Innovate - Issue 13 - the applied research magazine from Coventry University by Rob Hearne

Applied research at Coventry University

Putting drivers back in control

Issue 13 Spring 2013

An iPad App puts Nissan drivers in the hot seat

Switched on savings Providing the hard evidence for new inventions Hoarding and health Tackling the impact of compulsive hoarders with housing providers

Sitting on a bright idea Transforming travel Fly higher with professional support Chain reaction Ghost in the machine Shining a spotlight on insecurity

Welcome

Research is fundamental to rejuvenating industry and improving the economy after a recession. That’s why Coventry University is committed toCoventry using its University Here at expertise to support businesses. we’re proud of our reputation for carrying out applied Higher education has research. a crucial role to play in that The kind of research helping society overcome tacklesthethe majorissues challengeswe we face in face today and in the communities across the world.

WELCOME

CAre

dren and young

future. At Coventry, we are using our applied research to drive We’ve arranged our research themes into what we call the innovation and enhance the competitive Grand Challenges; focusing on of key issues which advantage and service provision ofa number our affect us all. This helps to keep our research targeted, topical external partners. and relevant and allows us to make a real difference in society. Challenge Initiatives have “Solving Our Grand the key areas where our research global identified We’ve recently announced a new Grand Challenge; focusing can have the most impact on a challenges activitythis time on Human Security offering an opportunity to raise regional, national and international scale. In the role of academics in promoting social wellbeing. requires this issue of Innovate you can read about the a united projects that are already delivering results. In terms of topicality, you can’t have failed to have heard front from We understand that the financial climate about the scandals in the media surrounding the UK’s food feel chains. conducive taking risks and universities, the does not supply In thistoissue of Innovate our researchers in ventures. But where Government startingthenew Centre for Agroecology andthere Food are Security share their weon see opportunities. findings short food supply chains, reconnecting and industry” challenges, A recent reportand by producers. the University on consumers environmental technologies, for example, We’ve been applying our expertise in technology; working is helping Coventry City Council to also embrace the commercial witheconomy the Ministry Defence unmanned vehicles and opportunities that a low carbon canofoffer. Theonopening developing an app for Nissan drivers to help give them an of a new hydrogen fuelling station on Coventry’s campus will help edge in performance driving. From the car to the home, advance investigations in low carbon vehicle technology – with we’ve been working with a local the potential to create millions of jobs. And our research intohousing low association to help tackle the issues of hoarding and we’ve developed impact buildings is helping housing associations, local authorities a tool with Acas help companies and commercial organisations to reconstruct for to a greener and analyse how ‘age friendly’ they are. more cost effective future. We are also focused on delivering collaborative projects that As a University we’re determined to play our part give external partners access to expertise across a range of in shaping the future. If you feel you’d like to faculties and schools. One such project is underway with Hewlett work with us on this then please get in touch. Packard, a global leader in IT solutions, and The Shakespeare I look forward to hearing from you. Birthplace Trust, which you can read about in this issue. Solving global challenges requires a united front from Follow us on: universities, the Government and industry. As a University, we are determined to play our part in helping shape the future. Please get in touch if you are inspired by our work and Professor Ian Marshall, want to get involved. I look forward to hearing from you. Deputy Vice-Chancellor

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INNOVATE SPRING 2013

CONTENTS

18 22 16

26 4

News and Events The latest research news from across the campus

Hoarding and health Tackling the impact of compulsive hoarders with housing providers

Sitting on a bright idea Cutting carbon in transport through lightweight seating

Rethinking retirement How age friendly is your organisation?

Connected care through technology HDTI putting users in control of their care

Edited and designed by Marketing and Communications Coventry University Printed by Emmersons

Putting drivers back in control An iPad App puts Nissan drivers in the hot seat

Shining a spotlight on insecurity Protecting and empowering people through human security

Transforming Travel What do passengers really think about public transport?

