Yorkshire-based high technology company, Magnomatics, has secured contracts with leading vehicle and engine OEMs, Ford and Caterpillar.
The company, which specialises in the development of electrical motors, generators and magnetic transmissions, is hoping the projects will advance their magnetic power-split technology which can blend the mechanical and electrical power in a hybrid electric vehicle.
The project with Ford Motor Car Company, which is supported by the Technology Strategy Development Board Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform, will develop the technology for use in hybrid passenger vehicles.
Iain Gray, chief executive of the Technology Strategy Board, said: “Through investments such as these the Technology Strategy Board is helping to deliver economic growth and create competitive advantage for the UK in the global marketplace for leading edge technologies.
He continued: “This drive by leading British companies to innovate and to overcome significant technical hurdles to develop new technologies, products and processes is inspirational. We look forward with interest and excitement to seeing the results of these important research and development projects.”
The new project is one of 16 collaborative research and development projects recently selected for funding after The Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) jointly agreed to invest a further £10 million in grants to projects that focus on achieving significant cuts in CO2 emissions for vehicle-centric technologies in low carbon vehicles.
The work with Caterpillar is also assisted through the Technology Strategy Board in its recent investment to support innovation and growth for businesses looking to keep the UK at the forefront of high value manufacturing.
A particular emphasis has been placed on the development of ‘enabling technologies’, which can lead to the creation of other products or processes able to support future development.
Magnomatics, formed in 2006, will collaborate with Caterpillar Engines, and Sheffield based magnetic material and magnet assembly supplier Arnold Magnet Technologies, to scale-up the magnetic power-split technology for larger Hybrid vehicles.
Chris Kirby, managing director at Magnomatics, commented: “We are experiencing sustained rising demand for our products, as industries across the world seek to introduce new technologies to enhance their own solutions and to meet growing worldwide expectations for more efficient and sustainable products.”