The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) are looking for enthusiastic participants from a wide range of disciplines who will bring their expertise to an ideas factory sandpit exploring the challenges of:
- Dematerialisation (eg lightweighting, novel materials functionality, novel materials from waste products, materials security and efficiency);
- Designing for resource sustainability (eg energy, water and materials efficiency, considerations for engineering processes, whole systems and resource flow modelling);
- Reuseability at any scale (closed and open loop recycling, remanufacturing, extended product life).
The Research Challenge
The challenge identified for the sandpit is MORE WITH LESS: Engineering solutions for resource efficiency. Thinking at the sandpit will span a range of disciplinary perspectives and interests. The scope will focus on key research topics developed at the Resource Efficiency Scoping workshop, (workshop outcomes summary, see annex to this document) identified as
- Dematerialisation (e.g. lightweighting, novel materials functionality, novel materials from waste products, materials security and efficiency)
- Design for resource sustainability (e.g. energy, water and materials efficiency, considerations for engineering processes, whole systems and resource flow modelling)
- Reuseability at any scale (closed and open loop recycling, remanufacturing, extended product life)
It is not expected these themes will operate in isolation as there are many issues that cut across them. The Sandpit intends to explore the engineering and physical science aspects of these key areas whilst recognising that this is a multidisciplinary area requiring important sociotechnical inputs (people, governance, policy and regulation). Potential research questions might include:
- How can we rethink and evidence our use of resources to support resource efficient design?
- Which engineering and manufacturing approaches will drive a radical step change in resource efficiency? What fundamental changes in engineering or scientific thinking are required? How can these be demonstrated?
- What materials are best suited for a ‘circular economy’ and how can they be used efficiently in engineered products that create sustained value?
- How should we adapt our extraction, use and reuse of resources for thechanging demographics of population growth and urbanisation?
Achieving the Sandpit objectives will require the participation of leading researchers from a broad range of disciplines. Participants should be able to apply their knowledge, skills and experience across disciplines in a collaborative setting to develop transformative research with the potential to deliver radicalsolutions.
The sandpit will run over 5 days from the 23rd to the 27th July, with 20-25 participants expected to be selected. Participants are welcomed at any stage of their research career as long as they meet EPSRC eligibility requirements to receive grant funding.
Applications are encouraged from diverse research areas across engineering, the physical sciences, manufacturing, design, economics, the social sciences and the arts and humanities. Expertise is required from a broad range of disciplines, and applicants should not feel limited by conventional perceptions: the whole IDEAS Factory sandpit approach is about bringing people together who would not normally interact. We actively encourage people to apply that are experts in their own research areas but have not yet applied themselves to the challenges of resource efficiency.
Applicants should complete the short Expression of Interest (EoI) form (maximum two sides). Your answers to these questions will be used to assess your application and convince us that you have the suitable skills and attitude to participate in this sandpit.
The deadline for applications is 11th June 2012, 1pm. Applications should be submitted electronically.
For more information and to download the relevant documents please visit the call page.