Role at Queen’s and Areas of Research
Dr Ali Aravand is a lecturer in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering since 2019. He moved to Northern Ireland to join Queen’s in 2015 as a post-doctoral research fellow at the NIACE (Northern Ireland Advanced Composite and Engineering) Centre, now AMIC (Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre). As a Core researcher there, he worked to develop and conduct industrially-oriented research projects, in collaboration with NIACE’s company partners.

Ali’s research interests are focused on nano-structured advanced fibre reinforced composites; fracture behaviour and toughening of polymer composites; Design and optimisation of advanced composite laminates, and manufacture of hybrid composites via injection overmoulding.

First Involvement with KTP
In 2016 while at NIACE Ali discovered a new research area around injection moulding that could be of interest to several companies involved in aerospace.  He worked in association with NIACE industry partners Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel (formerly known as B/E Aerospace) and Denroy Plastics, among others, to further shape the research, focusing on the fundamental science of the injection moulding.

Ali explains:

“The initial research was a three-year industry collaboration during my post-doc at NIACE. There were a number of follow-on fundamental research and industry collaborations on the same subject. One area focused on how injection moulding might be used to make a new component for aircraft seating.  We began to make early demonstrators, and Collins Aerospace could see that we had a sound theoretical base. It was a good experience working with Collins Aerospace and we wondered how we might together move on to the next stage, product design.”

A member of the Queen’s Research Development team mentioned KTP and set up a meeting with Lorraine Marks of the KTP Office. 

“I had not been familiar until then with KTP and thought it sounded good,” Ali says. “We knew there was good new scientific theory that could be transferred across to the company with support. I was thrilled to find out that Queen’s has such a good track record with KTPs, and the company was very pleased to learn that match funding support was also available, in addition to academic support for the new Associate employee.”

What the KTP Achieved
The KTP project explored the use of new injection overmoulding in components for aircraft interior use. Across the successful KTP project, several overmoulded hybrid composite specimens were developed, designed, tested rigorously and demonstrated.

“Bonding between the polymers was an early tricky issue, but we found a solution to that,” Ali explains. “We created test rigs and characterisation methods so that the company can test each sub-component thoroughly before they are used in the final product. The company is very pleased with how academic and scientific research can be transferred across into a new component in their test production.  If this first product works, then the same principle could potentially be applied to other products, which would give us further opportunities to work with the company.”

When the KTP project concluded in March 2023, Collins Aerospace was in discussion with a sub-contractor around manufacture of the newly designed component. The Associate, Dr Thomas Bach, was offered and accepted a position within the same department of Collins Aerospace.

Benefits from the KTP for the Academic Lead
The KTP project served to strengthen a solid working relationship between the business, Ali and his Queen’s School. The company is now providing support for a PhD student who will continue work under his supervision to advance the new scientific work begun during the KTP. Collins Aerospace has also agreed to be named as a project sponsor on a EPSRC funding bid that Ali is preparing.

“Securing EPSRC funding is very competitive, and a submission may be strengthened by having a commercial company prepared to participate and contribute financially and with in-kind support,” Ali explains.

Ali stresses that what he learnt from the KTP project is also being used in his teaching work. He uses current examples of industrial relevance and draws upon his experience with Collins Aerospace to share in the class, which students find interesting.

“In addition,” Ali adds, “Thomas kept in regular touch during the project with my current PhD student to exchange learning: he also co-supervised several final year student projects, being very helpful at sharing his experience, with the company’s permission. The company has also been very generous by providing some materials for our student projects.”

Benefits from the KTP for the wider Queen’s School and/or University
Because of his years working with NIACE Ali has final year student projects ongoing with other innovative local companies.

“Now that I know the potential of a KTP project to embed knowledge in the partner business, it might well be the case that I can explore KTP project ideas with these companies,” Ali says.

Advice for Queen’s Colleagues
Summing up what he feels about KTP, Ali adds:

“I would absolutely recommend colleagues across Queen’s to consider a KTP. KTP projects can guide fundamental academic research through exposing areas requiring further research: this way we can significantly increase impact of our research projects.  If anyone has new knowledge or has created research results that could be helpful to a company, take a proactive approach and speak to a company or the KTP Office about progressing the research through a partnership. The KTP programme provides a useful framework. It is a fantastic dynamic and should be encouraged.

“We also have an excellent KTP team at Queen’s, who are able to provide great support to the academics throughout the project.”