Investing in innovation Support for SMEs working on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;next big thingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Switched on savings Providing the hard evidence for new inventions

For more information If you would like to find out more about any of the articles within this issue, if you have a general enquiry about applied research or to subscribe to a future issue of Innovate, contact us on

Telephone +44 (0) 24 7688 8352 Email innovate@coventry.ac.uk Website www.coventry.ac.uk/innovate

Chain reaction Where does your food come from? Connecting consumers and producers

Ghost in the machine Working with the MoD on unmanned vehicles

Fly higher with professional support Enhancing skills through CPD

This publication is available in other formats on request. Please contact Marketing and Communications on +44 (0) 24 7688 8352 If you would prefer to receive Innovate electronically email innovate@coventry.ac.uk

LEADING THE WAY IN APPLIED RESEARCH

NEWS&EVENTS Dance and disability given research boost

Spin-out on the scent of success

A new project funded by the Art & Humanities Research Council will help empower disabled dance artists and strengthen their place in cultural society.

A Coventry University spin-out company specialising in particle technology has joined forces with another Midlands-based SME to explore the potential of a pioneering new product. Exilica, which is based on the University’s Technology Park, has developed and patented a unique technology which allows long lasting fragrances to be manufactured into a variety of plastics and other polymerbased materials. The company recently collaborated with Birmingham based Barkley Plastics and fragrance firm Seven Scent to create a scented floor tile, and has this week launched a trial run of the product in toilets on Coventry University’s campus. Using Exilica’s micro-particle technology, floor tiles manufactured by Barkley Plastics have been loaded with both a fragrance and an 4 Innovate I Spring 2013

antibacterial agent, ensuring the toilets smell nice and stay clean at all times.

and we’re only just beginning to scratch the surface of what we can do with it.

Exilica’s technology has attracted interest from as far afield as East Asia, with highlights including an invite from the Japanese government for the company to exhibit at one of the world’s foremost nanotechnology trade fairs in Tokyo.

Imagine a car interior which always smells new, or a plastic drinks bottle which replicates the smell of the juice inside. Imagine if you could choose the scent in each room of your house by using long lasting, fragranced paints or wallpapers. It’s all possible.

Daniel Lynch, founder and technical director of Exilica and former reader in applied chemistry at Coventry University, said: ‘It’s always exciting to see a new application for our technology – even when it’s on a toilet floor. The reality is that the process we developed and patented at the University has massive, wide-ranging potential

A number of other smallscale trials have taken place for Exilica’s technology with a variety of companies involved in odour masking and positive fragrancing, including those exploring the use of scents in textile fibres, paints, wallpapers and automotive interiors.

The AHRC has awarded a research grant worth £497k to Coventry University’s Professor of Dance, Sarah Whatley. The three-year project, entitled In/Visible Differences: Dance, Disability and the Law will be carried out in partnership with Charlotte Waelde, Professor of Intellectual Property Law at the University of Exeter. The In/Visible Differences project sets out to extend current thinking about the making, status, ownership and value of work by performance artists in the 21st century, by focusing on one art form; dance, and specifically dance made and performed by disabled dance artists. The project will collaborate with dance artists, both disabled and non-disabled, and with arts professionals and policy-makers; and it will bring together researchers from two different disciplines, dance and law, drawing on concepts and methods from the arts and social sciences. The knowledge exchange at the heart of this project will raise awareness of the particular challenges and opportunities faced by disabled people and strengthen the case for change in working practices and the legal frameworks that underpin the artists’ work. For more information on this project please contact Marion Doyen on m.doyen@coventry.ac.uk

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At the cutting edge of construction Peter Hansford, the UK government’s newly appointed chief construction advisor, recently visited the University to see how it’s helping to drive forward the low carbon construction industry.

Mr Hansford and Juliet Mountford, director of construction in the Cabinet Office, visited Coventry University’s pioneering Simulation Centre where they were given a demonstration of the facility’s state-of-the-art virtual reality capabilities. Through cutting-edge 3D simulation, the multi-million pound centre – which is now being used for management and leadership training by Acua Solutions – is able to create ‘immersive’ virtual construction sites to train workers in a safe, true-to-life environment with realistic site management situations.

Industry-leading construction firm Balfour Beatty, which uses the facility to train its workforce, was on hand to give Mr Hansford a live showcase of how the centre can be used to boost trainees’ experience and decision-making skills, without the risks associated with on-site work. Mr Hansford then visited the University’s Engineering and Computing building on campus, where an innovative project is underway inviting businesses to come and test new environmental technologies for use in the construction industry. The £5 million Sustainable Building Futures project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and by the University itself.

