Engineering Research and Innovation Group

Our mission is to power the future with novel engineering technologies and provide sustainable solutions to real-world challenges.

Group LeadAssociate Professor Jiping Bai

EXPERTISE AND MEMBERS

Our projects tackle key societal, environmental, and industrial challenges by focusing on sustainable infrastructure design, the circular construction economy, energy storage and advanced battery technologies, renewable energy power electronics, thermal management and energy efficiency, optics and photonics - enabling breakthroughs in precision sensing, communication, and next-generation manufacturing, including 3D printing. We place strong emphasis on interdisciplinary innovation to drive technological progress and economic impact.

Engineering Research and Innovation Group Members

IMPACT

We're dedicated to building a better future by employing innovative AI for structural health monitoring, upgrading infrastructure, slashing embodied carbon with eco-conscious materials, and driving circular economy solutions. Our sustainable soil stabilisation techniques fortify foundations while protecting ecosystems.

By merging innovation with sustainability, we’re reimagining infrastructure to be resilient, low-carbon, and waste-free.

Pioneering innovations in optoelectronics, photonics, and renewable energy system are revolutionising healthcare, telecommunications, and sustainable energy solutions. Our research in electronics and telecommunication engineering, advanced materials and manufacturing, computational fluid dynamics, and smart energy storage, bridges advanced technologies with real-world applications.

At the forefront of electrical, mechanical and aerospace engineering, we’re transforming tomorrow’s possibilities into today’s advancements, powering a smarter, healthier, and energy-resilient future.

78% of our engineering outputs are world-leading or internationally excellent (4* / 3*) 
Joint second in Wales for research impact out of five universities - based on 4* / 3*
Joint ninth for research impact out of 42 post-92 universities - based on 4* / 3* research

Research publications and outputs

USW researchers developed a novel, fast, accurate platform technology which can be used to diagnose any infectious disease and help guide antibiotic prescribing decisions, reducing the unnecessary use of antibiotics.

Leveraging USW’s expertise in photonics and electronics, researchers have addressed longstanding technical challenges in fly-fishing line production.

The team at the Advanced Material Testing Centre at University of South Wales (USW) are pioneers in developing sustainable materials from natural, industrial, and agricultural waste streams.

Achievements

National impact

The SMART-SHIELD project has strengthened the nation’s critical infrastructure with AI-powered real time monitoring, ensuring greater resilience against disasters.

Community impact

Our collaborative work with Transition Bro Gwaun helped enhance a local 7.5MW solar array project towards a 20MW smart energy goal using repurposed battery storage.

Knowledge transfer

We co-developed a publicly available guideline for stripping and redeploying 2nd life batteries, enabling Ford and partners to upskill staff and support energy resilience.

Groundbreaking innovation

In collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), we have developed a groundbreaking, vibration-free distance measurement system and successfully transitioned it into industry, accelerating the adoption of advanced metrology in high-tech sectors.

Research Focus Areas

Advanced and Sustainable Engineering Materials

Our Advanced and Sustainable Engineering Materials research focuses on developing durable, low-carbon, and resource-efficient materials for the circular construction economy. We’re advancing AI-driven structural health monitoring and innovative retrofitting techniques to enhance infrastructure safety and longevity. Our work contributes to net-zero building designs and incorporates fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) to extend the lifespan of aging infrastructure. The Advanced Materials Testing Centre (AMTeC) provides specialised facilities and expertise for structural and material testing and assessment.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

The Electrical and Electronic Engineering team pioneer developments in energy storage, battery technologies, wireless communication, and autonomous vehicles. We also specialise in photonics, optoelectronics, and optomechanics across applications like telecommunications, sensing, metrology, displays, and lighting. This work drives innovation in low-carbon energy, biophotonics, and metamaterials. Our research has led to patents, spin-offs, and strategic collaborations with industry leaders, expanding our impact on next-generation technologies.

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Our research targets three critical areas: aerodynamics and electric propulsion, systems and controls, and lightweight structures and materials. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach, we tackle significant societal, scientific, and industrial challenges, advancing technologies that improve the efficiency, safety, and environmental impact of aerospace applications. Our work is supported by

partnerships with leading industry players, such as Airbus, ensuring that our innovations are at the forefront of the field.

KEY PROJECTS

Low-cost and Highly Sensitive PFAS Detection Using Surface-enhanced Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy and Big Data Mining

This project, a collaboration between University of South Wales, Bangor University, and Airbus Defence and Space, addresses a major environmental and health issue while advancing both academic and industrial fields.

Find out more

SMART-SHIELD: Structural Monitoring with Advanced Real-time Tracking using Sensing, Hybrid Intelligent Evaluation, and Learning-based Detection

The SMART-SHIELD project leverages AI-driven technology to establish a proactive monitoring system to detect early signs of damage, optimise maintenance, and ensure public safety in disaster-prone areas.

