The Abstract | Issue 1

Innovation LaunchPad Network+

4-5 ILN+ Director Pete Osborne kicks off the first issue of The Abstract and praises the multi-disciplinary nature of the first round of Researcher in Residence projects.

6-7 Haven’t heard of us before? Let’s take a look at what the Researcher in Residence scheme is all about and why we are doing it.

Net Zero Resilience Healthcare & Wellbeing

18-19 A roundup of the exceptional research projects that sit within our Net Zero theme.

22-23 Bristol University’s Saeed Jahdi checks in with us mid-project to chat about his experience at Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult.

10-11 Healthcare & Wellbeing Investigator Heather Mortiboys on: ‘cutting edge’ Researcher in Residence projects, advice to academics and the importance of collaboration in science.

12-13 A roundup of the cutting edge research projects that sit within our Healthcare & Wellbeing theme.

14-15 Brews up!

26-27 Our Resilience Investigator Ben Hicks discusses the network, advice to academics and ‘Just Doing It’.

28-29 A roundup of the fantastic research projects that sit within our Resilience theme.

WELCOME TO THE INNOVATION LAUNCHPAD NETWORK+

Network+ Director Pete Osborne kicks off the first issue of The Abstract

Welcome to this first edition of Abstract, the journal of the Innovation Launchpad Network+.

We set up the ILN+ more than two years ago now with the aim of providing opportunities for UK-based university researchers to form new collaborations with the Catapult Network. Since then we have been able to fund more than 70 new collaborative projects across the themes of Net Zero, Healthcare & Wellbeing and Resilience. The Abstract is the start of the dissemination of the outputs of these projects and aims to broaden demographic of the people aware of the groundbreaking work going on.

This issue covers the projects that we funded in Tranche 1 of our Researcher in Residence scheme. Our first batch of RiRs included researchers from more than 30 different universities across the UK and included projects with eight of the Catapults. We inducted our first group back in June 2023 and what struck me at our induction event in Birmingham was the multi-disciplinary nature of the projects.

Many of the challenges that we face both nationally and globally cannot be solved by an individual working away in isolation, but require

a team working collaboratively to solve the multi-dimensional problems that we face. In the discussions that I joined, there was a real enthusiasm to understand and work together to build solutions for a better tomorrow.

Since that event we have been running regular check in meetings with our RiRs and their Catapult collaborators and it has been really interesting to hear about the progress that each of the teams have made towards their shared objectives. All of the RiRs have benefitted greatly from being able to access the equipment, facilities and datasets that are available across the Catapult Network. A number of the researchers have found new avenues to exploit their work and by working with the Catapults they have been provided with the opportunity to share their understanding with government and other national and international stakeholders.

The ultimate aim of the Network+ is to ensure that the results of these project are turned into impact beyond the walls of our Universities and the Catapults so I welcome you to be curious about what each of these projects encompass and think about how you might be able to incorporate the findings in your own work.

Network+ Director: Pete Osborne - p.osborne@sheffield.ac.uk

Network+ Manager: Kristina Parry - k.parry@sheffield.ac.uk

Network+ Marketing, Communications and Events: Paul Stimpsonp.j.stimpson@sheffield.ac.uk

Network+ Officer: Joella Rozenstein - j.e.rozenstein@sheffield.ac.uk

THE ULTIMATE AIM OF THE NETWORK+ IS TO ENSURE THAT THE RESULTS OF THESE PROJECT ARE TURNED INTO IMPACT BEYOND THE WALLS OF OUR UNIVERSITIES AND THE CATAPULTS ”

RESEARCHER IN RESIDENCE

In October 2022 the Innovation Launchpad Network+, Innovate UK, EPSRC and Catapult Network joined together to invite proposals for the launch of the Researcher in Residence (RiR) scheme.

The programme is a key activity of our Network+ and, as Pete said in his introduction, the existence of it is purely about scaling up research out of university labs and into the real

world where it can have a genuine impact.

The scheme itself promotes academic engagement and is designed to enable researchers to work with the Catapults, undertaking a project or activity in an area of strategic importance.

The beauty of it is that a researcher can strike up a rapport and a

RiR Scheme

relationship with a Catapult before submitting their application, rather than submitting a blind project proposal. We stress that discussions with a Catapult rep are vital to a successful application so that both parties can hit the ground running once the Collaboration Agreements are signed.

As those who were successful in our initial launch will testify, successful awardees of the scheme will be given up to £50k to cover their university salary costs, travel and accommodation during the placement, and consumables used at the host Catapult.

