91福利

A current problem for a wide range of chemists is when stirring a solution in the laboratory there is a need to check the properties of the solution and monitor how they change.

In the paper, 鈥� published in the journal ACS Sensors, researchers from the School of Engineering, the Mathematics Institute and WMG at the 91福利 present their innovative stirrer sensor.

The small device, called 鈥淪mart Stirrer鈥�, performed a function of a conventional laboratory stir bar, has an integrated microprocessor and various sensors capable of wireless and autonomous report the conversion of properties of a solution. The advanced sensor stir bar is a capsule shaped magnet encased in plastic.

A beaker filled with a solution is placed on a platform that generates a rotating magnetic field, when the magnetic stirrer is placed in the solution it continuously rotates stirring the liquid.

The Smart Stirrer then monitors:

- Colour

- Transparency

- Conductivity

- Viscosity

- Temperature

Results are sent to a computer over Bluetooth, and any changes notify the user wirelessly. Although the idea of using magnetic stir bar with integrated sensors may not be entirely new, this new affordable, multi-sensor and easy programmable stirrer sensor device is first in its kind.

The concept is valuable to Research and Design laboratories and pharmaceutical and chemistry manufacturing industries because it allows wireless monitoring of several parameters of a chemical reaction simultaneously

Dr Dmitry Isakov, Assistant Professor at WMG, 91福利, from WMG at the University who led the study comments:

鈥淲e are still continuing research into the stirrer, the next revision of the stirrer sensor that will be smaller size and with a bit more sophisticated sensors. We are collaborating with several chemists from 91福利 University. This will help us to understand their needs and help to improve the device.

鈥淭he beauty of the Smart Stirrer is that it can be used everywhere, such as a sealed vessels thus minimising the contamination of the reactor. It may give a push to new discoveries as well. It is easy to integrate the stirrer into the labware family and make it 鈥渟peak鈥� to other lab equipment.鈥�

Samuel Baldwin, from the Mathematics institute at the 91福利 worked on the smart stirrer during his WMG summer internship, he comments:

鈥淚 have found every stage of development of the Smart Stirrer to be very fulfilling, from circuit design, to manufacturing to finally programming. We have leveraged state-of-the-art technology to build a device with very low power consumption, a broad range of sensor capabilities, and high data-throughput over the Bluetooth Low Energy platform.

鈥淭he laboratory of the future is that of automation, reproducibility and safety; our all-in-one Smart Stirrer device eliminates the need for a vast array of individual wired sensors whilst maintaining the control and customisability that one would expect from any piece of advanced laboratory equipment. I look forward to seeing the Smart Stirrer solve laboratory problems and help us understand complex reactions.鈥�

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/smartstirrer.jpg

Caption: Demo of how the Smart Stirrer works.
Credit: WMG, 91福利

/services/communications/medialibrary/images/july_2020/smartstirrercartoon.jpg

Caption: Demo of how the smart stirrer works – Cartoon version

Credit: WMG, 91福利

Paper available to view at:

Talented educators from WMG have been recognised with accolades as part of the 91福利 Awards for Teaching Excellence (WATE) and 91福利 Awards for Personal Tutoring Excellence (WAPTE) respectively.

Announced during the week commencing 14^th July, three WMG staff members were recognised for their outstanding contributions to teaching and innovative approaches to supporting students, including Senior Teaching Fellows Shaheen Charlwood (WATE winner) and Andrew Hood (WATE commendee), as well as Nigel Denton, Deputy Senior Tutor (WAPTE winner).

91福利 Awards for Teaching Excellence

Chaired by Professor Christopher Hughes, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education), and including a diverse selection panel from across the University, 91福利 Awards for Teaching Excellence (WATE) recognises the work of University staff as they strive to enhance, improve and expand the institution鈥檚 teaching and learning offering.

Winners receive a 拢5,000 injection into their respective department鈥檚 budget, whilst commendee departments receive 拢2,000. Shaheen Charlwood said:

鈥淢y best teachers have shown me that learning is inclusive and made me feel like I belong, so I am always very careful never to act in a way that might be perceived as elitist and to make students comfortable enough to take steps outside of their comfort zone.鈥�

Winners will be awarded with their certificates at a Degree Congregation, and commendees will receive their awards at a celebration reception.