It aims to encourage knowledge transfer and collaboration between West Midlands SMEs and the University – as well as offering construction firms access to the latest facilities to help boost productivity. Peter Hansford said: ‘Attracting talent and enhancing skills are real issues facing the construction and built environment sector. The new multi-million pound facilities at Coventry University are helping businesses and their workers receive the training they need to help stimulate renewed growth for the industry.’

Lord Stafford Award

for University collaboration A collaboration between staff in Coventry University’s Geography, Environment and Disaster Management department and Vale Brothers Ltd, a Walsall based brush manufacturer has been chosen as the winner in the Innovation category at the Lord Stafford Awards. Dr Stephen Coupe, Research Fellow in the SUDS Applied Research Group has been working with Vale Brothers Ltd on the development of antimicrobial plastics for the prevention of infection spread, particularly between horses. The University organised the testing of the product for efficacy and patenting and licensing the technology to Vale Brothers Ltd. The patent covers a range of equestrian kit (brushes, buckets, scoops and combs) that prevent the spread of bacterial infection between horses. These have been proven in tests to kill 99% of bacteria see www.kbf99.co.uk/ Stephen Coupe said: ‘We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award, especially considering the quality of the competition and the large number of institutions involved. We’ll be continuing to work with Vale Bros on validation and potentially a phase three of research, including research council funded field trial.’ Innovate I Spring 2013 5

LEADING THE WAY IN APPLIED RESEARCH

The Faculty of Engineering and Computing at Coventry University has introduced a new team of staff dedicated to engaging with businesses.

NEWS&EVENTS EVENTS

16 May 2013 Event SURGE Economic Development Seminar Series. Evaluating the Micro Impact of Business Networks

Location

Jaguar Building

Time

4.00 – 6.00pm Speaker - Dr Nicola Lynch, University of Derby

22 May 2013 Event Professorial Lecture - Dance in real and digital space; inscription, authorship and identity

Location

Square One, TheHub

Time

4.00 – 5.00pm Speaker - Sarah Whatley, Professor of Dance and Director: Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE). Attendance is free of charge and the lecture is followed by refreshments and a light buffet

28 June 2013 Event Women and the Criminal Justice System ‘Mothers in prison: the sentencing of mothers and the rights of the child’

Location

TechnoCentre

Time

4.00 – 6.00pm Speaker - Vera Baird, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumberland, previous Solicitor General, QC Rona Epstein, Coventry Law School

3 July 2013 Event Food from here

Location

TechnoCentre

Time

10.00 – 4.00pm Critical perspectives on short food supply chains in Europe

To find out more about all of our events visit: www.coventry.ac.uk/events

Building links with business The new commercial team is led by Associate Dean for Enterprise, Professor Mike Blundell, and Commercial Director, Mike Dickison, and includes a dedicated group of account managers, support officers, and business development officers focused on the Faculty’s commercial services – employability, research, consultancy, and professional learning and development.

Commercial Director, Mike Dickison, said: ‘This new team reflects the new synergised approach we are taking for engaging with businesses. We are re-designing the way we work with business to include experts who work for 100% of their time on consultancy and research projects, to adopt a system of professional account management, and to provide solutions that are seamlessly integrated using a multidisciplinary approach.

It is a fantastic time to engage with the University as we have just moved into our new Engineering and Computing building, which houses a plethora of new technologies and equipment, including our Mercedes-Petronas sub-sonic wind tunnel and our new advanced engineering centre.’ More details available at www.coventry.ac.uk/ ecbusiness

SGI leads in £1.5m boost to manufacturing During a recent visit to Coventry University, Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts, announced that the University’s Serious Games Institute (SGI) is set to play a leading role in a £1.5 million research project to help manufacturing firms transform their business models using games technology. The project is part of a wider £45 million funding package from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council designed to improve manufacturing competitiveness in the UK. Coventry’s Serious Games Institute will work with Aston University and the University of Sheffield on the gaming technology initiative, whose goal will be to encourage UK firms to use ‘gamification’ to sell services as well as products.

