Faculty of Science and Technology

Collaborative research and consultancy

Research in Engineering is organised around 5 key research groups:

1. Micro and Nano Systems
2. Radiometrics and Special Instruments
3. High Power Microwave Engineering
4. Structures, Design and Manufacturing
5. Energy is a cross-cutting Science and Technology Theme and within the Engineering Department there is expertise in renewable Energy and nuclear decommissioning.

Our skills are applied to the supply chains of NW industry sectors such as aerospace, automotive, biomedical, nuclear, and energy and environmental technologies.

Research with SMEs

The LPDU Unit also has a small, but actively growing research arm which aims to disseminate the work undertaken in the use of design technologies for novel applications.

Research work undertaken so far looks at rapid prototyping applications, the use of eco-design methodologies in SMEs and the approach taken for strengthening domestic dwellings through integrity-analysis software. Examples of Rapid Manufacture applications include aerospace and automotive components, packaging, medical implants, hearing aid shells and surgical guides, and consumer products.

• LPDU Research Areas

Support for Design and Rapid Manufacturing (SusDRaM Project)

This expertise is complement by a business support programme for Northwest-based SMEs, the SusDRaM Project, which has been running since 2009 and is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It provides bespoke design and additive manufacturing technologies to develop and build new products. The projected assisted 60 companies August 2010-2011.

• SusDRaM Project

LPDU have been engaged in numerous consultancy projects over the years and are happy to discuss your requirements.

Student Placements

We evaluate the needs of each business and match these to the appropriate student resource across Science and Technology. We place around 80 students a year in 60 companies.

LPDU supervise a number of research students (both at Masters and Doctoral level) and taught student projects (Bachelors and Masters). Business can benefit from having a group of 2-3 highly skilled Engineering Graduates who will work on a range of projects with businesses.

19 projects are currently being delivered through the MSc Engineering (by Research).

Collaborative or CASE Studentships

The Advanced Manufacturing Theme currently has three CASE studentships in progress including United Utilities and Reeds Engineering.

CASE stands for Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering and offer one way for businesses to develop a long term partnership with Science and Technology at Lancaster through a heavily subsided long term R&D project.

Awarded by the UK Research Council, CASE Studentships provide funding for the most able students to undertake three years of study for a PhD degree, five years for part time awards and work on a project jointly designed and supervised by a university department and a company, who can be from the public, private or voluntary sectors, ranging from multinationals, SMEs, local authorities and registered charities.

The student will be specially selected in collaboration with the company and will spend at least 3 months during the period of the award at the company’s premises. The company partner is required to contribute a minimum of a third of the Research Councils contribution.

For more information on CASE Studentships see the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

Training

We deliver bespoke workshops educating companies in the use and benefits of design, RM technologies and techniques.

For example, half day SusDRaM-funded Masterclass which provides businesses with an overview of Additive Manufacturing technologies and business benefits and shows how the technology is being used by companies large and small, to bring new products to market across a range of industries.

There is also a range of standalone taught modules in Engineering available as part of our continuing professional development.

Product Development and IPR

We offer bespoke design and additive manufacturing technologies to develop and build new products.

• SusDRaM Support for design and rapid manufacture

We have the added benefit of being able to tap into the university’s experienced IPR experts to ensure that for every partnership we enter into, any IPR issues are addressed and agreed amongst all parties involved.

Facilities

Rapid Manufacturing

Although identified as a key technology platform within the European manufacturing arena (European Union Rapid Manufacturing Platform), RM as a production solution remains in its infancy, with up-take restricted almost exclusively to large scale global OEMs and technology focused research firms.

Due to our size and capacity we can offer facilities beyond the average SME.

• We have a dedicated Rapid Manufacturing facility, accessible as a technology demonstrator, learning resource and operational design and manufacturing facility.
• We can also provide access to other suitable technology platforms on a national and European basis through our network of OEM system manufacturers, developers and commercial service providers.