The series will showcase leading developments in industry together with cutting-edge research from the University’s Advanced Engineering Centre (AEC). The webinars will also include relevant government policy insights, and funding opportunities.

The first webinar on 16 July will focus on remanufacturing, covering the topic from a range of technical and business perspectives. Topics include:

• Remanufacturing Policy and Funding – Speaker Ben Peace, Head of Manufacturing at the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN);

• Research and innovation in Remanufacturing – Speaker Dr Yan Wang, Principal Lecturer and member of the Advanced Engineering Centre at the University of Brighton; 

• Integrating thermal management from initial concept to supply – Speaker Dr Richard Tuley, Lead Research Scientist, European Thermodynamics Ltd

• Implementation of remanufacturing in rail applications and beyond – SpeakerIan Briggs, Director of Aspire Engineering;

• The potential of remanufacturing in Medtech and beyond – Speaker Cormac O’prey from Kestrel Technologies;

• The role of universities and business networks in your innovation journey – Speaker Dr Shona Campbell, Associate Director (Enterprise) at the University of Brighton

Remanufacturing can play a key role in building a more sustainable economy. It is based on the idea of re-using component products – termed ‘cores’ – that are returned to the same standard and conform to the same specifications as a brand-new equivalent. Extensive inspection and testing ensure remanufactured products conform to their original design specification. Remanufacturing differs from reconditioning or repair, and greatly extends the useful life of often expensive, resource hungry products through multiple life cycles – potentially boosting both sustainability and profits.

“Remanufacturing adds value to waste streams by returning items to working order rather than reducing them to their raw material value only. Remanufacturing, which is an important element of the circular economy, is growing rapidly globally. The UK is an EU leader in remanufacturing.”

Dr Wang, University of Brighton

The second in the series will be a Zoom webinar on Thermal Management. Industrial and mechanical processes generate heat, and a key element of engineering design is to ensure that temperature can be regulated in the system. In addition, to optimise efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, engineering design seeks to recover waste heat to provide power. This webinar – on Friday 23 July from 1215-1345 – will present recent insights and industrial applications of innovation in thermal management. 

“Advanced Engineering is a strength across Sussex and the Gatwick Diamond, with a wide range of businesses making a vital contribution to the regional economy. Through this webinar series the University of Brighton hopes to share engineering innovations from academia and industry, and showcase the potential of business/university partnerships.”

Dr Campbell, University of Brighton

For any questions about the event, or innovation collaborations please contact the RISE team.