Professor Ian Kinloch, University of Manchester

The current renaissance in carbon technology, initiated by the world-wide research wave in nanotubes and graphene, has led to a step-change in the understanding of graphitic (sp2) materials. The proposed Chair will transfer this new wave of fundamental science to the traditional carbon industry by bringing together the expertise of Morgan Advanced Materials, a FTSE 250 company and world-leaders in carbon materials, and Prof. Kinloch, a pioneer in carbon nanomaterials.

This collaboration will create a new, deep understanding of carbon-carbon composites (CCCs) using a combination of experimentation, state-of-the-art analysis and analytical models. We will create new pantograph strips and carbon fabric insulators and these developments will be transferable to seals, bearing, brushes and electrodes. We will then interface these new materials to metals and ceramics, with a focus on controlling the residual stresses, conductivity and wear of the interface. These sectors are worth currently ~£300M per annum to Morgan.

The profile of CCCs has declined in academia, with work outside Manchester focusing on new routes for low cost carbon fibres for the automotive and aerospace sectors (e.g. Imperial and Exeter/Bristol Universities). Internationally, Pennsylvania State University, USA has led carbon materials and this is where Morgan has established their first "Carbon Science Centre of Excellence". The proposed Chair at the University of Manchester will establish and lead the only spoke to this Centre. Thus, the Chair will be used to re-establish the crucially important discipline of CCC materials in the UK by building a centre of engineering expertise at Manchester.