“And so after a wonderfully circuitous and adventure-filled route my PhD journey finally reached it’s destination last week on the windy steps of Queen’s University Belfast iconic Lanyon Building. As a workingparent I did not make this journey alone, my funny, patient, bright and adventurous son Eoin was with me every step. My gratitude and thanks to all the generous, curious and intelligent folk I met along the way particularly my brilliant PhD Supervisors Michael McGarry and Sree Nanukuttan and external examiners Erik Schlangen and Xavier De Kestelier.This journey would not have been possible without the support of Horizon Europe, Fulbright Commission Ireland, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Innovate UK and the collaboration of industry partners Balfour Beatty plc, FP McCann Ltd, Gerdau, Martin Marietta and the Mineral Products Association.And now the real work begins!”