Dr Hywel Jones

  1. About us
  2. Our people
  3. Staff profiles
  4. Hywel Jones

Dr Hywel Jones

Principal Research Fellow

Summary

Hywel is a principal research fellow in the Materials and Engineering Research Institute. He works across traditional disciplines to create solutions to industrially relevant problems through the use of his materials science knowledge. He has been a co-founder and director of 2 spin out companies, XeraCarb Ltd and Mikana Innovations Ltd to exploit his research outputs.

His work has been funded by the UK research councils and by UK Ministry of Defence as well as by private companies.

He has delivered many hundreds of consultancy projects for industrial customers delivering vital problem solving and product development services using material science expertise which have generated or saved many millions of pounds of industrial revenue.

His research is focussed in a number of areas:

  1. Ceramic Composites
  2. Tribology (Wear and Friction)
  3. Armour and Ballistics
  4. Precious Metals and Decorative Alloys
  5. Friction Stir Welding and Processing
  6. Electronic Waste and Recycling (Closed Loop Economy and Mobile Phones) – What’s In My Stuff
Hywel Jones

About

His first degree was in Physics from the University of Warwick ('88-'91). This was followed by a MSc in Physical Methods of Materials Characterisation ('92-'93) and a PhD in the 'Synthesis and Tribology of Sialon/TiB2 Ceramic Composites' ('93-'97) both of which were completed at the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick.

In 1997 he was appointed as a post doctoral research fellow for 3 years to work on the European funded project 'Ultratribo' to work on Ultra-hard Composites for Tribological Applications.

In 2000 he moved to Sheffield to take up a permanent position in the Materials and Engineering Research Institute. In 2004 he was promoted to Senior Consultant. He was a member of the Materials UK, Education and Skills Working Group, a committee which provided a report to influence government with regards the UK's strategy for materials for the next 20 years.

2002 Awarded the Institute of Materials Pfeil Prize for a paper of merit in the field of ceramics

Hywel managed the £1m 'Routes to Innovation' (R2i) programme run by MERI and funded by Yorkshire Forward and ERDF. R2i delivered in 12 months with the aim of providing materials and engineering advice and services to South Yorkshire industry in order for them to innovate and grow their businesses.

In 2008-2012 he was awarded a series of grants and contacts from UK Ministry of Defence to develop new light weight ceramic composites for defence applications.

In 2012 he was awarded the Venture Prize from the Armourers and Brasiers for the most commercially promising work in materials science. This led to the creation of the spin-out company XeraCarb Ltd to develop ceramic composites for body armour, high temperature service and wear resistant applications.

In 2017 his research into the development of novel mixed metal decorative alloys using friction stir processing led to the setting up of the spin-out company Mikana Innovations Ltd which is seeking to commercially exploit the results of the research.

Part of his role is to work with regional, national and international companies to provide consultancy services in the area of materials science and materials characterisation and forensics analysis.  He has delivered many hundreds of consultancy projects for industrial customers delivering vital problem solving and product development services using material science expertise which have generated or saved many millions of pounds of industrial revenue. He has acted as an expert witness in both criminal and civil court cases.

He makes regular contribution to the media (TV, Radio, On-Line) in his areas of expertise and in particular e-waste and mobile phone recycling and ballistics and armour.

His expertise in materials characterisation covers the following areas:

Environmental Scanning electron microscopy (ESEM)
Elemental Analysis using Energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX)
x-ray diffraction (phase id, crystallite size)
macro, micro and nano hardness measurements
wear testing (including micro-scale abrasive testing)
wear metrology methods
fracture toughness measurement
density measurement
element depth profiling by Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOES)
Infinite Focus Microscopy (IFM), 3D optical colour profiling of microscopic features
experience of ceramics, metals, glasses and polymers and composites

Teaching

College of Business, Technology and Engineering

Research

Hywel carries out research and development in several areas in collaboration with industrial partners. These include

