John Rishton, a former student at the University of Nottingham turned chief executive at engine-maker Rolls-Royce, has opened a new £5.1m Aerospace Technology Centre at the university today.
The new centre will eventually house over 100 staff, including people seconded from industry with researchers working on projects to develop new aerospace technology and transferring that knowledge from academia to industry.
The centre will be at the heart of the University’s Institute for Aerospace Technology and researchers say that it will be able to develop, integrate and demonstrate new technologies at a scale and complexity not currently possible within any other research institute in the UK.
The Institute brings together a number of research groups involved in work on aerospace materials, advanced manufacturing, more electric aircraft, aero engines and propulsion and aviation operations.
The university is expected to continue its collaborative research with Rolls-Royce, GE, Airbus, EADS, Boeing, BAE Systems, GKN and Thales in these areas while it also looks to attract further interest from companies in China and the Far East.
Rolls-Royce is the university’s biggest industrial partner, with John Rishton noting how the company “has enjoyed a long and successful partnership with the University including two University Technology Centres researching aero-engine transmission and manufacturing technologies.”
“This new facility will help Rolls-Royce, the aerospace industry and The University of Nottingham maintain their positions at the forefront of technology,” he added.
