The
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has set up a £42.5 million research partnership to develop ‘groundbreaking new materials’. The new centre, set to open later this year, will bring together world-leading UK experts in a national effort to accelerate advances in ‘defence material technology for extreme physical environments’.
The DMEx will research, create, and prototype new materials for the armed forces, materials that can survive in the harshest conditions such as: temperatures of 1,000°C; polar to tropical operations; high impact vibrations; shock; blasts; and extreme water depths. Applications of such materials range from body armour for military personnel to the protection of sensitive electronics in satellites from radiation damage, and corrosion-resistant submarine components.
The
Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials, which operates its hub at the
University of Manchester, will lead the centre of excellence with 23 other partners from academia, industry, and research organisations such as the Catapult Network.
Defence Minister James Cartlidge said: “These exciting new materials not only fortify the safety of our personnel and assets, but also symbolise our creativity and innovation in the face of defence challenges. The research and creation of these materials will secure highly skilled jobs and expertise across the country and cement the UK’s place as a global leader in advanced materials.”
Paul Hollinshead, Dstl’s chief executive, added: “Advanced materials are the building blocks of the future and an area of great international competition. Today, we are putting the UK on path to maintaining its strategic advantage by harnessing all the nation’s talents. This highly collaborative partnership between Dstl, academia, and industry will create operational advantage for our armed forces, while supporting UK growth and prosperity.
“Defence research not only contributes directly to the prosperity of the UK but also has a strong track record in developing innovations that have dual use for the benefit of civilian applications. Funding in the centre will also help the UK grow the vital skills needed in this important technology area. A study commissioned by the UK Government showed advanced-materials-related activity contributes an estimated £14.4 billion in gross value added to the UK economy, equivalent to around £72,000 per employee.”