About the University Technology Centre
To advance composite materials technology and insertion into components, structures and systems to meet the demands and challenges faced by our modern-day society through world-class research and innovation.
The Composites University Technology Centre, supported by Rolls-Royce plc, 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. Through working with university partners, the Composites UTC is able to provide a coordinated programme of research activities, including validated analysis. The Composites UTC has built up the necessary experience and capability for innovative technology development at the highest level.
As part of the University of Bristol's 15-year partnership with Rolls-Royce, the Bristol Composites Institute has made a significant contribution to Ultrafan's carbon-Titanium (CTi) composite fan system through new advances in the prediction and mitigation of impact damage in composite fan blades and containment casing - an essential requirement for aircraft safety and engine certification.
Both the Composites UTC and Rolls-Royce are committed to developing innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions. The partnership between Rolls-Royce and the University of Bristol will enable continuous technological advances to achieve this, and support Rolls-Royce in making lower-carbon flying a reality for airlines and passengers around the world.
We chose to partner with the University of Bristol for a number of reasons, firstly, because they’re a world class university, consistently ranked in the world’s top 100 for research and teaching. Secondly, the University of Bristol has world class expertise in composites, which gives us access to world leading academics and researchers, unique resources and emerging talent. I think the partnership with Bristol is so strong because of the excellent working relationship and the close collaboration that we have. We have really excellent interaction between the researchers at the University and our engineers at all levels across the business.