“A truly inspiring day!” That’s the verdict of Sam Hambrook, our Senior Engineering Technician, after the celebratory final event of the The UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy’s Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership.

She has completed a six-month programme of technical leadership modules, culminating in an achievement day which brought together over 200 women technicians to celebrate. The initiative is run by the UK Institute for Technical Skills & Strategy.

“I worked with a small group on a poster presentation, and I’m proud of how we came together behind an idea – our Herschel group as a safe space for learning and growth. With a focus on strengths, support, and networking, the future is in our hands.”

Congratulations Sam on all you’ve achieved during the programme!

We’re delighted to welcome Dr Fabio Novelli to our network of experts. Fabio uses terahertz, infrared and visible laser spectroscopy to study how materials respond to light and electromagnetic fields on very short timescales, from femtoseconds to milliseconds.

“I can help industry-facing projects where the question is not only ‘What is this material made of?’, but ‘How does this material behave?’. I look forward to collaborating with industry and using these specialist spectroscopy techniques to answer real-world questions.”

Find out more about Fabio.

Friday’s Engineering Industry Day was a brilliant opportunity to hear about companies’ issues and projects, and discuss how nC² can help.

Our Director, Professor Nicola Symonds, was among the presenters giving 2-minute talks about the vast range of science and engineering facilities that industry can tap into. The University of Southampton offers a wealth of options to support innovation and problem solving – and accessing them is easier than you might think.

Our thanks to the School of Engineering who hosted the event, and to all the industry representatives who joined us for a highly productive day.

We’re proud to be a trusted source of expertise for all the UK government’s transport accident investigation agencies. It’s a privilege to help them understand the cause of accidents and hopefully save lives in future.

“High standard of work, excellent customer interface and efficient delivery. Highly recommended.”
Air Accidents Investigation Branch

Find out more about our accident investigation work.

Meet Dr Ilaria Corni. As Head of Operations and Principal Consultant, Ilaria is the powerhouse behind nC²’s project and business management. In particular she takes the lead on projects where clients require University of Southampton expertise outside of our core team, assembling the right specialist knowledge for every job.

She also has oversight of the whole nC² client portfolio, as well as managing the consultancy’s marketing and finances.

“I love the variety of my role – from contact lenses and chocolate to planes and cars, every day brings a unique problem to solve. It’s also extremely satisfying knowing that the results we produce make a difference, helping our clients to make decisions and move ahead with their research, planning and design.”

Read Ilaria’s profile here.

When a ship’s component fails, understanding the cause is critical.

Find out how we put together the right package, including CT imaging, erosion testing and forensic engineering expertise, to get to the root of an impeller failure and provide evidence-based insights for future materials selection.

Read the full case study here.

Dr Benjamin Cunningham, Senior Consultant, is our mechanical testing specialist.

From understanding complex requirements to designing bespoke test rigs and carrying out rigorous tests, Ben makes an invaluable contribution to our clients’ projects, particularly those involving failure investigation.

“I really enjoy applying my mechanical engineering skills, the variety of exciting projects at nC², and learning from such a talented group of people. Every project is a chance to grow, collaborate and innovate, and I’m proud of what we all achieve together.”

Read Ben’s profile here.

Join us on Friday 12 June and discover more about the University of Southampton’s engineering R&D capabilities and how to access them.

Hosted by the School of Engineering, the Engineering Industry Day is a chance see the our advanced facilities and talk to our experts in person.

As our guest, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Explore the facilities, including testing, imaging and characterisation suites, and discover how your company can benefit from specialist equipment and technical expertise.
• Talk to experts across a range of fields to discuss challenges, opportunities and potential collaborations.
• Learn how easy it is for industry to access our services.

You an also visit the School’s flagship design show to see innovative final-year engineering projects, and meet talented students ready to embark on their professional careers.

Find out more and reserve your place – we look forward to welcoming you.

We’re delighted to welcome Dr Matthias Baud to our network of experts. A specialist in chemical biology, organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry, Matthias adds another dimension to our near-limitless range of industry services.

