University of Birmingham

Manufacturing Technology Centre (UK)

The MTC (Manufacturing Technology Centre) is established to prove innovative manufacturing processes and technologies in an agile environment in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions. The MTC houses some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world, creating a high quality environment for the development and demonstration of new technologies on an industrial scale. This provides a unique opportunity for manufacturers to develop new and innovative processes and technologies.

Lead From Leaded Petrol Persists in London Air Despite '90s Ban

Lead levels in London's atmosphere have dropped drastically since lead additives in petrol were phased out, and currently meet UK air quality targets. However despite this drop, airborne particles in London are still highly lead-enriched compared to natural background levels, according to new research.

Innovate UK Funding for Lithium Ion Battery Recycling

The surge in electric vehicles has created a need for effective lithium ion battery recycling in the UK. A solution is a step closer, as Fenix Battery Recycling, Ever Resource and the University of Birmingham have received £955K in grant funding to develop an innovative technology to make lithium ion battery recycling cleaner and more sustainable.

Trials of the UK's First Hydrogen Powered Train Begin

The first-ever hydrogen-powered train will run on the UK mainline in a big step forward towards the UK's net-zero targets. Trials of the train, known as HydroFLEX have been supported with a £750,000 grant from the Department for Transport, follow almost 2 years' development work and more than £1 million of investment by both Porterbrook and the University of Birmingham.

Intellegens

IDTechEx interviewed CEO of Intellegens, Ben Pellegrini. The work of Intellegens was outlined in a full profile from January 2019. The company has progressed until March 2020, most notably with projects and upcoming product launches.

Proteus Instruments

Proteus started out from its parent company RS Hydro. It is a trading division of RS Hydro and was formed on the back of an innovation project to develop a real-time BOD sensor. IDTechEx interviewed Hannah Gunter, technical research assistant and Michael Oswell, Sales Director.

Liquid Air Energy Storage Helping to Crack Global Challenge

Developed by academics, liquid air energy storage could play a part in helping to crack the global challenge faced by electricity providers of balancing power supply and demand - thanks to a major research project.

Unmanned, fully-autonomous ship that will cross the Atlantic

A global consortium of partners, led by marine research organization ProMare, is building an unmanned, fully-autonomous ship that will cross the Atlantic on the fourth centenary of the original Mayflower voyage in September 2020.

The robots being readied to enter nuclear no-go zones

Robust, intelligent robots that react to their surroundings are being developed to work in situations that are too dangerous for humans, such as cleaning up Europe's decades-old radioactive waste or helping during a nuclear emergency.

Artificial intelligence can predict how cancers will evolve and spread

Scientists have used artificial intelligence to predict how cancers will progress and evolve - so that doctors can design the most effective treatment for each patient.

Grant to establish robotics centre for tackling nuclear waste

It will go towards the creation of the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics which is a multi-university project that has received funding and contributions totalling £40m to bring together a diverse consortium of experts in robotics, AI, sensors and radiation resilient embedded systems to address nuclear waste problems.