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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/S02252X/1
Title: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Functional Industrial Coatings
Principal Investigator: Sullivan, Professor JH
Other Investigators:
Penney, Professor D
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
A-Gas AKZO Nobel BASF
BiPVco British Coatings Federation Defence Science & Tech Lab DSTL
Doncasters Group Ltd Hexigone Inhibitors Ltd Hybrisan Ltd
icmPrint Ltd Institute of Materials Finishing (IMF) Luxfer MEL Technologies
Mondelez UK R and D Ltd National Nuclear Laboratory NSG Group (UK)
R-Tech Services Ltd Tata Steel Tinmasters
Wall Colmonoy Limited Weartech International Ltd Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru)
Department: College of Engineering
Organisation: Swansea University
Scheme: Centre for Doctoral Training
Starts: 01 October 2019 Ends: 31 March 2028 Value (£): 4,573,487
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Manufacturing Machine & Plant Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Manufacturing
Chemicals Water
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
07 Nov 2018 EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training Interview Panel P – November 2018 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
Coatings are ubiquitous throughout day to day life and ensure the function, durability and aesthetics of millions of products and processes. The use of coatings is essential across multiple sectors including construction, automotive, aerospace, packaging and energy and as such the industry has a considerable value of £2.7 billion annually with over 300,000 people employed throughout manufacturers and supply chains. The cars that we drive are reliant on advanced coating technology for their durability and aesthetics. Planes can only survive the harsh conditions of flight through coatings. These coatings are multi-material systems with carefully controlled chemistries and the development and application of coatings at scale is challenging. Most coatings surfaces are currently passive and thus an opportunity exists to transform these products through the development of functional industrial coatings. For example, the next generation of buildings will use coating technology to embed energy generation, storage and release within the fabric of building. Photocatalytic coated surfaces can be used to clean effluent streams and anti-microbial coatings could revolutionise healthcare infrastructure. This means that this new generation of coatings will offer greater value-added benefits and product differentiation opportunities for manufacturers.

The major challenges in translating these technologies into industry and hence products are the complex science involved in the development, application and durability of these new coatings systems. Hence, through this CDT we aim to train 50 EngD research engineers (REs) with the fundamental scientific expertise and research acumen to bridge this knowledge gap. Our REs will gather expertise on coatings manufacture regarding:

- The substrate to be coated and the inherent challenges of adhesion

- the fundamental chemical and physical understanding of a multitude of advanced functional coatings technologies ranging from photovoltaic materials to smart anti corrosion coatings

- the chemical and physical challenges of the application and curing processes of coatings

- the assessment of coating durability and lifetime with regards to environmental exposure e.g. corrosion and photo-degradation resistance

- the implantation of a responsible and sustainable engineering philosophy throughout the manufacturing route to address materials scarcity issues and the fate of the materials at the end of their useful life.

To address these challenges the CDT has been co-created with industry partners to ensure that the training and research is aligned to the needs of both manufacturers and the academic community thus providing a pathway for research translation but also a talent pipeline of people who are able to lead industry in the next generation of products and processes. These advanced coating technologies require a new scientific understanding with regards to their development, application and durability and hence the academic impact is also great enabling our REs to also lead within academia.

Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.swan.ac.uk