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Leading researcher in composites joins Bristol

Ivana Partridge, Professor of Composites Processing

Ivana Partridge, Professor of Composites Processing

Press release issued: 11 December 2012

Ivana Partridge, Professor of Composites Processing in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and a leading researcher in the field of composites has joined the University of Bristol to run the EPSRC Industrial Doctorate Centre (IDC) in Composites Manufacture.

Ivana Partridge, Professor of Composites Processing in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Director of the new centre, has joined the University after leading the composites activities at Cranfield University for over 30 years. 

Professor Partridge’s long-term research interests include thermoset resin and composite toughening, through thickness reinforcement of composites, composite process control and polymer-metal-fibre hybridization. Her past research has been funded mainly by EPSRC grants, but also by EU and direct industry programmes.

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, said: “The Faculty is delighted Professor Partridge has joined the University.  Professor Partridge’s expertise in the field of composites will ensure the IDC provides the composites manufacturing industry with elite research engineers of the future.”

The Industrial Doctorate Centre (IDC), which will have close links to the National Composites Centre (NCC), aims to provide the composites manufacturing industry with engineers equipped with the necessary advanced technical and leadership skills required for effective adoption of new knowledge and technologies in composites manufacture.

Last week, 5 December, the Chancellor, George Osborne, announced an investment of £28 million to enhance the capabilities and capacity of the NCC.  The NCC, which is a part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, will invest the money to construct additional facilities adjacent to the existing building. The announcement reinforces the NCC’s continued success in providing a Hub for the UK Composites industry, and brings the total Government funding contribution to the centre to over £40 million.

The IDC is integral to the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites (EPSRC Centre) and will support over 30 EngD programmes, of four years duration, where selected research engineers will undertake specialist training and conduct an industrially focused research project, spending 75 per cent of their time at a company.

 

Further information

About Professor Ivana Partridge

Professor Partridge is Fellow in the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IoM3) and the current Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of the British Composites Society (Division of IoM3). She is a member of the EPSRC Peer Review College and the Research Awards review group of the Royal Society.

About ACCIS

The Advanced Composites Centre for Innovation and Science (ACCIS) is a leading international centre bringing together composites activities across the University of Bristol. Based in Engineering, it links to the Science and Medical Faculties and acts as a focus for collaboration with industry. Research encompasses four broad themes: Multifunctional Composites and Novel Microstructures; Design, Analysis and Failure; Intelligent Structures; and Composites Processing and Characterisation.

About the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites

The EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Composites is led by the University of Nottingham. The Centre benefits from academic partnerships across the UK, which includes the University of Bristol’s ACCIS and Cranfield and Manchester universities. Funding is provided by EPSRC and industrial sponsors; Rolls-Royce, GKN, Airbus, Bentley, Lotus, Caparo, Luxfer and Vestas.

The Centre is investigating major research challenges including ways to make the next generation of composites cheaper and faster to manufacture. The goal is to turn research ideas into new products and processes ready for the marketplace, ensuring the maximum impact to the industries which are investing in the Centre.

About the National Composites Centre

The NCC is a £25million investment supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the South West Regional Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The NCC is also part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, an elite network of world-leading technology and innovation centres to transform the UK’s capability for innovation, managed by the Technology Strategy Board. In addition, the centre has powerful support from industry with the private sector being involved from the inception. AgustaWestland, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN, Umeco and Vestas have committed almost £5.5million of work over three years.

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