Completed: Low-temperature densification of α-Al2O3 through a modified cold-sintering process

In collaboration with Johnson Matthey α-Al2O3 is a technical/advanced ceramic used in applications such as electrical insulation, wear, and corrosion resistance, with approximately 120,000 metric tonnes manufactured per year worldwide. Conventional processing of α-Al2O3 ceramics requires significant effort in optimising physical powder characteristics through reduction in particle size, followed by sintering at ~ 1600°C to […]

→ Read more

Completed: Developing biocomposite materials as low-carbon alternatives to ceramic tiles

In collaboration with Deakin Biohybrid The project focussed on formulation and process optimisation to develop and improve the performance of low-carbon, bio-based alternative to ceramic tiles. Optimised tiles displayed improved mechanical properties giving flexural strength up to 25 MPa, in excess of our initial target of 12 MPa. The methodology concentrated on an iterative statistical […]

→ Read more

Completed: Element-based mapping of waste and by-product material flows – a transformational enabler for industrial symbiosis

In collaboration with Tarmac Cement, Glass Futures, Wienerberger UK and CELSA Steel UK The Foundation Industries (FI) are keen to reduce the amount of raw materials they consume, and maximise the value of the by-products they generate. However, they lack integrated information about the volumes, chemical composition and end use of ‘waste’ which presents a […]

→ Read more

Completed: Improving surface interactions of waste plastics as grain substitutes within concrete

In collaboration with AMCRETE The cement industry is one of the biggest CO2 emitters on the planet and concurrently, we are facing a global crisis in plastic waste and how to repurpose, reuse or recycle it rather than disposing of it in landfill/incineration. The scope of this project was to allow concrete to be ‘dematerialised’ […]

→ Read more

Completed: New Metrology for Hydrogen Flame Imaging

In collaboration with PyrOptik Instruments Limited Hydrogen is an important source of energy, but visualising and measuring the temperature of its flames is a significant challenge to ensure its safe and efficient use and to understand the combustion process. The low intensity of hydrogen flame radiation in the visible and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic […]

→ Read more

Completed: Sustainable asphalt pavements with recycled concrete aggregate and waste glass

In collaboration with Total Reclaims Demolition Ltd Asphalt serves as the primary surfacing material for the road infrastructure in the UK, comprising mineral aggregates and bitumen. However, foundation industries in the UK generate a substantial amount of waste concrete and glass, which presents an opportunity to replace the limited natural aggregates. This project focused on […]

→ Read more

Completed: Circularising the Pressure Moulding of Ceramics

In collaboration with PCL Ceramics and Dr. Ozge Akbulut, Sabancı University, Istanbul In this project, we showcased an innovative way of processing ceramics in the dough form that is ideal for pressure-moulding (e.g., ram pressing and injection moulding) at room temperature with a minimum required pressure (hand pressing). The process involved the incorporation of a […]

→ Read more

Early Career Researcher Net Zero Conference

A two-day conference bringing together Early Career Researchers from across the Net Zero community.

→ Read more

Scaling-up technologies for the foundation industries

→ Read more

The need for skills provision when decarbonising the Foundation Industries

→ Read more