Novel Fuel-cell Humidification System for Zero-emission Heavy Duty Vehicle Applications
**Project Aim**
The project aims to develop and demonstrate a high-flow, robust and modular humidifier for proton-exchange membrane fuel-cells (PEMFCs) in heavy duty vehicle (HDV) applications. The humidifier innovation is enabled by Parker's proprietary hollow fibre technology, achieving a higher flow rate and a longer lifetime compared to best-in-class products. The unique humidifier design enables an unprecedented performance thanks to smart hollow fibre packing within the housing and seamless disassembly/recycling at product service or end-of-life.
**Competition Alignment**
The proposed project aligns with the competition, as it is focused on capability demonstration through a physical humidifier subsystem by late 2024\. Addressed competition area: 'fuel cell and associated balance of plant' (100%).
**Expected Impact**
Using public funding to demonstrate the humidifier prototype will allow Parker to accelerate product development and position the humidifier innovation towards OEMs currently developing PEMFC drivetrains for HDV applications to enter the market in the next decade. The expected economic impact on Parker and the local economy will be the creation of new jobs and safeguarding jobs by anchoring the manufacturing capability for the new product in the area.
It will also mean establishing a UK-based value chain centred around innovative PEMFC balance-of-plant (BoP) technologies -an emerging market not served yet by UK companies and currently dominated by companies from Germany, South Korea, and China. The expected environmental impact is to pave the way for the UK's automotive sector transition towards zero-emission mobility by demonstrating an enabling net-zero humidifier technology. Potential spill-over effects to other markets like marine and aerospace are expected.
**Applicant & Benefits**
The project is a single-applicant endeavour led by Parker Hannifin ('Parker'). Parker is a large industrial specialising in motion & control technologies for various industries. The Parker Dewsbury location is developing filtration solutions for HDV applications. The changing HDV market dynamics and shift towards net-zero propulsion provides an opportunity for Parker to pivot towards the development of PEMFC BoP technologies whilst building upon its decade-long experience in the development of filtration solutions for traditionally powered drivetrains.
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Monitoring Pump Health Using Optical Sensors (MORPHEUS)
MORPHEUS will develop novel optical sensors for aircraft fuel system monitoring and control. The consortium will seek to leverage current trends in aircraft system architectures towards optical technologies and the clear advantages they bring in developing replacements for electrical sensors for use in explosive environments. With increasing use of composite materials in aircraft structures, the intrinsically safe nature of optical sensors, as well as their EMI immunity and relatively low weight when compared to current technology make such approaches highly attractive. It is anticipated that using these benefits, optical sensor technologies can be used to improve reliability of fuel system equipment monitoring, and enable new control methodologies to optimise fuel system and component design, leading to significant weight savings
Silicon based Optical instrumentation for Aircraft Power and Actuation Systems (SOAPAS)
SOHAPS aims to deliver a high accuracy multi-parameter optical sensor for measurement of pressure and temperature within aircraft fuel systems. Optical based sensors are expected to enable the design of a next generation aircraft fuel gauging system. Specifically, the inherent EMI immunity of optical sensors is advantageous, considering the industry’s move towards the use of composite materials, particularly in wing construction which affects the safety of the fuel system under lightning strike conditions. There is a desire to remove the burden of design for intrinsic safety and remove all ignition sources from fuel tanks. Sensors using the technology developed in SOHAPS could also find application in engine driven lubrication pumps, hydraulic systems, main engine bearings, landing gear and other major systems (not limited to aerospace).
GEN III Actuator
Project Number: 130380
Project Title: Gen III Actuator
Project Description: To develop a new scaleable design of actuators to operate shut off valves in the new series of power stations. The design will need to utilise new materials together with a new assembly layout to ensure the design is lighter, safer and smaller than previous units.
Project Participants: Parker Hannifin plc & Genlec Ltd
Amount of grant offered: £60,389 Parker Hannifin, £50,324 Genlec Ltd
Parker Filtration
Legacy RDA Collaborative R&D
Oils are essential in a wide range of deodorant formulations, as structuring ingredients
e.g. as oil-in-water emulsions and as benefit agents. From the perspective of skin
protection and ingredients delivery, 'natural oils' could provide performance
advantage over the synthetic oils that are typically in current use. Moreover, their
incorporation would also create opportunity for sustainable raw material sourcing.
The primary objective of this £2,2m project is to identify superior natural oil
compositions for deodorant applications. This requires in-depth research on how oils
wet and penetrate the outer layers of skin and how natural oils can meet product
performance of synthetic oils. Natural oils- by mimicking the natural coating of
sebum - could also improve the lipid-rich skin barrier, through specific interaction
with skin proteins, which would enhance their protective and caring technological
advantages in personal care formulations.
There is a clear market potential for products like deodorants that provide more
natural care. The industry has not yet succeeded to find an appropriate answer here.
Unilever will build on the successful track record of collaboration with local
Universities and forge new links. Unilever -having a major presence in the Yorkshire
Region with its world-scale deodorant factory in Leeds -will transfer into the region
the specialty knowledge generated by its global R&D team, create 5 new and secure
40+ jobs.
SPRINT
The objectives of this project are to develop a more compact and energy efficient SLP machine develop a range of high performance polymeric build materials and to evaluate the process in several demanding end-use applications. In this way the promise of flexible sustainable RM of high performance polymeric parts will be commercially realised. SLP is the first commercial RM process invented, designed and Current Rapid Manufacturing RM methods are unable to manufactured in the UK. Produce parts with properties that match conventional injection mouldings. In particular parts suffer from poor impact properties and low elongation to failure. This prevents the most challenging and commercially rewarding applications, for the production of precise complex parts using high performance polymers from being exploited. In the new Selective Laser Printing SLP process fine polymeric powder is precisely deposited using an adapted industrial laser print head and the entire layer is fused with an infrared radiant heater. Because every layer is fused under controlled heat and pressure a fully consolidated material is produced with outstanding mechanical properties. In addition the SLP process offers higher processing speed excellent resolution and even precise control of local material composition. Initial investigation of the SLP process was undertaken by DMU and MTT under the EU funded Custom Fit CF project which has enabled a patent to be filed and proof of concept to be demonstrated. However to enable the SLP process to be commercially exploited further development is required.