Institute of engineering and energy technologies

Institute of engineering and energy technologies

The Institute of Engineering and Energy Technologies (IEET) undertakes research in five main areas: Energy and the Environment; Construction Innovation and Built Environment Research (CIBER); Materials and Mechanics; Engineering Process Management and Design; Civil and Construction Engineering.

IEET has significant experience and expertise in engineering innovation, knowledge transfer and enterprise in a wide range of engineering and energy-related technologies. It combines fundamental research and advanced technologies offering practical solutions to complex engineering problems.

The expertise within IEET covers a broad multidisciplinary range of engineering offering integrated multidisciplinary solutions to research and commercial challenges.

With funding from UKRI, EPSRC, EU, InnovateUK, Scottish Funding Council, Royal Society, industry and many other recognised bodies, IEET is supported by a growing body of PhD students working in a dynamic research environment with interaction across a multidisciplinary team of peers.

Primary research areas

Energy and the Environment Group

We are firmly committed to developing a sustainable society specialising in new renewable energies including the development of hydrogen fuel cells, biomass generation, wind, solar, wave, geothermal, energy storage systems, optimisation of renewable energy parts and systems, membrane separation technologies for wastewater and desalination treatments, food and pharmaceutical industry. Our research findings have put us at the forefront of energy and environmental research.

Construction Innovation and Built Environment Research (CIBER) Group

We specialise in ground-breaking data science and information management which includes experimental data, big data analytics and artificial intelligence. Our world-leading transdisciplinary research and innovation in the built environment has led to the development of a digital ecosystem for management of built assets through life.  For more information: https://www.uws.ac.uk/research/research-areas/engineering/construction-innovation-and-built-environment-research-ciber-group/

Materials and Mechanics Group

Advanced materials offer provide stronger, lighter and more durable products, which are affordable with longer operational life. The research group have wide-ranging expertise in composite materials, magneto-rheology fluids, magnetostrictive materials, foam materials, micromechanical characterisation, modelling of structural and thermal behaviours, design of sensors and actuators, optimisation of vehicle damping systems and energy absorption systems, biomedical devices as well as design-based activities. A recent success in creating game-changing technologies was the development of the $1 million award-winning ultralight wheelchair in partnership with Phoenix Instinct. The innovation has led to improving the mobility and independence of people with lower-limb paralysis.

Engineering Process Management and Design

This research group has specialist expertise in design, information modelling and machine tool testing and verification, dissimilar- hybrid welding, lean manufacturing and supply chain management.

Civil and Construction Engineering

We undertake fundamental and applied research in civil and construction with specialism in concrete technology including microstructures and micromechanics of cementitious composites, the historic built environment through traditional mortars, stone and effects of climate change, construction management, supply chain management, construction education and the performance of concrete and steel structures.

Focused activity

IEET regularly hosts networking events and opportunities for the research communities. Recent conferences include international conferences in conservation, materials and energy:

• 13^th quadrennial International Congress on the Deterioration and Conservation of Stone (ICDCS), Paisley, UWS 2016.
• 5^th International Conference on Material Science and Smart Materials (MSSM), Paisley, UWS 2018.
• 11^th International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environmental Protection (SEEP). Paisley, UWS 2018.

IEET has also hosted a number of other international events at the Paisley campus, UWS.

CONTACT  

Finance and Research Officer: 

Emma McMillan 

University of the West of Scotland 

PA1 2BE 

Tel: +44 (0)141 848 3540 

Email: Emma.mcmillan@uws.ac.uk 

FACILITIES 

IEET has an extensive range of modern mechanical and material testing equipment. Research includes analysis and classification technology which can be used across most engineering situations. With dedicated and extensive research laboratories, IEET offers a positive research environment to work within and to collaborate. The School’s Division of Computing also has access to a wider range of equipment and facilities. Details of any requirements can be discussed by contacting us directly.