Advanced materials and automation: manufacturing's 'dream team'
The University of Manchester青瓜视频檚 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青瓜视频榮 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 青瓜视频� 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.
青瓜视频淭he first industrial revolution in Manchester was world famous for its textiles and weaving technologies and we are at the start of the next industrial revolution 青瓜视频� but this time we are to use advanced materials and advanced manufacturing processes,青瓜视频� he said.
青瓜视频淪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.
青瓜视频淚n Manchester, everything comes together 青瓜视频� 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.青瓜视频�
This 青瓜视频渦nique proposition青瓜视频� has, in fact, already helped Dr Koncherry attract inward investment from North America, with $5 million (青瓜视频3.6m) being put into his start-up Graphene Innovations Manchester (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 Manchester and from this provide a model to underpin the UK青瓜视频檚 national capability to making advanced products.
To find out more about Dr Koncherry青瓜视频檚 pioneering work and also how graphene-based composite technology is a key to lightweighting in sectors including aerospace and automotive, watch the film below: