NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS DIGITAL WATER ANALYSIS ROGUE CHATBOTS ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY TESTING NATIONAL METROLOGY SKILLS ALLIANCE SUMMER 2022CONTENTS Page 2 – Editor’s Note Page 3 – Meet our Newsletter Contributors Page 4 – News Page 10 – The Export Support Service (ESS) by Paul McComb, Director – UK Exports, Department for International Trade Page 12 – National Metrology Skills Alliance by Charlotte Blake, Trevor Toman, Phil Bamforth and Steff Smith Page 14 – Digital Water Network Analysis by Carl Wordsworth, Head of Water Sector at TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory Page 18 – EV Battery Testing by Gareth Hinds, NPL Fellow and Science Area Leader, Electrochemistry Group, NPL Page 20 – Rogue Chatbots by Maya Carlyle, Principal Enterprise Architect, Technology Delivery, CIO Office, NPL Page 24 – TÜV SÜD Offers Hydrogen Test Facility to Help Solve Technical Challenges of Adopting Hydrogen by Carl Wordsworth, Head of Water Sector at TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory Page 26 – Update on the Science T Level by Joe Neame, Subject Specialist Science, NCFE Page 28 – My Jubilee – 42 Years Working in the Test and Measurement Industry by Andy Morris, NPL North of England Operations Manager, National Physical Laboratory Page 30 – BMTA Council Member Profile Dr David Gurden-Williams - BSc (Jt Hons) Biochemistry/ Chemistry, PhD Chemistry, Chartered Scientist Page 32 – BMTA Company Member Profile Markes International Page 33 – Member Notices Welcome to the Summer issue of the BMTA Newsletter In this issue, we feature a variety of articles related to the test and measurement industry, collated to inform you and your organisation on the latest developments in our sector. In the article written by Paul McComb, Director – UK Exports, Department for International Trade, we look at how the ESS can help your UK business get answers to practical questions about exporting to Europe. Our article on the National Metrology Skills Alliance considers why the metrologist is emerging as a key role in data validation but receives poor recognition. The MCDDM is taking a lead in the development of a framework for metrology skills. We have two articles from TÜV SÜD – the first describing how TÜV SÜD is taking digital analytical technologies that have been developed for the oil and gas industry and applying them to the water industry. The second article describes how the organisation is building a range of hydrogen test facilities, as well as the development of a gas primary flow standard test facility. EVs are a critical component of the drive to decarbonise the transport sector. Gareth Hinds’ article, discusses how EV battery testing has an important role to play in the cost-effective triage of EV batteries at the end of their first life. Joe Neame at NCFE provides us with an update on the Science T Level – the metrology occupational specialism, while we continue our theme of AI ethics in the article by Maya Carlyle at NPL on rogue chatbots. The BMTA Council member profile for his issue is on Dr David Gurden-Williams - BSc (Jt Hons) Biochemistry / Chemistry, PhD Chemistry, Chartered Scientist. Our BMTA Company Member Profile features Markes International. Our Autumn 2022 theme is: Alternative Fuels To help us provide our BMTA members with useful information we would like your help to: • identify and share relevant topics; • provide research on new technologies or techniques; • let us know industry news; • promote events and training sessions; • inform us of publications you think may be of interest to your fellow BMTA members. Contact me at editor@bmta.co.uk EDITOR’S NOTE bmta.co.uk 2MEET OUR NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS bmta.co.uk Maya Carlyle Principal Enterprise Architect, NPL Dr Carl Wordsworth Head of Water Sector TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory Paul McComb Director – UK Exports Department for International Trade Gareth Hinds NPL Fellow and Science Area Leader, Electrochemistry Group, NPL Joe Neame Subject Specialist Science, NCFE Andy Morris - MBE, BSc(Open), FInstMC Operations Manager NPL North Maya is the Principal Enterprise Architect at National Physics Laboratory (NPL). Maya is responsible for interconnecting all NPL’s laboratories and enterprise systems,. She is also responsible for hardening and scaling AI algorithms for production on distributed systems to process Petabytes of information in Machine Learning Automated build pipelines. Prior to NPL, Maya worked for the Vietnamese government, analysing accents to detect socio-economic details and travel history from 15 seconds of voice. Carl is currently the Head of Water for TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory and has worked with NEL at East Kilbride in the National Engineering Laboratory for three years. Carl has 24 years of experience working in fluids research and has spent most of his career looking at R&D within the oil and gas and water industries. Carl has spent over 10 years developing new products for the oil and gas industry and has developed a range of separation technologies for which he holds a number of patents. His most recent work has focused on Business Development in the water industry for NEL and trying to develop NEL’s digital services in the water industry. Carl holds a BEng in Mineral Engineering and a PhD in Solid State Electrochemistry both gained at Leeds University. Paul has worked in International Trade for the past six years and was responsible