We have a vibrant and rapidly growing research community with world class research in key areas including Precision Technologies, Railway Engineering, Engineering materials, Efficiency and Performance engineering, Mathematics and Data Science, Planning Autonomy and Representation of Knowledge, Visual and Immersive Computing, Cybersecurity, Industrial Analytics and Music Technology. We have over £6M per year of research income and in all of these areas we are creating knowledge to support industry, working closely with industry colleagues to ensure that our research has real impact on society.

Computing and Informatics

Researchers in computing and informatics are working in such diverse areas as visualisation, information and systems engineering and intelligent systems. Our facilities are state-of-the-art, incorporating a dedicated computer networking, mobile and forensic computing laboratory, as well as creative studio environments and industry standard software. Our aim is to research and develop new methods and technology in computer science that will have a real impact on global grand challenges in areas such as transport, health, security and energy.

Engineering

In Engineering our Centre for Precision Technologies is at the forefront of creating new measurement techniques, we apply novel techniques to real world problems. Highly innovative research and strong links with industry resulted in the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) designating the CPT as a National Centre of Excellence in Advanced Metrology in 2011. The EPSRC Centre’s focus is developing the UK’s manufacturing metrology capabilities as well as supporting economic growth in relevant sectors.

Research carried out in our Institute of Railway Research (IRR) has helped to improve the knowledge of the way in which railway vehicles interact with the track including key performance aspects such as suspension performance, wheel-rail contact, traction and braking. In partnership with industry and academic partners, this work has led to a number of tools and techniques being developed which are now used to predict deterioration of railway wheels and rails, to optimise the vehicle track interface, to increase safety and reliability levels, reduce cost and improve performance of the railway system.

Our International Institute for Accelerator Applications aims to teach, research, and lead developments in innovative accelerator technology and particle-target interactions, with applications for society in medicine, energy, industry and science. Our Centre for Electron Microscopy and Materials Analysis was set up in 2011 around the use of electron microscopy to study the interaction of energetic particles with matter. With relevance to materials for space, the semiconductor industry and particularly to the nuclear industry, this research informs decisions regarding the materials used in the current and next generation of fission and fusion reactors and waste encapsulation and storage