The research team will create serious games using three dimensional virtual worlds which can represent and handle the complex data systems of companies looking to adopt product service systems. A host of industry partners – including Ford Motor Company, MAN Truck & Bus and Birmingham Science Park – will test out the games as part of the project.

Professor Sara de Freitas, director of SGI and of the Serious Games and Virtual Worlds Applied Research Group at the University, said: ‘To be chosen to lead this project represents an excellent opportunity, particularly for the West Midlands region which is now positioned very much as a global leader in the serious games industry.’

For more information on the projects, visit www.epsrc.ac.uk

Coventry University’s Low Carbon Vehicle and Integrated Transport and Logistics Grand Challenges recently sponsored a competition for students to break with the normal assumptions of quadricycles.

Quadricycles the future of transport? The students were required to come up with a unique selling proposition for a rigorous, fresh and incredibly well thought out design to cater for an increasingly sophisticated market place. The project draws on expertise from across the University; the Centre for Sustainable Regeneration (SURGE) provided the market analysis, Coventry School of Art and Design (CSAD) the design, and the Faculty of Engineering and Computing provided the engineering expertise. The project was introduced at a workshop for older drivers during the Age Research Centre launch. Quadricycles provide an interesting mobility proposition covering a large proportion of the population. For young novice drivers these vehicles offer an affordable safe alternative to a moped for instance. For the elderly the ability to prolong individual mobility has the potential to enhance the overall quality of life. The low running costs and small size make quadricycles attractive to urban dwellers as an alternative to a second or third car. To date it is this latter category that quadricycle manufacturers have particularly focused on, the best-known example being the G-Wiz. To comply with the very tight regulations quadricycles possibly offer the ultimate design challenge. The strict weight restrictions require well-considered body structures, materials, production and manufacturing techniques to be paramount. Occupant packaging, i.e. fitting the driver and passenger in the available space, also requires careful consideration and understanding of the many vehicle ergonomic requirements. The competition was open to Masters students in the School of Art and Design and organised by Senior Lecturer, Cyriel Diels. The students produced sketches, scenarios, packaging and orthographic drawings all based around an electric powertrain. The competition consisted of five minute presentations with question and answers. Prizes were awarded to the four best designs. A joint third prize was awarded to Zohartze Palacio and Paul Kutukaran John; second prize went to Aaron McTurk; the overall winner was James Kerr for his urban quadricycle concept.

The judging panel was drawn from across the Faculty of Engineering and Computing and the School of Art and Design, including, Seymour Roworth-Stokes (Dean of CSAD), Bernard Porter (Low Carbon Vehicle Programmes Director), Chris Johnson (Senior Research Fellow CSAD), Andree Woodcock (Integrated Transport and Logistics Director), Dave Wright (Director for Strategic Development), Michael Goatman (Head of Industrial

Design), with external judges - Geoff Upex (ex-Head of Design, Land Rover) and Tony Spillane (O&S Technology). Speaking on behalf of the panel, Bernard Porter said: ‘The engineering challenge presented in the design and manufacture of a lightweight electric vehicle includes the achievement of a design which meets the maximum weight permitted by existing regulations, as well as issues concerning safety and

durability. From a powertrain perspective, electric vehicle architecture can be readily adapted from other similar lightweight applications, but typically not from larger passenger car configurations. Perhaps most of all, perceptions and practical implementation of occupant safety within a lightweight vehicle remains the most demanding challenge.’

Innovate I Spring 2013 7

Hoarding and health

tackling the issues

Hoarding, and people who hoard, have bec ome big issues in the media. But behind the scenes, the impact of com pulsive hoarders is placing an increasing strain on housing providers and their time and resources. Biography Darren Awang Darren Awang is Course Director for the MSc in Assistive Technology within the Department of Social Therapeutic and Community Studies at Coventry University. He has a wide range of research interests that includes occupational therapy, assistive technology and accessible housing. He is a co-lead of STaC - the Community Wellbeing Research Group.

