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Our Facilities & Expertise

What IMPACT can offer?

IMPACT is a semi-autonomous research institute based in the Engineering North building on Swansea University’s Bay Campus and forms part of the College of Engineering.

As a Centre of Excellence, the research operation offers expertise in innovative materials, processing and numerical technologies driven by intensive collaboration between industry and academia – enabling a high impact, transformative research environment for conducting world leading science.   

Inside impact in 60 seconds

IMPACT Building Overview

The construction of IMPACT (Engineering North) was completed in May 2019 and officially launched in February 2020.  The institute was designed to enable close collaborations with designated colocation space and multiple meeting areas.

The building itself is divided by a linked atrium into two distinct areas, which include a research office building and a laboratory building with 1,600m2 open plan workshop. 

IMPACT Video Floor Plan

Together they house:

  • 80 single occupancy offices
  • Hub space for over 150 researchers
  • Colocation space for 50 industrial and academic collaborators
  • Multiple meeting areas including a large 'foating' boardroom overlooking the workshop
IMPACT Building Completion

Image Gallery: IMPACT Equipment

Since launching, 75 new pieces of state-of-the-art equipment have been installed across IMPACT related laboratories - including 3D printers, vibrometer, hot rolling mill, thermal camera and mircoplotter.

Click to view gallery ->

IMPACT equipment

First Minister Launches IMPACT

IMPACT was officially launched by Rt Hon Mark Drakeford AM, First Minister of Wales, at a special ceremony on Thursday 6th February 2020.

Watch the video of the First Minister at the launch and click here to read more.

In Pictures: The First Minister Launches IMPACT

First Minister Launches IMPACT

A Sustainable Build

The College of Engineering ensured that sustainable, energy efficient building techniques and renewable energy technologies were incorporated wherever possible:

  • Using materials derived from recycled and reused sources
  • Utilising 85 photo-voltaic (PV) solar panels as an energy source – equating to 50.7kW of power for a total area of 316m2
  • Constructing a ‘Living Wall’ rich in plant life, approximately 114m2
  • Providing nest boxes for swifts, sparrows and bats

The building is situated next to the Computational Foundry facility which has a soft landscape in adjoining land featuring a pond and wildflower planting.

Collaborate With IMPACT

The research operation seeks collaborations with world leading companies from the engineering industry to enhance research capacity – making IMPACT a unique colocation facility for academia-industry partnerships.

A key objective is to help businesses and industry find innovative solutions. Through our areas of expertise in materials, processing and numerical technologies, we can offer insight into the latest research developments.  Coupled with our state-of-the-art laboratories, workshop and specialised equipment, IMPACT offers an ideal facility for fundamental research.

Click here for more information.