  • ceramics and ceramic composites
  • tribology (friction and wear)
  • the development of new technology for knife edge production (EPSRC CASE Award 2008)
  • the synthesis of high value metals by the FFC Cambridge process
  • EPSRC CASE Award 2005 with Metalysis Ltd Wath-upon-Dearne, Rotherham
  • hard facing coatings for agricultural applications
  • EPSRC CASE 2004 PhD with Chapmans Agricultural Ltd, Sheffield
  • development of anti-tarnish silver alloys
  • European project (£1.8 million) with seven partners including Siemens, Munich, CEA, Grenoble and Carrs Silverware, Sheffield
  • the development of surface mount technology pick and place nozzle. Metro Technologies Ltd, Doncaster
  • the development of new electro-conductive zirconia composites. Dynamic Ceramic Ltd, Crewe

Publications

Journal articles

Janani, R., Majumder, D., Scrimshire, A., Stone, A., Wakelin, E., Jones, A.H., ... Bingham, P. (2023). From acrylates to silicones: A review of common optical fibre coatings used for normal to harsh environments. Progress in Organic Coatings, 180. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2023.107557

Janani, R., Deng, W., Backhouse, D.J., Kabir-Kazi, F., Wie-Addo, G., Jones, A.H., ... Bingham, P. (2022). Paving the way to Net Zero by repurposing waste. Glass International, 45 (1), 39-43.

Deng, W., Christopoulou, G., Modarresifar, F., Jones, A., & Bingham, P. (2021). Effects of ZrO2 on thermal stability and crystallization of K2O-Al2O3-SiO2 glasses. European Journal of Glass Science and Technology Part B Physics and Chemistry of Glasses, 62 (5), 137-148. http://doi.org/10.13036/17533562.62.5.06

Rautiyal, P., Gupta, G., Edge, R., Leay, L., Daubney, A., Patel, M., ... Bingham, P. (2020). Gamma irradiation-induced defects in borosilicate glasses for high-level radioactive waste immobilisation. Journal of Nuclear Materials. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2020.152702

Christopoulou, G., Modarresifar, F., Allsopp, B., Jones, H., & Bingham, P. (2019). Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and stability of leucite and kalsilite from K2O-Al2O3-SiO2 glasses. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 102 (1), 508-523. http://doi.org/10.1111/jace.15944

Scrimshire, A., Lobera, A., Bell, A.M.T., Jones, A.H., Sterianou, I., Forder, S.D., & Bingham, P.A. (2018). Determination of Debye temperatures and Lamb-Mössbauer factors for LnFeO3 orthoferrite perovskites (Ln  =  La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd). Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal, 30 (10), 105704. http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648x/aaab7d

Scrimshire, A., Lobera, A., Bell, A., Jones, H., Sterianou, I., & Bingham, P. (2018). Determination of Debye Temperatures and Lamb-Mössbauer Factors for LnFeO3 Orthoferrite Perovskites (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd). Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 30 (10). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/aaab7d

Dodds, S., Jones, H., & Cater, S. (2013). Tribological enhancement of AISI 420 martensitic stainless steel through friction-stir processing. Wear, 302 (1-2), 863-877. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2013.01.007

Seth, S., Jones, H., & Lewis, O. (2013). Wear resistance performance of thermally sprayed Al-Ti alloy measured by three body micro-scale abrasive wear test. Wear, 302 (1-2), 972-980. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2013.01.075

Slatter, T., Lewis, R., & Jones, A.H. (2011). The influence of cryogenic processing on wear on the impact wear resistance of low carbon steel and lamellar graphite cast iron. Wear, 271 (9-10), 1481-1489. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2011.01.041

Thornton, R., Slatter, T., Jones, A.H., & Lewis, R. (2011). The effects of cryogenic processing on the wear resistance of grey cast iron brake discs. Wear, 271 (9-10), 2386-2395. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2010.12.014

Slatter, T., Lewis, R., & Jones, A.H. (2011). The influence of induction hardening on the impact wear resistance of compacted graphite iron (CGI). Wear, 270 (3-4), 302. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2010.11.003

Luo, Q., & Jones, A.H. (2010). High-precision determination of residual stress of polycrystalline coatings using optimised XRD-sin2ψ technique. Surface & Coatings Technology, 205, 1403-1408. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2010.07.108

O'Dubhghaill, C., & Jones, A.H. (2010). Original research into Japanese alloys and patination. The Goldsmiths' Company Technical Bulletin.

