Innovation recognised among UK’s top AI breakthroughs by DSIT and DESNZ

The University of Wolverhampton is proud to announce a major step forward in sustainable technology with the development of Green Loops, an AI-powered recycling innovation that has been recognised as one of the UK’s top ten artificial intelligence breakthroughs by Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) combined.

Developed by Dr Kiran Gulia from the Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, in collaboration with iBiotech LTD and Dr Brian Johnston from the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, at the University of Wolverhampton, Green Loops transforms electronic waste and end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) panels into valuable materials for solar cells and lithium-ion battery anodes. These materials are vital to industries such as medical devices, drones, and grid-energy storage.

The project has received a £160,000 award from the Manchester Prize, which will accelerate its development and support its mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the UK’s reliance on imported raw materials.

“This collaboration with iBiotech and Dr Johnston marks a significant step towards a circular economy, aligning with net-zero goals,” said Dr Gulia, a leading innovator in sustainable materials.

Dr Johnston added, “This use of AI technology enables scalability, positioning our project and Wolverhampton as a hub for green innovation.”

Currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5, Green Loops is expected to generate revenue by 2028 through a new facility at the University’s Green Innovation Corridor (GIC). The project also supports the Neighbourhood Net Zero initiative in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council, contributing to both environmental sustainability and local economic growth.

The initiative is backed by a strong network of partners, including the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, SPEED, DigiSPin, Imperial College Royce, and ABCircular (Germany), ensuring the project is well-positioned for national and international impact.

Image from L-R : Dr Ryan Bower Imperial Royce, Dr Brian Johnston University of Wolverhampton , Dr Kiran Gulia Lead Innovator University of Wolverhampton and Dr Peter Petrov Principal Scientist Royce Imperial.