New energetic materials facility opens at Cranfield

Homeland November 10, 2016

Cranfield University has opened a new chemistry facility that will drive its future research into energetic materials, many of which are used in defence applications.

The university, which is already a world-leading centre for expertise in energetic materials including explosives, pyrotechnic compositions, propellants and fuels, has unveiled the Abel Building, a purpose-built facility that replaces the existing energetic processing capabilities at Cranfield, with the addition of facilities for processing of pyrotechnic compositions.

All explosive processing work is performed by remote operation observed from a control room using a CCTV system and the building has been strengthened with reinforced concrete walls, blast doors and a frangible panel in the roof.

The Abel Building was officially opened by Cranfield Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Peter Gregson. Also invited were guests from strategic partners including Hugh Bellars, Head of Weapons Engineering at MOD DE&S, and Dr Norman Godfrey, Deputy Chief Scientist at the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

The building was named in honour of Sir Frederick Abel (1827-1902), the leading British authority on explosives who jointly invented cordite, which was adopted as the standard explosive of the British Army.

Professor Jackie Akhavan, Professor of Explosive Chemistry Synthesis and Formulations and Head of the Centre for Defence Chemistry, who led the project, said: “The new energetic processing facility demonstrates not only our commitment to our customers, but creates a centre for excellence for research and development in energetic materials. The Abel Building is part of Cranfield’s ambitious plans to invest in new facilities and infrastructure over a 25-year period.”

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