This year the Composites University Technology Centre (UTC), supported by Rolls-Royce, celebrated its 15 year anniversary. An event with talks and posters held on the 6th September was opened by the University of Bristol’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Prof. Phil Taylor, and followed by a dinner at The Orangery in Goldney Hall. The Composites UTC was set up in 2007 to support research into the use of composite materials for aero-engine applications and was led by Prof. Michael Wisnom for its first 10 years. In 2017, Prof. Stephen Hallett took on the Director role, leading the UTC into new technology areas such as Ceramic Matrix Composites and Hydrogen storage. Among the key achievements from the UTC have been the delivery of design and manufacturing technology for Rolls-Royce’s next generation of turbofan aeroengine, the UltraFan that will deliver a 25% reduction in fuel consumption compared to early 2000s technology. This was written up as an Impact Case Study for the REF 2021 evaluation of university research, helping the University of Bristol achieve its top 5 UK ranking.