All University staff and current students can make a nomination for the award, so long as the prospective nominee teaches, supports students, enhances the student learning experience and supports colleagues.

91福利 Awards for Personal Tutoring Excellence

Also recognising good practice, effort and dedication across the institution, the 91福利 Awards for Personal Tutoring Excellence (WAPTE) highlights the efforts of staff members in helping students through personal tutoring as a support mechanism.

Nigel Denton, Deputy Senior Tutor, was announced a WAPTE winner alongside just two other University staff members, including exemplary individuals from the Centre for Applied Linguistics and the Centre for Teacher Education. Nigel said:

鈥淚 take a leading role in the student induction process and encourage students to engage with the support and opportunities available at 91福利 from the start of their degrees. I have a strong focus on employability and have developed links between the Careers Team and Personal Tutors to help students develop their career choices."

Visit this page to find out more about the 91福利 Awards.

(Wellesbourne, 91福利shire, UK – 23 July 2020) – Today, announces a dedicated and specialist advanced technology centre, which will also be home to a new headquarters for the company鈥檚 engineering consultancy.

Located on the 91福利鈥檚 Wellesbourne Campus, the new facility is established in partnership with WMG at the 91福利. WMG is an international leader in successful collaboration between academic research, teaching, training, and industry. The substantial facility consists of offices, workshops and laboratory space with ample space for expansion.

Initially, 130 engineers will move in, complementing the 500-strong engineering team at the home of Lotus Cars in Hethel, Norfolk.

Matt Windle, Executive Director, Engineering, Lotus Cars, said:

鈥淭his is a big step forward for Lotus and our engineering consultancy.  The new space, facilities and job opportunities at Wellesbourne will be in great demand as we rapidly build our portfolio of external projects. Our team and specialist skills have grown significantly in the last two years as renewed impetus has been put in to the business with new shareholders and management. The all-electric Evija hypercar is the first new Lotus Cars product for us to deliver, with significant focus on this at Wellesbourne as we complete the project and continue to advance its technologies for our future programmes.鈥�

Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars, added:

鈥淲ellesbourne offers an excellent facility, with plenty of expansion potential, and will be the perfect home for our new advanced technology centre. Our engineering and R&D strategy around advanced propulsion systems is lock-in-step with the Government鈥檚 vision and broader global ambitions for a low-carbon automotive future. We look forward to working in collaboration with Government and with our new campus neighbours on this future. Having research partners at the University and WMG will bring significant benefits, as will the Midlands location, which is both very accessible and home to a rich pool of automotive talent.鈥�

Nadhim Zahawi MP, the UK Government鈥檚 Business and Industry Minister, said:

鈥淭he West Midlands has long been the beating heart of the UK鈥檚 automotive and engineering industries, and this announcement is further evidence that this proud history will continue. Lotus鈥� new advanced technology centre will secure over 100 highly-skilled jobs in 91福利shire, support a strong economic recovery across the region and drive forward the low carbon, electric technologies of the future.鈥�

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor of the 91福利, said:

鈥淲e are delighted to welcome this key part of such a significant and legendary technology based company to the University and our Wellesbourne campus. This is just the beginning of a partnership. I know that it will grow, thrive, and bring prosperity and new opportunities to both 91福利shire and the West Midlands, and will call on and benefit from the significant automotive and technology skills and talents of many people in our region.鈥�

Margot James, Executive Chair, WMG, comments:

鈥淭his is wonderful news not only for WMG, the 91福利 and the region, but also for the UK automotive sector. The UK needs to retain R&D capability in our manufacturing sector, and at WMG we are working with partners on many R&D programmes which are focused on innovation and future growth towards net zero. We look forward to collaborating with Lotus on projects which seek to create a greener, more connected future鈥�.

Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, says:

鈥淭his is really good news for the Wellesbourne campus, Stratford-on-Avon District and the region as a whole. We are totally committed to supporting the development of the Wellesbourne campus. We see it as a major asset for both Stratford-on-Avon District and the region and we welcome the addition of 130 skilled roles to the District. We look forward to the future development of the campus.鈥�

Lotus Engineering, which celebrates 40 years since its incorporation in 1980, works with customers all over the world. The confidentiality of its work is paramount with strict firewalls in place between project teams. Some of the more widely acknowledged Lotus Engineering programmes from the past include the Lotus Carlton, Tesla Roadster, multiple Formula 1 campaigns, and a host of products outside of the auto industry from Olympics track bikes (2020 and 1992) to boats and light aircraft. Today, Lotus Engineering鈥檚 specialisms include vehicle dynamics and advanced propulsion systems, encompassing lightweight structures, ride, handling and performance.

