Hartree Case Studies

Case Studies

Read a selection of our biggest impact success stories and achievements below to find out how we're making a big difference to industry sectors from healthcare and telecommunications to transport and manufacturing.

Creating a virtual agent to support MedTech innovators
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre worked with Chilton Computing as part of an Innovate UK funded project to create a virtual agent that helps innovators navigate the medical device regulation space.
Accelerating scientific invention and discovery with AI
Northstar worked with us with help from the LCR4 START programme to explore the potential of AI to act as a virtual research assistant.
Application of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics to the Resonant Acoustic Mixing of Complex, Highly Filled Composites
Lewtas Science & Technologies are improving the safety and speed of mixing energetic materials together with the help of computational models, through support from the Hartree Centre and STFC’s Bridging for Innovators programme.
Digital transformation starts with data quality
We worked with Altus Group to develop an automated data extraction, validation and transformation pipeline to improve data quality and save valuable time and staff effort.
Inspiring employee performance with AI
Exploring AI and data-driven technologies to enhance their brand alignment and context technology platform became possible for Liverpool-based SME Inspirze with help from the STFC Hartree Centre and the LCR4 START programme.
Accelerating the development of unique materials using computer modelling
Funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Bridging for Innovators programme, the Hartree Centre worked with material specialists Lucideon to accelerate the development of novel ceramics.
Law firm takes advantage of AI assistance to redact sensitive documents
We're working with UK law firm Weightmans to explore using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to assist solicitors in redacting information faster and more cost-effectively without compromising on accuracy or security.
Designing safer technology solutions for home care
We worked with Cera Care – a technology-enabled home care company – to design a safe, non-invasive monitoring solution to improve elderly care.
Building an AI model for alcohol related hospital admissions
We worked with Liverpool CCG, the Innovation Agency and University of Liverpool using AI to predict the risk of admission to hospital for patients with alcohol-related illnesses.
Reducing the risk in vessel turn-arounds for ports
Researchers based at the STFC Hartree Centre worked with worked with Peel Ports Group to reduce uncertainty in available draft on vessels arriving and departing in ports using AI.
Improving personal care products with advanced simulation
We're working with Unilever, using advanced in-silico modelling capabilities to drive understanding into antimicrobial peptide interactions for future product development.
Improving packing line efficiency
Researchers based at the STFC Hartree Centre are working with Unilever to optimise their packing line operations using the power of data.
Cyber security in connected autonomous vehicles
As part of an Innovate UK funded project, we worked with Chilton Computing, Huduma and Oxfordshire County Council as part of a consortium focusing on cyber security in connected autonomous vehicles.
Getting the picture of emulsion flows
Along with Unilever, we are employing computational modelling to study detailed dynamics of emulsions to optimise innovative manufacturing processes.
Cognitive chemical manufacturing
We worked with AstraZeneca to optimise their chemical manufacturing processes, saving time and costs in large scale product production and manufacturing.
Computational formulation for polymers
We worked with Johnson Matthey, using computational techniques to automate and accelerate the process of identifying properties of novel chemical formulations.
Simulation and machine learning for future medicine
We worked with AstraZeneca to accelerate lead optimisation by providing insights on a new class of drugs with the potential to reduce costs and increase productivity.
Developing visualisation and AI tools for engineering production
Researchers based at the STFC Hartree® Centre and the Virtual Engineering Centre, University of Liverpool are working with Airbus in the UK to apply state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) and data visualisation to their production process.
Machine learning in whisky identification and verification
We worked with the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI) using data analytics to tackle counterfeiting across the sector.
Using image recognition to identify vortices for vehicle design
We worked with TotalSim – an aerodynamics and CFD company – to understand vortex formation in Formula One cars and improve aerodynamic performance.
Understanding drug toxicity through gene expression
We worked with Syngenta - a leading agricultural and biotechnology company - to design bioinformatics tools for high throughput screening of candidate compounds.
Picking the right healthcare app – the data science way
The Hartree Centre assisted healthcare app evaluation specialists ORCHA in exploring data-driven approaches to speed up the review process and enable more sustainable business growth.