for setting up the Department in 2016, he followed this with a four-year tour in Hong Kong as Director-General for Trade and Investment. Prior to working on Trade, Paul was the Principal Private Secretary to Right Honourable Iain Duncan Smith MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP), where he helped to deliver the biggest reform of the Welfare State in 60 years. Gareth Hinds is NPL Fellow and Science Area Leader in the Electrochemistry Group at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington, United Kingdom. His primary expertise is in the development of novel in situ diagnostic techniques and standard test methods for the assessment of corrosion and material degradation in energy applications. Gareth is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and holds visiting academic positions at University College London, the University of Strathclyde and Harbin Institute of Technology. He is the author of over 200 publications and sits on IEC TC 21 (Secondary cells and batteries) and IEC TC 69 (Electric vehicles). Joe graduated Newcastle University in 2016 with a degree in Biochemistry BSc. During this time, he studied life at the molecular level, explored chemical processes within cells and became proficient in industry-standard analytical techniques. He also completed a summer research placement at the Northern Institute of Cancer Research and carried out his dissertation at the Institute of Genetic Medicine (International Centre for Life). Following this, he spent five years teaching, covering all three sciences up to GCSE and Biology to A Level. Joe is passionate about ensuring a fair education for all which led him to apply to become a science specialist for NCFE, to promote and advance learning, helping every learner to achieve their full potential. Andy has worked in metrology businesses since 1979 mainly managing teams of engineers/scientists. Current roles in support of this include – Metrology Chairman of the Gauge & Toolmakers Association. He is Deputy-Chairman of the Institute of Measurement & Control Metrology Specialist Interest Group; a Council member for BMTA; and also a Member of the University of Huddersfield Industrial Advisory Committee. 34 NEWS bmta.co.uk TELESCOPIC LADDER SAFETY CAMPAIGN FROM THE LADDER ASSOCIATION BMTA The Voice of Measurement and Testing BMTA was created in 1990 in response to the need for an independent ‘lobby’ for the private sector to speak with one voice to Government, UKAS, BSI and other official bodies on issues affecting the whole measurement, testing and calibration community. We encourage you to make your views known in the standards making process, through your contribution to newsletters, participation in Association activities and membership of relevant BMTA and Standards Making committees. The Ladder Association’s recent research and testing of a sample of telescopic ladders (obtained online and in-store) showed that 4 out of 5 of the ladders tested in this specific survey, failed the required safety tests designed to keep users safe. The research, conducted in partnership with Trading Standards, gives consumers an increased awareness of the issue and encourages them to exercise caution when buying telescopic ladders, particularly online. Working at height can be risky enough, without the added danger of unsafe equipment – every 11 minutes in the UK, someone attends A&E after sustaining an injury involving a ladder. A fall from height can cause life-changing injuries, and in some cases, death. Research carried out by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) also found only 17% of consumers consider safety at the time of purchase, reflecting the trust placed in suppliers, retailers, marketplaces and online platforms to only supply safe products. Vicki Burch, Chair of the East of England Trading Standards Association Product Safety Group, said: “EETSA and Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team have found it invaluable to work with the Ladder Association on this project. "From the samples provided by EETSA, over half failed the appropriate tests to the applicable safety standard. "For those telescopic ladders identified as non-compliant, action has been taken to ensure they are removed from sale. "EETSA would advise consumers to take time to research before buying, particularly online, buy from reputable sources and check product reviews. "If consumers have concerns about the safety of a product before or after purchase, it should be reported to Trading Standards.” The ladder safety campaign, ‘Step Up to Safe Ladders’, aims to shine a light on the very real dangers of poor-quality telescopic ladders on the market, to stop the sale of these unsafe ladders in the UK, and ultimately keep people safe when using ladders. You can find the full report at: https://ladderassociation.org.uk/wp- content/uploads/2022/05/Telescopic-Ladder-Surveillance-Survey- Report-Version-1-Revision-0-May-2022.pdf New research commissioned by the Ladder Association has raised serious concerns that unsafe and potentially dangerous ladders are being sold to unsuspecting consumers in the UK.5 NEWS bmta.co.uk LAURA MARTIN IS ELECTED AS THE NEW EUROLAB SECRETARY GENERAL Laura Martin followed the mandate of Drewin Nieuwenhuis, who had been Secretary General for the last couple of years. Ms Martin has been working for EUROLAB since 2013, undertaking various positions and evolving in the role while developing the expertise and the right skills to follow in Mr Nieuwenhuis’s steps and take the lead of