It encompasses the research areas of advanced composites and polymers, nanomaterial development, process development and control, process simulation, material modelling, sensors and data analytics, structural health monitoring, sustainable manufacturing and digital manufacturing.
The Engineering Composites Research Centre is a key spoke to the group’s hub as it has an industrial focus and seeks commercial application for the group’s scientific endeavours in sectors such as Aerospace, Automotive, Renewable Energy and Marine.
ECRE- Engineering Composites Research Centre
Ulster has been at the forefront of engineering excellence for textile weaving and composites ( 3D weaving of carbon/ ceramic fibres for thermoset/thermoplastic infusion) and is widely recognised as a leader, both nationally and internationally, in the field of design, manufacture and characterisation of advanced textile performs and composites across a range of textile manufacturing methods.
Funded projects (H2020, EPSRC, EU, PV, Innovate UK etc.) have involved the development, simulation, modelling and manufacture of advanced woven structures (with through-thickness reinforcement) for specific research and industrial applications and their associated technologies, including the development of composites with smart/functional capabilities.
Current projects include UKRI - Strength in Places – Artemis; NIACCE Competence Centre, Interreg- NWCAM, various EPSRC projects, and Royal Academy Industrial Fellowship.
The NWCAM project has accelerated Ulster’s research in the areas of additive manufacturing, specifically in high temperature polymers and continuous fibre reinforced composites to be deployed in the Aerospace, Medical Technology and Energy Sectors. Within the group we also have experts in composites for structural power.