New advanced materials centre of excellence

The Defence Materials Centre of Excellence (DMEx) is set to unite top UK experts in a nationwide initiative, aiming to fast-track advancements in defence material technology for extreme physical conditions.

DMEx will focus on researching, creating, and prototyping materials for the armed forces capable of withstanding severe environments, including:

• Temperatures up to 1,000°C
• Operations ranging from polar to tropical climates
• High impact vibrations
• Shock
• Blasts
• Extreme water depths

These advanced materials are crucial for UK security, ranging from personnel body armour to protecting satellite electronics from radiation damage and crafting corrosion-resistant submarine components.

The Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials, headquartered at the University of Manchester, will spearhead the centre of excellence, collaborating with 23 other partners from academia, industry, and research organisations such as the Catapult Network.

Defence Minister James Cartlidge commented: "These exciting new materials not only fortify the safety of our personnel and assets but also symbolise our creativity and innovation in the face of defence challenges.

“The research and creation of these materials will secure highly skilled jobs and expertise across the country and cements the UK’s place as a global leader in advanced materials.”

Dr Paul Hollinshead OBE MBA, Dstl Chief Executive, stated:

“Advanced materials are the building blocks of the future and an area of great international competition.

“Today we are putting the UK on path to maintain its strategic advantage by harnessing all the nation’s talents.

“This highly-collaborative partnership between Dstl, academia and industry will create operational advantage for our armed forces, while supporting UK growth and prosperity.”

Laura Jones, Centre Associate Director, remarked: "This is a major milestone for Dstl and wider defence to explore and accelerate advanced materials innovation in the UK to help us stay ahead of future threats and challenges."

Matthew Lunt, Dstl and Centre of Excellence Principal Scientist, said: "Advanced materials are critical in so many areas and we are delighted to bring so much talent together to ensure we can create, sustain and develop these highly-specialised and skilled jobs for years to come."

Regius Professor Phil Withers FRENg FRS, Chief Scientist at the Henry Royce Institute and Regius Professor at the University of Manchester, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, highlighting the potential of bringing together bright minds and state-of-the-art capabilities to support the UK.

Dstl has a history of material innovation, including a significant breakthrough in titanium production, which reduced a 40-stage process to just 2 stages, halving the costs. This advancement opens the door for more affordable, lightweight, robust, and corrosion-resistant defence components.

Currently, Dstl is collaborating with various organisations, including Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land, the University of Sheffield, BAE Systems, MBDA, Transition International, and the Advanced Forming Research Centre, to make titanium more accessible for defence purposes, aiming for a 30 to 40% weight reduction while maintaining survivability. The Centre is set to open later this year.