At the time of writing, we are in the process of getting Tranche 2 RiRs up and running and signing off on Award Letters for Tranche 3, meaning this is only the start of our journey. We hope you enjoy these pages and join us in our admiration of some of the UK’s brightest minds taking on the country’s upcoming challenges.

www.innovationlaunchpad.ac.uk/researchers-in-residence

Each Researcher in Residence awarded by the Network+ will have to align to at least one of the key thematic areas. Those areas are Net Zero, Healthcare and Wellbeing and Resilience. Over the next few pages is a complete list, theme by theme, of the cutting edge research projects we have funded, starting with our Healthcare theme...

Early diagnosis and intervention, advanced personalised therapies and the integration of digital technologies are key enablers of cost-effective healthcare and wellbeing to support a growing and ageing population.

The Catapult Network is energising healthcare and wellbeing through breakthrough capabilities, increasing the flow of innovative medicines, and seeks to do more in diagnostics and digital therapeutics products. Catapults also work strategically with the UK health, wellbeing, social care and regulatory systems to channel UK innovators into a supply chain of new approaches, capabilities and models that can help manage costs and optimise outcomes

HEALTHCARE & WELLBEING

CUTTING EDGE RESEARCH

The University of Sheffield’s Heather Mortiboys, one of our Healthcare Investigators, discusses ‘cutting edge’ Researcher in Residence projects, advice to academics and the importance of collaboration in science

Heather, you’ve joined the ILN+ in the summer of 2023. Generally what have you picked up from the projects you’ve looked at so far? The projects are generally at the cutting edge and very exciitng, just at the stage of making a real breakthough with a meaningful impact in their space.

You’ve done some pioneering work within the University after becoming a Parkinson’s UK Senior Research Fellow in 2013, what have you been up to in the last couple of years? We have been working hard on two main areas, firstly tyring to understand the contribution of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Mitochondria are the cells batteries as well as having lots of other important functions, we know they don’t work well in disease but we don’t know why. We have been working on undersstanding that. Importantly, also, we don’t know if mitochondria are key to all Parkinson’s or only a subset of patients, so we have been working hard on understanding how many Parkinson’s patients have

got mitochondria dirivng their disease. Finally, a large part of what we is finding therapeutics which can target mitochondria. We have developed unique expertise in drug screening in patient cells, we can screen 10,000’s compounds in patient cells. This means we are consdeirng the individual patient response at the earliest stage of drug disocvery. We have been successful in getting one compound into clinical trials for Parkinson’s, with many others at various stages in the pipeline. I have also been very active in the Knowledge Exchange space, both with my own research working with industry partners as well as taking up the Deputy FDRI position and Faculty lead for KE and Innovation.

From your work on neurodegenerative conditions, what is something that the general public may not know about those particular diseases?

I think most people are familiar with neurodegenerative conditions, but perhaps people don’t know the variability with which they present in different people. No one persons Parkinson’s is

the same as the next person, the same for Alzheimer’s and other conditions. That is one of the reasons why researching these conditions is so hard.

What are your thoughts on where the UK is at with its wider medical research? Are we excelling, or is there more work to do?

I think the UK is positined well, in many areas we are excelling and are really world leading. But science is much more collaborative now than it used to be so ensurng UK scientists stay a major part of large international consortiums is key to progressing research more swiftly.

Do you have any advice for academics who have great ideas, but aren’t sure how to upscale or take them forward?

I think the best advice is, if you think it is a good idea then you will find a way to take it foward. Look at imagnative ways to progress, talk to people, reach out to people, most people are very happy to wotk together, happy to support applications if they are asked! sheffield.ac.uk

Healthcare

Beatrice Melinek/Salome

Alexandra De Sa Magalhaes University College London High Value Manufacturing Catapult (CPI)

Project title: Technical developments towards commercialisation of a novel Cell-Free pDNA production platform

This project focuses on a next generation cell-free manufacturing technique for nucleic acids, which are biomolecules that can be used as medicines. Current manufacturing techniques use cells grown in bio-reactors, whilst “cell-free” methods cut out the middle-men (the cells) by isolating and using the parts of the cells which are responsible for biomolecule construction. This means a process that is more akin to a simple chemical reaction, and is thus substantially faster, more productive, and more robust.

Project title: Developing an intelligent digital framework to speed up lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug delivery systems manufacture

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) gained considerable interest as drug delivery systems for leading nucleic acid vaccine candidates for COVID-19, such as the mRNA vaccines. Despite a strong UK research base and a growing industrial footprint, there are clear gaps around efficient scale-up, manufacture and analysis of LNP based vaccines, which is a key objective of the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI). To solve these challenges, John will apply Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimise the precise manufacture of LNP-RNA vaccines.

