The Royal Academy of Engineering

The Royal Academy of Engineering Prince Philip House 3 Carlton House Terrace London SW1Y 5DG News release

Under strict embargo until 00.01, 20th May 2015

Three engineering pioneers in the running for £50,000 MacRobert Award

UK’s premier engineering innovation prize reveals 2015 finalists

Three UK companies have been revealed as this year’s finalists for the most prestigious UK engineering innovation award – the Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award.

Artemis Intelligent Power has been selected for its technology to unlock the power potential of wind turbines; Endomag has been chosen for its system that is improving the diagnosis of cancer spread in breast cancer patients; and Victrex for its creation of new materials to bring modern technology advances to life.

Synonymous with spotting the ‘next big thing’ in the technology sector, the MacRobert Award is the UK’s longest running national prize for engineering innovation. Since 1969, the Award has identified world-changing innovations with tangible societal benefit and proven commercial success.

Many previous winning technologies are now ubiquitous in modern medicine, transport and technology. The very first award in 1969 went to the Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine, used in the iconic Harrier jets, and in 1972 the judges recognised the extraordinary potential of the first CT scanner – seven years before its inventor Sir Godfrey Hounsfield received the Nobel Prize.

Last year’s winner, SME Cobalt Light Systems, won for the innovation behind an airport security liquid scanner that can now be found in over 65 airports throughout Europe. The same technology is also being used to detect counterfeit goods and analyse food.

This year’s three MacRobert Award finalists, who have each shown remarkable promise in their respective domains, are all competing for a gold medal and a £50,000 cash prize. The winner will be announced on 16 July 2015 at the Academy's annual awards dinner in London.

Edinburgh-based Artemis Intelligent Power has developed a digital hydraulic power system that unlocks the ability to generate much greater levels of power from offshore wind turbines. As well as dramatically improving power capacity, the smart, modular system has been designed to overcome the significant reliability issues associated with existing turbines. Artemis is already developing world-leading systems, dramatically improving turbine efficiency and with it the prospects for future exploitation of wind power.

Endomag is based in Cambridge and has pioneered a new breast cancer diagnostic tool that avoids the use of radioactive tracers in determining the spread of cancer through the lymphatic system. The cost and logistical challenges of relying on radioactive material have meant that sentinel lymph node biopsy – currently the best method of breast cancer staging – is only available to one in six patients globally, creating a ‘postcode lottery’ for effective diagnosis. The SentiMag probe developed by Endomag identifies sentinel lymph nodes for removal by detecting a magnetic, rather than radioactive, tracer signal. Blackpool-based Victrex has created the highest performing ultra-thin polymers (plastics) in the world. Initially enabling smartphone speakers and earbuds to produce high-quality sound without risk of failure, they could now be a key material for enabling the flexible electronics revolution. In forms up to 20 times thinner than a human hair, the PEEK polymer is already found in over a billion consumer electronic devices and is also used as a lightweight replacement for metal in aircraft, cars and medical implants.

The MacRobert Award is determined by a panel of 10 judges representing a broad spectrum of engineering expertise and each a leader in their field.

Dame Sue Ion DBE FREng, Chair of the MacRobert Award judging panel, said, “Each of this year’s finalists has demonstrated remarkable drive and determination to achieve technical advances that can make a considerable difference to many aspects of our lives. The variety and standard of engineering skills behind each innovation is testament to the UK’s strength in the sector.

“Innovative engineering is the key to our future growth in the UK and we will have to make increasing use of our knowledge and creative talent if we are to take advantage of this opportunity. These three companies are great examples of engineering for growth in action.”

The 2015 finalists in detail:

Artemis – unlocking the potential of wind turbines The viability of wind turbines as a significant energy source has to date been limited by the power output capacity and reliability of individual turbines. At current average power levels of around 3.5MW, a single offshore wind turbine can power around 3,300 households. This means that vast numbers would be required to provide for even a small city, presenting challenges in terms of space, cost and the ongoing maintenance of thousands of remote turbines. By increasing the capacity, efficiency and reliability of each one, these problems could be significantly reduced.