Roland Simmons Roland is an Occupational Therapy graduate who has experience of working with people with varying conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, depression, schizophrenia and young homeless people. Roland is working with Orbit Care and Repair as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership. He is excited and inspired at the opportunity to develop this hoarding toolkit and make a real difference to peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives. 8 Innovate I Spring 2013

oventry University is working with a local social housing provider, Orbit Care and Repair on a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership to develop a Management Intervention Toolkit and Training Programme offering guidance for those supporting people that compulsively hoard. It is estimated that compulsive hoarding affects only a small proportion of the clients that Orbit Care and Repair support, but it still poses a major issue for support services. Hoarding brings with it social and environmental issues including infestation, welfare and safety, but there is also a human element, that people may be forced to leave their homes if they are unable to manage the issue of hoarding. Hoarders may also feel socially isolated. By creating a Management Intervention Toolkit and Training Programme it will provide support, information and advice to staff at Orbit Care and Repair on how to deal with hoarding. The toolkit will offer a range of scenarios and options to resolve a range of situations so that both parties are satisfied with the outcome. Darren Awang, who is supervising the Knowledge Transfer Partnership on behalf of the University said: ‘The University has a long-standing relationship with Orbit Care and Repair and our occupational therapy students have participated in a number of placements with Orbit Care and Repair. We were aware of the issues surrounding hoarding and knew that we could apply our expertise to support the Knowledge Transfer

Partnership. One of our recent graduates, Roland Simmons, was successful in securing the post and is taking a lead on the project within Orbit Care and Repair.’ Roland graduated in 2010 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. During his studies he completed three successful placements in a hospital, community mental health and contemporary settings. Through these placements Roland gained experience working with people with varying conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, depression, schizophrenia and young homeless people. Roland continued: ‘My final year project at university was related to this topic and I have experience of working with vulnerable groups so I was excited to be offered the opportunity to work in this area. It’s a very sensitive issue and needs a great deal of understanding.’ Roland is coming to the end of the two-year project in July and has spent months researching existing intervention techniques, liaising with case workers and meeting tenants. ‘It’s a fascinating area to work in. Hoarding is not a medical condition, and has no defined mental health categorisation, but it is linked to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I’ve worked very hard on developing relationships with the tenants. It’s about trying out different techniques to find out what works and what doesn’t and the outcomes all feed into the toolkit to help other members of staff at Orbit Care and Repair. I’ve also set-up a self-help group and I’m working on a self-management programme.’

Roland is currently pulling together all the research and evidence he has been collecting with a view to trialling its effectiveness with a range of users before officially launching the toolkit at a conference in June 2013. Cathy Sharman, who is supervising the project on behalf of Orbit Care and Repair, said: ‘Before the KTP commenced we didn’t know of any profession or agency to have a comprehensive overview of the problem. Working with Roland has given Orbit Care and Repair the opportunity to take the lead on a practical best practice work tool.’ Darren continued: ‘Roland has made a huge impact at Orbit Care and Repair and is carrying out some ground breaking work. It is hoped that the toolkit will be rolled-out commercially to other housing providers. Roland has learned a great deal during his time with Orbit Care and Repair and the company have benefitted from his knowledge and expertise. Roland has also used this time as an opportunity to develop his CPD and additional learning. It’s been a great example of how successful Knowledge Transfer Partnerships can be.’

Innovate I Spring 2013 9

Grand Challenge Initiatives Low carbon vehicles

Sitting on a

bright idea New EU targets for reducing CO2 emissions mean the car industry must cut carbon dioxide from transport by a third before 2020. Jaguar Land Rover is working with Coventry University and leading supply firms to meet this goal through innovative research and development around lightweight seating.

ustomer demand for comfort in vehicles has led to a recent rise in the average mass of cars on the road, but with the European Commission legislating for drastic reductions in the levels of transport emissions, manufacturers are thinking outside the box for ways to lower vehicle weight and enhance energy management.

