This project aims to integrate a world-leading UK-developed Discrete Event Simulation (DES) tool called WITNESS with two complementary innovations in gaming technologies: Oculus Rift, a Virtual Reality (VR) goggle, and Microsoft Kinect, an integrated 3D sensing device. The resulting technology will address the barriers that prevent more effective use of modelling and simulation in manufacturing by incorporating novel immersive VR and live event feedback capabilities into WITNESS. It will enable engineers to (i) design and test new processes and layouts in an immersive collaborative environment generated from the simulation model, (ii) compare the model with the actual shop-floor, (iii) action any necessary changes from within the virtual environment, (iv) verify whether the requested changes are implemented, and (v) whether the expected outcome is achieved. This project will result in (i) a step change in the way that DES software is used, (ii) compelling, highly marketable software products for the consortium, (iii) significant savings in the lead partner's globally expanding factory operations, and (iv) improvement in the UK industry's competitiveness.

There are major challenges inherent in meeting the goals of the UK national energy policy, including, climate change mitigation and adaption, security of supply, asset renewal, supply infrastructure etc. Additionally, there is a recognized shortage of high quality scientists and engineers with energy-related training to tackle these challenges, and to support the UK's future research and development and innovation performance as evidenced by several recent reports;Doosan Babcock (Energy Brief, Issue 3, June 2007, Doosan Babcock); UK Energy Institute (conducted by Deloitte/Norman Broadbent, 'Skills Needs in the Energy Industry' 2008); The Institution of Engineering and Technology, (evidence to the House of Commons, Select Committee on Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Fifth Report (19th June 2008); The Energy Research Partnership (Investigation into High-level Skills Shortages in the Energy Sector, March 2007). Here we present a proposal to host a Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) focusing on the development of technologies for a low carbon future, providing a challenging, exciting and inspiring research environment for the development of tomorrow's research leaders. This DTC will bring together a cohort of postgraduate research students and their supervisors to develop innovative technologies for a low carbon future based around the key interlinking themes: [1] Low Carbon Enabling Technologies; [2] Transport & Energy; [3] Carbon Storage, underpinned by [4] Climate Change & Energy Systems Research. Thereby each student will develop high level expertise in a particular topic but with excitement of working in a multidisciplinary environment. The DTC will be integrated within a campus wide Interdisciplinary Institute which coordinates energy research to tackle the 'Grand Challenge' of developing technologies for a low carbon future, our DTC students therefore working in a transformational research environment. The DTC will be housed in a NEW 14.8M Energy Research Building and administered by the established (2005) cross campus Earth, Energy & Environment (EEE) University Interdisciplinary Institute

No abstract available.

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.