Using blockchain for greater finance transparency
As part of the ERDF-funded LCR 4.0 programme, we helped peer-to-peer car finance company BLOCKTRACK to turn an idea into a demonstrator, enabling the adoption of a novel technology.
Improving energy efficiency across water treatment plants
We worked with South West Water using data science and machine learning techniques to improve the energy efficiency and performance of water treatment plants through STFC’s Bridging for Innovators funding programme.
Speeding up data ingestion for property surveying
We helped Chartered Surveyors Roberts Vain Wilshaw to automate the integration of new data into their technology stack, freeing up valuable staff time and generating a competitive advantage over less efficient manual approaches.
Boulder detection from seabed sonar images
We worked with hydrographic survey company Bibby Hydromap, using computational deep learning techniques to automate and accelerate the process of labelling boulders in sonar images.
Using big data to streamline early stage drug development
We're part of ADDoPT; an academic-industrial knowledge base collaboration with the UK pharmaceutical industry to accelerate advanced digital design techniques and streamline development.
Using data analytics to understand our gut microbiome
We worked with the Quadram Institute – a food and health research centre – to design and optimise bioinformatics tools for understanding large genetic datasets.
Understanding soil health through the lens of its microbiome
We worked with IBM Research and established agricultural research centre Rothamsted Research to understand how soil microbiomes can shape soil health.
Flexible and scalable solutions for climate smart forecasting
We are working with SME Weather Logistics to improve weather forecasting and help UK growers to make more informed decisions.
Future-proofing products for next generation technologies
We helped Ellexus – an application profiling company - to test its tool on their leading high performance computing platforms through STFC’s Bridging for Innovators funding programme.
Improving care planning by combining health data sources
We are working with the NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to join up healthcare data sources, providing insight in to improving patient flow through hospitals.
Enhancing data integration for manufacturing SMEs
We helped smart manufacturing software company Valuechain to digitise its data pipeline, increasing productivity and cost-efficiency as part of the ERDF-funded LCR 4.0 project.
Designing novel antimicrobial peptides
Ingenza is working with researchers based at the Hartree Centre on molecular simulation techniques with the potential to reduce the time and costs associated with bringing new drug designs to market.
Ask Oli chatbot starts an AI revolution in children’s healthcare
A groundbreaking collaboration between the STFC Hartree Centre and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital is harnessing the power of intelligent computing to personalise healthcare and enhance the patient experience.
GPU acceleration at scale with OpenPower platforms
We are working to optimise Code_Saturne, an open-source software package developed by EDF for complex CFD simulations to run on next-generation architectures.
Building an IoT ecosystem for local businesses
The Hartree Centre was one of seven partners selected to be part of the IoT UK Boost innovation support programme for SMEs to develop and prototype their IoT products and services.
Cognitive monitoring for chronic health conditions
With help from the Hartree Centre, start-up Ufonia is exploring the use of cognitive technologies to monitor people with long term health needs.
Improving personalised disease diagnostics
By analysing microbiome data, IBM Research scientists based at the STFC Hartree Centre are working to predict whether an individual has an illness, a predisposition to a disease, or how a disease has developed in a non-invasive way.
Creating smarter payment methods for energy smart meters
We helped disruptive technology company GLOBAL-365 to scale and test its product SMARTprepay®, a versatile and reliable service for topping up smart meters operating in prepayment mode.
A cognitive revolution for children’s healthcare
In a ground-breaking collaboration with the Hartree Centre, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital is harnessing the power and potential of IBM Watson cognitive computing technology to personalise healthcare and enhance the patient experience.
Delivering specialist data analytics training
We provided the Data, Risk and Environmental Analytical Methods Centre for Doctoral Training (DREAM CDT) with training in big data analytics to give its PhD students a unique hands-on learning opportunity and enhance thier computational and data skills.
Security is the key to a stronger Internet of Things
With our expertise, Welsh start-up WaveReach reduced time to market for its new Lighthouse communications product and ensured its ability to safeguard data security.
Tailoring computational fluid dynamics software
Mass spectrometer manufacturer Waters is capitalising on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the Hartree Centre to add a new dimension to its computing capabilities, enhance product offerings and boost its market share.