One project led by Jaguar Land Rover is using Coventry University’s expertise in automotive engineering and comfort modelling to help meet this challenge. The ‘Premium Lightweight Architecture for Carbon Efficient Seating’ (PLACES) initiative is funded by the Technology Strategy Board, and will see Jaguar Land Rover work with the University, Johnson Controls and CL-7 Ltd to initiate a step change in vehicle seat design with a view to reducing mass and improving thermal efficiency – both in today’s cars and for the transport of tomorrow. While the PLACES project has the goal of lightweighting at its core, the lowering of seat mass is a driver for an array of integrated workstreams which are intended to revolutionise how comfort is delivered in a vehicle. This will be achieved through a holistic approach to rethinking car cabin design, which explores everything from cushioning and fabrics to how different seat architecture can bring down a vehicle’s energy demands. “The approach we’ve taken with PLACES is unique in how it brings together and aligns different research areas to achieve its objective,” explains Professor Elena Gaura, who is leading the Cogent Computing Applied Research Centre’s involvement in the project. “A number of Coventry’s applied research groups are working closely

10 Innovate I Spring 2013

with each other and with the project partners in a variety of ways, both to decrease the weight of seating and to take advantage of the positive effect that can have on a car’s thermal efficiency. So as our experts in computer-aided engineering carry out tests to help devise the best packaging solution for the seats, the research that Cogent is carrying out will inform the project to ensure the solution incorporates systems to heat and cool the seat occupant intelligently. The joined-up approach means we have a stronger foundation of data to work from, and more robust results on which to base developments.” While the Cogent Computing team explores the opportunities for innovative HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) developments through the project, academics in the University’s department of mechanical and automotive engineering are working with Jaguar Land Rover, Johnson Controls and CL-7 Ltd on the optimisation of the seat’s design, structure and materials. Christophe Bastien, working out of the new £55m engineering and computing facility on the University’s campus, explains: “The PLACES project is very design-led, so our team starts by conducting ‘desktop research’ into new and alternative materials and technologies that we could apply to the seat concept.

The next stage is to begin in-depth testing and analysis of our ideas to ensure the combinations of designs and materials provided by partners meet the requirements for the seat to work in practice. We have the facilities on campus to be able to carry out everything from computer-aided engineering design to biomechanical simulations for seat modelling – and all the while we’re working alongside our colleagues at Cogent Computing to align the design process with the energy efficiency improvements.” With one of the world’s leading luxury car makers heading up the project, the onus for the PLACES research teams is just as much on ‘premium’ as it is on ‘lightweight’ – but it is also about Jaguar Land Rover, Coventry University and project partners being at the forefront of research and development in the field of low carbon vehicles. PLACES is not simply aiming to improve vehicle seat architecture and HVAC for the sake of design and efficiency, it is also

establishing a solid foundation for the advancement of future zero emission car technologies. “Lightweight seating systems offer a way to significantly reduce carbon dioxide output from our vehicle fleet,” says Kit Jones, advanced researcher at Jaguar Land Rover and one of the lead engineers involved with the PLACES project. “The major advantage of the project, though, is that there’s a knock-on effect from the seat packaging and thermal optimisation process which will offer considerable benefits to future generations of electric vehicles, both for Jaguar Land Rover and other manufacturers. With current EVs, if you want to warm the cabin up you’ll be sucking energy away from the powertrain and reducing your range by up to a half. Our work with Coventry University to improve energy management in the car could help extend range potential by 30%, which could lead to a major boost in EV uptake around the world.”

It is hoped that the project will help cement the UK’s position as a centre of excellence for low carbon technologies and vehicles. Not only that, but as part of the PLACES initiative the partners are devising a clear ‘road to market’ plan for the concepts being developed through the collaboration, meaning results will be disseminated to industry and innovations could be licensed for use outside the consortium. These activities will open up significant opportunities for the transport supply chain in Britain, boosting economic potential and accelerating the global transition to a low carbon economy.

Biography Professor Elena Gaura Elena Gaura, Professor of Pervasive Computing. Prof. Gaura specialises in Microelectromechanical Systems based smart sensing systems in general and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in particular. She is a very active disseminator of research both to the academic community and the industry and is a member of several national and international advisory bodies in the areas of sensing and microsystems, and is the Director of the Cogent Computing Applied Research Centre at Coventry University. Elena is actively working with local government agencies towards the adoption of wireless technologies for fulfilling the ‘low carbon’ agenda for both the automotive and the built environment; additionally she is active in the areas of wireless instrumentation for healthcare and monitoring of personnel working in extreme environments.

