Research in Engineering

A list of our current areas of research is given below:

Energy Storage and Harvesting

Research under the theme of energy storage and conversion is split in two key areas: synthesis and characterisation of functional materials; and design and testing of energy storage and conversion devices.

Our energy harvesting research focuses on on the development and optimisation of energy systems, with an emphasis on improving efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. 

• Heat capture/recovery: Water, infrastructure
• Heat transfer and fluids
• Bio-energy
• Heat pumps 
• Rechargeable batteries
• Supercapacitors
• Nanoporous carbon
• Transition metal oxides
• Hydrogen storage materials
• Hydrogen fuel cells

Buildings and Town planning

Our building and town planning research includes developing sustainable solutions for retrofitting buildings to meet net-zero targets, improving insulation, heat recovery, and managing off-grid systems

• Retrofitting, Net-Zero buildings
• Construction management
• Heritage
• Insulation and heat release
• Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Town planning
• Structural Engineering
• Nanoindentation study
• Self-compacting concrete
• Sustainable Urban Development

Aerospace Engineering

The research within aerospace engneering focuses more on aircraft  engineering which includes investigating new technological solutions to aircraft sustainable design and performance.

• Aircraft Structures
• Aerodynamics and fluid mechanics
• Dynamics, controls, and robotics
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Sustainable aviation
• Hydrokinetic Turbines
• Multidisciplinary optimization
• Fluid Structure Interaction
• Propulsion

Innovative Design and Manufacturing

Our research focuses on robotics, manufacturing information interoperability for establishing digital twins, 5-axis CNC programming and vector-based post processor development, composite manufacturing, metrology, collaborative product and process innovation, advanced opto-mechanical systems, such as Microwave Plasma coating systems and gas sensors, alongside bio-medical technologies for bone cell growth using nano-vibrations.

• Product design and data management (CAD/CAM/CAE/DFM)
• 4Rs and Remanufacturing
• Agile prototyping
• Composites Lightweighting
• Robotics
• Digital Twins
• Nano-materials
• Testing and validation

Project and Quality Management

Our research in:

Project and Quality Management explores priorities sustainable approaches for effective engineering and operational practices. 

Engineering and Operations Management, we explore methods to optimise resources and reduce environmental impact, balancing productivity with sustainability. In Project, Programme, and Portfolio Management, we develop frameworks that align responsible project delivery with time and cost management, supporting efficient and sustainable outcomes.

Our work in Risk Management includes identifying environmental and operational risks, allowing organisations to manage challenges proactively and overcome them eventually. Through Lean Six Sigma, we study continuous improvement practices that aim to minimise waste, reduce defects, and enhance efficiency, promoting greener and streamlined operations. The research also addresses Industry 4.0 technologies, such as IoT, automation, and data analytics, to support advanced, sustainable manufacturing and project management practices. By combining these areas, we aim to develop practical solutions that support both business growth and responsible environmental management., contributing to a sustainable future for industries and communities.

• Project Management Methodologies and Frameworks
• Project Risk Management
• Project Portfolio Management (PPM)
• Stakeholder Management and Communication
• Project Scheduling and Resource Management
• People Centred Project Management
• Sustainability in Project Management
• Quality 4.0 and 5.0
• Lean Six Sigma

We can confidently state that our research activities in environmental sciences directly map to 5 UN SDGs:

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 7: Affordable And Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, UWS was officially recognised in the top 400 universities worldwide as assessed against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UWS was recognised as the 2nd most impactful university in Scotland, and 16th globally, for 'reducing inequalities' (UN SDG 10).

Find out more about UWS and UN SDGs

The minimum requirements for an applicant for registration for the degree of MRes or MPhil or for the degree of MRes/MPhil with the intention of transfer to PhD shall be a first or second class honours degree of a university in the United Kingdom, or of an equivalent qualification.

Applicants holding qualifications other than those specified in (above) shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the programme of work proposed.

Direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University if the applicant holds an MRes/MPhil degree of a United Kingdom University, or an MRes/MPhil degree of equivalent standard of a non-UK University, provided that the MRes/MPhil degree is in a subject area which is appropriate to the proposed programme of work.

Exceptionally, direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University, even if the applicant is not the holder of an MRes/MPhil degree, but does hold an exceptionally high-quality honours degree or taught master’s degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline, AND has appropriate research experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in significant peer-reviewed publications, and where verifiable evidence of accomplishment is supplied.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.

General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• Overall score of 6.5
• No sub-test less than 6.0

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS