Current projects
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) grants >£1M
Project: BladeUp: secure upscale of wind turbine blade production capacity
Total project value: £5.29M
End date: 31 August 2030
Funding body: EPSRC - Prosperity Partnership
Principal Investigator (UoB): Prof Alberto Pirrera. Co-Investigators (UoB): Dr Rainer Groh and Dr Bassam El Said
Partners: University of Bristol (Lead), Vestas Wind Systems and LMAT
About: This project will transform the design and manufacture of wind turbine blades using advanced computer modelling and machine learning, which will cut costs, reduce waste and speed up production, making wind energy more affordable and reliable. The aim is to boost production capability using existing infrastructure to facilitate the rapid growth of renewable energy. In pursuing this goal, the partnership will generate innovations that will also benefit industries like the aerospace and the automotive sectors through lighter, more efficient composite structures.
Project: Next Generation Fibre-Reinforced Composites: A Full Scale Redesign for Compression (NextCOMP)
Total project value: £6,205,244
End date: 30 June 2026
Funding body: EPSRC - Programme Grants scheme
Partners: Imperial College (Lead), University of Bristol, Airbus Operations Ltd, BAE Systems, GKN Aerospace, Rolls-Royce Plc, Hexcel Composites, National Composites Centre, University of Vienna, Vestas, Victrex Plc, Thomas Swan and Solvay Group
About: NextCOMP is an EPSRC Programme Grant developing a new generation of high performance fibre-reinforced polymer composites. The project focuses on the challenge of improving the absolute performance of composites in compression, whilst illustrating the value of multiscale hierarchical design.
Website: www.nextcomp.ac.uk
Project: EcoSuite
Total project value: £4,368,081
End date: October 2027
Funding body: ATI
Principal Investigator (UoB): Dr Neha Chandarana. Co-Investigators (UoB): Dr Ram Ramakrishnan, Prof Ian Hamerton and Prof Fabrizio Scarpa.
Partners: Safran Seats GB Ltd (Lead), University of Bristol, NCC Operations Ltd, Indestructible Paint Ltd, SHD Composite Materials Ltd, Hive Composites Ltd, University of Sheffield, Piran Composites Ltd
Project: Realising Functional Cellulosic Bio-based Composites
Total project value: £1,561,994
End date: 30 June 2026
Funding body: EPSRC - Fellowship scheme
Principal Investigator: Prof Steve Eichhorn
Partners: University of Cambridge, Aalto University, FiberLean Technologies, National Composites Centre, Futamura Chemical UK Ltd, Renuables, Texas A&M University and University of Leuven (Kulak Campus)
About: The technical work of the fellowship will focus on biobased and sustainable composites using cellulose towards functional materials. The ED&I aspect of the work will aim to improve the experiences and inclusion of Black students and staff. ED&I in Engineering Recent studies have highlighted that fewer than 1% of UK university professors are Black, with previous research showing that there are only 25 Black female professors in the UK.
Website: www.celbiocompedi.com
Project: RACHEL (Robustly Achievable Combustion of Hydrogen Engine Layout)
Total project value: £21,412,297
End date: June 2026
Funding body: Innovate UK - BEIS funded programmes
Partners: Rolls Royce (Lead), University of Bristol, Causeway Aero Ltd, NCC, IPT Aero UK Ltd, Short brothers, Imperial College London and Reaction Engines Ltd
About: The aim is to develop technologies and architectures that deliver an effective and practical hydrogen combustion gas turbine powerplant able to operate safely, practically and reliably with Liquid H2 fuel across the full operating range, and to deliver a commercially viable product.
Website: UKRI Gateway to Research - RACHEL
Project: SCALE-UP (Sustainable Composite for Automotive and Low Emission UK Production)
Total project value: £6,341,420 via the Advanced Propulsion Centre including a government grant of £3,158,432 through the Collaborative R&D programme
Funding body: Innovate UK - Collaborative R&D programme
Principal Investigator (UoB): Dr Eric Kim. Co-Investigators (UoB): Prof Stephen Hallett, Dr Jonathan Belnoue, and Prof Ian Hamerton
Partners: JLR (Lead), University of Bristol, Carbon ThreeSixty Ltd, iCOMAT, Engenuity Ltd, Lineat Composites and Helicoid Industries
About: Developing a growing UK supply-chain, enabling high-volume application of lightweight and circular composite technologies for the automotive industry.