Mike Bryant University of Leeds High Value Manufacturing Catapult (AMRC)

John Oyekan University of York High Value Manufacturing Catapult (CPI)

Project title: Streamlining PrEclinical testing of musculoskEletal Devices: converging in silico and experimental technique for accelerated, sustainable but safe medical device development. (SPEED)

Pre-clinical testing of new medical devices is crucial for the safe introduction of medical devices SPEED aims to combine compound degradation digital-twin capabilities to identify and interrogate ‘worst-case/high-risk’ parameter spaces pertaining to medical device performance. Outcomes will be used to stratify and develop clinically relevant test scenarios using advanced biomechanical hardware with in-situ condition monitoring.

Project roundup

Project title: Sustainable Electronic Textiles for Wearable Point-of-Care (PoC) Systems

This project will innovate sustainable e-textiles as wearable Point-of-Care (PoC) platform technologies for the elderly population that will enable continuous monitoring of vital signs and round-the-clock treatment protocols. The proposed project will leverage the PI’s substantial prior research experience with scalable and digital manufacturing of graphene-based e-textiles as well as CPI’s (the host Catapult) excellent expertise and facilities on flexible electronics production and assembly processes to industrially relevant volumes.

Stephen Goldrick University College London Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult

Project title: Application of advanced data analytics and mathematical modelling to leverage PAT tools for adaptive manufacturing within cell and gene therapy processes

In the development of Cell and Gene Therapy (C&GT) manufacturing processes, there is an effort across the industry to capture data using conventional and innovative sensors or analytical tools (PAT devices), and to use such data to eventually monitor and control manufacturing in real-time. This proposal aims to develop advanced data analytics to extract useful and actionable information from this data.

Project title: Optimising hit-to-lead ratio for high-throughput screening of Lipid Nanoparticles for the delivery of mRNA

The efficacy of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines is now well demonstrated, leading to the use of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines delivered using lipid nanoparticles. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a vital component of these vaccines as they protect the mRNA from degradation in the body and mediate delivery into the cytoplasm of cells. This project aims to support the implementation of high-throughput screening and characterisation of LNPs for mRNA delivery within the Centre for Process Innovation, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

Nazmul Karim Nottingham Trent University High Value Manufacturing Catapult (CPI)

Yvonne Perrie University of Strathclyde High Value Manufacturing Catapult (CPI)

A BREWTIFUL VISION

‘Imagine a coffee pod machine that produces DNA’ –

Meet the academics causing a stir in healthcare research Healthcare

Two academics from University College London are set to cause a stir in the healthcare research space with a new cell and gene research project which could stand to help millions of people suffering from Ebola, HIV-AIDS and Malaria.

In collaboration with CPI and the Innovation Launchpad Network+, Beatrice Melinek and Salome Alexandra De Sa Magalhaes will be gathering vital information during their Researcher in Residence placement with the aim of creating and commercialising a compact, standalone automated device for reliable, predictable and robust production of DNA. The production of Plasmid DNA (pDNA) forms the base of DNA vaccines and gene therapies against many infectious and genetic diseases such as Ebola, HIV-AIDS and Malaria. Current manufacturing techniques use cells grown in bioreactors, but Beatrice and Salome are proposing a next-generation method which bypasses this step. Their novel cell-free production platform could be substantially faster, more productive, and more robust.

with the flexibility of 3D printing.”

Suzanne Robb, Technology and Innovation Officer at CPI said: “We are delighted to be offering our expertise to help advance this vital research. A standalone device which could automatically produce DNA for a variety of infectious diseases has the potential not just to advance how we currently manufacture DNA for therapies and vaccines, but should this research prove successful, it could revolutions how quickly healthcare can be delivered to millions of people.

“Current methods of manufacturing DNA for certain conditions can take vast amounts of time and money, by speeding up this process while maintaining high standards of production, vital time could be saved in the future in getting therapies to those who need it most.”

“Imagine a coffee pod machine that produces DNA – with similar size and ease of use. A similar capsule-based approach will allow the user to pick their own flavour without any significant change in the production protocol they follow. In the future we hope to build up to a system

Working alongside CPI, Beatrice and Salome’s project will benefit from the centre’s expert knowledge and their state-of-the art facilities for the development of a flexible purification method. CPI will provide its knowledge and expertise in high-throughput and small-scale development of purification methods including training and access to CPI’s equipment and facilities.

uk-cpi.com ucl.ac.uk

NET ZERO

Meeting the government’s target of Net Zero by 2050 will require transformation across many areas.

The combined capabilities of the Catapults across multiple sectors creates a unique opportunity to enable a ‘whole systems approach’ to energy generation, management, distribution and use to help the UK achieve its clean growth ambitions. As well as driving development of innovative capabilities, the Catapult Network’s work recognises a decarbonisation strategy that will depend on geography, building types and urban growth plans, amongst many more.

