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Manufacturing Futures Lab

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UCL Manufacturing Futures Lab

The Manufacturing Futures Lab (MFL) takes a multidisciplinary approach to the creation of next generation sustainable manufacturing technologies. Research and educational activities focus on developing future manufacturing leaders.

The Manufacturing Futures Laboratory (MFL) is the largest academic entity at UCL's new campus in the East of London. It comprises world-class research laboratories on the top two floors of the Marshgate building. Research activities are supported by a state-of-the-art Precision Fabrication Workshop (PFW) while delivery of MFL educational programmes is enhanced by access to purpose-designed engineering teaching laboratories co-located within the Marshgate building. The UCL East Management Education Suite, located adjacent to the MFL staff workspaces, supports industry engagement and delivery of continuous professional development modules.

The MFL aims to become a global leader in fundamental manufacturing research by taking a distinctive multidisciplinary approach. It brings together academics with complementary expertise from the UCL Faculty of Engineering Sciences and the UCL Faculty of Mathematical & Physical Sciences. MFL activities are spearheaded by 15 members of academic staff (including two UKRI Future Leader Fellows) drawn from the UCL departments of Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework evaluation (REF 2021), 97* of Engineering research outputs were rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ while 100% of Chemistry outputs achieved these ratings. Research within the MFL is supported by seven highly qualified research technicians each with specialist expertise.

MFL research is focused on the creation of next-generation manufacturing technologies. These will enable the development of the products and processes of the future in ways that are smarter, faster and more flexible than currently possible. Core research topics encompass synthetic and engineering biology, additive manufacturing, digital and automation technologies, continuous and intensified processing and modelling approaches for techo-economic (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA). Such approaches will underpin the achievement of key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) e.g. Good Health and Wellbeing, Affordable and Clean Energy and Responsible Consumption and Production. MFL research will thus have an impact locally, in East London, nationally and globally. See the MFL fact sheet for more details.

MFL educational programmes focus on Masters's and Doctoral level training designed to educate future leaders with a strong awareness of the environmental and social impact of future manufacturing research. Delivery of the 6 MFL MSc programmes is supported by a further 9 lecturing and administrative staff based at UCL East; these programmes also benefit from additional input by colleagues coming from the Bloomsbury-based departments. The MFL MSc programmes have a multidisciplinary intake of graduates from engineering, life- and physical-sciences backgrounds and emphasize a hands-on and research-based education. They aim to equip graduates with future-focused skill sets in next-generation synthesis and manufacturing technologies supporting sustainable growth in key industry sectors such as chemicals, energy and healthcare. The programmes also address aspects of innovation and enterprise and the wider regulatory and commercial context of the taught material supporting the rapid translation of new technologies into industrial practice. Doctoral-level training is enhanced through engagement with relevant UCL Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) and training provided by the UCL Doctoral School.

The MFL at UCL East

UCL East Campus
The courses are being delivered at the brand new UCL East campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, newly opened in Autumn 2023. This is the biggest development in our 200-year history, and our accessible, state-of-the-art facilities have shared labs and workshop spaces open to all, to facilitate collaboration across different disciplines. The Park around the campus is a living landscape of biodiversity and a testbed for ground-breaking innovation.

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