Impact Case Studies

Our students and alumni are making societal, environmental, and economic impact through their research.

We have collated papers published by our researchers on our  so that novel research directly funded within CDT projects can be viewed alongside each other. The combined research from AMS1, AMS2 and (to-date) AMS3 includes 273 published papers with over 5,600 citations, and a h- index of 33.

There are over 100 graduates from AMS1 and AMS2 currently in the metals sector, more than 97% of our graduates remain in metallurgy research (with approximately two thirds in industry and the remaining third in academic institutions). There remains a strong demand for doctoral level training in metallurgy, and we anticipate our current and future cohorts will continue to enable the UK metals manufacturing sector to meet their goals, specifically in NetZero, digitalisation and leadership, and specialist technical knowledge.

Laser beam passing through a focusing lens at a target in solvent identifying the plume and nanoparticles

Fabrication of silicon carbide nanoparticles using pulsed laser ablation in liquid and investigation the thermal conductivity of the resulting nanoparticles

The primary objective of this project is to comprehensively explore the properties of silicon carbide nanoparticles and their potential applications in high-temperature environments, with a specific focus on investigating thermal conductivity.

Find out more

Sam Lister stands next to an industrial hammer at W. H. Tildesley
Sam Lister stands next to an industrial hammer at W. H. Tildesley

Collaboration with W.H. Tildsley revolutionises sub-sea junction production

Sub-Sea fluid transfer components such as junctions and connectors must be able to withstand operating in some of the most rigorous and corrosive underwater environments.

Find out more

Alison Clarke

3D printing continuous stainless steel fibre reinforced polymers

Bundles of stainless steel fibre are used to reinforce layers of 3D printed plastic parts to create a robust, electrically conductive composite material.

Find out more

RCAS team with their locomotive

Supporting undergraduates: Railway Challenge at 91Ö±²¥

Jacob Whittle has been involved in RCAS since he started as an undergraduate in 2017, and eventually led the team in 2021 to (at the time) a record points and position finish during a very difficult period.

Find out more

Laura Gonzalez-Durque

Understanding the bendability of aluminium sheet with 3D material characterisation and modelling

The assembling of automotive panels requires materials that can bend to 180° or more. Enhancing the bendability of aluminium is essential to optimise their use in automotive application and effectively replace steel to reduce the weight of vehicles.

Find out more

Jake Larkin

How to X-Ray a Nuclear Reactor

Improving the the fuel-efficiency of commercial nuclear power plants by understanding radiation damage in zirconium fuel cladding

Find out more

Ashley Scarlett
Ashley Scarlett

Bridging the gap between academia and industry through industrial placement

Researcher Ashley Scarlett spent 6 months with Rolls-Royce to conduct an enhanced literature review, analyse mechanical testing data, and develop a practical understanding of industrial context to improve knowledge transfer from academia to industry.

Find out more

Patrick Curran

Recycled aerospace grade Ti-6Al-4V for application in offshore renewable energy structures

Using recycled titanium from old aircrafts to build offshore wind turbines.

Find out more

Frances Livera

Brazing of Additively Manufactured Materials: Investigating the Fundamentals

Understanding how the intrinsic aspects of a metal additive manufactured (AM) component, such as the non-equilibrium microstructure and rough surface finish, influence the brazing process.

Read more

Sampreet Rangaswarmy

Evaluation of High-Temperature Thermal Properties of Nickel-Based Superalloys NiTi and IN939 - Collaboration with the University of Liège

Sampreet has spent a week at the University of Liège in Belgium to work on the measurement of high-temperature thermal properties of Nitinol (NiTi) and Inconel 939 (IN939) alloys

Read more

Paul Stavroulakis

From Atoms to Materials - When Model and Experiment come together to Design Novel Automotive Alloys

How the application of multiscale modelling aided the discovery of a new series of alloys surpassing the elastic properties of high modulus steels.

Read more

Ömer Koç
Ömer Koç

Back to the Future with Zirconium Nuclear Material

Exploring the impact of irradiation on zirconium fuel rods commonly employed in nuclear reactors to enhance our mechanistic understanding and optimise their performance

Read in full here

Josh Collins
Josh Collins

Creating a Rapid, Open-Source CCT Predictor for Low-Alloy Steels, and Its Application to Compositionally Heterogeneous Material

Joshua Collins (2019 Cohort), has been working on an open-source continuous cooling transformation (CCT) predictor to improve predictions in steel manufacturing by better reflecting experimental measurements.

Read in full here

Sully Khan
Sully Khan

Young's Modulus Measurement Techniques - Collaboration with Volkswagen Research

PhD researcher, Sully Khan, spent eight weeks at Volkswagen's research centre in Wolfsburg, Germany, with a view to obtaining accurate Young's modulus measurements for various samples.

Read in full here

Photo of Lucy Farquhar and a sample from her research

Designing Additively Manufactured High Entropy Alloys to Increase Efficiency and Sustainability of Aerospace Components

Lucy Farquhar, PhD Researcher based at 91Ö±²¥, Partners with Boeing UK to establish a novel additive manufacturing solution to develop high entropy alloys able to operate under high temperatures for jet engine applications.

Read in full here

Elizabeth Davis-Fowell in front of Panalytical Empyrean

Investigating Rare-Earth Free Permanent Magnetic Materials for Applications in Electric Motors

Elizabeth Davis-Fowell, PhD Researcher based at 91Ö±²¥, Partners with Volkswagen Materials Group to discover novel alternatives to existing magnetic alloys in use in the automotive sector.

Read in full here

Image of Josiah Cherian Chekou

Additive Manufacturing of Novel Shape Memory Alloys for Clean Energy Applications

Josiah Cherian Chekotu, PhD Researcher based at Dublin City University, aims to reduce carbon emissions within the cooling and refrigeration industry through additively manufactured novel shape memory alloys for green energy solutions.

Read in full here

FAST - Case Study Image - Simon Graham

Solid-State Processing of Surplus Aluminium Alloy Powders through a Combination of Field Assisted Sintering Technology and Hot Rolling

Dr Simon Graham, MAPP - ESPRC Future Manufacturing Hub, Partners with ECKART GmbH and AMS CDT alumni, to convert surplus aluminium alloy powders from atomisation into sheet material in two solid-state steps for use in aerospace applications.

Read in full here

Mike White - Case Study Image

Developing a Microstructural Fingerprint for Titanium Alloys

Mike White, PhD Researcher based at The University of Manchester, Partners with Rolls-Royce to develop a framework to construct a ‘microstructural fingerprint’ to reduce cost and improve efficiency of alloy production.

Read in full here

Anesu Nyabadza - Case Study Image

Magnesium Nanoparticle Fabrication via Laser Processing

Anesu Nyabadza, PhD Researcher based at Dublin City University, Partners with Oriel Marine Extracts and Sea Salt to develop a novel fabrication method to commercialise manufacturing Mg NPs for printed electronics and drug delivery applications.

Read in full here