The Made Smarter Network+ (MSN+) has two primary roles. To: 1. Develop and support the creation of an effective digital innovation ecosystem to accelerate the innovation and diffusion of Industrial Digital Technologies. 2. Ensure that the full range and depth of social and economic science insights are accessed across the Made Smarter challenge and wider UK manufacturing sector This is an exciting £3.83m, 38 month programme of work that will commence on 1st November 2021 and end on 31st December 2024. The programme is led by the MSN+ co-directors Prof. Jan Godsell (Loughborough University) and Prof. Jill MacBryde (Strathclyde Business School) with support from a dedicated Network Management Team (network, communications and impact managers) and a core research team (from Loughborough, Strathclyde and Sheffield Universities). There are 5 key elements to the programme: - Commissioned research programme - will provide the opportunity to curate, augment and amplify insights from the ESS to support the diffusion and adoption of IDTs. 5 different funding mechanisms have been adopted to broaden the appeal of the programme and increase participation. These include systematic reviews, small projects, a sandpit, Early Career Researcher (ECR) Fellowship programme, and an impact acceleration fund resulting in18 interdisciplinary projects. - Knowledge exchange programme - is critical to the diffusion of ideas from the ESS to the policy makers, manufacturers and IDT providers who could benefit from the adoption of IDTs. The comprehensive programme includes a range of activities that amplify the core research programme (international webinars, discovery days, annual conference), provide education and insights (impact workshops, insight days, summer school), support academic publication (special tracks, journal special issue) and enable and amplify the diffusion of ideas (website and curation platform, mentoring programme, access to Emerald impact services). - Core research programme - compliments the commissioned research programme base by addressing more systemic problems that require a longer term and more in-depth research. It has the additional benefit of providing a common purpose to galvanise the team. Future focused it considers the future of manufacturing ecosystems (Prof. Jan Godsell and Dr Alok Choudray, Lougborough), future of work (Prof. Jill MacBryde and Prof. Colin Lindsay, Strathclyde) and the future of the economy (Prof. Vania Sena and Prof. Philip McCann, Sheffield). - Impact acceleration programme - there are lots of ESS insights currently in existence, that are not in a form that is easily accessible to policy makers, manufacturers and IDT providers. Researchers often lack the time and skills to turn their work into more accessible outputs. An impact acceleration programme has the dual benefit of building impact capacity within the ESS community whilst making the insights more accessible to end users. - Storytelling fellowship programme - the ability to use storytelling as a methodology and form of dissemination is a key research skill for economic and social scientists. The storytelling fellowship programme has the dual benefits of building storytelling capacity within the ESS whilst using stories to make insights more accessible to the end users, the network and society at large. Outputs from the programme are aligned to the Made Smarter business case. Conservatively through the core and commissioned research programmes alone, we deliver 19 new inter-disciplinary collaborations, 30 journal papers and 11 case studies.

This project aims to realize transformative vertical gallium nitride-on-silicon (GaN-on-Si) transistors with breakdown voltage in excess of 1200 V. Power electronics is essential in applications including power distribution and transportation, with inefficiency of power electronic systems estimated to account for 20% of global carbon emissions. Furthermore, emerging low-carbon technologies, including electric vehicles and renewable energy generation, require power electronic devices with significant improvements over existing Si based solutions. GaN is a wide bandgap semiconductor alternative to Si, with superior power electronic material properties. Commercially-available lateral GaN transistors show good power performance, but are generally unsuitable for applications >1000 V due to high on resistance and large chip area. Vertical GaN transistors (where current flows into the plane of the chip, rather than along the surface) offer a step-increase in efficiency and power density over Si-based devices currently dominant in power electronics at voltages exceeding 1000 V. Large-scale commercialisation of vertical GaN devices is currently inhibited by the requirement for expensive and unsustainable GaN bulk substrates. Transfer to sustainable Si substrates as proposed here, with a cost reduction of >1000x, requires management of associated material defects, to be achieved in this work through of implementation of novel device structures and optimisation of material growth processes. Demonstration of vertical GaN on Si transistors with breakdown voltage of >1200 V (i.e. voltage at which device failure occurs), improved from <600 V in previous attempts, will enable exploitation of the outstanding GaN material properties in emerging mass market applications at >1000 V, unlocking new applications and enabling reduced carbon emissions in next-generation power electronic systems including electric vehicles and power distribution. Breakdown voltage in vertical GaN-on-Si transistors will be increased through improvement of material quality in the active device drift region. The novel structure will use an epitaxially-embedded n+GaN drain contact layer to facilitate a drain-recessed membrane device architecture, eliminating low-quality material from the active device