TWI is one of the world’s foremost independent research and technology organisations, with expertise in materials joining and engineering processes as applied in industry. TWI specialises in innovation, knowledge transfer and solving problems across all aspects of manufacturing, fabrication and whole-life integrity management. Established in Cambridge, UK in 1946, the organisation has gained a first-class reputation for service through its teams of respected consultants, scientists, engineers and support staff. With around 800 employees, it works with over 1800 Industrial Member companies in over 70 countries. TWI currently operates from 54,000 square metres (581,000 square feet) of manufacturing, testing and training space; five UK and 13 overseas facilities serve both its Industrial Membership and its training and examination needs. A successful international Training and Examinations programme sees around 25,000 students trained each year in welding and inspection technologies.
Role in the GRAPHOSITE Project
TWI’s role in the Graphosite project is to conduct sensor validation in a laboratory environment. TWI has much expertise in qualifying technology, in particular, technologies that are under development. This involves the preparation of a testing plan to demonstrate the validity of the data produced from the prototype sensor. This requires trials to be designed where a direct comparison against a known sensor can be conducted. This is being conducted on carbon-fibre and glass-fibre coupons subjected to mechanical loading. TWI is also responsible for analysing the data to establish the repeatability of the results, accuracy and precision, and the robustness of the sensor. TWI also contributes and coordinates the technical evaluations between project partners, ensuring the different fields of expertise are synergized in an effective and efficient manner towards achieving the collective project goals and objectives.
In collaboration with the other project partners, TWI reviews the project finances and is responsible for reporting them to Innovate UK with justification. With the other project partners, TWI co-ordinates the project and technical delivery to Innovate UK. TWI is committed to working with the Graphosite consortium to deliver a novel sensing technology and seek exploitation opportunities.