The up-sizing challenges lie largely in the turbine’s transmission. Conventional turbines use a mechanical gearbox that struggles to cope with higher power levels without being scaled up to an excessively large, heavy, and expensive level. Cost and efficiency issues also mean that other alternatives, including direct-drive or conventional hydraulic-based systems are less suited to high power production.

Artemis Intelligent Power has developed an unprecedented Digital Displacement® hydraulic power system that has recently been installed in a 7MW turbine and its engineers are already working towards bigger systems. In contrast to all other systems which require expensive and frequently troublesome electronic power converters to connect their variable speed generators to the electricity network the Artemis system is the first to be able to use directly connected conventional synchronous generators. This arrangement is greatly preferred by network operators because it improves the stability of national grids.

As well as dramatically improving power quality and capacity, the modular Artemis system has been designed to overcome the significant downtime issues associated with existing turbines. Traditionally, when something goes wrong, the whole transmission system needs replacing at considerable cost and inconvenience; for offshore turbines this process can take months with high costs in lost production and in the mobilization of heavy lifting vessels. The Digital Displacement® system is able to continue to work even if something goes wrong, as it automatically identifies the faulty module and divides its work between the remaining functional ones. When maintenance teams arrive, the individual parts can usually be replaced quickly and without the need for heavy cranes.

The Digital Displacement® system concept began in 1994 as a means of powering very large wind turbines. The Artemis team has innovated at every level to address the engineering challenges and has utilised an array of engineering skills, including computer control, fluid dynamics, transient magnetic modelling and component manufacture. The system works by digitally controlling the opening and closing of individual high-speed valves, effectively creating a variable-displacement pump. When the pump is combined with a similar digitally-controlled motor, an infinitely variable speed drive system is created, eliminating the conventional gearbox. In order to power 7MW+ turbines, Artemis had to create a hydrostatic transmission that is up to 20 times larger than any previously made, while improving the conventional low efficiencies of such systems up toward the far higher efficiencies of gearboxes.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has realised Artemis’ ambition by utilising the Digital Displacement® system for a new 7MW turbine built off the coast of Scotland and now feeding power into the grid. The transmission of a second floating 7MW turbine destined for deep waters off Japan is already being tested, while Artemis continues to push boundaries in the pursuit of higher power levels.

Artemis Intelligent Power was established in 1994 as a privately-owned spin-out from the University of Edinburgh. Development partnerships have seen the Digital Displacement® system used in on-road and off-road vehicles of all kinds, and in industrial applications such as injection moulding. Following the development of a 1.6MW prototype wind-turbine transmission with partners ConocoPhillips, Carbon Trust and DECC, Artemis was acquired by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2010. The two organisations are now jointly developing the technology for multi-megawatt offshore wind turbines and Artemis is also developing the transmission system for other sectors, such as buses and hybrid vehicles to improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.

Niall Caldwell, Artemis’s managing director, said, “By combining the intelligence of digital control with the robustness and low cost of hydraulic machines, the Artemis team of engineers has made a fundamental advance in the scale and efficiency of mechanical power transmission. Digital Displacement® technology will bring down the costs of generating renewable energy and reduce fuel use in transport and industry. Our business shares the mission of our parent company to be a manufacturer for the sustainability of the earth and humankind.”

Team members: Dr Niall Caldwell, Managing Director; Pierre Joly, Operations Director; Dr Win Rampen FREng, Chairman; Professor Stephen Salter FRSE, Non-Executive Director; Dr Uwe Stein, Chief Engineer.

Endomag – improving the diagnosis of cancer spread in breast cancer patients Endomag, based in Cambridge, has pioneered a new breast cancer staging diagnostic tool that could end the ‘postcode lottery’ associated with a patient’s follow-up treatment, in particular by avoiding unnecessary removal of lymph nodes.

