University of Brighton announced as Advanced Propulsion Centre partner

The University of Brighton has been chosen by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) as the ‘spoke’ for internal combustion engine thermal efficiency.

By appointing the university, the Coventry-based APC is aiming to boost the automotive industry by positioning the UK as a global hub for low carbon powertrain development and production.

Morgan Heikal, a professor of thermofluids at the university’s School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, said: “The APC-Internal Combustion Engine Thermal Efficiency Spoke is all about collaboration and co-operation and we at the University of Brighton have always enjoyed working in partnership and collaborating with many universities and industrial organisations.

“The spoke gives us a great opportunity to develop and coordinate more teams to meet the need of the UK automotive industry and to enhance its standing.”

He continued: “We are very lucky in the UK to have so many excellent automotive research and development teams.

“The collaboration of these teams through the spoke will bring together these talents and give the UK automotive industry a distinct advantage and help to realise the potential of its expertise.”

The University of Bath, meanwhile, was chosen as the APC’s internal combustion engine systems efficiency spoke.

APC chief executive Ian Constance commented: “The APC has already invested in programmes worth more than £174m which will secure or create at least 4,500 UK jobs across business and academia from the first three rounds of competition funding.

“The APC Spoke network connects the communities of expertise with the opportunities available over the next decade for the development and production of low carbon propulsion technology.”

Business Minister Anna Soubry called the announcement “great news” for the universities of Brighton and Bath, labelling the move: “another step forward for the Advanced Propulsion Centre.”

She said: “The automotive sector and its supply chain are a vital part of the UK economy and these new spokes will bring together the communities to ensure we have the skills we need for the future.

“By harnessing new technologies and getting ahead of the game in research and development, the UK will be in the driving seat to develop the vehicles of tomorrow.”

In September, the University of Brighton was given the green light for its £14m Advanced Engineering Centre by Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee.

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