Composites University Technology Centre
The Composites University Technology Centre (UTC) at the University of Bristol is a research centre supported by Rolls-Royce plc to advance composite materials technology and support their insertion into components, structures and systems, through understanding, characterisation, manufacturing advances, validated analysis and innovation. It aims to act as a focus for composites research activities, liaising with other universities to provide a coordinated programme to meet the needs of Rolls-Royce.
The Composites UTC was established in 2007 and in 2012 entered into a partnership with the Lightweight Structures UTC at TU Dresden to form the Rolls-Royce Composites University Technology Partnership (UTP).
We have also just released a video celebrating the long standing University of Bristol partnership with Rolls-Royce.
Studying in the UTC - Zoe Fielden-Stewart
"My 4 years within the UTC as a Rolls-Royce sponsored EngD student have been fundamental to my professional development. I worked on maturing composite technologies that aimed to provide solutions to real-world challenges facing the aerospace sector; specifically developing novel, high-temperature polymer composites. Exposure to many aspects of the aerospace industry broadened my skill set and industrial experience. My research’s impact within Rolls-Royce, facilitated through my UTC membership, is undoubtedly the reason I am now a Composite Materials Engineer at Rolls-Royce Electrical."
People
- Director
- Reader in Composite Structures
- Technical Fellow
- Vice Chancellor's Fellow
- Senior Research Associate
- UTC Lecturer
- Research Associate
- Visiting Research Associate
- Research Associate
- Research Associate
- Research Associate
- Research Associate
- Research Associate
- Research Associate
- Research Software Engineer
- Research Software Engineer
Research
The UTC conducts research in a number of areas relating to composites. These include projects include looking at through-thickness reinforcement, defects and features of composites, vibration and fatigue, novel structures and materials, woven textiles and composites manufacturing.
A full list of current research themes can be found here: Current UTC Project Themes Feb 2021 (PDF, 60kB).
Case studies
A pipeline of innovation – from Bristol Composites Institute to Rolls-Royce (PDF, 1,551kB)
Industry funding accelerates technology deployment (PDF, 933kB)
Our innovative work in the Bristol Composites Institute with Rolls-Royce was submitted to REF2021 as an impact case study. You can now read about it here.