BEST PRACTICE CASE STUDY
AERISTECH LTD
About INDEX
INDEX (Innovation Delivers Expansion) is a unique demand-led innovation voucher scheme led that invites Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to apply for a voucher to purchase academic support from one of the 13 Higher Education Institutions in the West Midlands. The project is funded by Advantage West Midlands (AWM), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Innovation Vouchers allow SMEs to purchase academic expertise knowledge to develop their innovation and enhance their business.
The Innovation Voucher scheme aims to build links between Universities and SMEs to create a demand led approach to innovation.ABOUT THE BUSINESS: Aeristech Ltd
Aeristech Limited
The Barn
173 Church Road
Northfield
B31 2LX
Telephone: 07906 517 686
Email: bryn.richards@aeristech.co.uk
Main Contact: Mr Bryn Richards
Aeristech was founded in February 2006 to develop a new technology that solves the problem of turbo lag. This makes turbocharging feasible for a wider variety of applications. By bringing the environmental and performance benefits of turbocharging to more vehicles, the invention will serve the growing market for cleaner transport.
Aeristech has worked with The University of Durham, UCE, and the University of Birmingham to prove feasibility and carry out simulations. Aeristech remains the sole owner of IP. The next step is to build and test a prototype within a collaborative framework. Aeristech is developing strategic partnerships and expects to qualify for grant subsidy. Early discussions with vehicle manufacturers suggest a ready market once the technology is proven.
Aeristech's business model is to pursue an IP licensing strategy. Financial forecasts predict significant long-term revenues, even against a conservative estimate of the rate of up-take of the technology in vehicle applications. Green technology is good business.
INNOVATION
Innovation (4) Automative, Transport and Transport Systems
THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Designed and development input for a CO2 reduction technology for motor vehicles
CFD modeling was used to determine the level of manufacturing tolerance required in Aeristech’s cooling system. This was an essential step towards productionisation and mass manufacture. Specifically modeled eccentricity in the relative locations of the cooling jacket inner cylindrical wall and outer cylindrical wall.
WORK UNDERTAKEN
PowerPoint presentation of modelling results with notes 1 day
Supervision from Hongming Xu 1 day
CFD Modelling as per client description 8 days
Total Time Allocated: 10 Days conducted at UOB
ABOUT THE HEI: University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
ABOUT THE ACADEMIC
Abdel-Fattah Mahrous, PhD Student, Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering
Research interests
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Multiphase fluid dynamics
Supervised by Dr Hongming Xu, Reader in Automotive Engineering,Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Dr Xu is an engine technology specialist with research interest and experience in:
(1) Flow and turbulence
(2) Fuels, fuel systems and mixture preparation
(3) Combustion
(4) Emissions control
(5) Turbo-machinery
(6) Future powertrain and control