The £50 billion global art market is blighted by criminal activity. For more than 40 years, the art and antiques sector had been looking for an easier and more trustworthy means of ensuring authenticity. The use of technology has been rare, due to unreliability and the destructive nature of available analysis techniques.

Cranfield’s researchers pioneered the use of the latest low and non-destructive analytical approaches, normally used for crime scene investigations, for working on art crime cases. Objects from established museum and private collections were examined using the new techniques to create a database baseline.

Cranfield’s work has opened up a whole new realm of defence against criminals and a means of securing trust in the authenticity of high value art, leading to guaranteed valuations of tens of millions worth of items.

Modern aircraft design cycles take more than 20 years from initial concept to service entry – meaning every research insight that solves problems and saves time is hugely valuable.

Designing a new vertical or short take-off and landing (V/STOL) Joint Strike Fighter – a supersonic, multi-role combat aircraft capable of carrying out air-to-air, air-to-surface, surveillance and electronic warfare missions simultaneously – was a hugely complex process involving a host of international partners across 13 countries.

An improved, more accurate design process – built on Cranfield’s insights into V/STOL aircraft jet aerodynamics – led to better design decisions, improved safety, cost savings, a shortened flight test programme and allowed for earlier airworthiness clearance by UK operators. This led to savings of over £5 million and the development of an essential systems engineering assurance framework.