s the UK transitions to net zero carbon by 2050, we must ask whether and how we will commute to work in the future. A personally owned car will not be the only possible answer, and alongside our work on electrifying cars, WMG has strong interests in light rail solutions as well as increasingly autonomous vehicles. Two-wheelers and micromobility will also have a more important role to play, and our research here includes consideration of future regulation and road infrastructure as well as vehicle development and trials. All of these rely on batteries and electrification which also form a significant part of our research portfolio. 鈥�

Here are just three of WMG鈥檚 sustainable transport research projects:

路 Coventry Very Light Rail tours its future home

路 Novel e-assisted cargo trike launched (warwick.ac.uk)

路 Pod research opens up a swarm of market opportunities for Aurrigo (warwick.ac.uk)

Note for Editors

CBI release:

For further information please contact:

Peter Dunn, Director of Press and Media Relations
Chief Communications Officer鈥檚 Group, 果冻传媒
Mobile/Cell: 07767 655860 UK +44 (0)7767 655860 International
Email p.j.dunn@warwick.ac.uk

30th April 2021

Congratulations to Professor Caroline Meyer who has been appointed as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) with effect from 1 August 2021.

Caroline will be responsible for the academic leadership of the research strategy at the 果冻传媒. Working with the Research Executive, she will take forward our commitment to research that is internationally recognised, interdisciplinary, and has impact and purpose. She will lead the University鈥檚 developments following REF 2021, and she will progress our research themes, Global Research Priorities programme and network of research centres and partnerships.

Caroline is currently Vice-Provost and Chair of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine. She is also Professor of Psychology at WMG. Her research is focused on mental health; primarily eating disorders and workforce mental health and productivity. She is 果冻传媒 PI on the Midlands Engine-Funded Mental Health and Productivity Pilot.

Commenting on her new role, Professor Meyer said: 鈥淚 am thrilled to be taking on this role at 果冻传媒. We have researchers across arts, social sciences, science, engineering and medicine conducting amazing, world-changing research and I am looking forward to supporting and promoting their endeavours.鈥�

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted that Professor Meyer will be joining the Executive Board to build on the excellent work of Professor Pam Thomas in leading our ambitious research strategy. Caroline鈥檚 extensive knowledge of working with a wide range of external partners including the NHS and industry nationally and internationally will be invaluable as we build on our performance in REF2021, and continue to undertake excellent research that will transform the way we understand the world, creating lives that are healthier, safer, more resilient, just and fulfilled.鈥�

Following the news today that "Motorists will be permitted to check e-mails and even watch TV at the wheel" under plans to legalise driverless ALKS (Automated Lane Keeping Systems) technology by the end of the year, Dr Siddartha Khastgir from WMG, 果冻传媒 shares his thoughts on changing the Highway code to enable motorists on the motorway to rely on technology with no human input when travelling at speeds under 37mph.

Dr Siddartha Khastgir, from WMG, 果冻传媒 comments:

"We welcome the UK Government publishing the results of the Call for Evidence for Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS) from last year. ALKS is an important step on our journey to introduce self-driving car technology on UK roads. However, It is important to highlight that:

ALKS 鈮� Self-driving car system. It is an important step on our journey to having self-driving cars.

Having said that, ALKS as a technology has a potential to provide lots of benefits but there are a few things that manufacturers, government/regulators and drivers need to be responsible for:

Regulators: Create a robust approval process for ensuring safety of ALKS. Ensure public education and any marketing of ALKS is done accurately and not mislead public.

Manufacturers: Establish and communicate true capabilities and limitations. This includes an elaborate and accurate representation of the Operational Design Domain (ODD) (i.e. operating conditions) of the vehicle

Drivers: Understand when they can and can not engage in activities like texting, send emails, watching movies etc. and their responsibilities when the system is active.

These are fundamental to ensuring safe introduction of ALKS and ensuring we reap the benefits."

ENDS

28 APRIL 2021

WMG, at the 果冻传媒 and are inviting entries for a new annual award to celebrate collaboration between UK academics and industry. With a cash prize of 拢25,000, the Bhattacharyya Award will be presented to the team who best demonstrate how industry and universities can work together. Entries must be submitted by 31 May 2021.

is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and was announced in July 2019 and as a tribute to Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya KT CBE FREng FRS, the Regius Professor of Manufacturing at the 果冻传媒 and founder of WMG.

