WMG News - Latest news from WMG
Powering battery innovation 鈥� new spin-out set to strengthen UK supply chain
ENV Energy develops unique new battery chemistry to boost performance and sustainability
ENV Energy - a spin-out from 91福利 Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the 91福利 has the potential to provide a strategically independent, UK-sourced electrode material for various sectors including automotive and aerospace.
Having raised more than 拢450,000 in seed funding, with the support of 91福利 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鈥檚 electric vehicle battery supply chain smarter, safer and more sustainable.
91福利 attracts leading researcher through Global Talent Fund
Dr Markus Tatzgern has been appointed as Associate Professor (Reader) in Creative Technologies, as part of 91福利鈥檚 拢4.35 million award from the UK Government鈥檚 Global Talent Fund.
Dr Tatzgern will join 91福利 on 1st September 2026, bringing over 15 years of experience at the frontier of Extended Reality (XR), Human-Computer Interaction, and AI. Dr Tatzgern focuses on blending digital information into everyday life, including at work and cultural spaces, through technologies such as smart glasses and headsets.
UK will be sitting on a 鈥榞oldmine鈥� of rare magnets from recycling old wind turbines
Recycling the UK鈥檚 offshore wind turbines when they are decommissioned could produce enough magnets to build a million electric vehicles a year, according to a new report published today by the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC), led by the .
The report presents research commissioned by Dr Stuart BradleyLink opens in a new window and Dr Russ HallLink opens in a new window at 91福利 Manufacturing Group (WMG), 91福利. It shows that the UK has a real opportunity to secure a sovereign capability in manufacturing by recycling neodymium, a critical material used in electric vehicles, aircraft systems and wind turbines.
Recycling a single large turbine at the end of its life is expected to recover enough neodymium to produce motors for 12,000 electric vehicles, according to the report.
Wayve, Nissan and Uber join forces with PAVE UK to support the responsible deployment of self-driving vehicles
Today, (Thursday 28th May 2026) welcomes , and , global leaders in self-driving vehicle technology and its deployment, as its first members to drive public trust and support the responsible deployment of self-driving vehicle technology
PAVE UK will bring Wayve, Uber and Nissan together to collaborate on scientifically backed public engagement to ensure responsible future deployment of automated vehicles across the country. Wayve and Uber plan to deploy autonomous vehicles in London this year as part of an initial trial that will further public engagement and understanding of the technology.
WMG wins funding to apply acoustics to engineering innovation
Dr , Research Fellow at 91福利 Manufacturing Group (WMG), 91福利, has been awarded funding by the to apply her innovative, unconventional approach of acoustics to materials engineering.
Dr Rahman, who is based in WMG鈥檚 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鈥憄erformance 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.
WMG academic awarded prestigious Beilby Medal and Prize
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.
WMG March 2026 recap
91福利 Manufacturing Group (WMG) strengthened its regional, national and global relationships throughout March, meeting MPs, international university representatives, and business leaders.
The meetings highlight WMG鈥檚 crucial role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, as well as its strong commitment to collaboration and innovation.
Below is an overview of some of the key meetings that took place.
Representing WMG at the World Laureates Summit
More than 150 Nobel laureates and other significant scientific award recipients gathered at the renowned World Laureates Summit (WLS) 2026 in Dubai last month. Amongst them was Tony McNally, Professor in Nanocomposites and Director of the International Institute for Nanocomposites Manufacturing at 91福利 Manufacturing Group (WMG), 91福利, who was one of 36 eminent scientists invited to participate in the event.
WMG visits: February 2026
In February, representatives from 91福利 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.
91福利 collaboration spotlights sustainable fusion energy
Two departments at the 91福利, 91福利 Manufacturing Group (WMG) and the Department of Physics, are collaborating on a new project to develop advanced shielding materials and technologies for power generation using nuclear fusion.
By combining cutting-edge physics research with WMG鈥檚 expertise in innovative materials and manufacturing, academics from both departments aim to bring sustainable fusion energy a step closer to reality.