Sensor Coating Systems (SCS) and Toffee X – took centre stage at this year’s ATI awards ceremony that took place during the conference earlier this month.
The judging panels awarded SCS the MAKING THE DIFFERENCE AWARD for the most impactful small R&D project making a tangible difference to UK aerospace.
The research project reviewed by the ATI was the SCS led project MULTICOAT – co-funded through the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) and Innovate UK.
A multitude of technology advances were achieved during this project by the SCS core team, in collaboration with Cranfield University and Monitor Coatings Ltd.
The MULTICOAT project uses Thermal History Coatings (THC’s) that enable temperature mapping by combining a luminescent, temperature -sensitive coating, a non- destructive and optical read-out device and an automated scanning system to provide accurate readings over a wide temperature range. The novel technology can measure temperatures of 1,600 degrees centigrade and above with an impressive accuracy of plus/minus 25. The project successfully demonstrated that thermal mapping technology can be utilised under multi-cycle test conditions where engine load conditions are changing. Multi-cycle testing provides customers a more cost-effective and faster way of testing engines, hence speeding up development times to meet demands for the design of new, more fuel-efficient engines.
The technology also wins on the sustainability front
Existing thermal paints and coatings usually contain toxic materials, and the judges were particularly pleased to see that the Sensor Coating Systems solution is fully REACH compliant.
More information and technical insights can be found by visiting www.sensorcoatings.com
Our second NATEP winner Toffee X can now add winning the ATI HUB BREAKTHROUGH AWARD for most promising startup to their list of achievements. This award celebrates UK-based startups that have been active in the aerospace sector since 2020 that are supporting the journey to Net Zero 2050 for commercial flight.
ToffeeX, is revolutionising the design of heat exchangers. Effective thermal management and efficient coolant systems are critical for, among other areas, the electrification of aircraft systems and hydrogen fuel cells. Originating from Imperial College London, ToffeeX’s software has enabled the design of heat exchangers that are 31% to 50% more efficient than current solutions, resulting in more compact designs, reduced weight, and a volume decrease of over 50%.
Hear direct from Toffee X’s CEO Marco Pietropaoli interviewed by Aerospace Global News
ToffeeX software will cut design cycle ‘to weeks’ – AGN (aerospaceglobalnews.com)
The success of these companies proves that innovation funding really makes a difference to SMEs undertaking R&D to solve complex problems.
Although the NATEP programme is now closed to new applications, the ATI SME programme will be open to new applications in January 2025
Visit https://www.ati.org.uk/funding/smeprogramme/
to find out how you can take your ideas forward