“In partnership with nC², I can help companies move ahead with innovation and discovery, with specialist expertise and advanced facilities to support the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.”

Read Matthias’s profile here.

All set up and ready to network! Ilaria and Rachel were pleased to see so many visitors at the Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Enterprise Solutions (CChES) industry event on Monday.

Representatives from a range of companies discovered more about the cutting-edge facilities at Southampton, and discussed their R&D issues with expert staff.

Always a pleasure to be part of our operational partners’ events, as we continue to support CChES’s expanding consultancy portfolio.

These dots represent the power of outreach.

We had a fantastic time at the University of Southampton’s Science and Engineering Day, welcoming families to try our escape room activity. And, when asked if it made them think about becoming a scientist or engineer when they grow up, a massive 84% of our young participants said YES!

The grown-ups enjoyed it too:

💬 “We have thoroughly enjoyed the whole day but the escape room was hands-down our favourite part.”

💬 “It was a brilliant experience. Speaking with the staff between stalls and learning about their area of work and expertise was fascinating and helpful for my child to widen their horizon. Thank you.”

It’s so rewarding to know we’re encouraging youngsters to consider STEM. A big thank you to the team who made it happen!

Fancy a free, fun activity for curious minds of all ages? Come and try our popular escape-room style challenge at the University’s Science and Engineering Day on Saturday 14 March.

Professor Nogood has stolen nC²‘s lab keys and locked them away. Can you help us crack the code to get them back?

It’s part of a brilliant free day out packed with 140+ activities, interactive shows, workshops and tours, so there’s plenty to keep you entertained, informed and inspired.

Find us at the Boldrewood Innovation Campus, Building 176, Level 1, Room 1107 – more details and free registration here. 

This International Women’s Day, join us in celebrating the brilliant women in the nC² team who lead, innovate, discover and problem-solve every day.

This year’s theme is ‘Give To Gain’ and we’re proud that our team exemplifies this in so many ways:

🌟 Sharing our experience through STEM careers advice and mentoring
🌟 Providing inspiration for aspiring female scientists and engineers through outreach activities
🌟 Giving our own staff the support and time to develop their skills and advance their careers

At nC² we buck the industry trend when it comes to gender balance, but we’re aware that we’re still the exception rather than the rule. The work continues.

We’ve smartened up our exterior with some fresh new signage. The University of Southampton is open for business and we’re proud to be one of its expert enterprise units, delivering innovation and solutions for industry.

But it’s what happens inside the building that really matters. Get in touch to find out how we can help you advance your projects, using rigorous science to provide actionable insights.

The ultimate unboxing session, and definitely our biggest sample yet! This huge crate contains the ‘bellows’ from a train gangway – the flexible section where carriages join – sent to us by our friends at Siemens Mobility.

They are taking a pro-active approach to ensuring their gangways remain fit for purpose in the coming years, and we look forward to providing the insights they are looking for.

Congratulations to our Senior Engineering Technician, Sam Hambrook, who has been accepted onto the Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership. She recently attended the online launch which included an inspirational talk from chemist and cosmonaut Helen Sharman.

The programme is designed to elevate and advance opportunities for women, covering:

• Leadership
• Confidence and empowerment
• Influencing and negotiating
• Culture and context

Sam says: “The idea is to build resilience, confidence and a great network of technicians supporting each other and our universities. We will be posing questions and supporting each other in finding answers and pathways.

“I was a bit daunted going into the programme, but after the launch I’m ready to jump in with both feet. I look forward to us all getting together in June to celebrate our advances.”

If you’re going to the Southern Manufacturing & Electronics event in Farnborough next week, we’d love to see you. You’ll find us at the University of Southampton stand (G60) on 3 to 5 February.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to discuss your current issues or project requirements with one of our expert consultants. Discover how we can tap into the University’s unrivalled capabilities and put together a unique package to deliver the insights you need. Find out more and register.