the EUROLAB Secretariat. “I am honoured and delighted to take on this role and work together with all our members and key stakeholders in supporting and bringing an added value to the laboratory community. EUROLAB is not only about the Secretariat, it is about all our members and members’ members, their valuable contributions and expertise which is key in our work, it is about the network we build with our partners in supporting the needs of the laboratory community.” – Laura Martin, EUROLAB Secretary General. The entire EUROLAB community would like to thank Mr Nieuwenhuis for his valuable contribution, dedicated work and continuous commitment to EUROLAB and wishes him all the best for the future, as well as the best of luck to Ms Martin in her new endeavours as Secretary General. During the EUROLAB General Assembly held on 19 May 2022 in Rome (Italy), Laura Martin, former Secretary of the EUROLAB Board, was elected as Secretary General. Paolo Moscatti, President EUROLAB, Laura Martin, Secretary General EUROLAB Contribute to our next newsletter We encourage our readers to send in thought leadership articles and opinion pieces on a wide range of technical, operational and commercial issues impacting any aspect of the UK measurement and testing industry. To contribute, please email editor@bmta.co.uk The UKAS PAF consists of 69 representative members of which the BMTA is one. UKAS PAF members meets once year which is hosted by the UKAS chairman and Chief Executive. As a member of the UKAS PAF, the BMTA represents its members views and concerns that UKAS should be considering in its future plans. UKAS PAC membership consists of 12 members. UKAS PAC members meet three times year to to give detailed advice to UKAS upon areas of concern that the PAC’s membership may have. As a member of the UKAS PAC, BMTA provides feedback of the concerns of its members at the highest level. To help us help you, please let us know of any issues or concerns you may have with regard to the service offered by UKAS, whether it be technically, operationally or financially. All feedback is dealt with on a confidential basis and identities will not be shared with UKAS without specific written consent. Please contact greg.ward@bmta.co.uk or enquiries@bmta.co.uk. BMTA has a direct voice in bringing to the attention of UKAS our members concerns and issues. This is endorsed by our membership of two UKAS committees; the Policy Advisory Forum and the Policy Advisory Committee. BMTA’S DIRECT VOICE TO UKAS6 NEWS bmta.co.uk PROTOTYPE FOR ‘GAME-CHANGING’ AMMONIA PLANT The project, led by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) with partners Frazer-Nash Consultancy has won early-stage funding from the UK Government to get it off the ground. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has awarded around £284,000 to the team through its Net Zero Innovation Portfolio Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 Competition, which aims to create a complete and ready-made design for industry. Alternative to fossil fuels Ammonia has traditionally been used as a fertiliser, but it is now increasingly seen as a hydrogen carrier and carbon-free fuel for the future. Ammonia can be used directly as a fuel in internal combustion engines, gas turbines and fuel cells. As such, it looks set to play a significant role in hard to decarbonise industries including shipping, non-electrified rail and electric vehicle charging, as well as a fuel alternative for current methane-fired power stations. It can be stored and transported at a higher energy density and lower cost than hydrogen gas or liquid, and it has an existing manufacturing and distribution network that has a good safety and reliability record. STFC’s Executive Director for National Laboratories: Large Scale Facilities, Dr Alan Partridge, said: “As the world moves towards Net Zero, this collaboration is a perfect example of how we can use cutting edge technology allied with our national science infrastructure to develop alternative fuel solutions to meet the future energy needs of UK industry. “By combining the expertise of the STFC technology team on our RAL campus with that of our private sector project partners we are able to deliver novel energy solutions.” Traditionally, ammonia is synthesised in large chemical plants that run at steady conditions with power from the grid for 24 hours a day and seven days a week. As the UK aims to become more reliant on intermittent renewable power, a more flexible ammonia plant is required – one which can facilitate the economic storage, transport and trading of renewable energy in the form of green ammonia fuel. Future-proofing ammonia production To future-proof ammonia production, STFC is leading Project ASPIRE (Ammonia Synthesis Plant from Intermittent Renewable Energy). Dr Tristan Davenne, Senior Research Engineer in STFC’s Energy Research Unit is the technical lead. Most of the work will be carried out by engineers from both STFC’s Technology Department and from Frazer-Nash Consultancy, a KBR company. There will also be inputs from scientists at STFC’s ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Dr Davenne said: “Although ammonia-based technology is advancing at a lightning rate and looks set to be a major player in a carbon-free future, currently its production creates a significant amount of greenhouse gas. “To make ammonia fuel truly green and sustainable, we need to think about making the production process carbon-free as well. “Our aim is to design a flexible scalable plant which is optimised