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Double success for Loughborough University in national awards

Posted on 30/12/2008

Loughborough University Website

Double success for Loughborough University in national awards

Loughborough University is celebrating two wins in The Engineer Technology and Innovation Awards 2008, as well as being shortlisted for a third.

The national awards were set up to recognise the best examples of collaborative work undertaken by the UK’s most innovative companies and its world-class universities.

‘Hotfire’, a joint project between Loughborough University and University College London (UCL), together with Lotus Engineering and Continental Powertrain, won this year’s Automotive Award. This exciting project developed an advanced gasoline direct injection combustion concept engine with variable valve timing that reduced both fuel consumption and emissions. A key aspect of Hotfire was the use of a matched pair of research engines an optical engine at Loughborough with a thermodynamic engine at UCL.

The same combustion concept engine was adopted by Lotus Engineering and Continental Powertrain in a joint venture the Low CO2 project to deliver a three cylinder, turbo-charged, mild-hybrid engine. When installed in an Opel Astra demonstrator vehicle this system resulted in significant improvements in real world performance, fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

Loughborough’s Sports Technology Institute home to the internationally renowned Sports Technology Research Group (STRG) won the category for University Support of Business. This was in recognition of the value added to business as a result of research undertaken by the STRG. The research group partners a wide range of sporting goods brands in both fundamental and applied research projects focussed upon the creation of advanced athletic footwear, technical sports apparel and novel sports equipment. Current and recent collaborators include adidas, Dunlop, Callaway Golf, Head, New Balance, Nike, Reebok and Slazenger. The Sports Technology Institute runs an undergraduate Sports Technology degree in addition to a comprehensive PhD programme. Many of the graduates from this programme enter the sporting goods industry in senior R&D positions.

The University was also shortlisted for the Business Support of Universities Award for its work with BAE Systems, in collaboration with Cambridge, Cranfield and Southampton Universities.

Dr Graham Wigley. Group Lotus Senior Research Fellow, who heads up Loughborough’s involvement in the Hotfire project, said: “I am delighted the project has been recognised with this award. Hotfire has brought together world-leading experts to address the very real issues facing global vehicle manufacturers.”

Professor Mike Caine, Director of the Loughborough’s Sports Technology Institute, added: “The Institute is committed to boosting enterprise in the sport and fitness sector. This award is fantastic recognition of the contribution that our research makes to the development of new sporting innovations.”

In conjunction with its main sponsor, BAE Systems, The Engineer presented winners in eight categories at the awards, which were held at the Royal Society on 3 October.