Research and innovation

Home to one of Europe's largest Green Hydrogen research groups and a high proportion of internationally respected centres of expertise engaged in Net Zero research and innovation with demonstrable commercial and societal impact.

Net Zero related Centres

In partnership with industry, policymakers, including national and international government agencies, our research centres lead a breadth of projects required for a Net Zero future.

Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology

A female researcher with safety glasses, white lab coat and blue plastic gloves connecting wires to a battery

Internationally significant research applications spanning wind power, solar PV, energy in buildings, grid connection and integration, and energy storage. Cross-disciplinary critical mass focused on low-cost green hydrogen from production through to use.

CREST website
a researcher working in a Green Hydrogen workshop

Green Hydrogen Research Group

Research areas encompass all areas of hydrogen from production through to end use including storage, distribution, combustion, policy, economics and safety, sustainability analysis and lifecycle management.

Group website
Three green laser beams converge on a central point with a clear cylinder positioned above them

Caterpillar Innovation and Research Centre

World-class facilities and expertise in the off-highway sector for engines, engine sub-systems and hybrid powertrain systems development, including the exploration of hydrogen solutions.

CAT-IRC website
A female researcher wearing purple gloves reaching inside a metal chamber

National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology

Global open access research and development hub for low-emission gas turbine technologies, with applications in automotive, marine propulsion and energy sectors. Rolls-Royce is the lead partner.

NCCAT website

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Materials Characterisation Centre 

A male researcher wearing eye protectors, a white lab coat and purple gloves looking into an aperture in a thick metal cylinder

High quality characterisation of materials down to the atomic level and analytical services and £6M world-class equipment available to support hydrogen research and industry partners.

LMCC website

Buildings Energy Research Group

Multi-disciplinary, collaborative research developing the next generation of built environment solutions in Low energy buildings; Building performance evaluation; Health, wellbeing and indoor air quality; Smart buildings, communities and cities.

Intelligent Automation Research Centre

Applying advanced robotics and digital automation to create intelligent automation solutions to improve productivity, agility, efficiency and resilience across the hydrogen value chain.

Interact

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ leads this £4.4 million initiative providing pioneering economic and social science insights to build a network of manufacturing and digital industry partners and researchers to help in UK manufacturing realise Net Zero.

Sustainable Transitions: Energy, Environment and Resilience

£80M research centre working with a range of stakeholders to accelerate progress towards universal access to modern energy as an enabler of sustainable development across the global south.

Building the new technology ecosystem

The University is a founding partner in the patient capital investment company for university spinouts and early-stage IP rich businesses in the Midlands.

Midlands Mindforge

Midlands Mindforge

Midlands Mindforge is an independent company wholly owned by Midlands Innovation universities that aims to raise up to £250m from strategic corporate partners, institutional investors, and qualifying individuals. Clean technologies is a priority area.

Midlands Mindforge website