Christophe Bastien Christophe Bastien is a principal lecturer at Coventry University in the field of engineering simulations. He has worked in industry for 15 years specialising in crashworthiness computer simulations, with a focus on interior head impact, pedestrian protection, structural crashworthiness and the optimisation of highway engineering safety fence systems. To date Christophe has filed 19 patents in the area of vehicle and highway engineering safety, and is currently working towards his PhD in human safety biomechanics.

Kit Jones

What might the car seat of the future look like?

^ Coventry University’s research includes advanced analysis of the biomechanics of human movement in a car.

Although the PLACES project is at too early a stage to have developed a concept design for a lightweight seat, Coventry University automotive design student Song Wei Teo has given an insight into what he thinks the seat of the future might look like. Song Wei recently scooped top prize in a global seat design competition run by materials giant BASF – the brief was to design a lightweight car seat to excel in the area of comfort, ergonomics and safety. His idea for a cost-effective carbon fibre seat with an embedded intelligent heating system wowed the judges and beat over 170 entries from 33 countries to win.

Kit completed an MEng in automotive engineering in 2010 at the University of Hertfordshire, where he led a team to design and build an electric Formula Student car to compete at Silverstone. During his degree he spent a placement year working for General Motors as a project engineer at Millbrook Proving Ground, before graduating and securing a job on the JLR graduate scheme where he has worked primarily on wheel and tyre research projects. Shortly after completing the graduate scheme he moved to work in Body Research on the PLACES project.

Innovate I Spring 2013 11

Grand Challenge Initiatives ageing society

The government’s decision to abolish the Default Retirement Age in April 2011 sent ripples of fear through some HR departments around the UK. HR departments could no longer plan the workforce in the same way as before and couldn’t use ‘retirement’ as a way to ‘get rid of people’.

Rethinking retirem A

ccording to employment tribunal figures, the number of age discrimination cases has risen by almost 300% between 2006 and 2012. The cost of litigation is a cost that most businesses would rather avoid but HR departments are unsure how to approach the issue of age in the workplace.

relations. ‘We started looking at what companies needed to help understand the cultures and values about older workers, as well as policies on retirement and current practices. We wanted to develop a tool which would help companies recognise how ‘ageist’ they are as well as helping them to attract and retain older employees as demographics start to shift.’

Dr Christine Broughan, Director of the Age Research Centre at Coventry University, said: ‘There are huge gaps in what we currently know and do not know about our ageing workforce. HR departments are wary to have the conversation about retirement with their employees for fear of discrimination. But we’re missing a number of tricks by overlooking older workers. Enabling more people to defer retirement and work for longer may prove crucial for the economy. It’s estimated that by extending working life by just 18 months can contribute £15 billion to the UK economy.’

Christine worked with Abigail Hirshman from Coventry University Research Solutions and Malcolm Boswell from Acas to develop the Age Audit Tool, a free, online questionnaire which can be used by companies to test how ‘age friendly’ they are. The Age Audit Tool covers key areas within the company including recruitment, learning and development, prejudice and stereotyping, and analyses responses based on a traffic light system. The traffic lights illustrate to HR practitioners which areas the business is doing well on, and which need to be improved. Red requires urgent attention, amber indicates ‘proceed with care’ and green means ‘we’re doing fine’. Employers can then easily see how they should be prioritising their interventions as part of their overall strategy.

In September 2011, Christine started working with Acas, the conciliation service which aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment

12 Innovate I Spring 2013

A pilot of the tool has been tested in a variety of large and small organisations. A refined version of the Age Audit Tool is now freely available to download on the Acas website. Christine continued: ‘Acas and Coventry University are using the tool as a way of helping organisations to identify a potential problem before it turns into an issue. It’s a great way for companies to stop and check how they’re operating before facing a potential lawsuit for discrimination. The tool is just the starting point though. This coupled with consultancy support from the Age Research Centre and Acas could help reduce the number of age discrimination cases across the UK. To really tackle age-related issues effectively employers need to create sustainable plans that don’t just look good on a company’s website, but make a real difference to people’s lives.’