to generate green ammonia from intermittent renewable power sources such as wind and solar.” Taking carbon out of the equation Ammonia is currently made from hydrogen that is obtained from natural gas via a process known as ‘steam methane reforming’. In this process, methane from natural gas is heated with steam, producing a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The carbon monoxide is then reacted with more water via the water gas shift reaction, producing further hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Ammonia production that relies on this process is responsible for 1.8% of global emissions of carbon dioxide. Green ammonia can, however, be made entirely from renewable energy sources using nitrogen separated from air and hydrogen from water electrolysis. Frazer-Nash project lead, Dr Stephen Livermore, said: “As the clock continues its countdown to 2050, the deadline for global governments’ targets to achieve Net Zero emissions, it’s essential that we explore novel solutions to achieve decarbonisation. Green ammonia has the potential to displace ammonia produced by fossil fuels, and become the renewable, carbon-free energy store of the future. “Working with STFC and partners on this important and timely project will help to demonstrate the potential that green ammonia offers, and through taking innovative approaches to ammonia synthesis, thermal management and energy storage, we can ensure that the design of all these individual systems integrates into a cohesive whole-system.” Working with industry The project team is now working hard to design a scalable system with a view to the future construction of a demonstrator. Engineers are designing a green ammonia plant that can reliably and efficiently generate ammonia using only intermittent renewable energy as the source of power.7 NEWS bmta.co.uk PROTOTYPE FOR ‘GAME-CHANGING’ AMMONIA PLANT ...CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE To ensure all practical and logistical needs are considered, the team is working alongside renewable energy developers: ● Scottish Power ●EDF Renewables ● Engie ● Potential Offtakers at Brookfield, and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Stornoway Council) ● Plus the Harwell EnergyTec Cluster. These industry contacts will not only provide crucial input on the potential applicability of the technology to renewable energy projects but also use the project findings, such as benefits, costs and challenges, in their commercial activities. The findings of the project will also be made available for the benefit of other renewable energy developers. THE JOURNAL OF THE PARLIAMENTARY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE The Summer edition of The Journal of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee (All-Party Parliamentary Group) has been published. The issue coincides with the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee’s long-awaited return to the Palace of Westminster for their discussion meetings programme. See https://www.bmta.co.uk/ news-events/news/544-the- journal-of-the-parliamentary-and-scientific-committee.html to read further. BMTA MEMBERSHIP If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a member of the BMTA, please email enquiries@bmta.co.uk, requesting a membership application pack. Membership of the Association is open to all organisations in the measurement, testing and calibration industry. ACCESS CUTTING-EDGE R&D EXPERTISE AND FACILITIES The Analysis for Innovators (A4I) programme, led by Innovate UK, focuses on helping individual companies boost their productivity and solve technical problems by providing access to the UK's top scientists and facilities. The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the UK's National Metrology Institute. Partnering with A4I, NPL offers an opportunity to collaborate with successful participants and provide our expertise to your project. The competition will close to applicants at 11:00 (BST) on 31 August. To find out more about the competition and how to apply, download the webinar recording. About the competition The competition has two strands: Mini projects – up to £50K funding and 3 months duration (open to UK SMEs) Full projects – up to £120K funding and 6 months duration (open to all UK businesses) Visit NPL’s website for further information and to find out how previous applicants have benefitted from the A4I programme. UKAS M3003 THE EXPRESSION OF UNCERTAINTY AND CONFIDENCE IN MEASUREMENT ED5 A draft of the UKAS document “M3003 The Expression of Uncertainty and Confidence in Measurement Ed5” is now available for consultation. UKAS invites you to provide your feedback. The draft and the comment form can both be found at: https://www.ukas.com/resources/publications/publications-for- consultation/.8 NEWS 8 8 8 bmta.co.uk Anyone contemplating modernising or introducing a management system would benefit from attending our flexible, online Management Systems course, presented by Trevor Thompson at Best Measurement. This short course is split into three modules and describes the modern approach and how it can benefit your business. It identifies the features and terminology used and how systems should be integrated into an organisation’s operational and management practices to add value, convenience and compliance. The management system is not an unavoidable overhead, it is a cost-effective tool that should reduce risk and stress. Each module is served as a 90-minute webcast, viewable at your convenience, followed by a scheduled live Q&A event