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Loughborough University's (LU) research in the application of artificial intelligence techniques to enhance process safety since 1993 has resulted in novel computer tools that generated the following economic impacts through the creation of a University spinout company, Hazid Technologies Ltd, in 2002:
1) Raised over £1.3m shares capital from investors.
2) Developed research prototypes into state-of-the-art commercial tools for improving process plant safety.
3) Signed a global sales agreement with Intergraph Corporation in 2005.
4) Established a portfolio of major companies around the world as clients.
5) Employs two executive directors, three software developers and three chemical engineers.
A reduction in planning uncertainties and financial risks of photovoltaics has been achieved by developing internationally accepted standards. Non-standardised characterisation and unreliable energy prediction caused a performance gap between expectations and realistic yields. Loughborough University (Prof. Gottschalg, Dr. Betts) conducted a series of research projects since 1999 which reduced this performance gap. The team consciously transferred developed methods to international standards for energy prediction and device characterisation. Standardisation has, with significant contributions from this team, resulted in the reporting period in a reduction of at least 2% calibration uncertainty, which has a value at today's prices of $1.500,000,000 per year (J. Wohlgemuth [5.1]).
This research has already saved the NHS in excess of £2.5 million over 3 years through bulk purchasing. It was used by the National Ambulance Fleet Strategy Group to develop a national specification of emergency ambulances to reduce costs and improve patient care with 6 of 11 Ambulance Trusts in England purchasing from the national contract. The design and testing of a second tier of vehicles and equipment has supported new systems of work through a Community Urgent Response Environment (for on-the-spot treatment) and has been used in a tender specification by NHS Supply Chain to purchase replacement portable equipment.
Since 2003 Loughborough University has worked with industry to create future manufacturing systems to enable large scale production of human stem cells. The research, development and demonstration of consistent, optimised, automated expansion in culture of human stem cells at Loughborough has led to the commercial sale by July 2013 of 47 systems worth £20.1M to companies developing stem cell-based and other therapies. Their use is contributing to the health and quality of life of patients, whilst creating a new industry sector with significant economic and employment benefits. Loughborough leads internationally and nationally in this emerging field with research at significant scale contributing new manufacturing and regulatory science and standards.
Reducing vehicle noise and vibration is a key quality objective in the automotive industry. Historically, the approach has been costly palliation late in the manufacturing process; now a new approach applied earlier in the vehicle development cycle has been devised by Loughborough University and Ford and implemented at Ford that has led to savings of $7 per vehicle with respect to clutch in-cycle vibration (whoop). Ford has reported savings of $10M over 5 years, whilst reductions in transmission rattle have led to 5% fuel efficiency gains [5.1]. Ford has made an investment of £240M in its engine and transmission work at Bridgend, which includes aspects of work reported here and has created 600 new jobs [5.2].
Publically and industrially funded research at Loughborough University into the simulation, monitoring and control of electronics soldering has had significant impact in the development of new software and hardware technologies, which have delivered substantial commercial and economic benefits, with examples cited for at least two leading companies. One key commercial product is a modelling tool that optimizes reflow oven settings quickly, easily and accurately. It optimises oven settings each time a new product or solder paste is introduced, reducing set up times and scrap levels. More than 700 systems per year continue to be sold, with 90% exported.
Loughborough University's (LU) interdisciplinary model based systems engineering (MBSE) research (2001-2010) has directly enabled life-saving operations by i) Developing synthetic vision systems to improve the safety of emergency services helicopter operations involving low level flight during day, night, all weather and conditions of zero visibility, and ii) Saving lives through a reduction in morbidity and mortality of babies born with congenital heart defects.
The impact translates directly into significant cost savings and safety risk reductions in expensive flight trials costing millions of pounds by BAE Systems [5.1], and in supporting clinical practice/surgical interventions by University Hospital of Rennes [5.2] with a reduction in the morbidity and mortality of babies born with congenital heart defects in Brittany, France.
Research at LU carried out from 2003 to 2011 has made a significant impact on the practical realisation of Open Access (OA) to scholarly publications at an international level. Research into publisher's Copyright Transfer Agreements underpinned the development of the SHERPA/RoMEO service, widely used by repository managers across Europe [impact 4.1]; a cost-benefit model of scholarly publishing in relation to the main routes to OA influenced the publishing industry, and research strategy amongst UK funding agencies [impact 4.2]; further research influenced Research Councils UK (RCUK) policy in relation to mandates [impact 4.3], and the work of the European Commission in the development of its digital agenda [impact 4.4].
This well established research conducted by members of Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (Loughborough University) is seen as an integral part of the support provided for Paralympic wheelchair athletes and has impact in 3 key areas:
A total of 34 British Olympic Gold medal triumphs in Beijing (2008), Vancouver (2010) and London (2012), [redact 14 words] relied to a greater or lesser extent on research in fluid dynamics, instrumentation and [redact 4 words] originating from the University of Southampton's Performance Sport Engineering Laboratory (PSEL). Global media coverage of the science behind these victories has raised the profile of British engineering. PSEL was awarded a 2012 Queen's Anniversary Prize for its sustained contribution to the competitiveness of the UK's sailing and motorsport industries worldwide through its research, specialist consultancy services and its high-quality engineering graduates.