The first Tranche of RiRs were exceptionally strong in the Net Zero area. Due to the quality of the projects, we couldn’t possibly pick just one or two to feature in these pages...Here is the full list of awarded Researcher in Residence projects in alphabetical order.

Project title: Sustainable chemical technologies for bioprocess and biomedical waste recycling to provide resilient, Net Zero and circular solutions

Whilst the world has been moving towards a circular economy minimising single use plastic production, the Cell and Gene Therapy industry has moved in the opposite direction favouring its use. The plastics used in manufacturing, research and clinical trials become bioprocess waste which is treated as biohazardous material. This bio-waste is sterilised and incinerated alongside biomedical waste from hospitals. Finding a way to recycle both bio-wastes would lower the carbon footprint contributing to Net Zero.

Alejandro Sanchez Monsalve University of Bath Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult

Project roundup

Project title: Baselining the carbon footprint of the UK space sector

This work will produce a carbon baseline of the UK space sector for the first time. Firstly, a desk-based exercise will be conducted to evaluate UK Net Zero/environmental policies (including the Scottish Space Sustainability Roadmap) with an aim of identifying gaps and/or high priority impact areas where innovation is needed. The carbon baseline will use a mixture of publicly available research and tools, including the Strathclyde Space Systems Database (SSSD). The SSSD is a dedicated space life cycle sustainability assessment platform developed at the University of Strathclyde.

Project title: Advanced Materials and Mechanics for Offshore Renewable Energy (AM2ORE)

This interdisciplinary project will investigate problems within the areas of materials and mechanics, providing solutions to guide R&D in condition monitoring for the offshore renewable sector. The project includes: Investigation on the degradation mechanism of subsea cables under the multiphysics environment of mechanical, thermal and electromagnetic fields; Review and modelling of a composite/metallic LeadingEdge Protection System for turbine blades; Supporting offshore system optimisation by providing composite design and FEA (Finite Element Analysis) capabilities.

Project title: Solution-ProcEssed Compound semiconducToRs for high power capAcitors (SPECTRA)

Dr Bo Hou from Cardiff University will work with Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult on developing and demonstrating high-power capacitors based on liquidstate laser ablation grown compound semiconducting nanocrystal. If successful, significant programme grants and industrial technology transfer collaborations will be leveraged, underpinning the delivery and commercialisation of emerging electrification technologies based on low-carbon footprint compound semiconductor power electronics.

Andrew Ross Wilson Glasgow Caledonian University Satellite Applications Catapult

Ben Bin Xu Northumbria University Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult

Bo Hou Cardiff University Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult

Dawid Hanak Teeside University

Connected Places Catapult

Project title: Identifying challenges and opportunities in decarbonising UK train stations

The UK Government has committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050. The transport sector is the largest contributor of GHG in the UK, producing 107.5 MtCO2 in 2021. While rail transport is already one of the least carbon-intensive modes of transport, reducing non-traction emissions is still a challenge.

To address this issue, Dawid are developing a user-friendly tool that will help understand the non-traction emissions and identify opportunities and challenges for decarbonising train stations.

Project title: Digitalisation enhanced wind turbine main bearing design and operational monitoring

Wind energy is essential to reaching Net Zero by 2050. However, necessary further cost reductions require marked improvements in wind system reliability. Novel and radical wind turbine main bearing redesign is therefore urgently required to address costly premature failures and ensure reliable operation. Innovation is required across the entire framework of main bearing design, testing and validation, as well as for monitoring and assessment processes during the operational phase. This project addresses these challenges in collaboration with the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.

Ges Rosenberg University of Hertfordshire Connected Places

Catapult

Project title: Co-creating Station Innovations for Net Zero and Healthy, Inclusive Cities

Using the case study of urban renewal at Bristol Temple Meads station this project will apply systems thinking to cocreate a route map to ’Net Zero Carbon’ for BTM operations with wider generalisability to other locations. The research will investigate the value of innovations in cyber-physical systems and place-based mathematical models (‘digital twins’) in providing evidence to guide more efficient transitions to Net Zero carbon. The research will span a formative time in the Connected Places Catapult five-year programme to pioneer station innovations at Bristol Temple Meads.

Edward Hart University of Strathclyde Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult

Project roundup

Project title: Enabling construction material circularity in the transport infrastructure sector

The infrastructure industry controls 16% of the UK’s total carbon emissions and has influence over a further 37%, in which transport infrastructure is the primary contributor. Infrastructure consists of fixed installations including roads, railways, waterways, airports, as well as transportation and transit facilities. It has an important role to play in the move to decarbonisation. This project will focus on the determination of means to incorporate circular economy in the management of construction materials. The research will use a combination of literature review, field visits and on-site interviews.