O'Dubhghaill, C., & Jones, A.H. (2010). Metal mosaics : customizing designs with homemade shibuichi and shakudo. MJSA Journal, 5 (2), 28-37. http://www.mjsa.org/

Jones, A.H., & Roffey, P. (2009). The improvement of hard facing coatings for ground engaging applications by the addition of tungsten carbide. Wear, 267 (5-8), 925-933. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2009.01.042

Jones, A.H. (2004). Micro-scale abrasive wear of silicon nitride, sialon–TiB2 composites and D2 tool steel using a multiple load method. Wear, 258 (5-6), 942-952. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2004.09.049

Cawley, J., Metcalf, J.E.P., Jones, A.H., Band, T.J., & Skupien, D.S. (2003). A tribological study of cobalt chromium molybdenum alloys used in metal-on-metal resurfacing hip arthroplasty. Wear, 255 (7-12), 999-1006. http://doi.org/10.1016/s0043-1648(03)00046-2

Cawley, J., Metcalf, J., Jones, A.H., Band, T.J., & Skupien, D.S. (2003). A tribological study of cobalt chromium molybdenum alloys used in metal-on-metal resurfacing hip arthoplasty. Wear, 21 (7), 969-980. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1648(03)00046-2

Jones, A.H., Dobedoe, R.S., & Lewis, M.H. (2001). Mechanical properties and tribology of Si3N4–TiB2 ceramic composites produced by hot pressing and hot isostatic pressing. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 21 (7), 969-980. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0955-2219(00)00294-6

Jones, A.H., Trueman, C., Dobedoe, R.S., Huddleston, J., & Lewis, M.H. (2001). Production and EDM of Si3N4–TiB2ceramic composites. British Ceramic Transactions, 100 (2), 49-54. http://doi.org/10.1179/096797801681198

Conference papers

Jones, A.H., Barnes-Warden, J., & Fielden, I. (2018). Determination of the Cause of the Differing Ballistic Performance of 9mm DM11 Bullets from Two Manufacturers. Proceedings of the 14th Personal Armour Systems Symposium 2018. http://ipac-pass.org/

Kitchen, M., Lewis, O., Jones, A.H., & Finnie, A.A. (2016). Evaluating the conditions which accelerate the patination of copper in a marine environment. European Corrosion Congress, EUROCORR 2016, 3, 1584-1599.

Seth, S., Lewis, O., Jones, A.H., Stephenson, D., Boden, M., & Thistlethwaite, S. (2012). A study of corrosion and wear resistance performance of thermally sprayed Al-Zn-In and Al-Ti alloy coatings. In 53rd Corrosion Science Symposium, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, UK, 6 September 2012 - 7 September 2012.

Vutabwarova, I., Jones, A.H., Cater, S., & O'Dubhghaill, C. (2012). Copper/brass laminates bonded by friction stir welding as method to study material flow. In 9th International Friction Stir Welding Conference 2012, Huntsville, USA, 15 May 2012 - 17 May 2012. http://www5.twi.co.uk/fsw/previous-symposia/fswsymp9.jsp

Lewis, O., Seth, S., Jones, A.H., Farmilo, N., Stephenson, D., Boden, M., & Thistlethwaite, S. (2011). The development and optimization of aluminium alloys for thermal spray coating application to steel substrates. In 5th RIPT (Les Recontres Internationales sur la Projection Themique), Limoges, France, 2011 - 2011. http://www.unilim.fr/spcts/5RIPT

Seth, S., Lewis, O., Jones, H., Thistlethwaite, S., Stephenson, D., & Boden, M. (2011). A Study of Novel Aluminium Alloys for Thermally Sprayed Metallic Coatings. In Corrosion Science Symposium (52nd), 1 September 2011.

