Swansea University’s steel researchers win two prestigious awards
Two steel research projects led by Swansea University have received awards from the Royal Society, one of the world’s most prestigious scientific organisations.
The projects – a better way to tackle corrosion and more efficient use of furnaces – are on a list of only 11 awards across all subjects and the whole of the UK.
The awards are intended to help turn research into real products – “from labs to riches” as the Royal Society puts it.
The idea is to help researchers develop a proven novel concept or prototype into products that are almost ready for the market.
Swansea University joins Cambridge, Imperial College London and Warwick University as a recipient of two awards, but it was the only institution to receive accolades for its work on steel.
The awards underline Swansea’s status as the home of innovation for the UK steel industry. The City Deal for Swansea Bay, recently announced on the Swansea University campus by Prime Minister Theresa May, includes funding for a UK steel science centre.
An award of £30,000 was made to further the research into a better, safer way to beat corrosion.
Corrosion inhibitors are commonly used in construction, aircraft and cars, but the inhibitor used most widely – hexavalent chromate – will be banned from 2019 due to environmental and health concerns.
The Swansea team discovered a material and manufacturing process for a smart release coating which has lower environmental impact and outperforms hexavalent chromate in laboratory tests. It lasts 12 times as long in delaying corrosion and makes testing 20 times as fast.
The other award of £50,000 is for a project that is looking into making furnaces more efficient with new stirring techniques.
Researchers reviewed the stirring method used for liquid steel at the Port Talbot site. Argon gas is blown into the 300-tonne steel melt using metal elements called tuyeres.
By analysing these after they were removed from service and laserscanning the steelmaking vessel, the team identified points of weakness. They devised a new design, now patented by the university, which is set to improve efficiency and product quality.
The entries were co-ordinated by Dr Adrian Walters of the College of Engineering.
The awards are the latest accolades for Swansea’s steel researchers. From greener buildings that generate their own energy, to lighter steel for a new generation of cars, they are using steel to develop tomorrow’s technologies.
Situated in the heartland of British steel, only a few miles from the Port Talbot plant, Swansea University’s record of innovation is built on strong links with the industry.
Swansea University Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard B Davies said: “To win two Royal Society awards for our steel research is a magnificent achievement. It is further proof that Swansea is the natural home for innovation in the UK steel industry.
“Innovation is the bedrock of the 21st-century steel industry. Ever since Swansea University was founded to meet the needs of the metal industry, it has been at the forefront of innovation. That remains the case today, as these awards illustrate.
“We have a wealth of expertise and talent, and a rich network of partnerships with the industry. All this is being mobilised to help the UK become a world leader in steel.”
Dr Hermann Hauser, science entrepreneur and co-chair of the Royal Society’s Science, Industry and Translation Committee, said: “These awards support some of the very best, innovative researchers in UK universities to increase their chances of entrepreneurial success.
“The process of translating research from academia into commercially viable products can be challenging and we are proud to help bridge the journey for researchers.”