Materials Discovery & Prototyping

Materials Discovery and Prototyping is a key research activity for the Henry Royce Institute.

Alloy development is where traditional industries and researchers alike look to new materials to meet the challenges posed in the transition to zero carbon, sustainable manufacture, and fostering a circular economy. 

Over two purpose-built sites our dynamic team supports all stages of discovery and prototyping from:

  • Production, through to
  • Processing,
  • Testing, and
  • Characterisation.

These have been successfully used in the production of most engineering alloys and development materials, including steels, high temperature super alloys, and refractory metal alloys, as well as high purity Ti powder, and their powders. 

Previously inaccessible methodologies for accelerated alloy development are unlocked through close synergy with the Near-Net Shape Manufacturing platform. Manufacturing routes can be optimised through collaboration with the Thermomechanical Processing platform. Novel sustainability and recycling protocols are also explored by considering a holistic approach to cross-industry alloy development. 

Technology Platform Lead: Dr Kathy Christofidou

Kathy (Katerina) Christofidou joined the department in 2019 as a Lecturer in Metallurgy, where she leads the Modern AlChEME group. She is currently the departmental UCAS admissions tutor and leads the Materials Discovery and Prototyping technology platform for the Henry Royce Institute

Prior to this, she held roles at The University of Cambridge, as part of the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre, and The University of Manchester, where she also worked in close collaboration with the Henry Royce Institute.

She holds a PhD in Metallurgy from The University of Cambridge and an MEng in Aerospace Materials Engineering from Imperial College London.

AMP Engineering Lead (Materials Discovery & Prototyping): Dr Yunus Azakli

Yunus Azakli joined the Henry Royce Institute in January 2019. He specialises in advanced metals processing via melting, casting, and thermomechanical treatments.

Yunus has worked on alloy preparation and development since 2012 and has a PhD degree in Materials Science & Engineering from Gebze Technical University