John Crane partners with University of Sheffield on sealing tech research
Power Engineering International
Posted on: 31 October 2024
In the first year| John Crane will fully fund two PhD projects aimed at advancing mechanical seals for high-pressure hydrogen storage and low-carbon technologies.
Equipment specialist John Crane has announced a strategic partnership and collaboration agreement with the University of Sheffield, UK.
The partnership will span multiple departments, including the Leonardo Centre for Tribology, Thermofluids Group and Materials Engineering, to advance sealing technologies considered crucial for the energy transition.
In the first year, John Crane will fully fund two PhD projects aimed at advancing mechanical seals for high-pressure hydrogen storage and low-carbon technologies.
These initial projects will be conducted within the Leonardo Centre for Tribology and the Thermofluids Group and the PhD candidates will have the opportunity to work closely with John Crane’s research and development teams.
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The partnership is designed to be long-term, with plans to fund additional PhDs in subsequent years and engage in various collaborative efforts such as contract research projects and short projects for master’s students.
According to a company statement, the partnership with the University of Sheffield is a significant step in John Crane's mission to accelerate core technology development and new sealing concepts needed for a hydrogen and low-carbon economy, as well as supporting the next generation of engineers at a very early stage of their career development.
Professor Koen Lamberts, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, commented on the partnership: "At the University of Sheffield we have a rich engineering heritage and one of our major strengths is research into low-carbon energy technologies to help address the climate emergency. A key part of this is the work our academics do with industry, in which they use their world-class research and expertise to address industrial challenges in the transition to net zero. We are excited to start this new collaboration with John Crane and for the opportunities it will bring for our academics and students."
John Crane’s Mike Eason, chief technology officer, added: “John Crane's partnership with Sheffield University is a cornerstone of our open innovation strategy. Sheffield's expertise and commitment to sustainability and diversity provide a fertile ground for collaboration and developing cutting-edge technologies for the energy transition. We're excited to kickstart this partnership and welcome our first PhD student.”
These PhD opportunities are available to candidates with backgrounds in engineering, materials science, physics and related fields. As part of this partnership, John Crane will provide funding, industry expertise and access to facilities at its research centre in Manchester and manufacturing site in Slough.
