Automotive & Aviation Technology Transfer & Licensing Opportunities
Urea or Urine Powered Fuel Cell Technology for Low Cost Energy Systems >>Heriot-Watt has received EPSRC Follow on Fund award to develop a Urea Fuel Cell.
Led by Dr Shanwen Tao the project focus is on developing low temperature membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and catalyst that will use Urea solutions such as Greenox (tm), Adblue (tm) or Urine as a low cost easily transported readily available fuel source.
Lab experiments showing "Proof of Principle" with Urea solutions have been completed.
High Barrier Polymeric Wafer Level MEMS Package Design with 3D interconnect capablility >>The technology is a a MEMS package design methodology providing a High Barrier layer to vapour (near hermetic) yet uses existing wafer level photolithography & LIGA processes common in MEMS, MOEMS and RF-MEMS design. By using a novel conducting arrangement, 3D interconnects or through-cap connection is possible reducing device footprint. The same low temperature process can also be used to bond dissimilar surfaces such as glass to silicon.
A new family of intracellular imaging display dyes >>Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have created a new family of fluorescein-based dyes that are in the visible range and can be used to measure intracellular pH, viscosity and temperature.
Multi-channel Small Footprint Directly Intergrated Optical Sensors for FBG Sensor Network Interrogation >>Funded by a Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept programme (11-DME-003) a team at Heriot-Watt University is developing lightweight high accuracy Fiber Brag Grating (FBG) network interrogators targeting applications within Civil engineering, Aerospace, biosensing and chemical detection.
Using a small footprint multi-channel design the robust sensor chip offers an alternative to existing spectrometer based solutions in FBG sensing.
Magnetic Gearbox >>The automotive sector has an annual turnover of approximately £200 billion, with the market for Electric Vehicles, although embryonic, expanding fast. This expansion has been caused by spiralling basic fuel costs, fuel shortages and the requirement to meet the Kyoto Protocol CO2 emission targets.
Currently fixed transmission gears (i.e. one ratio gearbox) are utilised in Electric Vehicles, however vehicle performance and range can both be extended by utilising a variable ratio gear box.
Multi-Phase Permanent Magnet Generator >>Renewable energy and micro-power generation are multi-billion dollar, high-growth markets driven by the global need to meet the Kyoto protocol CO2 emission targets, spiralling basic fuel costs, changes to UK planning regulations and uptake of renewable energy technologies through installation grants for homeowners, SME’s and community schemes.
Traditionally, electrical energy has been generated by three-phase generators. Three phase generators are no longer always the best option and multi-phase generators can offer improved performance in a number of applications. The development of both power electronics and microprocessor control makes this possible and allows designers to harness the advantages of multi-phase concepts.
Case-Based Reasoning - learning through experience >>Researchers in the Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute at the University of Edinburgh have developed a Case-Based Reasoning Shell that can be applied to large and complex databases.
Compostella >>Compostella is a disruptive technology, from the University of Glasgow, which permits position to be measured with extremely high precision at very low cost.
The system is physically small and highly configurable, with few limitations on mounting. Compostella will be the first single device capable of measuring in 6 axes.
Broadband Antenna & Filter Technologies for RFID, Wireless & Mobile Communication Devices >>Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, Scotland) is developing novel, broadband directional antenna technologies and UWB filters for applications in RFID, Wireless devices, mobile phones and Radar communications. Using existing dielectric materials of different properties, the novel designs can steer the principle beam of radiation in any direction with a very low radiation backlobe. When several are combined it could provide small, mobile, wireless devices with multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communications.
A further group is investigating LCP Filtering and has several novel designs available for license in UWB applications.
Spherical Generator >>A spherical generator/motor design which has advantages over standard cylindrical forms, potentially providing increased efficiency in a wide range of applications.
Deoxygenation >>Researchers at The Robert Gordon University have created a ceramic catalytic reactor for deoxygenating a fluid.
Eco-Friendly Fire Retardant Foams >>Researchers at the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry have developed eco-friendly fire retardant polyurethane foams. The main benefits of the technology include increased effectiveness in the prevention and spread of fire; and the use of environmentally friendly non-toxic materials. The technology is relatively inexpensive in comparison to existing formulations, and is readily adoptable into existing manufacturing processes. These foams can be used in many industries including furniture and soft furnishings, construction, packaging, automotive and aeronautics.
Industrial Psychology Research Centre >>The Industrial Psychology Research Centre at the University of Aberdeen specialises in the application of psychology to the management of health, safety and emergency response in the workspace, particularly for high reliability organisations. Established in 1987 the Centre has research and consultancy experience within the oil and gas industry, nuclear and conventional power generation, civil aviation, the emergency services and hospital medicine.
The Scottish Offshore Materials Centre (SOMC) >>SOMC is a new facility funded by a Research Development Grant and is located within the University of Aberdeen's Engineering and Chemistry Departments. At the heart of SOMC is a state of-the-art High Pressure-High Temperature (HP-HT) test facility that is dedicated to the needs of manufacturers and users in the oil and gas, petro-chemical, chemicals and energy sectors. The facility allows the testing of materials, components, equipment and geological materials under typical HP-HT downhole service conditions.
