Our research focusses on providing knowledge, insight and innovative technological breakthroughs that improve the sustainability, design, integrity and performance of manufacturing processes and products, through more efficient use of resources, development of novel materials and pioneering Industry 4.0, leading to socio-economic and environmental benefits.
Aligned with the Government’s GCRF challenge areas and Industrial Strategy ‘Grand Challenges’, our strengths mean we can make a significant impact on the industrial and global societal challenges with our challenge-led, interdisciplinary research.
Our excellent disciplinary manufacturing research provides knowledge, insight and innovative technological breakthroughs in Industry 4.0: the automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies, including the Internet of things, cloud computing and cognitive computing, often referred to as the fourth industrial revolution.
Our work in manufacturing and materials innovation
View all
Research expertise
Our challenge-led, interdisciplinary research and innovation in manufacturing is underpinned by a number of research groups including:
Additive Manufacturing and 4D Printing
The Additive Manufacturing and 4D Printing Research Group seeks to understand the fundamental aspects and applications of programmable materials through layer-wise methods of production.
Advanced Powertrain and Fuels
We have particular strengths in improving the efficiency and reducing energy cost of existing engines through developing low temperature combustion processes and their controls and regenerative braking, as well as unique methodologies for the study of fuels and engines.
Assessment of Structures and Materials under Extreme Conditions
Thermo-mechanical modelling of metallic, non-metallic and composite structural materials; numerical methods development for solid and structural mechanics applications; experimental methods to support the development and application of advanced material and structural models.
Automotive
Our industry-focused expertise is supporting the future development of new transport technologies, helping address the challenges of producing cleaner, more efficient vehicles and fuels along with integrated intelligent transport systems.
Biomedical Engineering
Research in the growing multi-disciplinary field of advanced technology as devices, processes and modelling to advance health through improvements in therapy, diagnosis, screening, monitoring and rehabilitation.
Bioprocess and Biopharmaceutical Engineering
We pursue research into separation and purification techniques and associated instrument design/operation, to ensure further improvements are made in the speed, through-put, economy, resolution and efficiency of downstream processing
Brunel Composites Centre
Shared research and technology capabilities, specialising in novel composites processing and joining technologies applied to industrial environments.
Brunel Innovation Centre
A world-class research and technology centre that sits between the knowledge base and industry.
Circular Metals
An interdisciplinary academic team (including macroeconomics, industrial sustainability, business management, artificial intelligence, product design, metallurgical science and materials engineering) and a strong industrial consortium involving the full range of the metals supply chain delivering the transformation of the metals industry.
Design and Manufacturing
Developing products, services and manufacturing processes that will deliver economically and environmentally sustainable solutions, based on design principles derived from an understanding of human capabilities and limitations.
Design for Sustainability
We focus on developing the theory and practice required to design solutions that foster environmental, socio-ethical and economic sustainability in areas ranging from materials and manufacturing to products, services, business models, bottom-up initiatives and socio-technical systems.
Digital Design Lab
User-centred research, innovation, consultancy and knowledge transfer aimed at design, development and evaluation of innovative digital and digital-physical systems, products, services and experiences.
Digital Manufacturing
Being at the forefront of solutions for building smart machines, we create an operational framework for the digital transformation to Industry 4.0.
Digital Process and Simulation
Emerging Energy Technologies
Energy Efficient and Sustainable Technologies
Thermal systems including renewable systems and their application; Single and two-phase heat transfer processes–enhanced heat transfer; Refrigeration; Heating-cooling and ventilating systems; cooling of electronics; Coatings and nanofluids in thermal applications; Modelling and energy efficiency in thermal systems; Carbon capture systems; Energy storage, renewable hydrogen and fuel cell systems; Energy materials; Energy use in communication systems.
Engineering Management and Sustainability
Equitable Development and Resilience
Centred on development and social justice issues, our group continually reflects upon how individual and collective agency can contribute to meaningful change around climate action and sustainability across Global North and South nations.
Experimental Techniques Centre
A highly regarded cross-disciplinary characterisation facility, with specialist staff that have expertise from various scientific disciplines, e.g. biology, metallurgy, geology and engineering.
Flood Risk and Resilience
Flood event prediction, management, and response; Water, wastewater, and water supply; Critical infrastructure and sector dependencies and interdependencies; Hazard vulnerabilities.
Flood, Coastal and Water Engineering
The Flood, Coastal and Water Engineering Group addresses the challenges of water scarcity, aging water infrastructures and flood management in the UK and worldwide. The group also concentrates on providing research solutions for recycling water and offering sustainable water resources for domestic and industrial uses.
Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering
Delivering a new understanding of our geo-environment and critical infrastructure in diverse ecosystems, for predicting and preventing catastrophic failure and responding to the need for decarbonisation and energy security.
Heat Pipe and Thermal Management
Thermal management; Energy efficiency development; Emission reduction; Energy recovery; Heat-pipe technology; Heat exchangers; Fluid dynamics.
Human-centred Design
Covering inclusive design, design for ageing demographics, and perception enhancement.
Inclusive Design
Inclusive Design Research Group at Brunel University London brings together multidisciplinary expertise to understand different factors causing exclusion, to develop methods and interventions for improvement, and to advance the knowledge of design for inclusion.
Institute of Energy Futures
We have particular strengths in environmental design in refrigeration, heating and cooling and disruptive energy and fuels bringing together researchers from different disciplines as well as mainstream engineering research.
Liquid Metal Engineering Hub
The Hub's research programme, co-created with industry partners, focuses on the closed-loop recycling of metallic materials as the single greatest challenge and opportunity facing the global manufacturing industry.
National Structural Integrity Research Centre
Leading the way in cutting-edge research focused on engineering and materials, Cambridge based National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC) is embedded within TWI's headquarters. Brunel serves proudly as the lead academic partner in the joint initiative with TWI.
Non-traditional Manufacturing Technologies
Development, application, and implementation of non-traditional manufacturing technologies: electro-discharge machining, electrochemical machining, laser technologies, vibration machining of brittle materials, abrasive flow machining, electroforming, diamond machining, ultrasonic machining and many more.
Organ-on-a-Chip
The group’s main research focus is on women’s health and developing four main organ-on-a-chip (OOC) models: the breast, vagina, ovary, and placenta.
Resilient Structures and Construction Materials
RIMS research group brings together material scientists and structural engineers to deliver resilient infrastructure (buildings, bridges etc.) made of sustainable, advanced materials to perform under harsh natural environment and human-induced hazards.
Resource Efficient Future Cities
Urban energy; Sustainable advanced materials; Energy efficiency in buildings; System integration of energy and infrastructure planning at community/district/city scales.
Robotics and Automation
We carry out world-class research in robotics and autonomous systems, exploiting and exploring opportunities to develop innovative solutions for industrial and societal applications.
Sustainable Energy Use in Food Chains
Energy demand and GHG emissions reduction in all stages of the food chain; optimal ways the food chain can utilise different energy sources and interact with the energy supply system; resource efficiency through intensification of food processing.
Two Phase Flow and Heat Transfer
Focussing on various aspects of fluid flow and heat transfer, from the nano to the macro scale with applications to industrial thermal systems, aerospace, energy generation, process industries as well as carbon capture and utilisation.
Smart Manufacturing and Materials Innovation