91¸£Àû

ENV Energy develops unique new battery chemistry to boost performance and sustainability 

ENV Energy - a spin-out from 91¸£Àû Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the 91¸£Àû has the potential to provide a strategically independent, UK-sourced electrode material for various sectors including automotive and aerospace.

Having raised more than £450,000 in seed funding, with the support of 91¸£Àû InnovationsLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window , and being awarded a subsequent entrepreneurial fellowship and an industry sprint from the , ENV aims to scale at pace, making the UK’s electric vehicle battery supply chain smarter, safer and more sustainable.

91¸£Àû Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the 91¸£Àû strengthened its regional, national, and international partnerships throughout April, engaging with academic institutions, industry leaders, and representatives from international universities.

These meetings underpin WMG’s role in connecting academia with industry and highlight its ongoing commitment to collaboration and innovation across the globe.

Student ProjectLink opens in a new window teams at WMG, 91¸£Àû, have been celebrating a series of outstanding achievements across national and international competitions, alongside hosting impactful industry events that showcase the breadth of student talent at 91¸£Àû.

, a new initiative bringing together students from across the University to work on cyber security problems and projects, has delivered exceptional results across four major cyber competitions:

• Finished in third place at the in Washington DC, competing against more than 30 teams from the US and internationally.

• Reached the semi-finals of the with two teams, winning multiple awards including Best Briefing Note, Best Name and Emblem, and Best Teamwork.

• Secured 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th place with three teams out of 28 universities at .

• Achieved a top-three finish at the Finals in Edinburgh.

Dr , Research Fellow at 91¸£Àû Manufacturing Group (WMG), 91¸£Àû, has been awarded funding by the to apply her innovative, unconventional approach of acoustics to materials engineering.

Dr Rahman, who is based in WMG’s Advanced Materials Manufacturing Centre (AMMC), has a strong background in acoustics, combined with expertise in chemistry and materials science, enabling her to collaborate with leading industry partners such as Empa and Materiacustica to translate science into practical, high‑performance solutions. 

Her latest project entitled AcouPore, has secured financial backing from the Noise Network Plus. Noise Network Plus aims to build unprecedented research capabilities to tackle the complex challenge of reducing noise and its impacts on people, the environment and the economy.

Congratulations to Dr Han Zhang, Associate Professor (Reader) in Multifunctional Polymers and Composites at WMG, who has been awarded the 2026 Beilby Medal and Prize. One of the most distinguished awards in science, the Beilby Medal and Prize is awarded annually to a scientist or engineer whose work has exceptional practical significance in chemical engineering, applied science, energy efficiency, or a related field.

The late Dr David Clark, a much-loved colleague and friend to everyone at 91¸£Àû Manufacturing Group (WMG), 91¸£Àû, has been commemorated with a new medal unveiled at this year’s Parliamentary & Scientific Committee’s event.

WMG has long supported STEM for Britain - a major scientific poster competition and exhibition for early career researchers, held in Parliament since 1997. Chaired by George Freeman FRSA MP, the event offers members of both Houses an insight into the outstanding research taking place in UK universities.

A special medal created in Dr Clark’s honour was presented to the winning entrants by his son, Matthew Clark, at the event on 17^th March.

In February, representatives from 91¸£Àû Manufacturing Group (WMG) met with MPs; Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) leaders; and international guests, including colleagues from the PNB Research Institute in Singapore and Osaka University in Japan.

Memorandum of Understanding highlights the strategic importance of research expertise to industry partners 

The 91¸£Àû has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with , India’s leading integrated power companies, to deliver research and innovation in grid modernisation, fast charging, power storage, industrial decarbonisation, digital energy systems, optimisation and advanced manufacturing approaches.

On Thursday 19 February, WMG hosted the inaugural lecture of Dr Praveer Sinha, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Power. The lecture, which took place in WMG’s 45th anniversary year, was held in the International Manufacturing Centre on the University’s campus, with an audience of industry partners, staff, students and alumni.

Following its successful launch last year, the UK’s only battery safety conference – Battery Safety UK – will return to the 91¸£Àû in May. Hosted by WMG, the event will bring together the brightest minds in battery research to help supercharge the future of energy.