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Net Zero projects
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.
Meeting the government’s target of Net Zero by 2050 will require transformation across many areas. Our RiRs will be commencing world class research which will help the UK meet its target.
Tranche 1 projects
Since the 1950s, it’s estimated that 9 billion tonnes of plastic have been manufactured. Of that output, only around 9% has ever been recycled. And the problem is growing. Dr Alejandro Sanchez Monsalve from the University of Bath is striving to understand and reverse the plastic production line.
Dr Andrew Ross Wilson from Glasgow Caledonian University is set to work alongside Satellite Applications Catapult towards a carbon baseline for the UK space sector, a vital step on the road to understanding the environmental impact of space activity.
Researcher in Residence: UK space sector set for its first ever carbon baseline
In a move to bolster the UK’s commitment to Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a cutting-edge research project funded by the Innovation Launchpad Network+ and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and led by Northumbria University’s Ben Xu is set to delve into the mechanics and materials that underpin the expansion of offshore wind power.
Researcher in Residence: Paving the way for sustainable offshore wind expansion
An innovative project, led by Professor Dawid Hanak from Teeside University and Connected Places Catapult, has been funded by the Innovation Launchpad Network+ to decarbonise railway stations, a vital but often overlooked component of the transport infrastructure.
In a decisive move towards fortifying wind energy’s pivotal role in achieving Net Zero by 2050, a cutting-edge research project is set to redefine the reliability and cost-effectiveness of wind turbine energy systems.
Researcher in Residence: Bearing with the wind energy sector
In a bid to revolutionise urban transport hubs and lead the way toward a Net Zero Carbon future, a groundbreaking research project is set to unfold, centering around the urban renewal of Bristol Temple Meads (BTM) rail station. A collaborative effort between the University of Bristol‘s Ges Rosenberg and Connected Places Catapult, the 15-month project leverages systems thinking, focusing on systems-of-systems and interdependency planning, with the broader goal of providing a blueprint for sustainable, decarbonised urban transport hubs globally.
Due to a collaborative project between Connected Places Catapult and the University of Liverpool’s Dr Haopeng Wang, a transformative Researcher in Residence project is set to reshape the landscape of sustainability in the UK’s transport sector and infrastructure.
Researcher in Residence: Circularity in the transport sector
Led by the University of Exeter’s John Hardwick, this project is poised to revolutionise the landscape of tidal stream developments.
Collaborating with Energy Systems Catapult, the University of Sheffield’s Prof. Mathieu Lucquiaud is leading a project poised to reshape the UK’s energy landscape.
In a quest to propel the UK towards its ambitious Offshore Wind Sector Deal targets—50GW of offshore wind (including 5GW floating) and a substantial 60% local UK wind turbine content by 2030—a transformative research project led by the University of Strathclyde‘s Maurizio Collu, a distinguished expert in wind energy systems and in collaboration with Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, is set to redefine the landscape of offshore energy engineering. Currently, with only ~13.6GW (including a mere 0.08GW floating) operational and a content rate of 48%, a significant paradigm shift is imperative.
Researcher in Residence: Pioneering project to propel the UK towards wind sector goals
Mikhail Matveev of the University of Nottingham is working on a transformative solution in composite manufacturing in collaboration with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. With fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) already proving their worth by reducing vehicle weight and fuel consumption, Matveev will be focussing on slashing production costs for wider adoption in transport and beyond.
Researcher in Residence: Waste-free composites manufacturing
The University of Bristol’s Dr. Ola Michalec is embarking on a groundbreaking journey to scrutinise the intersection of energy systems and democracy in the digital age. Focused on the captivating concept of digital twins, her EDIT (Energy and democracy in digital twins) project engages with Energy Systems Catapult‘s digital twin demonstrator project, delving into the realm of collaborative energy modelling.
Researcher in Residence: Shaping democracy in the Digital Twin arena
Consumer commitment to renewable energy technologies holds a central role in realising the UK’s ambitious Net Zero targets. A significant challenge lies in guiding consumers through a cognitive and emotional journey towards embracing these technologies, such as heat pumps for home heating. Professor Paul Howard-Jones, from the University of Bristol, tackles this challenge by drawing on a multidisciplinary approach encompassing psychology, neuroscience, and education in collaboration with Energy Systems Catapult.
Researcher in Residence: Supporting Net Zero and consumer challenges in embracing new technology
Thanks to funding from the EPSRC, the University of Bristol’s Dr. Saeed Jahdi is 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.
Revolutionising electric vehicle reliability comes down to four layers of crystal
A groundbreaking research project is set to revolutionise energy storage with a focus on industry-relevant performance testing of battery anodes. Developed through a sustainable and scalable method, this Researcher in Residence project, led by Siddharth Patwardhan from the University of Sheffield and Warwick Manufacturing Group (part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult) addresses the critical need for advancements in energy storage technologies to lower carbon emissions and accommodate the growing demand for electrification.
Researcher in Residence: Powering up battery anodes for a greener future
Contact
We are happy to discuss your proposal before submission. Contact the Innovation Launchpad Network+ management team at: RiRapplications@amrc.co.uk
- Director: Dr Pete Osborne, Senior Research Fellow, The University of Sheffield – p.osborne@amrc.co.uk
- Network Manager: Dr Kristina Parry, The University of Sheffield – k.parry@amrc.co.uk
- EPSRC contact: Rhys Perry, Senior Manager, Impact and Business Engagement EPSRC – rhys.perry@epsrc.ukri.org
Alternatively you could make contact with the relevant theme contact/s:
Professor Fiona Charnley, University of Exeter – f.charnley@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Stephen McArthur, University of Strathclyde – s.mcarthur@strath.ac.uk