Work begins on world-class research centre

Construction of what will be one of the world’s leading engineering research centres is due for completion in the spring of next year.

The building, at the university’s Moulsecoomb campus in Brighton, will extend the university’s Advanced Engineering Centre, which works with a range of local engineering companies on innovative research in partnership with the automotive industry to allow for industrial knowledge-exchange.

The project will establish specialist teaching facilities alongside cutting-edge research laboratories. With the university’s long-term partner Ricardo, the Shoreham-based global engineering, strategic and environmental consultancy and specialist manufacturer, a dedicated combustion engine research area will be established on the ground floor alongside modern engineering workshops to support undergraduate and postgraduate engineering.

One of the Centre’s key focus areas is research into internal combustion engine thermal efficiency. The Centre was selected as one of six national ‘spokes’, for Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) Thermal Efficiency, by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), formed in 2013 from a commitment between the government and automotive industry to bring together those with good ideas and those who can bring them to market. It will focus on research into low-carbon internal combustion systems.

From left to right: Professor Debra Humphris, Kelly Smith and Professor Andrew Lloyd

Professor Debra Humphris and project manager Graham Lawrence

Professor Debra Humphris, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony: “This is a fantastic development between our partners Ricardo and the Government’s Local Enterprise Partnership funding.

“What this exemplifies is universities and industrial partners working not just to generate outstanding research and education opportunities, but to make a real impact on the economy.”

The university’s Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), Professor Andrew Lloyd, Dean of the university’s College of Life, Health and Physical Sciences, said: “The new Advanced Engineering Building will provide high-quality space for state-of-the-art equipment, provide flexibility for future expansion and create opportunities for new research and cross-transfer of knowledge, ideas and practices between the university, Ricardo and advanced engineering and manufacturing companies across the region.”

Attending the ceremony was engineering student, Kelly Smith who is benefiting from working on the site whilst undertaking her course.

Dr John Taylor, Head of the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, said: “The iconic Advanced Engineering Building represents both a recognition of our internationally excellent work in engineering and an exciting opportunity to further develop our research and knowledge exchange. We hope and believe these exciting, state-of-the-art facilities will act as a catalyst to further our existing collaborations and build new ones, thus enhancing the advanced engineering capability of the region.”

The Advanced Engineering Centre is part of the £150 million transformation of the Moulsecoomb campus the university is working in partnership with GRAHAM Construction’s London and South East team, the project’s main contractor.

Graham Lawrence, Project Manager at GRAHAM Construction, said: “The groundbreaking ceremony marks a key milestone bringing us one step closer to delivering new state-of-the-art teaching facilities for the University of Brighton.”