Ensuring high performance research meets industrial needs
Working with Cambium LLP, the Hartree Centre has pioneered a process that uses direct insights from businesses to help translate pioneering data-centric research into commercial benefits for the UK.
Harnessing big data analytics to benefit mobile phone users
The Hartree Centre is helping Wadaro to scale up a product that enables mobile network operators to enhance the customer experience.
Enabling UK businesses to unlock the value of big data
Working with techUK, the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Hartree Centre sponsored a series of Big Data in Action Roadshows to demonstrate the value of big data analytics and encourage adoption of these technologies in UK industry.
Transforming traffic modelling with Atkins
In a pioneering collaboration funded by Highways England and Atkins, the STFC Hartree® Centre’s expertise is ensuring that key simulation software can meet the intense demands of a £15 billion road construction and improvement programme.
On-demand supercomputing for innovative technology R&D
Engineering R&D consultancy Menatech Limited have used flexible supercomputing resources at the Hartree Centre, accessed via OCF’s enCORE service, to speed up big data simulations and reduce costs.
Next-generation weather model development with the Met Office
The weather might just be the UK's favourite topic of conversation – probably in part because it is so difficult to predict what it will do next. But making the weather more predictable is precisely what we’re trying to do.
Supercomputers are getting to the heart of the matter
At the Hartree Centre, scientists are using our powerful supercomputers to visualise how blood flows through implanted blood pumps
More accurate rail updates using big data analytics
We investigated how big data analytics could be used in the rail transport system to provide real-time service information.
Drip-free design meets need for speed
Using supercomputer Blue Wonder, we helped Unilever slash many months and tens of thousands of pounds from the design process, whilst delivering the best consumer experience for new laundry liquid products.
Pharmaceutical product design goes digital
Working with major names in the industry, the Hartree Centre is a partner in the powerful ADDoPT collaboration that aims to secure the UK’s place at the forefront of new pharmaceutical development.
Bringing supercomputing to the factory floor
The Hartree Centre has provided critical assistance to simulation company 3DSIM to optimise its software, which reduces the risk of failure during metal 3D printing.
Inspiring new visualisation technology development
Visualisation and Virtual Reality (VR) company, Virtalis, has expanded its product range with a specialist software developed for and demonstrated at the STFC Hartree Centre.
Code optimisation accelerates aero-engine innovation
The Hartree Centre’s high performance computing (HPC) capabilities are helping Rolls-Royce plc to model and improve component design in its world-renowned jet engines more quickly and cost-effectively.
Remote visualisation helps bring ‘HPC for all’ within reach
Working with the Hartree Centre, Constelcom has proved the feasibility of a cost-cutting innovation that makes it more attractive and affordable for businesses to harness high performance computing (HPC) services.
Transforming Daresbury into an IoT connected campus
As the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to gains traction, the STFC Hartree Centre has demonstrated the opportunities and possibilities – plus its own relevant expertise – by turning Daresbury Laboratory into a ‘connected campus’.
Predicting weather related emergency black spots
Our data analytics capability has helped KnowNow Information Ltd create a unique data resource that aims to revolutionise emergency planning and response.
Enabling new commercial opportunities
Mellanox Technologies is using flexible access to the STFC Hartree Centre’s supercomputing infrastructure to harness the power of high performance computing and realise new commercial opportunities.
Revealing the Value of Open Data
The big data and data analytics capabilities of the Hartree Centre and its partner IBM are enabling Democrata to help construction firms predict the presence of archaeological remains.
Developing next generation ocean modelling techniques
The STFC Hartree Centre’s computing capability and expertise is helping the GOcean project investigate next generation ocean modelling software.
Quicker simulations, better competitiveness
Access to our demand high performance computing (HPC) infrastructure service meant engineering consultancy QED Naval could run complex simulations four times faster than using in-house systems.
Using supercomputers to simulate brain activity
The Hartree Centre’s computational capabilities are assisting Erasmus MC’s BrainFrame project in the development of an automated framework for highly detailed, real-time brain models and simulations.
Data analytics to streamline healthcare costs
The STFC Hartree Centre helped Albatross Financial Solutions optimise the patient cost benchmarking service it provides to NHS Trusts, helping them to validate and predict costs more accurately and establish best practices.
