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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/K503289/1
Title: Doctoral Training Centre in Continuous Manufacturing and Crystallisation
Principal Investigator: Florence, Professor AJ
Other Investigators:
Sefcik, Professor J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
AM Technology AstraZeneca Croda (Group)
Fujifilm Genzyme Corporation GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK)
Lubrizol Ltd (to be replaced) NiTech Solutions Ltd Novartis
Perceptive Engineering Ltd Solid Form Solutions
Department: Inst of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sci
Organisation: University of Strathclyde
Scheme: CDT - NR1
Starts: 01 July 2012 Ends: 30 June 2019 Value (£): 4,348,959
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Design of Process systems Manufacturing Machine & Plant
Particle Technology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
28 Mar 2012 Manufacturing the Future-Centres for Doctoral Training Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
This proposal is to establish a Doctoral Training Centre embedded within the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Continuous Manufacturing and Crystallisation. The Centre tackles a core issue in the manufacture of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals - an important sector for the UK - and has strong support from industry including major companies from

the Pharma sector (GSK, AstraZeneca, Novartis). We will enable manufacturers to shift their production processes from

traditional batch methods, which can be expensive, inefficient and limited in their control, to continuous methods that offer

solutions to each of these issues. The Centre can potentially make a huge impact on the UK's manufacturing efficiency in a

£multi-billion sector.

Although the EPSRC Centre does have a limited cohort of PhD students at the moment, there is no provision for 2012

onwards. As the largest of the current EPSRC Centres, achieving a critical mass of researchers across the core disciplines

is a key goal as we establish a world class research activity. It is also important for our industry partners that the UK can

meet their needs for trained people in this area and embed continuous processing in their manufacturing plants. We will

establish a unique and tailored training and research programme that meets these needs.

The proposed DTC will add an extra dimension to the EPSRC Centre, training 3 cohorts of PhD students with the skills,

knowledge and understanding to help meet the challenges of continuous manufacturing. Recruiting 45 students over 3

intakes in 2012/13/14 the DTC will mark a step change in activity in this field. We will attract the very best PGR students

and equip them to become future leaders who will be influential in implementing this transformational change. The

research will contribute to opportunites for new products that can be brought more quickly to market, using more reliable,

energy-efficient and profitable manufacturing routes.

The Centre involves a multidisciplinary team across 7 universities who will contribute to the DTC including expertise in

pharmaceutical sciences, chemical engineering, chemistry, operations management and manufacturing. Thus, the

embedded DTC will provide students with a unique programme of training across disciplines, using a combination of

modules and research activities. . Students will register in a host institution and will follow a 1+3 year model. Year 1 will

comprise intensive formal training delivered in 10 residential courses across the universities, including transferable skills

and group project work, allowing the cohort to gain identity and build team spirit and fellowship. Elective specialist elements

will then develop knowledge in preparation for PhD research, along with exploratory cross-disciplinary mini-projects.

Assessment of modules and projects will be by a combination of presentations and reports. Years 2-4 will focus on

multidisciplinary, co-supervised PhD research projects, allowing the student to work with academics from across the

Centre. Further transferable skills training and cohort building activities will include an annual two-week Summer School,

and networking opportunities with other cohorts. The proposed DTC has captured the imagination of our industrial

collaborators with 5 additional companies having added their support to the creation of this DTC. In addition to substantial

cash contributions they are offering training, site visits, project input, mentoring and short-term industrial placements.

We will create a national community of highly skilled researchers in continuous manufacturing and crystallisation, building

the scale and quality of research to enhance the international reputation of our Centre and make a real difference to the

manufacture of high-value products, such as pharmaceuticals. The training of 45 high quality DTC PhD students will make

a major contribution towards this goal.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
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Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.strath.ac.uk