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Feb 2007

India, UK move for environment-friendly aircrafts

     Bangalore: British aerospace firm Rolls-Royce will work alongside the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and Imperial College of the UK in a new research project to develop alloys for use in "greener" aircraft engines. Commending the new partnership, British High Commissioner to India Sir Michael Arthur, said, "I am thrilled to see this new partnership winning the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) Major Award that encourages links between our two countries," He further said that the research would produce cutting edge products that were both environment-friendly and built for aircraft of the future, "a real illustration of UK's creative best in partnership with India". The alloys, to be developed by researchers at Imperial College London, IISc Bangalore and the Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai, will lead to engine components that can change shape or position at a particular temperature. These components could replace mechanical moving parts in aircraft, leading to reduced engine weight and increased energy efficiency.

     Rolls-Royce plc will collaborate on the project, working with teams from Imperial College and the Indian Institutes to design 'self-actuating' components suitable for use in aero engines- likely to be applied initially to noise and emissions reductions systems. Tim Jones, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce India said: "This new research collaboration builds on our existing industrial relationships in India and marks the start of a new long-term partnership between Rolls-Royce and India on advanced technology development. Globally we operate 27 University Technology Centres - large, world-class research teams focused on advanced engineering and technology - and we are delighted that the UKIERI initiative allows the innovative researchers in India to be linked into that network through Imperial College". The lead collaborators on this project are Dr David Dye, from Imperial's Department of Materials and Dr Upadrasta Ramamurty, from the Department of Metallurgy, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. In addition, there will be five studentships contributing to the project, two funded by Imperial and three funded by the Indian Institute of Science.
-Feb 6, 2007