When a cancerous tumour spreads, its cells are carried by the interstitial fluid of the lymphatic system. Since the 1950s, the traditional method of determining the spread of cancer to lymph nodes has relied on removing up to 30 lymph nodes for inspection. However, there are significant long-term health risks, including lymphoedema and reduced mobility, which can affect up to 45% of patients.

The more advanced alternative is to identify the ‘sentinel’ lymph nodes that would be affected first, and to remove just one or two of these for testing. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer recommends sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as the preferred standard of care but, until now, conducting a SLNB has relied on radioactive isotopes, which are potentially hazardous and must be injected by a licensed radiologist prior to moving the patient to surgery. Handling and disposal regulations mean they are costly to use, and they only have a six-hour shelf life, presenting limitations for theatre scheduling.

As a result, this option is still not available to 50% of cancer patients in the UK, and access is much lower (~15%) in developing countries without the facilities to handle radioactive material. With 1.7 million new cases of breast cancer diagnosed every year around the world, millions of women continue to suffer the consequences of having large numbers of lymph nodes removed unnecessarily.

Endomag was established as a spin-out from University College London, where Professor Quentin Pankhurst had conducted pioneering research into the use of magnetic nanoparticles in biomedicine and identified the potential to use them in sentinel lymph node biopsies in place of radioisotopes.

This concept was realised in the form of the Sentimag probe and Sienna+ tracer. When the magnetic nanoparticles in Sienna+ are injected into the body, they will flow towards the sentinel lymph nodes where they are filtered out. Using a magnetic susceptometer in the form of the Sentimag probe, the sentinel nodes can be accurately identified by surgeons when it detects the presence of magnetic nanoparticles.

The design of Sentimag presented a host of major mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering challenges, particularly around ensuring instrument safety, sensitivity and robustness for routine hospital use. Endomag designed a novel electronic system able to meet the sensitivity requirements.

Today the Sentimag and its companion tracer Sienna+ are CE-marked medical devices on sale in Europe, and have been used to treat over 6,000 breast cancer patients to date. In the US, it has investigational approval from the FDA and a pivotal trial is underway at six sites across the US, which is expected to complete later this year.

The underlying technology is now being applied to develop new, more advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic probes for other types of cancer including melanoma, prostate, bladder, thyroid, colon and cervical.

Dr Eric Mayes, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Endomag is extremely honoured by this recognition, both for the hard work of our founding team and how we have since translated this engineering innovation to meet the needs of so many patients.”

Team members: Professor Quentin Pankhurst, Founder; Simon Hattersley, Founder; Dr Audrius Brazdeikis, Founder; Dr Eric Mayes, Chief Executive Officer.

Victrex – Creating new materials to bring new technologies to life

Blackpool-based Victrex has created the highest performing ultra-thin polymers (plastics) in the world. Initially enabling smartphone speakers and earbuds to produce high-quality sound without risk of failure, they could now be a key material for enabling the flexible electronics revolution.

To create highly durable and reliable plastic in thicknesses up to 20 times thinner than a human hair, Victrex combines cutting-edge materials engineering with advanced manufacturing skills at its UK facilities.

The company’s APTIV film technology uses the polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymer, which can be processed to suit different applications. It has many useful properties including strength, high temperature threshold, durability and tailorable electrical and thermal conductivity. These properties enable the creation of exceptionally thin films that remain strong enough for small-scale, demanding uses, such as speaker and microphone components in smartphones and earbuds. Today, APTIV is found in over a billion consumer electronic devices.

The PEEK polymer is also used in many other guises. Up to 70% lighter than metal, the plastic developed by Victrex has become ubiquitous in the world around us. More than 200 million cars rely on the material in their anti-lock braking systems; over 15,000 aircraft flying today contain PEEK to help reduce weight and save millions in fuel; and there are millions of people now living with PEEK inside them in the form of spinal implants and dental applications.