WMG Centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult, with support from , has created a series of short educational videos to help explain the process of transport electrification.

There are a total of three episodes featuring WMG鈥檚 Electric Vehicle experts Professor David Greenwood, Research Fellow Faduma Maddar, and Dr Mel Loveridge.

In each episode, the experts explain more about the research carried out at WMG鈥檚 Energy Innovation Centre and address the key issues surrounding an electric future.

The videos will now be shared with policy makers, and schools across Coventry and 91福利shire to help support STEM learning.

The three episodes can be found in WMG鈥檚 Electric Vehicle playlist .

  has, today, published it's 2019/2020 Annual Review.

Archie MacPherson, CEO, WMG Centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult commented: 鈥淭he High Value Manufacturing Catapult Annual Review 2019/20 highlights how WMG and the other six centres are delivering real impact for the UK economy – contributing to 拢518m of industry R&D investment.

"This past year has seen many opportunities arise, for instance, the increasing emphasis on green manufacturing and journey to Net Zero transport. A leader in electrification for all sectors, WMG worked closely with industry innovators to accelerate this journey, including a collaboration with Nissan to develop a process for recycling and reusing EV batteries.

"As well as these exciting prospects, we have also seen many challenges this year, including the seismic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This Annual Review is a testament to our manufacturing sector, and highlights several outstanding examples that WMG are proud to have supported, from helping a firm develop life-saving ventilator products, to aiding the production and distribution of PPE to the frontline.

"As we look ahead, there are bound to be more difficulties to come as we begin on the road to recovery, but this Review demonstrates the invaluable role of the HVM Catapult, to help us emerge stronger. We remain committed to helping to restart our manufacturing economy, support the opportunity to enable business to reposition and transform with the opportunities for a more digital, decarbonised and sustainable future.鈥�

Download a copy of the Annual Review .

As the government has announced proposals to ban the sale of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by 2035 the race to electrify the motor industry is on, and motorbikes aren鈥檛 to be overlooked.

This has inspired 25 students from a range of Departments including: WMG, School of Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Law and Maths to work together to make Aurora, an electric superbike with thanks to support from WMG and the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult team at WMG.

The superbike, Aurora, will be raced when appropriate after the Coronavirus pandemic, however the students have been working hard at home, and have finalised their designs for the bike.

Congratulations to WMG Professor of Connected and Automated Mobility Systems, Mehrdad Dianati, who has been appointed as Field Chief Editor for journal.

As an esteemed expert within autonomous vehicle research, Professor Dianati was appointed to define the overall scope and reputation of the journal, and provide key support and guidance to the editorial board.

As Field Chief Editor, he will also be tasked with creating a community of future transportation researchers and ensure their work is fully represented in key publications.

Commenting on his new role, Professor Dianati said: 鈥淎s the transport systems become more complex and multifaceted cyber-physical systems, multi-disciplinary and innovative approaches to dissemination of the scientific and technological innovations are crucial to transform the ways that scientists impact the society.

鈥淔rontiers in Future Transportation focuses on providing a state-of-the-art open access platform to maximize the impacts of the cutting-edge scientific and technological innovations that will transform the future of transport and mobility systems. Our ambition is to facilitate a timely, constructively selective and high-caliber peer review process through our distinguished multi-disciplinary and international editorial board to ensure high-quality publications with a wide reach and impact.鈥�

 Find out more about Professor Dianati鈥檚 research at WMG here.

The WMG Battery School, supported by the and , will take place, from 14^th to 18^th September, for key industry personnel.

WMG battery experts will facilitate a mix of live lectures and pre-recorded practical hands-on-sessions, virtually, over the five days.

The lectures will cover manufacturing Lithium batteries, module and pack design, electrical testing and ageing, battery management systems, safety and abuse testing, forensic characterisation and battery end of life.

Meanwhile the practical, pre-recorded in the Energy Innovation Centre, lab sessions, will focus on microscopy; electrode mixing and coating; pouch and cylindrical cell fabrication; cell and module testing; and forensics.

