Bristol is at the forefront of composites development, with the partnership between the Bristol Composites Institute (BCI) and the National Composites Centre (NCC) central to this. Spanning the technology readiness levels (TRLs), BCI and the NCC combine academic excellence, cutting-edge research and industry-focused innovation to drive advancements in the field.
Join the two organisations for our annual conference in Bristol to see the latest work in composites, focusing on the use of digital and AI technologies, material advances, and skills and workforce development.
08:45 Registration
09:15 Welcome
09:30 Session 1 - Machine Learning / AI with Q&A:
Artificial Intelligence is enabling our researchers to conduct more powerful research in less time and with less cost. But what, specifically, are the opportunities that are opening up in the field of composites? This session will reveal how we are already using AI in research and the future trends that will impact industry.
Speakers:
- Amit Visrolia (Chief of Digital Engineering, NCC)
- Prof. Simon McIntosh-Smith (High Performance Computing, University of Bristol)
- Dr. Iryna Tretiak (Lecturer in Composites Manufacture, BCI)
- Tim Newman (Data Science Specialist, NCC)
- Dr. Bassam Elsaied (Senior Lecturer, BCI)
10:30 Break
11:00 Session 2 - Materials with Q&A:
As industry looks for more sustainable materials, or ones that can operate in extreme environments, we’re seeing an increasing interest in materials design and development. This session will explore these topics and focus on opportunities for future innovations.
Speakers:
- Prof. Steven Eichhorn (Materials, Science and Engineering, BCI)
- Tim Young (Head of Sustainability, NCC)
- Dr. Onajite Abafe Diejomaoh (Research Associate, BCI)
- Jenny Banks (Postgraduate, Composites Manufacture, NCC)
- Dr. Callum Branfoot (Research Engineer, Materials Science, NCC)
12:00 Lunch and networking
13:30 Session 3 - Skills with Q&A:
For the UK to continue playing a leading role in high-value engineering, a pipeline of skilled engineers is essential. This requires us to develop future leaders who understand composite materials and their applications, whether through apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and in-work training.
Speakers:
- Micaela Owen (Head of Skills and Workforce Transformation, NCC)
- Prof. Janice Barton (Experimental Mechanics, BCI)
- Dr. Laura Pickard (Senior Research Associate, BCI)
- Dr. Callum Heath (Manufacturing Manager, NCC)
- Ben Chappell (Postgraduate, Composites Manufacture, NCC)
14:30 Break
15:00 Panel session and discussion
Panellists:
- Tim Young (Panel chair, Head of Sustainability, NCC)
- Allan Poulsen (Head of Materials and Sustainable Scaling, Vestas)
- Jacqueline Castle (Chief Technology Officer, ATI and UoB Aegis Professor of Aerospace Technologies)
- Craig Carr (Technology Director Integrated Composite Structures, GKN)
- David Bailey (CEO, CompositesUK)
- Janice Barton (Professor of Experimental Mechanics, BCI)
- Nick Warrior (Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nottingham)
- Andy Smith (R&D Director, Carbon ThreeSixty)
16:00 Close of conference