Starting his career as a graduate apprentice at Lucas Industries, Professor Lord Bhattacharyya became Britain's first ever Professor of Manufacturing. Having seen first-hand how slowly academic advances were translated into real business and social change, he founded WMG in 1980 to help business innovate and help university researchers change our lives. Academic excellence with industrial relevance has always been at the heart of WMG, and today, it is one of the world鈥檚 top applied research centres, with a reputation for academic excellence and business results spanning the globe.

The Bhattacharyya Award is open to all UK universities and colleges, which are invited to submit a single entry in this round. Entries may be based on any field but must provide evidence of sustained, strategic collaboration over at least five years that is still active at the point of submission and has spanned multiple projects, grants and activities. The collaboration should be focused around an academic team and one or more declared industrial partners – it should not be restricted to a single lead academic but may reflect a wide institutional partnership.

Margot James, Executive Chair at WMG, 果冻传媒 said 鈥淭he Bhattacharyya Award amplifies the approach Professor Lord Bhattacharyya took in revolutionising how universities research and educate to meet the needs of industry and society. Relevant and impactful research is the product of genuine collaboration; also enabling education programmes that nurture the brightest talent. We are looking forward to seeing a wide range of entries which exemplify the very best of university/industry collaboration.鈥�

Science Minister, Amanda Solloway said: "We are extremely proud to be funding the Bhattacharyya Award, which encourages collaboration between our fantastic universities and businesses. By working hand-in-hand, academic advances can be quickly translated to industry, bringing forward game-changing innovations and helping us to build back better from the pandemic."

Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE FREng FRS, immediate past-President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, will chair the judging panel for the Bhattacharyya Award. She said: 鈥淟ord Bhattacharyya was a strong advocate of an effective industrial strategy, seeking a revitalisation of skills policy, a growth in apprenticeships, a focus on the impact of research and training and technology partnerships between industry and universities. We hope that this new award will showcase best practice in developing effective collaborations between universities and industry – and inspire productive new partnerships in the future.鈥�

ENDS

27 APRIL 2021

NOTES TO EDITORS

Entries for the Bhattacharyya Award must be submitted by 16.00 on Monday 31 May 2021. Full details of the selection criteria and how to apply are available at

For more information please contact:

Jane Sutton at the Royal Academy of Engineering

E: jane.sutton@raeng.org.uk; T: 020 7766 0636

or

Lisa Harding at WMG, 果冻传媒

E: Lisa.Harding@warwick.ac.uk T: 07824 540 845

• Soft robots must be made of a flexible and damage-tolerant material to avoid tearing
• Materials that can self-heal damages are therefore more desirable for soft robots
• A self-sensing and self-healing device that mimics a leaf鈥檚 motion has been made by researchers at WMG, 果冻传媒 – potential for soft robots

Robots that resemble organs are known as soft robots, and in order for them to function they must be made of a flexible material, however a material that can also heal itself would be a bonus if wear and tear was to occur. Researchers from WMG, 果冻传媒 have designed a self-healing polymers for such devices.

Soft robots, that resemble organs for example, need to be made with highly deformable materials that are capable of changes in shape to allow conformable physical contact for controlled manipulation on order to decrease the chances of mechanical damage – such as tears and punctures.

This had led to a wide interest into the development of self-healing materials and actuators, in particular, the integration of self-healing polymers for bioinspired soft self-healing devices, which are lightweight, low cost and easily processed.

As an invited Communication by the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems, the work on 鈥�, was published on 22 March, 2021, led by the researchers from WMG, 果冻传媒 have designed a novel self-healing leaf-motion mimic material.

The material is made of an integrated thermoplastic methyl thioglycolate–modified styrene–butadiene–styrene elastomer (MGSBS) and piezoelectric macro fiber composite (MFC) for self-sensing applications.

The leaf-motion mimic actuator provides built-in dynamic sensing and self-healing capabilities to heal macroscale cutting damages with a room-temperature healing capacity and an intrinsic high bandwidth up to 10 kHz.

A prototype of the piezoelectric driven self-healing leaf was cut, and left for 24 hours at room temperature, in that time it had healed itself, after 48 hours it was almost untraceable where the cut had been made.

Dr Chaoying Wan, from WMG, 果冻传媒 comments:

鈥淲e have demonstrated the feasibility and potential of the new actuator applied to complex soft autonomous systems. This new material could fill a gap in the robotics-market, as the self-healing soft actuators can sense and repair themselves, creating new damage resistance in soft robotics.

