Skip to main content

Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centre

Providing industry partners with access to cutting edge facilities and expertise to support manufacturing, testing, validation and optimisation.

Capability and equipment

Newcastle University leads the Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centres (DER-IC) — a UK-wide network of over 30 academic and research institutions accelerating the transition to net zero through cutting-edge electrification technologies.

Our Centre is a cornerstone of the University’s Electrification Strategy, advancing sustainable technologies across sectors.

The core of our work is in Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD).

But by building on the deep expertise of our electrical power research group, we support research and innovation in other areas including:

  • bioengineering
  • robotics
  • electrochemical systems
  • electric vehicles (EV) and future mobility
  • marine and offshore technology
  • aerospace

What you can access

We provide industry and academic partners with access to specialist facilities and technical expertise to support:

  • scalable manufacturing processes for electrification technologies
  • design, prototyping, and testing of high-performance electric drive systems
  • advanced packaging and integration of next-generation semiconductor devices

Our collaborative approach helps de-risk product development, accelerate scale-up, and bring innovations to market.

Equipment and facilities

Wall inside a modern industrial facility featuring the 'Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centres' logo and graphic design, with visible cleanroom equipment through adjacent windows. Logos for Newcastle University, Cleanrooms, and Innovate UK are also displayed.

Class 8 clean room

Operator in full cleanroom protective gear working with a red and white machine in a high-tech cleanroom environment, illuminated by blue and pink lighting.

Asterion wire and ribbon bonding

Technician in safety glasses and grey uniform operating orange and black machinery labeled 'electrified' in a well-lit industrial workspace.

Hot drop and rotor press

Technician in protective clothing operating a microscope-like machine under bright light in a dimly lit lab with blue and red lighting; data charts visible on adjacent monitor.

Nordson test and inspection

Technician operating a yellow robotic arm in a high-tech manufacturing environment, inspecting a cylindrical metal component on the machine's platform.

RoboPod rotor assembly

Operator working with a large industrial machine featuring a blue interior and control panel, set within a factory environment with visible beams, pipes, and equipment.

Rotor balancer

Technician wearing a DER-branded polo shirt and ear protection working on equipment in an industrial setting, with blurred machinery in the background.

M1 series vibration rig

Let's work together

We welcome collaboration with industry, researchers, and innovation teams. Whether you're seeking commercial research, joint R&D projects, or engineering services, we provide tailored support to meet your goals..

You can benefit from flexible, industry-focused collaboration models that help your organisation develop, test, and scale electrification technologies across all Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).

We partner with UK Government and EU-funded programmes — including Innovate UK and EPSRC — and work directly with industry to drive innovation, impact, and funding applications.

By working with us, you'll also have a bridge to Newcastle University’s world-class research, education and skills training, as well as the wider DER-IC network.

We can connect you with the right people, facilities, and capabilities to move ideas from concept to commercial reality.

Our specialist support includes:

  • prototype manufacture and scale-up
  • in-process and end-of-line testing and validation
  • material and component characterisation
  • manufacturing process development and optimisation
  • product and equipment design for electrification
  • skills development and training for the future workforce

Ready to collaborate?

Contact Lucie Oxley, Head of Centre Operations: lucie.oxley@ncl.ac.uk

You might also be interested in

Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship for electrification

Ensure your organisation has the skills and expertise needed to drive critical engineering innovation in electrification and advanced manufacturing.

Short courses and CPD

From fault detection to digital twins, our short courses are an ideal way to keep your workforce up to date with the latest research and innovations.

Blog: UK's future electrification strategy

Discover the vital role of power electronics and how our engineers are contributing to the UK’s strategy to harness the potential for a more sustainable future.