Coated M2A Annual Conference 2025
Once again, the COATED M2A Annual Conference was held on 1st May 2025, in the Great Hall, Bay Campus, Swansea University and showcased the depth and diversity of research conducted by cohorts of research engineers from the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Functional Industrial Coatings and the event’s academic and industrial scope was further enriched by the participation of postgraduate research (PGR) students from Swansea University’s Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute (M2RI).
The annual event provides a valuable platform for researchers to enhance their communication skills by presenting their work both visually and verbally.
The conference was organised into three engaging sessions, each focused on a key research theme:
- Advanced Materials & Sustainable Technologies
Chaired by Professor Matt Carnie (Swansea University)
- High Performing Materials
Chaired by Dr Andrew Bayton (Dŵr Cymru | Welsh Water)
- Corrosion & Coatings
Chaired by Dr Chris Lowe (Consultant, formerly of Becker Industrial Coatings Ltd.)
Research Presentations
The majority of Research Engineers showcased their work through a poster and a concise 60-second presentation and final year students from COATED M2A delivered a 15–20 minute platform presentation, offering deeper insights into their research findings.
Networking and Awards
The conference concluded with a networking dinner, providing valuable opportunities for academics, industry professionals, alumni, and student researchers to connect and collaborate.
🎉 Congratulations to this year’s award winners:
- Best Presentation (Judges' Vote): Meg McNamee (COATED M2A), presentation title: ‘Stereo-DIC for the Characterisation of Microneedle Insertion’
- Best Poster (Judges' Vote): Cerys Cormican (M2RI), poster title: ‘Environmentally Green Bioinspired Engineering Solutions for Replacing Plastics’
- Best Poster (Research Engineer/Student Vote): Ehsan Akbari Kharaji (COATED M2A), poster title: ‘Coating Network and Barrier Property Design Strategies for Protection Against Hydrogen Embrittlement’