Summary of the impact

The HOTFIRE collaborative research project (2004-2008) into advanced engine combustion systems led directly to a new, high specific power output, high fuel economy, low CO₂ emissions turbocharged `down-sized' three-cylinder engine that was demonstrated in the Opel Astra car in 2008. The valuable new knowledge, understanding and techniques gained in the HOTFIRE project has directly contributed to the successful delivery of a major engine family project for an ASEAN region OEM client of Lotus Engineering.

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

Improved measurement of fuel behaviour in automotive engines has contributed to the success of the AJ133 V8 engine, which powers over [text removed for publication] vehicles sold since 2009. The research, carried out at the University of Oxford in collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), developed techniques to improve the understanding of combustion dynamics in engines and consequently enabled improvements to fuel consumption, emissions and engine reliability. Impacts include contributions to (1) JLR's improved engine design process and (2) improved fuel efficiency and thus lower emissions.

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

University of Huddersfield research into engine technologies has resulted in a major new partnership with the UK arm of engineering multinational BorgWarner, leading to the company increasing R&D capabilities in the UK. This collaboration, funded partly by parent company BorgWarner US and partly by the government's Regional Growth Fund, involves multi-million-pound investment, as well as significant job creation and safeguarding. It was a key factor in the company securing a substantial contract with Jaguar Land Rover, whose decision was informed by the University's capacity to help BorgWarner further its R&D activities and upskill its workforce for the benefit of the UK automotive supply chain and the local and national economy.

Summary of the impact

Impact on the environment

• The adoption of cost effective CO₂ reduction technologies across a range of Ford vehicles reduced CO₂ emissions by an estimated 40,000 tonnes in 2012. This reduction applies pro rata for 2013 and becomes cumulative year on year.

Economic impact

• Improvements to vehicle engines have saved over €25M in fuel costs to the owners of Ford vehicles in 2012.
• Research has led to improvements that have been made to Ford products and processes; these improvements have been used to address upcoming legislation on CO₂ in a cost effective manner. Future penalties of up to €0.5bn have been avoided by these improved products and processes.

Impact on practitioners

• Improved monitoring processes, reducing variability in measurement of CO₂ from vehicles within Ford by 50%, facilitating the adoption of a range of new fuel saving technologies, which helped to justify a $50M investment in the Ford UK facilities.

Summary of the impact

Instrumentation technologies developed at Kent, in particular pulverised fuel flow metering, on-line particle sizing, on-line fuel tracking and burner flame imaging, have enabled combustion engineers to diagnose large-scale complex combustion processes and optimize the operation of coal, biomass and heavy-oil fired power plants. The technologies operate on novel sensing and advanced measurement principles and have produced real-time measurement and plant condition monitoring data that were previously unavailable. Instrumentation systems operating on the technologies have been applied successfully to a range of pilot plants and on full-scale power plants in countries including the UK, France, China and Saudi Arabia. Work has enabled the power industry to produce electricity safely while minimising environmental impact and employing a diverse range of fuels. The instrumentation technology informed the conversion of Drax power station from 100% coal firing to biomass/coal co-firing during 2011/2012 as it sought to halve its carbon footprint within five years. The technology sourced and informed the alleviation of significant vibration problems within a heavy-oil fired power plant in Saudi Arabia.

Summary of the impact

The University of Manchester and Delphi Diesel Systems jointly developed a reverse tapered micro-hole drilling technique, which has resulted in wide commercial applications for the manufacture of fuel injection nozzles in diesel engines and is used by Volkswagen, Ford and Renault in passenger cars and trucks. The technique has resulted in 1.5% fuel saving, 35-40% reduction in particulate matter emission, 20% reduction in NOx emission, 3% reduction in CO₂ emission, and allows diesel engines to satisfy the new EU emission legislation Euro 5 in 2008/2009. Delphi's diesel engine component business increased by €0.8 billion/year as a result of the new fuel injection technology.

Summary of the impact

Experimental research and computer modelling in the School of Mechanical Engineering have been applied by engine and oil companies to reduce fuel consumption and noxious emissions. Studies into high pressure explosions and burn rates have helped industry improve engine efficiencies by up to 30% and contributed to the development of much improved fuels. These new products perform better, are less environmentally damaging and have generated new company revenues. Research into burn rates, detonations, and large jet-flames has also informed health and safety investigations, particularly the UK Government Inquiry into the Buncefield explosion, providing calculations and explanations of the blast, and recommendations on future safety controls.

Summary of the impact

This research project, carried out at the University of Derby, was used to develop an engine performance monitoring system and a data optimisation method for engine management systems for Land Rover. The project delivered two pieces of software developed for data modelling and optimisation with respect to the engine test bed. This has significantly reduced the engine test time on the test bed by up to 30%, reduced the cost of each engine test and provided optimum engine operation parameters to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), which has resulted in lower emissions and improved fuel economy. The project was started in 2000 and completed in 2008. However the outcomes of the research and developed software tools are still used by the Land Rover engine test group.