University of Nottingham and University of Warwick collaborate with GE Aviation to develop innovative technology

Business Wire, Sept 27, 2007

NOTTINGHAM, England -- GE Aviation today launch their University Technology Strategic Partnership (UTSP) with the University of Nottingham and the University of Warwick called SMARTPACT. SMARTPACT will deliver revolutionary research in electrical power and actuation technology and lay the foundation for more far-reaching innovation over the longer-term.

Dr. John Ferrie, President of Systems for GE Aviation officially launched the endeavor today at an event at the University of Nottingham along with Jon Clare, Professor of Power Electronics with the University of Nottingham and Professor Phil Mawby from Warwick University.

"Investment in research and technology for future aerospace programmes is vital to our industry", stated Dr. John Ferrie, President of Systems for GE Aviation. "Strategic partnerships with the universities enable GE to develop the talents of our young people, while cultivating advanced integrated technology."

The University Technology Strategic Partnership (UTSP) was originally established in 2005 with an initial investment of PS1.25 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and GE Aviation.

SMARTPACT has five board themes of research in its current portfolio;

* Aircraft Electrical Power System Design, including modelling

* System Diagnostics and Prognostics

* Power Conversion

* Actuation Systems

* Advanced Semiconductor Switching Technologies

* Heat Transfer Technologies

This research will be led by Nottingham in conjunction with Warwick whose work focuses on advanced semiconductor switching technologies. While the research seeks to answer some fundamental issues about the core technologies required for future systems, the involvement of GE in the problem definition and research enables this to be set in the context of real industrial and global issues such as green flight.

"Aircraft electrical systems are undergoing radical changes. We are excited to be working with GE and Warwick University on innovations that will create the electrical technologies of the future in aerospace," said Professor Jon Clare, Director of the GE Aviation UTSP, University of Nottingham.

The effort will be led by University UTSP Director, Professor, Jon Clare together with five other lead academics; and Professor Philip Mawby of the University of Warwick. Their work will be strengthened by a team of RAs and PhD students. GE's goal is to build a centre of expertise at Nottingham that will enhance its research capacity, generate intellectual property, and be a link to the business' education, training and recruitment efforts.

"The partnership with GE and Nottingham University is very exciting; the unique blend of expertise will deliver new solutions to an area of rapidly evolving high technology," commented Phil Mawby. "This partnership is an illustration of how the innovation in the University sector can enhance the compositeness of UK based industry"

The dedicated centre, opened today at the University of Nottingham, includes laboratory and office space in which SMARTPACT research will be undertaken. There will also be regular joint seminars between the parties, increasing the opportunity for knowledge exchange and to create opportunities in innovation. Further, links will be made with GE's other UTSP launched earlier this year at the University of Bristol, along with the University of Oxford to develop innovative composites technology and known as SMARTCOMP. New ideas generated by the cutting-edge partnership will be developed into further proposals for funding from GE, UK and EU sources.

About University of Nottingham: The University of Nottingham is Britain's 'University of the Year' (Times Higher Awards 2006/7). Ranked in the world's top 100 institutions, its academics undertake world-leading research, which informs teaching of the highest quality. An international institution, the University has campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia.

About University of Warwick: The University of Warwick has a unified School of Engineering covering and integrates most branches of Engineering. The School of Engineering is large with approaching 1000 undergraduates and 1600 postgraduates supported by 300 academic teaching and research staff. The great strength of the School is its combination of world-class fundamental research with the strong wealth creation that results from its exceptionally close involvement with industry. Its activities range widely over all aspects of engineering involving international industry and business. Apart from research and development, it provides a wide range of services to both local and worldwide companies, aimed at improving their performance. Today it has links with some 500 companies on five different continents. It has pioneered an international model for working with industry, including the provision of extensive training programmes, with centres in China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, South Africa and Thailand.

About GE Aviation: GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation.>

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