Henry Royce launches framework to promote Materials 4.0
An Outline National Framework for Materials 4.0 has been released for the UK.
The Framework sets out a shared definition, structure and language to guide the UK materials community towards a fully digitally enabled future.
Developed through interviews with strategic stakeholders, a nationwide review of Materials 4.0 activity and an international benchmarking exercise, the framework provides a foundation for consultation – aligning research, industry and government around the future of materials innovation linked to the digital transformation.
Materials 4.0 describes the shift toward a digitally empowered materials sector, this involves a materials informatics ecosystem that integrates:
- Advanced materials modelling
- Large-scale and high-quality data
- AI and machine learning
- In-silico experimentation
- Manufacturing informatics
- Life-cycle and circular-economy simulation
The aim is to compress development timelines, optimise the use of scarce resources, reduce waste and strengthen national resilience through smarter manufacturing.
The report highlights five strategic applications as exemplars:
- Composite materials for wind turbine blades
- Battery materials
- Sustainable packaging
- Functional polymers for coatings and paints
- Steels for nuclear applications