Iman Mohagheghian University of Surrey

High Value Manufacturing Catapult (NCC)

Haopeng Wang University of Liverpool Connected Places Catapult

Project title: Reclaiming Carbon Fibre for High-Value Multifunctional Materials/Structures

In recent years, Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) adaptation in various industries, particularly in aerospace and wind turbine sectors, has been accelerated considerably due to the growing demand for lightweight and strong materials. National Composite Centre (part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult), as a host Catapult, will help providing the recycled/repurposed waste fabrics and fibres, accessing to knowledge, people and equipment and engaging with whole supply chain.

Project title: Data centric design and numerical simulation for Tidal Stream Energy (D-TIDE)

Tidal Stream Energy is becoming a commercial renewable energy source. This project will leverage a state of the art coupled flow-wave model the English Channel, developed during the successful EU Interreg-Channel Tidal Stream Industry Energiser project (TIGER) to provide delopers and the ORE Catapult with best-in-class data for tidal stream developments.

Jon

Hardwick University of Exeter Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult

CHARGING UP

Revolutionising electric vehicle reliability comes down to four layers of crystal

“ ”

It’s not just about doing research; it’s about doing it together. The labs at CSA Catapult are top-notch.

Net Zero

One particular project from the first tranche which covers a deeply intricate process of a more sustainable future in compound semiconductors is the University of Bristol’s Saeed Jahdi. Working closely with the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult as part of his Researcher in Residence placement to investigate how reliable the latest Silicon Carbide (SiC) Power devices are: a key component for an electric vehicle.

These devices are crucial for heavy-duty tasks, like being part of the circuit that controls the flow of electrical energy in electric vehicles. Speaking of the project, Saeed said: “Reliability is a key criterion in assessment of performance of power devices in heavy-duty applications. Understanding these enable more sustainable designs. “We’re hoping to shed light on reliability metrics of state-of-theart SiC power devices for specific applications in electric vehicles and ancillary circuits.”

Saeed and his team are specifically looking at SiC Metal-OxideSemiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) and Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs). They found that the 4H-SiC Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) show promising signs of being more reliable and robust compared to traditional Silicon (Si) BJTs.

The ‘4H’ refers to a specific four-layer repeat pattern crystal structure of Silicon Carbide (SiC), used to describe the arrangement of atoms in a crystal lattice. The tests focused on how well these devices perform under stress, especially at high temperatures. It is seen that 4H-SiC BJTs have better current gain and remain stable even

when there are rapid changes in the electrical input.

The team used advanced computer simulations to analyse the performance of SiC BJTs in different situations. Interestingly, they found that the significant delays in Silicon BJTs when turning on and off are minimal in 4H-SiC BJTs. However, SiC BJTs are more sensitive to sudden increases in current. The research now continues to analyse the reliability metrics of the latest generations of 4H-SiC power MOSFETs.

Speaking on his experience at the compound semiconductor Applications Catapult, Saeed said: “From day one, you can feel the good vibes and everyone’s got your back. It’s not just about doing research; it’s about doing it together. The labs are top-notch, and there’s this awesome vibe that just makes you want to dive into groundbreaking stuff.”

Ingo Ludtke, Head of Power Electronics at CSA Catapult said: “We are delighted that CSA Catapult can collaborate with universities as part of the Researcher in Residence scheme. This scheme allows CSA Catapult to develop stronger links between universities and industry, accelerating research and technology development within key areas. “SiC reliability is of particular interest and we are very fortunate to be able to support Saeed’s investigations.”

This research is important for improving the reliability of the latest SiC power devices, especially for use in an electric vehicle and related circuits. The goal is to make these devices more dependable for a wide range of applications.

csa.catapult.org.uk

bristol.ac.uk

Net Zero

Laurence Stamford University of Manchester Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult

Project title: Ensuring life cycle sustainability in cell and gene therapy development

The environmental impacts of healthcare provision are diverse, substantial and poorly understood. This leads not only to unintended impacts on our environment, but undesired impacts on human health caused by air, water and land pollution. In the UK, for instance, the NHS’ total carbon footprint is equivalent to roughly 6% of total UK emissions, while hundreds of thousands of tonnes of medical supplies are produced and incinerated per year, adding to harmful emissions. The healthcare sector increasingly recognises these problems, as exemplified by the Health and Care Act 2022 and the NHS’ Net Zero plan.

Project title: Future Net Zero Energy Systems with Carbon Capture and Storage

Maintaining the operability and reliability of the UK energy system is critical to its resilience and the security of energy supply. This must continue whilst decarbonising energy generation to zero residual emissions. The project examines the operation of UK net-zero energy systems where Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies are used. It uses techno-economic, whole system models of the Energy Systems Catapult used to provide evidence on decarbonisation pathways to government, industry and third sector stakeholders.