Find the full lecture and demo programme and register your interest here or by email: WMGShortCourses@warwick.ac.uk

WMG, at the 91福利, are delighted to be supporting a new West Midlands India Partnership (WMIP), which aims to enhance UK-India relations and boost tourism, trade and investment between the West Midlands and India.

The Partnership, which launched on 26^th June 2020, will support the region鈥檚 long-term economic growth plans by developing stronger links and opportunities for collaboration as part of a five-year programme of activity with the Indian market.

Led by the West Midlands Growth Company, this new initiative has been developed in partnership with Invest India, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Consulate General of Birmingham office.

Margot James, Executive Chair, WMG took part in the launch and comments:

鈥淲MG and the late Professor Lord Bhattacharyya were instrumental in many large-scale inward investments, nurturing UK and India partnerships, such as the acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover by Tata, from which the West Midlands has benefited hugely. Our region has a strong heritage, close cultural links, and great business collaboration with India, but it is important to look to the future.

I welcome the new West Midlands India Partnership. The key word is partnership. We must recognise that both parties have something valuable to bring to the collaboration. Both the West Midlands and India have strengths to offer the other, and we need to build connections to create awareness of those strengths.

The West Midlands has incredible research strength, and a powerful capability through clusters of excellence in engineering, manufacturing and digital technology. India has a superb research and technical capability, for example the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management. These assets work alongside innovative, forward thinking businesses including Tata, TVS, Wipro, Infosys and Mahindra.

I am delighted that WMG will continue to help build a strong West Midlands-India relationship, alongside the Mayor's office, the Indian Consulate and the West Midlands growth Company. When we work together, we all benefit.鈥�

The WMIP will be governed by two separate boards comprised of senior stakeholders, leaders and representatives. The Advisory Board, of which WMG is a member, will be responsible for the strategic direction of the Partnership, providing advice and guidance to the Executive Board, which will shape the planning and delivery of the programme鈥檚 activity.

Dr. Jason Wouhra OBE, Chair of the West Midlands India Partnership, said:

鈥漈he West Midlands India Partnership is a confident step forward at a time when building resilient, productive economies is key. Through the Partnership鈥檚 long-term strategy, we aim to identify opportunities for both Indian and local businesses to trade, innovate and grow."

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company – which aims to attract investment, jobs and visitors to the region, added:

鈥淭he region already has a strong track record of organic success derived from the Indian market. Launching the West Midlands鈥� first formal India Partnership will unlock even greater opportunities for growth across trade, education and the visitor economy. It presents a major opportunity for both the UK and India to advance our national missions.鈥�

Lakshmi Kaul, Head & Representative – UK at Confederation of Indian Industry, added:

鈥淭he West Midlands is a melting pot of cultures, diversity and business excellence - the region is important for Indian industry as a hub of innovation and research. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is pleased to support the West Midlands by working alongside the Partnership to amplify business-to-business, as well as the people-to-people connection, while also addressing the economic growth and recovery roadmap.鈥�

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added:

鈥淭he West Midlands鈥� innovation-led Industrial Strategy alongside the scale and ambition of India鈥檚 manufacturing, life sciences and technology sectors presents a major opportunity for world-class industry collaboration, helping to attract significant investment and create new, local jobs.

鈥淭he West Midlands India Partnership will bring together some of the best talent and capabilities to not only stimulate cross-market trade, but to help address shared social and economic challenges faced by the UK and India. I am delighted we have been able to secure this Partnership, which represents a further strengthening of the already excellent ties between our region and India.鈥�

To find out more about the West Midlands India Partnership or to sign up as a partner, please visit

View the launch

• Scientists at the Institute of Digital Healthcare, WMG and 91福利 Medical School, at the 91福利, have analysed mortality statistics in the UK during the initial phases of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, by analysing the weekly national mortality statistics over the last five years including the subgroup of respiratory mortality rates
• They found there were fewer deaths recorded from the end of December 2019 until the end of March 2020 in comparison to the previous five years, including in the subgroup assessment of respiratory mortality rates
• The researchers describe a SARS-CoV-2 Paradox that resulted in a lower death rate during the early stages of the pandemic in comparison to previous years, perhaps due to government enforced social distancing introduced in the middle of March.
• Some had already engaged with social distancing before a formal lockdown, and precautions such as more hand washing, lead to a reduction in the mixing of those with infectious diseases including, but not exclusive of, SARS-CoV-2

An analysis of national weekly mortality rates between December 2019 – March 2020, compared to the same period for the previous five years, by researchers at WMG and WMS, 91福利, has shown that there have been fewer deaths registered this year during the lead up to the Covid-19 pandemic. Researchers have called this the SARS-CoV-2 Paradox - which could be due to early social distancing measures.