Improving aircraft design simulations with HPC
Advanced computing facilities at the STFC Hartree Centre have enabled a team lead by Dr Neil Ashton from the University of Manchester to develop better aerodynamic models, which are now being presented to industry stakeholders including Boeing and NASA
Making light work of fibre optic optimisation
High performance computing has enabled researchers from Aston University and the University of Warwick to test pioneering simulation software that could improve the performance of fibre optic cables.
Expanding HPC options for catastrophe modelling with Oasis
The STFC Hartree Centre has enabled Oasis Loss Modelling Framework to improve the performance of its software by demonstrating new techniques for the code to run on larger scale, high performance computing (HPC) environments.
The drive to design safer vehicles using supercomputers
The Hartree Centre’s on-demand high performance computing (HPC) service, enCORE, managed by channel partners OCF, has enabled Simpact Engineering Ltd to halve the time required to solve vehicle crashworthiness simulations.
Advancing disease mapping techniques
Healthcare company GSK is using our computing expertise to identify connections between different genes and diseases, with a view to developing more effective treatments.
Building next generation materials simulation tools with NPL
The UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and international collaborators are developing a new framework for accurate simulation of material properties using the high performance computing power of the STFC Hartree Centre.
Providing the skills to succeed in supercomputing
The STFC Hartree Centre is dedicated to developing the UK’s modelling and simulation capabilities and building the skills capacity for high performance computing (HPC) in the current and future workforce.
Understanding advanced material performance
Advanced materials manufacturer Victrex has been working with the Hartree Centre to determine the performance potential of its unique polymers for extreme environments.
Enhancing packaging R&D with clay-polymer modelling
We helped Sun Chemical, a leading supplier of printing inks, pigments and coatings, realise the value of clay polymer-modelling to improve its packaging R&D methods.
Identifying erosion threats to property developments
HR Wallingford has harnessed the intense computing capabilities at the STFC Hartree Centre to generate super-fast insights into the potential erosion threats to a proposed coastal residential and recreational development in the Middle East.
Giving independent software providers a boost
The STFC Hartree Centre is committed to breaking down the technical barriers that can prevent software SMEs like FlowHD from reaching their full potential.
Developing next-generation climate and weather models
The Met Office is working with the STFC Hartree Centre to develop their next generation weather forecasting and climate prediction model.
Graphene to accelerate new developments in nanoelectronics
The Institute for Materials Research at The University of Leeds has brought the UK one-step closer to using graphene in electronic circuits, through the simulation capabilities of the Hartree Centre.
Solving technical challenges to build fuel cells of the future
The STFC Hartree Centre has provided SME ACAL Energy with the supercomputing capability they required to gain a better insight into their fuel cell technology, enabling them to solve a technical performance problem.
Simulations assist more economical oil extraction
Researchers at Lancaster University are using the supercomputing capability of the Hartree Centre to accurately simulate the flow of complex fluids to improve oil extraction techniques.
Smaller, affordable particle accelerators for security
Tech-X is using high performance computing (HPC) at the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Hartree Centre to help speed up the arrival of smaller, more versatile particle accelerators.
Accelerating the product discovery process at Unilever
Unilever is taking advantage of the STFC Hartree Centre’s expertise in high performance computing (HPC) to model how key ingredients of typical home and personal care products combine to structure everyday liquids.
Accelerating product design development
Collaborative expertise and access to supercomputing facilities has enabled the Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC) to develop computer-aided engineering (CAE) process templates and optimisation methods to support future designs for Jaguar Land Rover.
Supporting new automotive product design
Collaboration with the Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC) and access to the STFC Hartree Centre’s visualisation suite has enabled Bentley Motors to integrate the use of virtual models into their new product development process, improving design at an early

Case Studies

Read a selection of our biggest impact success stories and achievements below to find out how we're making a big difference to industry ​sectors from healthcare and telecommunications to transport​ and manufacturing.​​​​

Read a selection of our biggest impact success stories and achievements below to find out how we're making a big difference to industry sectors from healthcare and telecommunications to transport and manufacturing.