REF 2021: Unit of Assessment 12

UOA 12: Engineering

REF 2021

Our research activities are aligned to addressing societal challenges, advancing knowledge, creativity and innovation. We have developed a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research portfolio, which is contributing to clean energy, energy efficiency and the durability of structures and complex interacting systems.

Our partnerships strengthen our shared impact, with industry collaborations including national and global partners such as the Ministry of Defence, Schaeffler and ASM Assembly Systems.

Find out about the impact of our research:

Preserving historically important battle tanks and developing best practice in the heritage vehicle museum sector

Staff conducting research: Professor Zulfiqar Khan, Dr Adil Saeed, Dr Hammad Nazir

BU’s Condition Monitoring, Analysis and Prediction model (CMAP) develops reliable estimates of large engineering structures’ performance and vulnerability, by using improved simulations based on experimental observations and data.

In 2009, a BU team began a collaboration with the Tank Museum, with the aim of implementing a framework to monitor and, ultimately, slow down structural deterioration. This led to a patented novel sensor design and the development of a framework of remote sensing techniques, which were used to predict failures such as corrosion, deterioration, cracking, chipping, coating and significant wear and erosion.

The Tank Museum applied BU’s novel conditioning method – now patented – to significantly increase the lifespan of its vehicles and preserve them for future generations. The research data was also critical in securing £2.5m in Heritage Lottery funding to build the museum’s Vehicle Conservation Centre, which established optimal preservation and operating conditions for heritage vehicles, and is defining best practice for museums worldwide.

Find out more

How our electrical stimulation devices have improved long-term medical conditions

Staff conducting research: Professor Ian Swain, Dr Jon Cobb, Professor Tom Wainwright, Professor Robert Middleton, Professor Paul Taylor, Choukri Mecheraoui

Electrical stimulation is a method of controlling muscles using an external device, following neurological disease such as stroke or musculoskeletal problems. When used to provide a specific function, such as walking or hand grasp, it is known as functional electrical stimulation (FES).

Professor Swain’s research using an electrical stimulation device demonstrated significant advantages over traditional physiotherapy to rehabilitate patients after a stroke.

Professor Swain has steered a collaboration between BU, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust and Odstock Medical Limited (OML), after taking the lead in patenting the first Odstock Dropped Foot Stimulator and helping establish OML. The clinical service has since expanded to include the treatment of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease.

The findings from the partnership have helped develop the National Clinical FES Centre in Salisbury, the largest clinical service in the world, and provided equipment for other FES centres across the UK.

The FES devices developed with BU research input have radically improved people’s lives, increasing their functional ability and their participation in society