Project: Gradient Shells: Tailoring Geometric and Material Anisotropy for Structural Efficiency, Adaptivity and Sustainability
Total project value: £2,021,798
End date: 30/11/2029
Funding body: UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Round 9
Principal Investigator: Dr Rainer Groh
Partners: UK Space Agency, NASA, Airbus UK Ltd, Lineat Composites, iCOMAT Ltd, Swansea University and NCC
About: Developing high-performance composite shell structures from recycled carbon fibre.
European funding
Project: Natural nEUROactive Mechanical mETAmaterials (NEUROMETA)
Total project value: € 2,478,140
End date: 30 September 2026
Funding body: European Research Council (ERC) - Excellent Science
Principal Investigator: Fabrizio Scarpa
Partners: Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
About: Metamaterials are artificially engineered and endowed with properties beyond those encountered in naturally occurring materials. Despite their wide applicability in communication systems, sensing and robotics, metamaterials are based on fossils and exhibit a high carbon footprint. The EU-funded NEUROMETA project is interested in developing metamaterials with neuroactive behaviour. Researchers will exploit the inherent properties of natural plant fibres and spider silk strands to design and generate novel metamaterial architectures. The work will lead to metamaterials with adaptive behaviours that mimic artificial neural networks and are at the same time environmentally friendly to fabricate.
Project: Durability modelling of composite structures (D-STANDART)
Total project value: £4,352,915.35
End date: 31 December 2025
Funding body: EU Horizon
Principal Investigator (UoB): Giuliano Allegri
Partners: Rolls-Royce plc (lead), University of Bristol, NLR, TU Delft, Hexagon, Luo, Suzlon, NCC Operations Limited, iCOMAT and University of Twente
About: This project aims to develop rapid methods to characterise fatigue damage in composites and sustainability of composite supply chains; and thereby model the durability and sustainability of large-scale composite structures with arbitrary layups under realistic conditions (loads, environment, manufacturing imperfections).
Website: https://d-standart.eu/
Project: Development of Bio-based and biodegradable polyethylene and polyesters for food packaging and agricultural applications (BIO2Ps)
Total project value: € 3,978,091
End date: 30 September 2029
Funding body: European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Challenges 2024, Horizon 2020
Partners: Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest
Principal Investigator (UoB): Prof Steve Eichhorn
About: Bio2PEs aims to revolutionize the plastic sectors by developing bio-based and biodegradable polyethylene (PE) and polyester, directly derived from biomass waste, to combat plastic pollution and advance sustainability. The project will develop four eco-friendly, functional prototypes for food packaging, textile packaging, agricultural mulch, and crop protection membranes, addressing key sectors in need of sustainable alternatives.
Other funders
Project: Designer Liner 2
Total project value: £3,251,283
End date: September 2027
Funding body: Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority for England and Wales
Partners: Yorkshire Water Services Ltd (Lead), University of Bristol, NCC Operations LTD, Water Research Centre Ltd, RPS Environmental Management Ltd, Thames Water Utilities Ltd, Scottish Water, Affinity Water Ltd
About: Water pipes are often underground and at mercy of the elements – meaning that they are prone to leaks and bursts. Repairing and replacing water pipes is costly, so one way to reduce issues and prolong the lifespan of a pipe is to line it and add an extra layer of protection. Pipe lining is 50% cheaper than more traditional methods, it generates less carbon and reduces disruption for customers because there’s less need to dig up the road. Water companies will collaborate on this project to develop a lining solution that is fit for a 21st century water network that complements other technologies, like smart networks and devices.
Website: www.waterinnovation.challenges.org/winners/designer-liner-2