鈥淎n example of where they could be used could be in a factory or hospital, they may get damaged from general wear and tear but can heal themselves and therefore do not need to come off duty to be fixed, therefore saving time and resources.鈥�

ENDS

27 APRIL 2021

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/april_2021/chaotying_image.jpg
Caption: Time and Voltage of a cut-leaf actuator and healed leaf actuator
Credit: WMG, 果冻传媒

Paper available to view at:

For further information please contact:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
果冻传媒
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwickac.uk

• Chitin comes from the husks of Black Soldier Fly Larvae, which are waste products of black soldier fly farming
• Black soldier fly farming is commonly done in parts of Africa and South East Asia, as they are used as a source of protein for livestock, therefore, to be able to use the husks could create a new economic opportunity
• The extraction process gives comparable quality material to other feedstocks, and extracts 50% of the available chitin in the husks researchers from WMG, 果冻传媒 have found

Chitin is a naturally occurring polymer from the husks of Black Soldier Fly larvae, usually considered a waste product from the farming of the Black Soldier Fly larvae. However, researchers from WMG at the 果冻传媒 decided to see if they could extract chitin from the husks, creating a new economic opportunity.

Chitin is a sustainable source of protein in countries in South East Asia and south parts of Africa. When extracted it can be characterised and used in the biomedical industry, for example to make antiseptics and anticancer treatments.

In the report, 鈥�Purification of chitin from Black Soldier Fly larvae husks鈥�, researchers from WMG at the 果冻传媒 have successfully extracted chitin from the husks of Black Fly Soldiers.

The extraction route developed in this work obtains around 50% of the total available chitin, which is comparable to existing processes.

Dr Stuart Coles, from WMG at the 果冻传媒 comments:

鈥淲e have found a new way of extracting chitin from the husks of Black Soldier Flies, which are commonly farmed in parts of Africa and South East Asia as they can be used as a source of protein for livestock.

鈥淐hitin can be used to make antiseptics and anticancer treatments, so to be able to extract it from the husks which are a by-product of the farming process means that there鈥檚 potential to be more sustainable by using what would usually go to waste.鈥�

The extraction process that the researchers developed at WMG used cheap and readily available materials to reduce the cost whilst still producing a high-quality material.

Dr Stuart Coles explains:

鈥淭he process involved the use of mild, readily available and inexpensive chemicals to breakdown the natural structure of the husk and allowed us to isolate the chitin. In isolating the chitin, we only used water as a solvent, and a large part of our work focused on reducing the amount of water being used as it is a critical resource in countries where Black Soldier Flies are farmed.鈥�

Research can now continue to investigate how to commercialise the extraction process into a larger process.

ENDS

27 APRIL 2021

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/april_2021/fly-1627592_1920.jpg
Caption: A Black Soldier Fly
Credit: Brett Hondow, Pixabay

For further information please contact:

Alice Scott
Media Relations Manager – Science
果冻传媒
Tel: +44 (0) 7920 531 221
E-mail: alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk

Despite the constraints of the COVID19 pandemic WMG Associate Professor, Mairi Macintyre, was still able to fulfil her annual volunteer commitments to the earlier this year.

Mairi has been supporting the sailing charity since 2012 using her annual leave to board the tall ship and enjoy sailing adventures around the world. Over the past nine years Mairi, alongside mixed ability colleagues, has taken on various roles including that of a bosun鈥檚 mate, an engineer and as a general crew member.

In February鈥檚 voyage, the hosted Royal Navy cadets for an essential leadership training exercise with crew members (including Mairi) and cadets forming a bubble on a week-long trip from Portsmouth.

Mairi explained: 鈥淭he ship prioritises the ability to draw out everyone鈥檚 potential, we are all different and always stronger as a crew rather than any individual. Finding ways to enable everyone to find their best selves is what the ship does in spades. This lesson to me is so important to bring to my classroom, and it鈥檚 just great fun!鈥�

As well as a huge personal achievement, Mairi鈥檚 vast volunteering has also enabled her to build fantastic relationships with the Trust, and in turn identify some fantastic research opportunities for 果冻传媒 students.

One such example is the work of WMG student Tanin Aparimarn. In 2019 he was able to work alongside the Trust creating a 3D printed version of a ship, a VR experience and an app tour for mixed ability people to experience what it鈥檚 like on board.

Patrick Fleming, Chief Executive, Jubilee Sailing Trust explains: "The Jubilee Sailing Trust has been committed to providing life changing opportunities to disabled and able bodied people of all ages from all walks of life to experience inclusive tall ship voyages for more than four decades. We are determined to ensure that we work with those in further education to provide onshore and on sea experiences that enhance both learning, leadership and employment opportunities."

