Industry-Based Examples

• Improving genetic traits
• Improving health
• Reducing mortality rates
• Developing new feeds
• Enhancing milk production
• Feed trials – types and timing
• Reduction of antibiotics

• Investigating aeroponic / hydroponic systems
• Investigating vertical growth systems
• Trails to improve or optimise yield
• Improving ground quality
• Reducing environmental impact
• Innovative use of sensors & drones
• Modifying fertilisers

• Developing new methods to improve crop yield while reducing environmental impact, such as developing bio-fertilisers or pest control solutions.
• Conducting research to assess the effects of industrial activities or new technologies on ecosystems, aiming to develop models or mitigation strategies.
• Developing techniques for habitat restoration, species reintroduction, or genetic mapping of endangered species to enhance biodiversity.
• Researching and developing new biofuels or biogas production methods from waste materials to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint.
• Designing and testing new systems or products to help ecosystems adapt to climate change, such as drought-resistant crops or flood management technologies.
• Developing technologies for air, water, or soil pollution monitoring and remediation, including bioremediation techniques.
• Developing new methods for recycling or repurposing biological waste to reduce landfill use and enhance circular economy practices.

• Designing innovative processes to reduce environmental impact, such as converting waste to energy or improving recycling technologies.
• Researching and developing new biodegradable or recyclable materials that minimise ecological harm.
• Inventing more efficient or cost-effective methods for treating and purifying water to ensure safety and sustainability.
• Developing techniques to restore natural habitats or increase biodiversity in ecosystems affected by human activities.
• Designing systems/technologies to reduce emissions and improve air quality, such as filtration methods or pollution monitoring devices.
• Developing new technologies for harnessing renewable energy sources, like solar, wind, or bioenergy, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• Conducting research to develop new methods/technologies that help ecosystems or communities adapt to changing climate conditions.

• Developing new sustainable or high-performance materials, such as composites or bio-based materials, to improve structural integrity and reduce environmental impact.
• Developing new design methods or algorithms to improve structural performance, reduce weight, or enhance resilience against environmental factors like earthquakes or wind.
• Experimenting with new construction methods or processes, such as modular construction or 3D printing, to improve efficiency, safety, or sustainability.
• Designing and implementing sensors or IoT devices in structures to monitor health, performance, or energy efficiency, thereby contributing to smart infrastructure.
• Developing or enhancing software solutions for structural analysis, simulation, or BIM (Building Information Modelling) to improve design accuracy and efficiency.
• Researching and developing techniques to enhance the sustainability, energy efficiency, or carbon footprint of structural projects.
• Developing new methods for retrofitting existing structures to extend their lifespan or improve their performance against modern standards.

• Designing and testing new methods to safely and efficiently demolish structures while minimising environmental impact.
• Developing methods to enhance the recovery and recycling of materials from demolished structures, aiming to improve sustainability and reduce landfill waste.
• Developing new safety equipment or protocols for demolition projects, enhancing worker protection and site safety.
• Computational models to predict and analyse structural behaviour during demolition, leading to more precise and controlled operations.
• Researching and implementing technologies to reduce noise, dust, and vibration during demolition activities.
• Designing and integrating robotic systems or automated machinery to perform demolition tasks more safely and efficiently.
• Experimenting with methods that require less energy consumption during the demolition process, contributing to overall energy savings.
• Developing non-explosive techniques for building demolition to ensure safety in densely populated or sensitive areas.
• Developing monitoring systems to track structural changes and environmental conditions during demolition, ensuring compliance and safety.

• Experimenting with innovative welding methods that enhance efficiency or quality, such as reducing weld defects or improving joint strength.
• Researching and developing new alloys or composite materials that offer enhanced properties like corrosion resistance or heat tolerance for specific applications.
• Designing and testing more efficient welding processes that reduce energy consumption or increase production speed without compromising quality.
• Developing automated welding systems or robotic solutions that require new software or mechanical designs to handle complex fabrication tasks.
• Developing improved inspection and quality assurance techniques, such as non-destructive testing methods, that improve the detection of flaws in welds and fabricated components.
• Developing eco-friendly welding practices that minimise waste production or use sustainable materials, aligning with environmental guidelines.
• Designing and prototyping new tools or fixtures that solve industry challenges in the welding process, reducing time and cost.

• Developing new composite materials with enhanced properties such as strength, durability, or thermal resistance.
• Developing new manufacturing processes or significantly improving existing ones to increase efficiency or reduce waste.
• Designing and testing prototypes of new materials or products to analyse their performance and scalability.
• Conducting in-depth analyses to understand material failures and develop solutions to improve product longevity.
• Researching and developing eco-friendly materials or processes to minimise environmental impact.
• Analysing material structures and properties at micro or nano level.
• Developing new methods/technologies for recycling or repurposing used materials to extend their lifecycle.
• Investigating and developing alternative materials that offer similar properties at a reduced cost.

• The advancement to technology that the company sought was the design and engineering of a mixed-use apartment block on a constrained site. The objective was to design a building that would replace an old fire-damaged property whilst complying with evolving post-Grenfell fire safety regulations, stringent conservation area requirements, and structural challenges due to an underground tunnel and nearby schools.

  The research and development involved designing a seven-storey, high-risk building amid changing regulations, where formal guidance on fire safety, cladding, and compartmentation had yet to be issued. The design needed to enhance the conservation area, meeting both modern safety standards and heritage requirements. The advancement involved developing new solutions for fire safety, structural design, and stakeholder collaboration, aiming to extend beyond existing methodologies at the time. This sought to advance design methodology for high-risk building design.

• Designing new energy-efficient power distribution systems or improving existing ones to enhance performance and reduce energy loss.

• Developing algorithms and control systems for automation that improve the precision and efficiency of electrical devices.

• Designing and testing prototypes of cutting-edge electronic components, such as semiconductors or sensors, that offer significant technological improvements.

• Experimenting with emerging technologies like IoT, AI, or machine learning in electrical systems to improve functionality and connectivity.

• Researching and developing innovative renewable energy solutions, including solar panels or wind turbines, to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

• Conducting experiments to ensure new electrical products meet electromagnetic compatibility standards, reducing interference with other devices.

• Investigating and implementing significant changes to manufacturing processes to enhance the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of electrical products.

• Development of high-efficiency HVAC systems
• Improving heat pumps, VRF systems, and energy recovery systems to reduce energy use.
• Improvement of building automation systems
• Smarter controls, occupancy-based ventilation, and energy optimisation methods.
• Development of modular / prefabricated mechanical systems
• Skid-mounted pump rooms, packaged mechanical rooms, and faster installation methods.
• Improvement of power distribution systems
• Smarter switchgear, arc-flash reduction methods, and energy monitoring systems.
• Development of renewable energy integration systems
• Solar + battery storage systems and building microgrid methods.
• Improvement of EV charging infrastructure systems
• Load balancing methods and integration with building electrical systems.

The company aimed to develop a blockchain-based voting system that enhances security and transparency in electoral processes. Over two years, the company faced the challenge of ensuring tamper-proof and transparent transaction records while maintaining voter anonymity. The research and development process involved designing a new consensus mechanism and cryptographic algorithms that could handle large volumes of transactions securely, reliably, and efficiently. The project required the development of a unique blockchain architecture and extensive testing to ensure scalability and resilience against cyber threats.