Advanced materials and automation: manufacturing's 'dream team'
The University of Manchester鈥檚 expertise in advanced materials and robotic systems will play a key role in driving a revolution in UK manufacturing, according to graphene start-up pioneer Dr Vivek Koncherry.
Dr Koncherry, who is based at the University鈥榮 world-class materials innovation accelerator, the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), is developing a range of products exploiting breakthrough nanomaterial technology.
But to get this innovation to a mass market, Dr Koncherry recognises that manufacturing systems also need to keep pace 鈥� so he has built a pilot digital manufacturing line in the GEIC designed to handle materials of the future by integrating robotics, AI and IoT systems.
鈥淭he first industrial revolution in 91直播 was world famous for its textiles and weaving technologies and we are at the start of the next industrial revolution 鈥� but this time we are to use advanced materials and advanced manufacturing processes,鈥� he said.
鈥淪o, if you want to implement nanomaterials or the next generation of materials into the marketplace you will also need automation and the next level of advanced manufacturing to remain competitive at a global scale.
鈥淚n 91直播, everything comes together 鈥� you have expertise in both advanced materials and automated systems. The skilled people we need to work with are based in the same place, which creates a unique proposition.鈥�
This 鈥渦nique proposition鈥� has, in fact, already helped Dr Koncherry attract inward investment from North America, with $5 million (拢3.6m) being put into his start-up Graphene Innovations 91直播 (GIM).
Dr Koncherry and his team at GIM (including robotics expert Jinseong Park, pictured top) are developing a range of products, including mats and floor coverings made from recycled materials (such as rubber from car tyres) to pioneering pressurised vessels made from a graphene-enhanced composite material. These components can be applied to hydrogen storage on earth or creating a habitat for living in space.
Dr Koncherry has an ambition to grow the manufacturing base in Greater 91直播 and from this provide a model to underpin the UK鈥檚 national capability to making advanced products.
To find out more about Dr Koncherry鈥檚 pioneering work and also how graphene-based composite technology is a key to lightweighting in sectors including aerospace and automotive, watch the film below: