Citation
(2008), "Life saving equipment research underway", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 80 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2008.12780bad.013
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Life saving equipment research underway
Article Type: Equipment From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 80, Issue 2.
The potential development of electronic equipment which can operate in extreme conditions, potentially saving lives, is to be explored in the North East.
Regional development agency One NorthEast has approved x 2.1m of funding to enable scientists at Newcastle University to research how effective the equipment could be, and whether it could be developed in the region.
The School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering will look into the possibility of creating a world leading operation to support the development of advanced electronics and communications technologies which can operate in such extreme environments as space and below sea level.
The project will develop both electronics devices and radical new communication techniques from silicon carbide. Such technologies are resilient to high temperatures, high radiation and corrosive environments and can communicate through the steel-hull of a ship or oil platform.
The funding, which has come via One NorthEast's Innovation, Industry and Science team, will enable scientists to look into the development of equipment which can be effective in these environments.
Chris Pywell, Head of Strategic Economic Change at One NorthEast, said: “There's no doubting the significance of this research and its potential value to the region. It will attract other international research and development activities in the area of advanced materials.”
“The research and development facility which this funding will help create will form a key strand of Newcastle Science City, which in turn is a major project to the development of our region.”
It is anticipated hundreds of jobs could be created if the technology is developed in the region, while it could also lead to the North East being recognised as a Centre of Excellence in the field of innovative electronics and communications solutions.
The creation of the research and development facility at Newcastle University will cost x 3.4m to complete.
Professor Nick Wright, Dean of Business Development for the Science, Agriculture and Engineering Faculty at Newcastle University, said: “With this vital grant from One NorthEast we will be able to build a truly ground-breaking technology centre that will develop new technology in collaboration with North-East and international companies in the marine, aerospace and oil and gas sectors.”
The University will work alongside One NorthEast, the Centres of Excellence, Cenamps and the Northern Defence Industries to identify potential markets and supply chains for the technology.