Lewis, M.H., Gajom, N., Dobedoe, R., & Jones, A.H. Microstructure and Property-Control in SiAlON-Containing Monolithic and Composite Ceramics. Key Engineering Materials, 237, 129-140. http://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.237.129

Book chapters

Jones, A.H., Vutabwarova, I., O'Dubhghaill, C., & Cater, S. (2012). The use of friction stir welding for the production of Mokume Gane-Type materials. In Bell, E. (Ed.) Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology 2012: proceedings of the twenty-sixth Santa Fe Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: Met-Chem Research: http://www.santafesymposium.org/2012-santa-fe-symposium-papers/2012-the-use-of-friction-stir-welding-for-the-production-of-mokume-gane-type-materials

Jones, A.H., & O'Dubhghaill, C. (2010). Reliable irogane alloys and niiro patination—further study of production and application to jewelry. In Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology 2010: proceedings of the twenty-fourth Santa Fe Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (pp. 253-286). Albuquerque, N.M: Met-Chem Research

O'Dubhghaill, C., & Jones, A.H. (2009). Japanese irogane alloys and patination – a study of production and application. In Bell, E. (Ed.) Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology 2009: proceedings of the twenty-third Santa Fe Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (pp. 289-324). Albuquerque, N.M: Met-Chem Research

Theses / Dissertations

Seth, S. (2015). Novel aluminium alloys for thermal spray applications to steel substrates. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Lewis, O.

Roffey, P. (2008). The production and tribology of hard facing coatings for agricultural applications. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Jones, H.

Patents

Jones, A., AN, X., Faverjon, F., Johnson, R., Hopkinson, A., & Storey, J. (2008). Silver Alloy Compositions. EP1877590A1·2008-01-16.

Jones, A., Faverjon, F., Johnston, R., An, X., Hopkinson, A., & Storey, J. (2006). Silver Alloy Compositions. WO2006106282A1.

Jones, A., & Pick, A. (n.d.). SIALON BONDED SILICON CARBIDE MATERIAL. WO2014096846.

Other activities

Hywel worked as a consultant since 2000 and has carried out over 400 jobs for a wide range of industrial partners, saving or generating millions of pounds for those companies.

His particular fields of expertise are

  • the analysis of materials via SEM and EDX
  • the analysis of materials via XRD
  • metallic and ceramic microstructures
  • the failure of metallic and ceramic materials
  • wear of materials

Some examples of work Hywel has carried out for industry are

  • the cause of failure of furnace crucibles in Al production
  • finding the cause of blockage in Endoscopy AERs
  • identification of stress corrosion failures in brasses (gas supply industry)
  • fatigue failures in automotive components (automotive and HGV industry)
  • corrosion failure of aluminium heat exchangers (gas and oil industry)
  • premature failure of zirconia bio-materials (bio-medical implants industry)
  • the wear performace of cobalt-chromium alloys for hip prosthesis (bio-medical implants industry)
  • erosion/corrosion wear of aluminium heat exchangers (food production industry)

    Media

    Hywel is responsible for the coordination and management of the Materials and Engineering Research Institute's (MERI) consultancy activities. He is also an active senior researcher with a number of ongoing research projects. He was a member of the Materials UK, Education and Skills Working Group, a committee which provided a report to influence government with regards the UK's strategy for materials for the next 20 years. Hywel also carries out research and development in several areas in collaboration with industrial partners, including ceramics and ceramic composites.

    Cancel event

    Are you sure you want to cancel your place on Saturday 12 November?

    Close
    }