Professor Michael Shaver, University of Manchester

Research Chairs and Senior Research Fellowships 2023-2024

In  partnership with Vita, a forward-thinking global leader in polyurethane (PU) foams for transport applications, Professor Shaver will develop sustainable automotive foams.

By directly linking fundamental academic research to real-world product development, he will deliver a roadmap for sustainable and circular materials design. This will involve actionable polymer engineering solutions to address the major challenges in PU foam technologies. These solutions will include innovative use of recycled content including improved separation science, carbon negative polymers and fillers from biomass, and emerging chemical and biological recycling strategies.

Importantly, all opportunities will be evaluated using systems-level tools such as life cycle assessment to quantify their economic, social, and environmental sustainability. By collaborating closely with Vita, Professor Shaver will anticipate and mitigate barriers for translation to industry, including product performance, safety, and environmental risk.

Overall, this Research Chair will unlock transformative change in the sustainability of foams in the automotive sector and create a crucially important centre of engineering excellence in Manchester.

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Professor Michael Shaver