Collaborators

Technology Collaborators

Throughout the development process, KATRU has engaged specialist providers to test and validate the IMPLUX^TM the design. The following is a summary of key collaborators:

Honda F1 CFD: KATRU engaged Honda F1 CFD to undertake extensive turbine design evaluations. The Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis confirmed the results of the scale model testing completed by KATRU. Extensive simulation work was carried out over several months to determine an optimised design profile to achieve maximum efficiency. Since the closure of the Honda F1 racing team, the CFD modelling specialists have become an independent CFD consultancy called TotalSim.

GL Garrad Hassan: The UK office of GL Garrad Hassan, the world's foremost wind energy consultancy with specialist skills in conventional and innovative wind turbine design analysis, was engaged to evaluate KATRU's test results and the simulation by Honda F1 CFD. As conventional performance limit theories were inadequate to predict operational performance of IMPLUX^TM, GL Garrad Hassan was subsequently asked to investigate possible theoretical bases for the design. This led to the development of a new internationally recognised universal wind turbine extraction theory applicable for all types of wind turbines.

Aerotrope: KATRU's engineers worked with the team at Aerotrope Ltd. in the UK to investigate and develop the first full scale prototype unit for fabrication. Aerotrope provide specialist design, analysis and inspection services to the wind turbine industry and brought their experience in the practical development of unusual designs, finite element analysis and aerolaminate technology.

Dynaglass Reinforced Plastic: long standing, high performance moulded fibreglass product company with a strong technological base in the area of engineered reinforced plastics. Dynaglass was awarded the contract to build the first full scale prototype shroud including the moulds.

Designcraft: KATRU engaged Designcraft, a highly skilled boutique UK blade building company to build the high strength carbon blades for the full scale prototype.

Tempco: a specialist prototype developer/integrator collaborated with KATRU to experiment and test assemble the complete proof-of-concept unit, including the rotor and blades.