The Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Centre (SMSC) is a world-leading centre focusing in transforming manufacturing for a low carbon economy. We are creating new models of best practice to help businesses think green, smart and (c)lean.
We apply fundamental science and thought leadership on the technological, economic and social context to identify ways forward for commercial success and sustainability. Activities are tailored to our industry partner needs and include applied research, technology transfer, teaching, consultancy and short courses. There are three strategic focus areas for our work: manufacturing processes, systems, modelling and simulation.
Our vision in the Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Centre is to be an internationally renowned research centre of excellence on the integration of manufacturing processes and systems for a sustainable future. Our academics are really pushing the boundaries of material science, manufacturing technology, engineering design, manufacturing management towards operations excellence.
Based on this vision we have six active areas of research:
- improving existing and develop new manufacturing processes and systems via enhanced modelling and simulation
- developing models for the “eco-factory” that are based on the principals of the circular economy i.e. using waste materials for manufacturing new products and enhancing eco-efficiency through reduce use of energy, water and materials
- mapping pathways for the sustainable net-zero “factory of the future”
- applying full-spectrum innovation through advanced operations leadership, to deliver operations excellence to industry
- developing and manufacturing products enabled by the use of Industry 4.0 technologies in sustainable resilience environment
- developing new materials and processes that promote sustainable and smart growth