region. In parallel, optimisation of epitaxial growth techniques will produce GaN-on-Si material with increased total thickness and a reduction in both dislocation density and background impurity levels. Drain-recessed GaN-on-Si membrane structures will then be integrated with finFET device topologies, shown to withstand operation voltages >1200 V in GaN-on-GaN, resulting in transistors with enhanced off-state blocking and on-state electron transport characteristics. The development workplan, in close collaboration and with strong support by industry, will enable both a thorough exploration of the underlying physics determining vertical breakdown in GaN-on-Si and improvements in device performance toward that required for large-scale commercialisation. Comprehensive failure analysis via reliability/stability testing and multiphysics modelling will provide further understanding of the GaN-on-Si material system and commercial potential. Technology demonstrators will be optimally positioned for integration with next-generation manufacturing chains and testing systems, ensuing maximum commercial impact. This will be achieved through regular consultation with the Project Steering Committee, consisting of UK-based manufacturers of power electronic materials, devices and systems, as well as academics and a prominent UK government policy influencer. The use of a Design Kit to promote the benefits of the technology to system designers and manufacturers will ensure maximum uptake and identification of additional application areas, toward achieving wide-scale use of GaN devices and an associated reduction in carbon emissions from inefficiency of power electronics.

The aim of the ISCF Manufacturing Made Smarter (MMS) Challenge is to help UK manufacturing become more productive and competitive through the innovation and diffusion of industrial digital technology (IDT). Whilst technology is an important element, there are other contributing factors. We seek to identify and address these important aspects, particularly those from the economic and social sciences (ESS) through the creation of MMS Network+. This network will be led by Co-Directors (Co-D) Prof. Jan Godsell, University of Warwick and Prof. Jill MacBryde, University of Strathclyde. They will be champions for the ESS in the MMS Challenge. Our long-term vision for the MMSN+ is to build a strong, vibrant, interdisciplinary community to support the MMS Challenge. Collaborative working, new challenges and contexts will open up avenues for world leading research. Looking forward, our aspirations for the MMSN+ is a community, with clear added-value for all, where stakeholder groups want to engage and be part of the MMSN+. We will encourage diversity and inclusivity. Diversity of thought will bring benefits of multiple perspectives. Inclusivity (at our core), will help us to embrace and collaborate with existing research groupings, rather than compete with them. Participation will be based on expertise, not status, and we will seek to develop people at all stages of their careers. Our vision of success would be that the MMSN+ is seen as a partner of choice - easy to work with, welcoming, and professional. Ultimately, we would like to be seen as a one-stop shop that curates existing & emerging knowledge and capabilities (research and education) and showcases leading practice. An example of successful interdisciplinary working, to which other nations aspire. The Co-D will start building the foundations on March 1st 2021. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the core of the MMSN+. During this period, the Co-Ds will use a stakeholder mapping exercise, to help identify the full range of diverse voices that could inform the MMS Challenge. Based with this knowledge they will then use a series of workshops, on-line 'story gathering' and expert interviews to help to inform how the ESS can most effectively inform the MMS Challenge. This will also include an international comparators study. They will also seek advice on the most effective way to structure the MMSN+, by learning from the experiences of other research networks both in the UK and beyond. The Co-Ds to consider how the network can be structured to encourage inclusivity and maximise impact. This first phase draws to a close at the end of July 2021. There will be webinars to share the results of the 'story mapping' and international comparator studies. There will be a report and website launch too. The final drafting and submission of the MMSN+ proposal, draws together all the insights from the previous 5 months marks the end of this phase. The MMSN+ proposal will be reviewed and launched in October 2021. Creating impact is at the core of the MMSN+. Resources will be available to the network to support more creative and impactful opportunities for dissemination and engagement. Beneficiaries from the first 5 months include the MMS Challenge owners, who will benefit from an evidence based view of the role that the ESS can play in supporting the Challenge. Manufacturers who will benefit from insights, into the way that the ESS can support the successful adoption of IDTs within their businesses. Policy makers wo will benefit from a more holistic view of the policy levers that may be able to support UK manufacturers to more successfully adopt IDT. Economic and social scientists who will benefit from the creation of an inclusive community, that embraces diversity, and finds innovative ways to inspire cross-disciplinary investigation. Finally, technology providers who will benefit from the connection and improved access to manufacturers