Find out more

Novel Technique for Surface Roughness Analysis of Polyurethane Based Fly-Fishing Lines - University of South Wales

Airflo Fishing Products Ltd, a leading UK manufacturer of fly-fishing gear, faced a longstanding issue with surface roughness on its polyurethane-coated fly lines, resulting in increased energy requirements for casting and product wastage.

Find out more

2nd Life Batteries to reduce energy costs

The 2nd Life Batteries initiative (Nov 2018 - Jan 2021), part of the SESS project funded by £3.5 million from ERDF (WEFO), aimed to repurpose retired EV/HEV batteries for energy storage. The project targeted energy cost reduction, CO2 emissions, and optimizing energy utilization, particularly during Triad charge periods.

Comparison of lithium‐ion battery cell technologies applied in the regenerative braking system

This research evaluated four types of advanced commercial and prototype lithium-ion energy storage technologies to identify the optimal cell technology for high-power battery packs in regenerative braking systems for next-generation vehicles.

COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Collaborating with industry partners in engineering is essential to bridge the gap between theoretical innovation and real-world application.

By working alongside leading industries, we gain access to innovative technologies, practical challenges, and market-driven insights that fuel transformative research and development.

These partnerships enable us to co-create solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also scalable, sustainable, and aligned with societal needs.

Industry collaboration enriches academic rigour with hands-on expertise, ensuring engineers are equipped with skills that meet evolving global demands.

Together, we accelerate breakthroughs - from smart infrastructure to renewable energy systems - driving economic growth, fostering innovation ecosystems, and addressing complex challenges through shared knowledge, resources, and a unified vision for progress.

Airbus Endeavr
Arup
Ford
National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Panasonic
Sony
Welsh Water

Welsh Government

Linc Cymru

Pobl Group

Sport Wales

Brynawel Rehab

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

WORKING WITH THE UNIVERSITY, WHAT WE TRIED TO DO IS CONVERT A FIELD INTO A UNIT OF MEASUREMENT, UNIVERSITY SUPPORTED THE LASER SYSTEM AND ALGORITHM TO MEASURE SURFACE ROUGHNESS DOWN TO MICROMETRE LEVEL WITH MORE ACCURACY.

Richard Millward

Production and Engineering Manger, Applied Automation Ltd

QUALITY CONTROL OBVIOUSLY IS MONEY TO A MANUFACTURER, AIRFLO HAD A UNIQUE PROBLEM, IT HAD TO BE SOMETHING THAT WAS DONE FROM RESEARCH. WITHOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES, THIS PROJECT WOULD NOT HAVE GOT OFF THE GROUND AT ALL.

Gordon Semple

Technical Sales, Applied Automation Ltd

Work with us

We welcome collaboration with industry, government, and academic partners to drive innovation and tackle real-world challenges. Whether you’re interested in co-developing solutions, exploring funding opportunities, or partnering on research projects, we are open to discussing how we can work together to achieve impactful outcomes.

To learn more or discuss potential collaborations, please contact Associate Professor Jiping Bai at [email protected].

[email protected]

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH

Whether you’re pursuing a PhD, MPhil, or Masters by Research, you’ll be guided by passionate, leading experts, making a positive impact on individuals, communities, charities, businesses, and governments worldwide. We welcome UK and international applications for research degrees. Study full-time or part-time, on campus or remotely, depending on your area. Professionals with an existing body of work may also be eligible for a PhD by Portfolio.

Our research students are integral to our team. They benefit from excellent research facilities, dedicated study areas, and opportunities to present their work at national and international conferences.

The Graduate School

A group of researchers sit around a table chatting with coffee and books

Research-informed teaching

Dr Hammad Nazir’s research on corrosion sensors and energy storage systems shapes the Engineering curriculum, equipping students with industry-relevant skills like AI-driven battery management. In modules such as Advanced Manufacturing, students visit Panasonic for EMI testing and engage in rectifier testing to address challenges like optimising EMI emissions.

In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, his work with Ford and RiverSimple on second-life batteries informs practical activities with students producing assessment reports. In Control System Design, students programme Sumo robots for a competition, applying theoretical concepts and fostering problem-solving, while using the robots for STEM outreach to inspire younger learners.

Postgraduate Research Degrees

Research students

Wassam Almadi completed his PhD in Civil Engineering.

Read Wassam's story

Elango Nagasundaram is an Electronics PhD student from India and has been a part of USW for the past 17 years.

Read Elango's story

Darren Haines is carrying out research into biodegradable batteries for medical implants.

Read Darren's story

Masters study inspired Immanuel Rwandalla's interest in developing eco-friendly materials

Read Immanuel's story