Dr Edward Cant MChem, PhD, MIMMM

• PhD in Engineering, University of Warwick, 2018
• MChem in Chemistry, University of Warwick, 2013

Prior to joining the University of Birmingham in July 2024, Ed spent 6 years working as the Polymer Additive Manufacturing Technical Capability lead at the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM) based at The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). During this time, he led a team of 4 engineers and was responsible for delivering a varied portfolio of projects across multiple sectors. These projects ranged from; developing new process and methodology to advance additive manufacturing (AM) technologies through their technology readiness levels (TRLs), to identifying and proving out new, more sustainable materials for ecological applications.

Ed’s prior sustainable manufacturing research has included the development of circular economies for additive manufacturing technologies and improving resource efficiency of polymeric powders in powder bed fusion. He has previously demonstrated early proof-of-concepts for establishing a circular economy of thermoplastic composites used in Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM) and is currently the technical contact for an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) work item that should become a Standard guide for polymer powder reuse in 2024.

During his time at the University of Warwick, under the supervision of Professor Andrew Dove and Dr Simon Leigh, he developed novel, biodegradable and biocompatible AM materials for use in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.

Ed has previously co-supervised a PhD student in the Metallurgy and Materials Department at the University of Birmingham alongside Dr Mike Jenkins. The research focussed on the thermal ageing of nylon powders in powder bed fusion processes and the effect of nylon powder re-use on process relevant powder characteristics and final part properties. The research conducted during this PhD has helped inform the ASTM work item on polymer powder reuse.

• Sustainable Manufacturing: Generating the necessary data and evidence to enable industry to make informed decisions on transitioning to more sustainable solutions
• Additive Manufacturing: Developing process improvements to minimise waste and evaluating opportunities for industrial symbiosis across the supply chain
• Green Chemistry: Validation of less hazardous solvents/chemicals, use of renewable feedstocks over fossil fuels, developing carbon negative materials alongside new applications and designing for energy efficiency
• Circular Economy: Establishing economically viable circular economies promoting reuse/recycling and minimising waste
• Life Extension: Studying options for extending the life of valuable materials through developing better understanding of environmental ageing