Co-created and delivered with industry, REWIRE will accelerate the UK's ambition for net zero by transforming the next generation of high voltage electronic devices using wide/ultra-wide bandgap (WBG/UWBG) compound semiconductors. Our application-driven, collaborative research programme and training will advance the next generation of semiconductor power device technologies to commercialisation and enhance the security of the UK's semiconductor supply-chain. Power devices are at the centre of all power electronic systems. WBG/UWBG compound semiconductor devices pave the way for more efficient and compact power electronic systems, reducing energy loss at the power systems level. The UK National Semiconductor Strategy recognises advances in these technologies and the technical skills required for their development and manufacture as essential to supporting the growing net zero economy. REWIRE's philosophy is centred on cycles of use cases co-created with industry and stakeholders, meeting market needs for devices with increased voltage ranges, maturity and reliability. We will develop multiple technologies in parallel from a range of initial TRL to commercialisation. Initial work will focus on three use cases co-developed with industry, for transformative next generation WBG/UWBG semiconductor power electronic devices: (1) Wind energy, HVDC networks (>10 kV) - increased range high voltage devices as the basis for enabling more efficient power conversion and more compact power converters; (2) High temperature applications, device and packaging - greatly expanded application ranges for power electronics; (3) Tools for design, yield and reliability - improving the efficiency of semiconductor device manufacture. These use cases will: improve higher TRL Silicon Carbide (SiC) 1-2kV technology towards higher voltages; advance low TRL devices such as Gallium Oxide (Ga2O3) and Aluminium Gallium Nitride (AlGaN), diamond and cubic Boron Nitride (c-BN) towards demonstration and ultimately commercialisation; and develop novel heterogenous integration techniques, either within a semiconductor chip or within a package, for enhanced functionality. Use cases will have an academic and industry lead, fostering academia-industry co-development across different work packages. These initial, transformative REWIRE technologies will have wide-ranging applications. They will enhance the efficient conversion of electricity to and from High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) for long-distance transfer, enabling a sustainable national grid with benefits including more reliable and secure communication systems. New technologies will also bring competitive advantage to the UK's strategically important electric vehicle and battery sectors, through optimised efficiency in charging, performance, energy conversion and management. New use cases will be co-developed throughout REWIRE, with our >30 industrial and policy partners who span the full semiconductor device supply chain, to meet stakeholder priorities. Through engagement with suppliers, manufacturers, and policymakers, REWIRE will pioneer advances in semiconductor supply chain management, developing supply chain tools for stakeholders to improve understanding of the dynamics of international trade, potential supply disruptions, and pricing volatilities. These tools and our Supply Chain Resilience Guide will support the commercialisation of technologies from use cases, enabling users to make informed decisions to enhance resilience, sustainability, and inclusion. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) are integral to REWIRE's ambitions. Through extensive collaboration across the academic and industrial partners, we will build the diverse, skilled workforce needed to accelerate innovation in academia and industry, creating resilient UK businesses and supply chains.

The future prosperity of the UK will increasingly depend on building and maintaining a resilient and sustainable manufacturing sector that can respond to changing supply and demand by adapting, repurposing, relocating and reusing available production capabilities. The pandemic which emerged in 2020 has influenced our perspective of future manufacturing operations and, in particular, has brought into focus the capacity challenges of delivering critical products and maintaining production in the face of major disruptions. It also accelerated the emerging trend for more localised, greener and cost-competitive indigenous manufacturing infrastructure with the ability to produce a wider set of complex products faster, better and cheaper. To meet the long-term structural and post-pandemic challenges, we need transformative new methods of building and utilising future factories by embracing complexity, uncertainty and data intensity in a dynamic and rapidly changing world. The "Morphing Factory" Made Smarter Centre aims to deliver a platform for next generation resilient connected manufacturing services. It will allow future manufacturing operations to be delivered by ubiquitous production units that can be easily repurposed, relocated and redeployed in response to changing market demand. This vision will be delivered through 3 closely related strands: (1) An underpinning fundamental research programme to define the principles, methods and models for future morphing factories in terms of architecture, topology, configuration methods, IoT digital awareness, in-process monitoring and AI based autonomous control. (50%). (2) A dynamic challenge-driven applied research programme to address emerging industrial needs and validate and demonstrate the results through a set of application studies including smart machining, production integrated 3D printing and autonomous assembly integrated into a common hyperconnected morphing factory cloud (45%). (3) A programme of networking and engagement activities with other ISCF Made Smarter research and innovation centres, industry and the general public to maximise the impact of the research, encourage accelerated technology uptake and increase the public awareness (5%).