The IMPACT operation, part of Swansea University’s College of Engineering, will deliver a high impact, transformative research environment for industry and academia to collaborate in advanced engineering and materials.

The ethos of IMPACT is to foster academia–industry partnerships, promoting cross-disciplinary fertilisation of ideas in the pursuit of new pioneering technology. This will be achieved by bringing together first-class expertise from the College of Engineering, attracting leading talent and partnering with the world’s largest companies and regional partners.

Research will focus on five core research themes: Future Manufacturing Technologies, Next Generation Materials Property Measurement, Advanced Structural Mechanics, Vapour Deposition Cluster, and Metal Technology Centre.

IMPACT is currently looking to develop partnerships with research academics and key national and international organisations. The aim of IMPACT is to future proof the advanced engineering and materials industry through collaborations that enhance research capacity and increase competitiveness, by employing 220 additional academics and researchers. The operation will secure £24.6 million additional research funding by the end of June 2023.

The IMPACT research centre is set to open in summer 2019, providing opportunities for local supply chain businesses and jobs throughout the construction phase. It is anticipated that it will generate over £2.2 billion of direct and indirect benefit to the region over its operational lifespan.

IMPACT is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government and Swansea University