6 Nov 2014
LUiL to host first ‘Spoke’ of national Advanced Propulsion Centre
Loughborough University in London (LUiL) is to host the first ‘Spoke’ of the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), Dr Vince Cable MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, announced today (6 November).
The APC was established to position the UK as the global leader for the production and development of low carbon propulsion technology, forging partnerships between those who have good ideas and those who can bring them to market.
It operates on a ‘Hub and Spoke’ model. The APC ‘Hub’ is located at the University of Warwick, with ‘Spokes’ as centres of excellence throughout the UK to realise the concept of a Propulsion Nation – a coordinated national resource of facilities and expertise.
The London Spoke will be a centre of excellence in digital engineering and test. Its vision was created by an impressive consortium comprising some of the automotive industry’s biggest names, such as Ford, McLaren, Cosworth, Ricardo and AVL, together with the High Speed Sustainable Manufacturing Institute (HSSMI), an independent research organisation, and world-leaders in 3D design software, Autodesk.
The academic partners, led by Loughborough University and including University College London, Bath and Nottingham universities, will bring internationally-renowned research capability in low carbon technologies and deliver the talent pipeline for propulsion and powertrain development.
The Spoke’s location at Loughborough University in London will enhance the APC’s visibility, reach and effectiveness among key decision makers and investors, strengthening its sphere of influence in order to attract to the UK further innovative businesses aligned to the automotive sector.
Read the press release for more.