Altair Signs Agreement with University of Nottingham

Altair has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UK-based University of Nottingham for a digital twin project within the aerospace sector. The digital twin will be a technology demonstrator as well as a solution that can be used to rapidly design, validate, and test the electric propulsion systems of new aircraft or advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles and/or to evaluate the retrofit of existing ones.

The agreement will give University of Nottingham researchers full access to the Altair HyperWorks design and simulation and Altair RapidMiner data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. The platforms will provide researchers with technology for AI-powered multiphysics and multi-domain simulation, along with full data analytics and machine learning technology to manage experimental data and digital and physical models. In addition, the agreement provides the university team with access to Altair’s high-performance computing (HPC) tools and training.

“Altair is committed to boosting innovation with a focus on next-generation sustainability in all sectors. This is why we partner with some of the most advanced universities and research centers in the world, like the University of Nottingham,” says Dr. Pietro Cervellera, senior vice president of aerospace and defense, Altair. 

“We share Altair’s vision of accelerating the creation and delivery of innovations that can transform the technologies and systems we use every day,” says Chris Gerada, professor of Electrical Machines and lead for strategic research and innovation initiatives at the University of Nottingham. “Paired with our leading strengths in electrification, hydrogen and manufacturing, this collaboration increases our capabilities and boosts Altair’s status as a key industry partner of choice for the university.”

This MoU is an achievement that supports the capabilities of the university’s new Zero Carbon Innovation Centre, co-funded by East Midlands Freeport, to build a complete digital twin of an electric propulsion system. The two organizations' teams now have technology that spans energy storage (including batteries and fuel cells), power electronics and digital controllers, motors, cables, inverters, and the management of the systems’ thermal, power, and electromagnetic interference.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.