The Minds Behind the Transformation

A groundbreaking project is built on the foundation of expertise and collaboration. WattCrete brings together a dedicated researcher, world-renowned supervisors, and two leading UK universities, creating a perfect synergy of material science and power electronics to change the DNA of the road.

OUR TEAM

Dr. Boğaçhan Başaran

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) - Postdoctoral Fellow & Lead Researcher

Prof. Ashraf Ashour

Project Supervisor - University of Bradford

Prof. Richard McMahon

Secondment Supervisor - University of Warwick

Dr. Cenk Gezegin

Scientific Advisor - Ondokuz Mayıs University

Dr. Başaran is the visionary researcher leading the mission to rewrite the genetic code of concrete. His expertise is rooted in pioneering new composite materials, with a deep focus on Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (the subject of his PhD) and developing the innovative experimental and design methods required to validate them.

He uniquely combines hands-on experimental expertise with a powerful command of digital tools—from Finite Element Analysis (Ansys) to Python and machine learning—to turn raw data into predictive models. His authority in the field is backed by 1 patent, nearly 30 publications in international SCI journals, and nearly 20 conference papers, as well as leadership in 9 research projects. He now guides WattCrete from concept to a transformative technology.

As the main supervisor, Prof. Ashour guides the project with his world-renowned expertise in sustainable construction materials. A 2020 Newton Prize winner with over 250 publications, his work is supported by prestigious funds including the EU Horizon 2020. Having supervised an impressive 20 PhD students and 20 postdoctoral researchers. His experience is fundamental to the development and testing of the high magnetic permeability concrete at the core of this project.

Prof. McMahon leads the Power Electronics group at Warwick and provides critical expertise during the project's secondment phase. A leader in WPT systems with 19 patents and over 300 publications, he is a recipient of the UK Energy Innovation Award for Best University Technology. Having supervised 31 PhD students, his guidance will be pivotal in testing the real-world efficiency of the developed concrete panels using Warwick's state-of-the-art 20kW Wireless Power Transfer system.

Dr. Gezegin, an Associate Professor at Ondokuz Mayıs University, provides invaluable external support with his expertise in magnetic fields and power transformers. The author of over 50 papers in leading journals like IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Dr. Gezegin will provide online assistance for the flawless installation and operation of the solenoid and other critical electrical works, ensuring the project's experimental success.

Our World-Class Partner Institutions

The University of Bradford, with its commitment to "making knowledge work" provides an active research community and extensive expertise in sustainable construction materials. Its advanced laboratories are the primary home for the HMPC project's development phase.

Host Institution & Project Coordinator (Beneficiary)

Secondment Partner (Associated Partner)

Ranked among the world's top universities, the University of Warwick provides critical infrastructure for the project's validation phase. Its state-of-the-art 20kW WPT system will be used to test the real-world performance of the developed panels.