Following 2 years of R&D by Professor Alasdair Cairns, and another 2 years at Nottingham University the project is focused on delivering a unique solution to the challenges faced by diesel heavy-engine manufacturers, namely the legislation targeting the relentless reductions in emissions from those heavy-duty engines. All engines used in these types of application use turbo-chargers for increased power-output and improved efficiency. However, today’s turbocharger designs limit the flexibility and efficiency that could be derived from the diesel engine. By combining energy recovery and a newly patented type of turbocharger arrangement, VN KERB is primed to deliver an industry-ready solution for licensing into a market where few, if any solutions are available today.
The team at Nottingham University has already overcome significant hurdles taking the technology through significant development and extensive testing to deliver key milestones in the project already. Through intelligent and efficient use of resources the team is also able to take the technology further along the Technology Readiness levels, and hence closer to industry adoption and revenue generation for the company.
The latest prototype delivered much greater performance than first predicted, and at significantly less cost. The opportunity for even greater performance will be bottomed-out in further extensive testing and development prior to a new design and integration into an engine.
These key technology developments have already delivered much reduced dilution for Investors, even at this early stage. The ultimate target is to deliver an energy recovery solution to replace the hybrid/electric versions prevalent today, reducing complexity, weight, and cost, improving efficiency and performance