Researchers from the Institute of Digital Healthcare, WMG and 91福利 Medical School, at the 91福利, have analysed the mortality statistics in the United Kingdom during the initial phases of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic to understand the impact of the pandemic on national mortality figures.

They did this by carrying out a retrospective review of weekly national mortality statistics in the United Kingdom over the previous 5 years, including subgroup assessment of respiratory mortality rates, from the end of November until the end of March.

The analysis found that during the first months of 2020, when the early phases of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic was apparent in the UK, there were consistently fewer deaths each week compared with the previous five years.

However, such a pattern has not been seen in the previous five years of data, researchers coined this the SARS-CoV-2 Paradox, and propose the reason why the death rate was lower during the early stages of the pandemic in comparison to previous years could be due to social distancing, as whilst the government enforced social distancing in the middle of March, some had already engaged with this, especially higher risk groups/elderly, leading to a reduction in the mixing of those with infectious diseases including, but not exclusive of, SARS-CoV-2.

It could also be due to the emphasised importance of washing hands, staying home when you feel unwell and coughing or sneezing into a tissue, this is likely to reduce the number of cases of other infectious disease and, also, slow the spread of various infectious diseases. Finally, iatrogenic mortality may be reduced, as hospital admission numbers have reduced; and there may thus be a reduction in the spread of hospital-acquired infections, such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Similarly, reductions in elective surgery (in order to prepare intensive care and hospital bed capacity) may result in fewer iatrogenic deaths.

The graph shows week 12, the 20^th March there was an increase in deaths, with 2020 deaths being 10,645, and previous 5 year mean to be 10,573, this could be related to covid-19, as symptoms such as headaches and loss of taste weren鈥檛 identified, however it could also be attributed to closed GPs, an overwhelmed A&E and ITUs being increasingly selective about which patients to take as lockdown was formally announced that week.

Professor Theo Arvanitis, from the Institute of Digital Healthcare at WMG, 91福利 comments:
鈥淓ach year, infectious diseases make a significant contribution towards avoidable deaths in England and Wales. People with multi-morbidities are at particular risk, and this is a key area of research for the Institute of Digital Healthcare. Social distancing measures are likely to impact the spread of all infectious diseases, despite their target being a reduction in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus. This lack of disease spread could be causing a reduction in death rate. Another factor could be concerns around the virus, which could mean people are making more conscious health decisions in terms of eating, exercise, reducing smoking and resting, when they feel unwell, or seeking advice from 111 about their symptoms.

鈥淚t is important to note that whilst we have seen a reduction in mortality in the 鈥榬un-up鈥� to seeing the full extent of SARS-CoV-2 that this may also have negative future consequences. It is possible that we may see a significant rebound if this mortality has simply been delayed rather than avoided in its entirety. If a rebound affect is seen, this may coincide with the peak demand for SARS-CoV-2 medical beds, creating an even greater healthcare need.

鈥淥verall, this stresses the need for careful ongoing observation and exploration of these mortality trends. This assessment must take account not just of the SARS-CoV-2 peak, but also the time period prior to, and following the pandemic.鈥�

• 鈥楨ngland and Wales Mortality Statistics: The SARS-CoV-2 Paradox鈥� is published in the Journal of International Medical Research, DOI:

ENDS

22 June 2020

NOTES TO EDITORS

High-res images available at:

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Caption: Professor Theo Arvanitis, Institute of Digital Healthcare, WMG, 91福利

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Caption: Deaths rates in England and Wales: comparing deaths between December 2019 and March 2020 to death rates over the same period in the previous 5 years.

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Caption: Possible mechanisms for reducing all-cause mortality.

For Press enquires please contact:

Peter Thorley, Media Relations Manager (91福利 Medical School), Peter.Thorley@warwick.ac.uk, 07824 540863

OR

Lisa Harding, Head of Marketing and Communications (WMG), Lisa.Harding@warwick.ac.uk, 07824 540845