The introduction of smartphones was the main driver for thinner, stronger materials capable of meeting demands for higher performance in smaller devices. Prior to the development of APTIV film, small-scale acoustics systems had largely relied on polyester, but as the wattage increased and vibration amplitudes rose, these speaker parts were susceptible to breaking apart. The fatigue performance of APTIV is up to 300% higher than the incumbent materials.

As technologies continue to advance worldwide, so too do the demands on the materials required to bring them to life. Victrex is constantly innovating accordingly, and is currently exploring the potential for PEEK as a 3D printing material for high grade uses, and as a flexible substrate material that could meet new market demands for flexible electronics.

Victrex was established in 1993, following a management buy-out from ICI, which invented PEEK polymer, and was listed on the FTSE250 in 1995. Today Victrex has a market value of around £2 billion and 97% of its revenue comes from exports across more than 40 countries. Victrex employs over 750 people globally and has three manufacturing facilities in the UK, with offices and commercial teams across the world, including in Germany, China and the United States.

John Grasmeder, Technical Director for Victrex plc, said: “Victrex is a world leader in high performance polymers and to be in the running for the MacRobert award is a real testament to the capability, innovation focus and performance of our people.

“Technical and manufacturing excellence are key pillars of our strategy. Being able to understand market needs and work closely with our customers in developing solutions to their challenges requires real technical and manufacturing know-how. APTIV film has been a success story for Victrex in recent years and we continue to explore opportunities in Electronics and across our other markets.”

Team members: Mike Percy, Global Technical Manager, APTIV; Kyri Christodoulou, Films Quality Improvement Manager; John Parkinson, Quality Support Engineer; Jason Li, Development Engineer.

- Ends -

Notes for Editors

1. About the MacRobert Award. First presented in 1969, the MacRobert Award is widely regarded as the most coveted in the industry. Founded by the MacRobert Trust and supported by the Worshipful Company of Engineers, the Award is now presented by the Royal Academy of Engineering after a prize fund was established with donations from the MacRobert Trust, the Academy and British industry. For more information, visit: www.raeng.org.uk/prizes/macrobert Previous winners include EMI Ltd, who in 1972 developed the CT Scanner, a vital medical device that can now be found in almost every hospital in the developed world. In 2002 Cambridge Display Technologies won the MacRobert Award for its light emitting polymer displays, which are now used extensively in televisions and smart phones. The 2013 winner was software company RealVNC, which judges predicted could be a billion dollar company within five years.

The judging panel for the MacRobert Award 2015 is as follows:

Dr Dame Sue Ion DBE FREng (Chair) Consultant; Chair, Nuclear Innovation Research Advisory Board John Baxter FREng FRSE Group Head of Engineering, BP International Ltd; Master, the Worshipful Company of Engineers

Nick Cooper FREng Director, JN Cooper & Partners Ltd

Keith Davis Chairman, The MacRobert Trust

Professor Sir Richard Friend FREng FRS Cavendish Professor of Physics, University of Cambridge

Dr Andrew Herbert OBE FREng Formerly Chairman, Microsoft Research EMEA; Emeritus Fellow, Wolfson College, Cambridge Visiting Professor, UCL

Dr Gordon Masterton OBE FREng FRSE Vice President, Jacobs Engineering; Deputy Chairman at Construction Industry Council

Peter Saraga CBE FREng Chairman of the Advisory Board, Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme

Dr Frances Saunders CB FREng President, Institute of Physics; Trustee, Engineering Development Trust; formerly Chief Executive, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)

2. About the Royal Academy of Engineering

As the UK’s national academy for engineering, we bring together the most successful and talented engineers for a shared purpose: to advance and promote excellence in engineering.

We provide analysis and policy support to promote the UK’s role as a great place to do business. We take a lead on engineering education and we invest in the UK’s world-class research base to underpin innovation. We work to improve public awareness and understanding of engineering. We are a national academy with a global outlook.

We have four strategic challenges: Drive faster and more balanced economic growth; foster better education and skills; lead the profession; promote engineering at the heart of society.

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