with your tutor. This will help you to contextualise the learning to your specific requirements. As a Not-for-Profit, BMTA seeks to offer all conferences and training courses at the most cost-effective rates. This course is being offered for the total price of only £225 + VAT. Course completion certificates are provided after each module. For just £225 + VAT you will receive: • three 90 minute on-demand training modules which you can access at any time; • three workbooks designed to support your learning; and • three scheduled Q&A events with your tutor to help you contextualise your learning and take it back into your business. BMTA represents the interests of the calibration, measurement and testing industry in the United Kingdom. We bring together laboratories, test houses, equipment suppliers, certification and accreditation bodies, regulators, standards bodies and national measurement organisations. By bringing together the industry we are uniquely able to support member companies in their development through networking, knowledge sharing and training. Contact enquiries@BMTA.co.uk for more information. BMTA MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS COURSE Management Systems or Quality Systems have evolved greatly over the years. All organisations making measurements have a system of sorts, some more advanced than others, and some more compliant with the requirements of modern Standards than others. ABOUT THE COURSE PRESENTER – TREVOR THOMPSON Trevor is a metrology and accreditations expert with over 50 years of experience in the calibration, measurement and testing industry. He has worked with leading organisations such as National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the National Testing Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (NATLAS), the National Measurement Accreditation Service (NAMAS) and managed the Physics and Electrical Laboratory Accreditation teams at the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for 24 years. Trevor has presented on behalf of UKAS at numerous BMTA training events and conferences over the last 20 years. Trevor was also a member of the drafting committee for the revision of ISO 17025:2017. Trevor is currently a Metrology and Accreditation Consultant and provides and delivers training on behalf of various organisations including UKAS. To read more about Trevor’s experience visit his LinkedIn profile. 9 NEWS 9 bmta.co.uk 9 If you are reading this newsletter and would like to become a member of the BMTA, please send an email to enquiries@bmta.co.uk, requesting a membership application pack. Enquiries about associate and individual membership should also be addressed to enquiries@bmta.co.uk. Membership of the Association is open to all organisations in the measurement, testing and calibration industry. We encourage senior people in organisations to become individual members, and organisations to become corporate members. BECOME A MEMBER Our membership fees are based on the size of your organisation making it affordable to the smallest company. Take a look at our website to discover the benefits of BMTA membership: www.bmta.com DEDICATED TRADE LISTING Build your brand credibility and trust from our dedicated trade listing. KEEP YOUR FINGER ON THE PULSE Help your business stay ahead of the game by receiving full access to the regular updates on the latest industry news and information. INFORMATION AND INSIGHT Access to surveys, reports, forecasts, market information, whitepapers and the latest guidelines that may impact upon your business and industry. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Share ideas, ask questions and play a role in determining changes and new processes in the industry. Continue your education and development with seminars, workshops and classes to help you learn and grow in your profession. BECOME AN ACTIVE MEMBER Have the potential to influence legislation that affects the industry and help lobby lawmakers and sway public opinion more positively. DISCOUNTED TRAINING AND EDUCATION Receive up to 20% discount with the UK’s most accurate tender alert service - Tenders Direct, who read and categorise every public sector tender in the UK, ROI and OJEU to ensure their service delivers accurate and relevant opportunities for your business. FREE GOVERNMENT FUNDING ADVICE Helping you access Government funding in the form of tax incentives and reliefs such as R&D Tax Credits, Capital Allowances, Patent Box and Grants. DISCOUNTED DELL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Receive up to 20% discount off laptops, desktops and accessories. Plus, free access to Dell’s highly trained Small Business Technology Advisors to help grow your business. DISCOUNTED HR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW SUPPORT Delivered in partnership with Make UK Legal Services, your membership can give you access to your own team of employment law solicitors, barristers and HR professionals at a fraction of the usual price. BSI DEVELOPMENT NOTICES AND COMMITTEE ACCESS Get the opportunity to represent us on BSI technical committees that you might not otherwise have access to. By giving you an insight into future changes that may impact your business, BMTA will encourage you to make your voice heard and your views known in the standards making process, both nationally and internationally. WHY JOIN? Here are some of the things BMTA can do for you: TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BMTA MEMBERSHIP PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.Next >