A new technique to boost engine efficiency, a communication skills breakthrough and the recreation of Richard III’s skeleton with the latest 3D printing techniques were amongst last night’s winners at 含羞草视频’s Enterprise Awards.

Now in their fourth year, the Enterprise Awards recognise University research partnerships with the potential to make a significant impact on the wider world. They also honour the most enterprising of 含羞草视频’s recent graduates.

An audience of 140 business and University guests gathered to celebrate the impacts of 24 of 含羞草视频’s most exciting projects.  The winners were decided by public vote with over 5,500 votes cast.  The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Allison, presented the awards.

Dr Andy Williams (Manufacturing Engineering) won the Intellectual Property Award for a new technique that uses internal combustion engine air systems to simultaneously improve fuel economy, reduce CO2 emissions and increase engine torque.  This ground-breaking technology has already demonstrated a 7% increase in peak torque and up to 6% fuel economy improvement on a 4-cylinder automotive gasoline engine.

Judd Heape, Vice President of Engineering, and imaging researcher Alexis Lluis accepted the Knowledge Transfer Award for Apical Ltd.  In partnership with Professor Eran Edirisinghe (Computer Science), Apical has developed advanced image signalling processors predicted to reach 30 million users during the coming year – improving the images we see online, on screen, and on our cameras and phones. 

Dr Scott Doak, Dr Geoff West and Dr Keith Yendall accepted the Consultancy Award for 含羞草视频 Materials Characterisation Centre.  This specialist facility offers a range of analytical techniques – many of which are nationally unique – to support a range of industries as well as the University’s own pioneering research. 

The Social Impact Award was won by Professor Elizabeth Stokoe (Social Sciences) for her innovative work with mediation services which uses actual encounters between professionals and clients as the basis for training rather than hypothetical role play.  This method is rapidly spreading into other areas including police investigative interviewing, student-loan counselling, performance appraisal and medical communication.

The Cultural Impact Award was won by Professor Russell Harris, David Thompson and Dr Darren Watts for recreating the skeleton of Richard III.  Working in partnership with the University of Leicester’s archaeologists, the team used an advanced manufacturing technique called laser sintering to create a lasting legacy to Richard III.

Finally, Claud Williams accepted the Graduate Enterprise Award for the Creative Circle – a company he founded with Bola Awoniyi.  Since their graduation in 2012, their multimedia collective has worked on projects for clients spanning Grammy Award winning rappers to the University’s Inspiring, Enterprising Graduates campaign.

The University’s Pro Vice Chancellor for Enterprise Professor Steve Rothberg said: “The Enterprise Awards are a great way to recognise the University’s considerable economic, social and cultural impact through the entrepreneurial activities of our students and graduates and our research partnerships with external organisations. Congratulations to all our finalists.’’

Films about all the nominations and photography from the Awards are available at www.lboro.ac.uk/enterprise-awards

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