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Join researchers and industry specialists to explore current and emerging materials challenges, gain insight from collaborative industry-academia projects and identify fresh opportunities for research and innovation.
Hosted by the Henry Royce Institute’s Material Systems for Demanding Environments (MS4DE) Research Area, this community event will bring together people working to understand and improve materials performance in demanding operating conditions.
About the Workshop
From high temperatures and pressures to cryogenic conditions and corrosive environments, demanding operating conditions present significant challenges for the performance and reliability of materials.
This event will explore how collaboration between research organisations and industry can help to address these challenges, while identifying emerging needs across energy, transport and alternative fuels.
Projects supported through Royce Industrial Collaboration Programme funding will provide practical examples of how collaborative research has addressed materials challenges. Speakers will share the impact of their projects and lessons learned from working together.
Industry representatives will then outline current and emerging challenges, setting the scene for an interactive panel discussion on the research, innovation and partnerships needed to address them. Dedicated networking opportunities throughout the day will help attendees exchange ideas and connect with potential collaborators.
Event Theme
Materials Challenges in Demanding Environments: Emerging Research and Innovation Opportunities
Audience
This event is open to researchers and industry professionals working on material challenges associated with demanding environments including:
- Academic researchers at all career stages.
- Specialists from research and technology organisations (RTOs) and other research organisations
- Industry professionals seeking materials solutions, research expertise or collaborative partners
It will be particularly relevant to those working on materials performance and degradation under high temperatures, high pressures or cryogenic conditions, or in environments where corrosion and oxidation affect component performance.
Why Attend?
- Gain insight into Industry’s current and emerging materials challenges
- Hear how collaborative research projects have delivered impact, and learn from the experiences of those involved.
- Contribute to discussions about future research and innovation opportunities.
- Build connections across the materials research and innovation community.
Event Details
Date: 23rd February 2027
Time: 09:45 – 16:00
Format: In-person
Location: Royce Hub Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL
Programme overview
Session 1 – Collaborative Research in Practice
Examples from Royce Industrial Collaboration Programme projects, highlighting their impact and lessons from industry engagement
Session 2 – Industry Perspectives
Current and emerging materials challenges in energy, transport and alternative fuels
Session 3 – Interactive industry panel
Discussion of research and innovation opportunities to address emerging materials challenges
The programme will include dedicated opportunities for networking and discussion throughout the day.
About MS4DE
Royce’s Material Systems for Demanding Environments Research Area explores how demanding operating conditions affect the integrity and performance of structural components and coatings.
By understanding how and why materials degrade, researchers can design and test innovative material solutions that improve performance and resist degradation. This work supports the development of technologies needed for the transition to a net-zero economy.
Registration and further information
Further programme details and registration information will be provided in due course.
For further information contact: cathryn.bell@manchester.ac.uk
February 23 2027
