CPACT Webinar on
Imaging, modelling and AI
optimisation of industrial manufacturing and processing systems: learnings from
cross-sector research, and their implications for the Pharmaceutical sector
Prof. Kit Windows-Yule, Director of Innovation, College
of Engineering and Physical Sciences, the University of Birmingham
5th February 2026 at 3pm (UK time)
Manufacturing processes in the Pharmaceutical sector regularly involve
the processing of complex fluids, multiphase materials, and difficult-to-handle
powders and particulates. The behaviours of these materials under differing
process conditions are typically highly difficult to predict. As such, many
manufacturing processes operate suboptimally, costing time, money, and
resources, and potentially affecting product quality and safety which, for this
sector, is of paramount importance.
Moreover, as new regulations limit or ban the use of certain materials,
and global instability mandates the urgent onshoring of certain manufacturing
capabilities, there is a pressing need for tools to facilitate the rapid
reformulation and scale-up of diverse products and processes.
While the challenges of the Pharmaceutical sector, and the materials
used thereby, are in many ways unique, the handling of complex materials is
nonetheless common to many other industrial sectors, including aerospace, agriculture,
biofuels, chemical, defence, fast-moving consumer goods, food and green energy.
As such, there is considerable scope for the crosspollination of ideas which
may help the Pharmaceutical sector improve the efficiency, effectiveness,
productivity, and sustainability of its processes.
In this talk, the speaker discusses key learnings from their experience
spanning all of the above-cited sectors, including:
·
The challenges of rigorously and reliably
calibrating and validating numerical simulations, and efficient solutions
thereto.
·
A brief introduction to Positron Emission
Particle Tracking, a high-resolution, three-dimensional imaging technique, including
case studies of its application to diverse pharmaceutical processes.
·
The use of artificial intelligence as both a
predictive tool and for the optimisation of industrial process equipment,
emphasising the value of simple and interpretable models (which are often
overlooked by modern industry).
This webinar will last no longer than
one hour.
This webinar is for CPACT members only.
Please register direct at https://universityofstrathclyde.webex.com/weblink/register/r1855f02355aff72946b36e4a33fabef3