Find out more about the Jubilee Sailing Trust and volunteer opportunities here:

WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centre is working with the and the to create and deliver a Fully Electric Challenge for year 11 students.

The online course has been created by a team of four WMG graduate trainee engineers, including Ben Hunt; Lauren Cooper; Irma Houmadi and Joshua Wallis, with support from the WMG Outreach team.

It aims to deliver key insights into the battery industry, provide an overview of transport electrification and explain how this translates to wider areas of society.

Students will have the opportunity to design and build an automotive product using engineering concepts and processes, before presenting their designs and ideas to their peers.

The course will also provide details on a variety of STEM career paths that can help contribute to a more sustainable future.

Ben Hunt explained: 鈥淭his is another great event to be involved in which highlights the exciting range of careers in STEM. I hope we manage to capture the multi-disciplinary nature of electrification during the four-day course, it really is a one-stop-workshop!

鈥淚t has been great to work alongside some fantastic professionals in designing the event and I鈥檓 looking forward to listening to their lectures myself. The event content is derived from their real-world experience across various industries so I am confident students will be as informed as they could be, certainly more than I was in my final school years!鈥�

Lauren Cooper added: One of my favourite parts of my job at WMG is inspiring the engineers of the future by designing and delivering events like the Fully Electric Challenge. I think it is important to give students a taste of how exciting a career in engineering can be, and demonstrate the importance of STEM in the future world. Through the Fully Electric challenge, we aim to show how broad the subject of electrification is including aspects of battery technology, economics and policy for sustainability in transport as well as wider society. STEM careers provide so many opportunities to learn and make impact in society through the development of technology for electrification. Having studied chemistry and started my career as a graduate at WMG, I have really enjoyed learning how underlying battery chemistries are developed manufactured and implemented utilising knowledge and skills from other areas of STEM.鈥�

Each year 124,000 new engineers and technicians are needed to meet current and future demands. The Smallpeice Trust is an educational charity that inspires young people to pursue careers in science and engineering through events and workshops.

It takes place from 9-13th August (except on 12th August - GCSE results day) from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Once registered each student is sent instructions, a guide to the activities and a kit enabling them to build a battery powered vehicle.

To register your place visit:

WMG has launched it鈥檚 2021 summer internship programme for 果冻传媒 undergraduate students.

Approaches to learning are changing and the traditional model of mass lectures has evolved significantly - even more so in light of the COVID19 pandemic. New concepts of delivery, assessment, feedback and communication have changed the student journey considerably.

The eight-week programme offers students the opportunity to work with academic staff to explore and develop new concepts of teaching and learning (pedagogy). Whilst exploring these pedagogical possibilities, interns can gain research and employability skills.

2018 WMG summer intern, Severign Hagemeijer explains: 鈥淚 think it was really valuable to do research in this area outside of my degree. It has given me a lot of helpful experiences (e.g. in setting up, doing, and presenting the research) and the entire process was just very enjoyable. I would completely recommend it to anyone.鈥�

WMG Associate Professor, Angela Clarke, adds: I was over the moon with what Severijn was able to achieve in the space of eight weeks. Coming from a different department, he was able to bring a different perspective to this topic.鈥�

Severign鈥檚 internship involved reviewing video assessments, and considering how they could be implemented, considering different approaches from both staff and students. The research was so useful that it has had a significant impact on the use of video assessment within WMG.

Angela added: 鈥淲ith Severign鈥檚 help we are now able to assess students more flexibly and innovatively.鈥�

Find out more about the WMG Summer Internship Programme here: WMG Summer Pedagogical Research Internships (warwick.ac.uk)

Closing date for applications is 30th April 2021.

WMG Associate Professor Dr Mel Loveridge, and Principal Engineer Martin Dowson, have authored a special Faraday Insight entitled 鈥淲hy Batteries Fail and How to Improve Them: Understanding Degradation to Advance Lithium-Ion Battery Performance,鈥� a key consideration as we transition to a fully electric future.

It is part of a collection, of pieces from leading UK battery experts, published by the Faraday Institution. The Faraday Insights are evidence-based assessments of the market, economics, commercial potential, and capabilities for energy storage technologies. The insights are concise briefings that aim to help bridge knowledge gaps across industry, academia, and government.

The briefing addresses key requirements in lifetime, performance and safety needed for LIBs to continue to lead electrification in multiple sectors, and explains why, to achieve this researchers need to better understand – and find ways to mitigate – the many causes of battery degradation.

Read the Insight here:

Read more about WMG鈥檚 Electrochemical Engineering research here: Electrochemical Materials (warwick.ac.uk)