Oxsensis, a spin out company from the Science and Technology Facilities Council based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, is a category winner in the Carbon Trust/Daily Telegraph Innovation Awards 2007.
Oxsensis is developing some of the world's most advanced engine monitoring instruments to make a step-change in the efficiency of cars, planes and power stations. Petrol and gas continue to be prime fuel sources, but maximising there efficiency requires sophisticated sensors which control combustion whilst glowing yellow-hot. Oxsensis sensors measure pressure and temperature simultaneously at temperatures over 1000oC, hundreds of degrees hotter than anything currently commercially available. This could help the aero-engine industry in their quest to be 25% more efficient and also shows promise for the next generation of fuel-efficient car engines. The company is currently working with Rolls Royce and Siemens and has attracted interest from key manufacturers in the motor industry.
Created to showcase the best in UK low carbon innovation, the Carbon Trust/Daily Telegraph Innovation Awards recognise individuals and both public and private sector bodies that are pioneering innovative technologies or energy efficiency measures that help reduce the UK's carbon emissions. Oxsensis won the 'individuals and small business' category award for the development of its simultaneous temperature and pressure sensors.
David Gahan, Chief Executive Officer of Oxsensis is delighted with the award, commenting, "Our customers want to reduce emissions in major energy and transport sectors. Being recognized by the Carbon Trust is significant as it highlights the scale of the task that we are helping to address."
Professor Colin Whitehouse, Director of Knowledge Exchange at the Science and Technology Facilities Council said, "We are committed to using our research facilities and scientific expertise to support and develop excellent companies like Oxsensis. This award is well-deserved recognition for the company".
Contacts:
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Press Office
Tel: 01235 445 484
Mobile: 0777 558 5811
Tel: 01235 778 120
Mobile: 07767 338 096
Oxsensis Ltd
Oxsensis was formed in 2003 as a spin-out from Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, licensing technology developed at RAL. The company is backed by Venture Capital from Seven Spires Investments Ltd, Rainbow Seed Fund and Strathdon plc, together with prominent individual investors.
Oxsensis' sensor technology is based on the micromachining of super resistant materials such as single-crystal sapphire (melting point >2000C) together with innovative fibre optic interrogation techniques which give high sensitivity and immunity from electro-magnetic interference (EMI) effects common in turbo-machinery such as gas turbines.
The Carbon Trust and the awards
The Carbon Trust is a private company set up by government in response to the threat of climate change, to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy. The Carbon Trust works with UK business and the public sector to create practical business-focused solutions through its external work in five complementary areas: insights, solutions, innovations, enterprises and investments. Together these help to explain, deliver, develop, create and finance low carbon enterprise.
The awards were presented at a ceremony at the Royal Opera House this week. The winners were chosen by a distinguished judging panel that included Professor Sir Keith O'Nions, director general of science & innovation at the DTI, Professor Jim Skea, research director at UK Energy Research and Chris Mottershead, distinguished advisor at BP.