Matt Unthank Northumbria University High Value Manufacturing Catapult - CPI

This project focuses on integrating life cycle thinking and life cycle assessment into cell and gene therapy development so that we can minimise environmental impacts (climate change and others) in a targeted, science-based manner

Mathieu Lucquiaud University of Sheffield Energy Systems Catapult

Project title: Sustainable, recyclable and repairable highperformance plastics and composites for industrial applications

This project will expediate the development, testing and scaleup of sustainable, recyclable and repairable polymers and polymer-composites, suitable for high-performance structural applications, including wind turbine blades, lightweight transport vehicles and aircraft. At present thermoset polymers used in these applications (e.g. epoxy composites) are not recyclable or repairable and are therefore destined for landfill or incineration at end-of-life. The vision is to build upon recent developments in sustainable polymeric materials and to help deliver the UK’s ‘Net Zero’ ambition.

Project roundup

Project title: Floating Offshore Wind Turbines: development of a multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimisation framework

50GW of offshore wind (5GW floating) and 60% local UK wind turbine content by 2030 is the UK Offshore Wind Sector Deal target, but at present only ~13.6GW (0.08GW floating) are operational, with a content of 48%: a substantial change is needed. By developing a “whole system”, multidisciplinary design, analysis, and optimisation (MDAO) framework, and by applying it to an industrially relevant case study, it will be possible to quantitatively demonstrate that overcoming these techno-economic challenges is the most attractive option despite the risks.

Mikhail Matveev University of Nottingham High Value Manufacturing Catapult (AMRC)

Maurizio Collu University of Strathclyde Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult

Project title: Intelligent Control of Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) process

Fibre-reinforced composites (FRCs) have been extensively utilised over the last two decades to reduce the weight of aircraft and vehicles. Such weight reductions lower fuel consumption and hence reduce operational costs and CO2 emissions. In pursuing NetZero, further uptake of FRCs in the transport and other sectors requires a reduction in manufacturing costs to make designs with FRCs more affordable choice. This project will build on the methods developed and tested in the lab at the University of Nottingham and bring it to an industrial scale

Project title: EDIT: Energy and democracy in digital twins Tidal Stream Energy is becoming a commercial renewable energy source.

This project evaluates a recent Energy Systems Catapult digital twin demonstrator project. Ola will develop a toolkit for embedding ethical considerations in science advice and digital twins, including surveillance, bias, privacy, and security risks relevant to digital twins. She will also deliver a report on democratising digital twins, analysing interactions between modelling and policymaking.

Ola Michalec University of Bristol Energy Systems Catapult

Net Zero

Project title: Consumer learning journeys: An interdisciplinary framework to support Net Zero adoption

Consumer commitment to renewable energy technologies (such as heat pumps for home heating) is crucial for UK ambitions to reach Net Zero, necessitating a long cognitive and emotional journey for many consumers. This project draws on psychology, neuroscience and education to frame the customer’s ‘learning journey’ from current to future energy worlds, identifying factors contributing to trust and positive responding. By the end of his project, Paul hopes to have identified key insights for informing communication with consumers through academic review and a parallel process of dialogue and consultation with users.

Project title: Novel EV drivetrain with high temperature silicon carbide devices: Bridging the gap

The project aims to make the power electronics core of power converters responsive to operating conditions and functional degradation toward the technology roadmaps. This will be achieved by detection of change in SiC devices and to determine how to control the devices to prevent it. This would permit SiC devices to be operated safely at higher switching speeds and thus efficiencies, than current datasheet limits allow.

You can read more about Saeed’s early outputs on page 22.

Sheng Wang Cardiff University Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult

Saeed Jahdi University of Bristol Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult

Project title: Accurate Thermal Characterisation and Modelling of Gallium-Nitride (GaN) Transistors

Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors are key components used for power conversion in Net Zero applications like electric vehicles. They have lower power loss and faster switching speed than Silicon MOSFETs and hence are ideal for enhancing energy saving and power density. However, the thermal performance of GaN transistors is less well understood and this could lead to deficient reliability of GaN-based applications. This Researcher in Residence Innovation project aims to provide new knowledge on the accurate thermal characterisation of GaN transistors.

Paul Howard-Jones University of Bristol Energy Systems Catapult

Project roundup

Project title: Accelerating commercialisation of a new scalable and sustainable manufacturing method for Si anodes for lithium ion batteries (LIBs)

Energy storage is crucial in modern society due to the need to lower carbon emissions and the widespread increase in electrification. Lithium-ion batteries is the storage method of choice, however lowering costs will be required moving forward. Porous silicon is a promising material being explored as an anode, enabling it to store almost 10x more charge than the presently used graphite. However, porous silicon has proven difficult to incorporate into commercial batteries. Siddharth has invented a low-temperature and cheaper method to produce the desired grade of porous silicon at scale.

