Summary of the impact

Research in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells at Loughborough University (LU) has led to commercial and innovative impacts on a global scale which have included the development of the world's first purpose-built hydrogen fuel cell motorbike, the world's first manned fuel cell aircraft and a zero emission fuel cell hybrid London taxi, with major international companies, such as Suzuki, Boeing and Lotus. These developments have arisen due to the creation of the spin out company Intelligent Energy (IE). The company currently employs some 350 personnel, has a total shareholder investment over £100M and was valued at $0.5B in 2012.

Summary of the impact

Electrochemistry research in the Department of Chemistry (and associated research in Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering) at Loughborough University (LU) since 1993 has led directly to the development of a new generation of clean power systems based on advanced fuel cell technology. This resulted in the creation of a spinout company based on a license awarded by LU: Advanced Power Sources Limited (APS) in 1995. Intelligent Energy (IE) Limited (founded in 2001 upon the acquisition of APS), has a global presence: a workforce of over 350 highly skilled employees, significantly advanced technology, and investment in R&D. Environment improvements have been achieved through introduction of zero-emission fuel cell systems.

Summary of the impact

Fundamental work on transmission and power management systems for electric vehicles has resulted in local and national impact with emerging international reach. Computer simulation and rig-based prototype modelling has shown that it is possible to improve overall energy consumption levels by around 5 to 12 % by using a variable ratio gearbox within an electric vehicle. A local company, AVID Vehicles Ltd have demonstrated the potential of this work in the conversion of a Nissan Note supplied by Nissan Motors UK Ltd into an electric powered car. This, and related, work on hybrid vehicles has gained international recognition and has been used as the basis for further developments, including regional impact with Sunderland Council, and influencing regional strategy.

Summary of the impact

This case study focuses on the use of hydrogen in a range of applications, developing the following techniques:

• Automated and precise measurement of the magnitude and kinetics of gas/vapour absorption in materials at controlled pressure and temperature;
• Methods for analysing structural changes during cycling of hydrogen storage materials, in particular in situ neutron diffraction;
• Methods for the regeneration of a palladium catalyst used in the production of hydrogen peroxide;
• Understanding the behaviour of hydrogen isotopes in palladium in relation to hydrogen isotope separation for fusion applications;
• A surface coating technique that stops hydrogen permeation through metals;
• Exploring the use of hydrogen storage for use with hydrogen/fuel cell cars using isotherm analysis, ab initio simulations and neutron scattering techniques;

Demonstrating impact in the commercial application of the techniques in the energy, environment and chemical industries; resulting in commercially viable processes and products, generating economic benefit.

Summary of the impact

Economic impact

• Design of a new and award winning product called Lightfoot^® that gives reductions of at least 10% in fuel use and CO₂ emissions.
• The creation of a new business, Ashwoods Lightfoot^® and three new jobs, with a sales value to date in excess of £625,000 and a subscription base of over £10,000 per month.
• Economic performance of 200 vehicle fleets, including six major operators, has been improved by 2,500 installations of the system, saving over £83,000 per month in fuel costs.

Environmental impact

• Saving an estimated 2,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

Summary of the impact

Loughborough University's (LU) research collaboration with The Hardstaff Group has resulted in a commercial Oil-Ignition-Gas-Injection system (OIGI®), which substitutes natural gas for Diesel oil in heavy goods vehicles. Using optical diagnostics OIGI® was redesigned, increasing average substitution rates from 45% to 60%. The economic impact for Hardstaff was a fuel saving of £406k per annum. The research allowed Hardstaff to create new business with Mercedes-Benz in the UK and Volvo in Sweden. OIGI® reduces CO₂ by up to 15%, harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate emissions by 30%. The research also demonstrated, for the first time, dual fuel technology in small, high-speed diesel engines, paving the way for its application in passenger cars.

Summary of the impact

Prof Zhao's development of an innovative hybrid engine RegenEBD was exploited by its industrial partner, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company (Yuchai), the largest bus engine manufacturer in China holding 80% of the domestic market. The first RegenEBD engine buses were operated in Yulin city, where Yuchai is based, in 2011. Yuchai confirmed that these buses have demonstrated notable fuel savings of 4.7-10% (1,100-2,200 litres of fuel saving), equivalent to 3.6-7.2 tonnes of carbon saving per vehicle per year. This led Yuchai to re-align their manufacturing strategies and development efforts for 3 years (2011-2013), investing significant resources to begin manufacturing and retrofitting of RegenEBD engines in 2014. They have employed over 30 new engineers to develop and manufacture RegenEBD and purchased equipment for RegenEBD engine testing and operations. Yuchai expects that hundreds of buses equipped with RegenEBD will be on the road by 2020.

Summary of the impact

Vehicle and mobility design research carried out at the Royal College of Art (RCA) since 1993 has resulted in industrial innovation in vehicles and transport, both nationally and internationally, enhancing industry's ability to provide commercial, societal and environmental benefits between 2008 and 2013. The areas in which we are claiming impact include accessible, user-centred transport (Impact 1); future visions of public service vehicles and systems (Impact 2); and innovation in vehicle design for changing technologies (Impact 3). These impacts are produced through design and consultancy. Corroboration of impact takes the form of public records of achievements, and authentication by manufacturers.