TUNE IN!

Dotted around this publication, you will find QR codes with quick links to our other activities. One such offering is our podcast, LaunchPod, where host Paul Stimpson discusses all things research and innovation.

One subseries of the podcast is where Paul talks to our Researcher in Residence about the process of applying, updates from their projects and success stories from across the Catapult Network. The series, It’s Not Not Rocket Science, features a segment with Northumbria University’s Matt Unthank who expands on his proposal and discusses his involvement in a Horizon Europe bid so soon into his Researcher in Residence placement.

Use the QR code to listen or search for Innovation Launchpad Network+ on Spotify and YouTube.

Siddharth Patwardhan University of Sheffield High Value Manufacturing Catapult (WMG)

RESILIENCE

As an Investigator for our Resilience theme, the University of Bristol’s Ben Hicks speaks to The Abstract about being part of the network, advice to academics and ‘Just Doing It’

Ben, in terms of the Innovation Launchpad, how has the role of Investigator been for you?

As an academic you spend a large amount of time and energy chasing money – an occupational hazard! Being an investigator on the Innovation Launchpad has been a complete role reversal, which has been hugely enjoyable and very rewarding. Our approach has been to work closely with applicants providing advice and support to help shape their projects with their catapult partners. Through this approach, I have worked with many new colleagues from other institutions and different disciplines which I would likely have never met or engaged with if it was not for the programme.

With respect to all of the projects we have funded up to now, are there any that have excited you in particular?

One always wants to avoid being parochial when interviewed, but there are two projects from the Business School and Engineering faculty at Bristol that were independently reviewed and funded but are interrelated and being undertaken collaboratively. Both are working with the Digital Catapult on future supply chains and the two researchers are seeking to both deliver impact within their projects and also build a platform for deeper, longer-term collaboration

between the two disciplines at Bristol.

You lead the Engineering Systems and Design institute, could you give us a brief rundown of the work that is being done there?

The institute is concerned with the creation of tools, methods and technologies for designing, making and testing tomorrow’s systems. We have over 100 researchers working across design technologies, digital manufacturing, infrastructure, energy and bioengineering all underpinned by thinking and design thinking. The institute provides regional and national leadership in the aforementioned application areas and a supporting capability for many large national programmes in terms of systems thinking and design thinking. The latter ranges from heath to urban planning to marginal gains for TeamGB and verification of safety critical software systems.

What are your thoughts on where the UK is at with its Resilience ambitions? There is a lot of ongoing research and significant progress has been made in areas such as infrastructure and the supply of goods. In the case of infrastructure, a longterm view is a prerequisite with asset lifecycles spanning many decades and even centuries.

Thus, resilience has and continues to be fore and centre within this field. In contrast, for the supply of goods such a long-term view is not required. For these fields, there is fundamental need to explore the motivations and drivers of consumers, industry and government, and where appropriate make interventions to achieve resilience without compromising the viability of businesses and supply chains. Such interventions could include market-based measures and/or changing perceptions of consumers, such as best before dates, all of which require an inter-disciplinary systems approach.

Do you have any advice for academics who have great ideas, but aren’t sure how to upscale or take them forward?

In the words of Nike ‘Just Do It’. Life is a learning journey, and in many cases, it is necessary and much faster to learn by doing. So, give your own time to these ideas, apply for internal funds and external funds if needed. If you don’t succeed the first time, learn from it and try again. You need to drive the idea forwards, no one will do it for you, and you are likely the best person to get the idea off the ground. To finish on another quote by the golfer Jerry Barber: “The more I practice, the luckier I get.” bristol.ac.uk

RESILIENT INNOVATION

Project title: Towards a national intelligence database for violence against women and girls on public transport

Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) (Home Office 2022) is a key policy concern, yet limited attention has been afforded to VAWG on public transport (PT). Fear of victimisation is a barrier to travel, reducing the connectedness of places. A 2022 DfT commissioned study identified 13 recommendations to tackle VAWG on PT. Recommendation 9 (long-termgoal) is to ‘create a national, intelligence database which captures incident reporting from all transport modes and areas.’ Andy argues for accelerating this as an immediate priority. The ‘Report it to Stop It’ (RITSI) TfL evaluation identified high levels of under-reporting and improved reporting mechanisms infrastructure are required for better resource targeting investigations. Several challenges exist in

Within an increasingly interconnected, complex and rapidly changing world, resilience is a measure of robustness to environmental, political, societal and technical impacts.

Increasing national and global resilience is both necessary and offers tremendous opportunities to capitalise on changing global conditions. The combination of expertise in UK academia and the Catapult Network can be used to drive the UK towards the required advances to ensure a secure, resilient future.

Through this opportunity, we are looking to support academics to explore their research ideas and develop the beginning of a pipeline through to impact in emergent and rapidly developing new science areas, ultimately decreasing the timescales between discovery research and delivery of economic impact and social prosperity.

this topic. Outside London PT is fragmented; multiple operators provide rail, bus, and trams; no standardised reporting mechanism exists; and multiple partners are responsible for personal security. British Transport Police support rail systems whereas bus and trams fall under one of 43 local police forces. Operators frequently record incidents under broader ‘health and safety’ policies; this may not be passed onto the police, and there is mistrust/ lack of confidence in reporting VAWG to police. This RIR proposal will work with industry to address this issue and identify appropriate solutions.

Andy Newton Nottingham Trent University Connected Places Catapult

Project roundup

Project title: The development, implementation and validation the Physical Digital Affordance Index for improving engineering decision making and enabling resilient design

Fellowship will develop the Physical-Digital Affordance Index (PDAI) that will enable the selection of appropriate design tools based on their required outputs. The project will develop this index in collaboration with real-world projects in three phases. First, by repeating academic studies in industrial settings; second, by carrying out new industry focussed studies, shaped with Digital Catapult partners and projects to develop the PDAI; and third, by exploring its validity and applicability in real world projects.

Santosh Bhattari University College London Satellite Applications Catapult

Project title: Towards an on-orbit calibration system for better positioning accuracy in the next-generation of space surveillance and tracking systems

The number of satellites on orbit will rise from about 5,000 to more than 50,000 by 2030. This dramatic and unprecedented growth in the space population must be carefully monitored and managed. To support this, space surveillance and tracking (SST) service providers must advance their ability to know where things are in space and they must provide their orbit solutions (i.e., position and velocity estimates) with quality metrics to relevant stakeholders in a timely and transparent manner to ensure trust. Santosh seeks to address this issue by establishing a calibration system to support SST technology.

Project title: Virtual prediction of vibrations and their effects on machining induced residual stresses

Surface integrity of a machined component determines its fatigue life and corrosion/wear resistance. Moreover, in line with Net Zero agenda, keeping residual stresses under control is critical for extending service life and reducing life cycle impacts of manufactured components. However, tight residual stresses requirements imposes challenges in achieving a controlled machining process. This project aims to develop digital models to predict machine dynamics and machining vibrations and their effects on residual stresses in milling.

Zekai Murat Kilic University of Manchester High Value Manufacturing Catapult (AMRC)

Mark Goudswaard University of Bristol Digital Catapult

Going Digital

Bristol University’s Mark Goudswaard checks in as his Researcher in Residence project with the Digital Catapult ramps up

Hi Mark, your project focuses on the creation of a Physical Digital Affordance Index (PDAI) - in theory how would this work in layman’s terms?

In layman’s terms, the PDAI would work as guide to support a designer in choosing whether to undertake a design activity physically or digitally. It would allow them to answer the general question - given I need to find out X with the involvement of stakeholders Y and Z, would a physical or digital design approach and/ or representation be the most appropriate?

Why do you think this tool or area of research is important?

The whole world is going digital. This was true before Covid, but has been greatly accelerated by the global pandemic. There’s no question that digital tools are powerful and allow rapid design space exploration, but they aren’t real; they are abstractions of reality underpinned by a whole host of assumptions. It is important that they are used appropriately in combination with physical counterparts to ensure that design is carried out effectively and digital delusions are avoided! The PDAI will supper designers in making decisions that can support this.

You’ve started at Digital Catapult, are you any closer to creating the PDAI and achieving your objectives?

Yes, we’ve completed a first user study [results detailed below] and have been scoping application projects with the catapult for applying the PDAI.

Do you have any mid-point/early highlights of the project?

In the first phase of the project we were able to undertake a neuro-cognition study (where we measure brain activation) during design activities. These showed that the use of physical design tools yielded higher brain activation overall that their digital counterparts. This is interesting in itself but is more so when we consider that with physical tools, designers were able to complete the task quicker with less stress or frustration whilst making comparable outputs. In other words in the context of the study: Digital tool = less brain activation, more stress and more time to complete task for a similar design output.

How has the experience of working at the Digital Catapult been for you?

Working with the Digital Catapult has been a really positive experience and I have found them very receptive to the research we are and have been undertaking at the University of Bristol. As an early career researcher it’s the first time I have worked trying to apply my work outside of academic contexts and the Digital Catapult have provided a fantastic and welcoming environment for me to do this.

digicatapult.org.uk

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We were able to undertake a neuro-cognition study during design activities which showed that the use of physical design tools yielded higher brain activation overall that their digital counterparts.