An age friendly approach The Age Audit Tool is just one of a number of initiatives Coventry University’s Age Research Centre has been working on with a view to promoting the value of older people in society. The University and key stakeholders across the City of Coventry are joining forces to help Coventry become one of the World

Health Organisation’s (WHO) Age Friendly Cities. The concept of age friendly cities and environments was introduced by the WHO in 2005. An age friendly city encourages active ageing by optimising health, participation and security provisions with the aim of a better quality of life as people age. Christine said: ‘The number of older people in Coventry is set to rise over the next 20 years and with the current austerity measures facing the council we need to think of new ways of tackling issues such as poverty and loneliness. We need to examine what can be done to make the city a better place for

The Age Audit Tool is a free, online questionnaire which can be used by companies to test how ‘age friendly’ they are

Biography Dr. Christine Broughan Dr Christine Broughan is Director of the Age Research Centre at Coventry University. She is actively involved in promoting multidisciplinary, collaborative and cross-boundary working. Christine’s research addresses social inclusion in relation to ageing, diversity, and wellbeing.

Age discrimination cases have risen by almost 300% between 2006 and 2012

ment all age groups to live in happily. We’re working closely with the City Council, Age UK Coventry and other key organisations to make age friendly living a priority in the City.’ Coventry already has a range of services and support aimed towards older people but they’re looking to extend and improve existing services to better meet residents’ needs based on views of local older people. The Age Research Centre has already started to bring people together through events and outreach activities in order to produce good quality applied research, both rooted within the local community and beyond.

The initial research and information gathering phases are well underway, which will contribute towards Coventry’s action plan to become an Age Friendly City. These plans will then be reviewed by the WHO. If approved, the city will have a three year period of implementation, during which their membership of the Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities will continue. Success in this programme requires significant involvement of older residents throughout, as well as a sustainable approach.

Innovate I Spring 2013 13

Living well with technology Coventry University’s Health Design & Technology Institute (HDTI) is revolutionising traditional notions of assisted living by putting users at the heart of the service.

new initiative known as WarmNeighbourhoods®, and led by the Advanced Digital Institute (ADI), is empowering users of assisted living technology and putting them in control of their own care. WarmNeighbourhoods® is part of ADI’s “i-Focus” project.

This is one of four projects funded by the Technology Strategy Board, the UK’s innovation agency, as part of the national £37m dallas (Delivering Assisted Living Lifestyles at Scale) programme. The project aims to show how assisted living technologies and services can be used to promote wellbeing amongst older people and create more independent lifestyles. It is intended that Warm Neighbourhoods® will be developed as a brand which catalyses the market opportunity for consumer assisted living services.

Dr Gillian Ward, Principal Lecturer, is leading on the project on behalf of the HDTI. Gill explains: ‘We carried out extensive research with older people and carers and asked about their experiences of assisted living. The general view was that users of these services didn’t want to be labelled as ‘needy’ and wanted to avoid obtrusive equipment in their homes. There was also a stigma about ‘emergency’ response. People didn’t want to send their support network into a frenzied panic by pressing an alarm button, but they did want to be able to communicate that they were OK. This shift in response from emergency alerts to ‘I’m OK’ lies at the heart of the project.’ Following the initial research, a winter trial of a Warm Neighbourhoods® service called ‘Around Me’ was held between December and March. A network of 13 users and their supporters, made up of family, friends and neighbours have taken part in the trial across

the Midlands. Each user and their support network are known as a neighbourhood. ‘Around Me’ uses unobtrusive home sensor technologies to notify members of the neighbourhood if, for example, the temperature in the house gets too low, or if an appliance that would normally be used regularly (such as a kettle) doesn’t appear to have been used. It also sends text or voice messages to the friends and family to let them know that their loved one is up and about, and alright. Gill continued: ‘Throughout the trial we’ve been liaising closely with the users and the people in their ‘neighbourhoods’. The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Users are pleased with the unobtrusive nature of the sensors and the shift away from emergency response to, what is effectively, peace of mind for their support networks.’

British Gas has expressed an interest in the Warm Neighbourhoods® initiative and are keen to see how they could roll a commercial service out to consumers in the future. Following the first phase of the research, a prototype service will be deployed to 1,000 users in 2013/14 and then the service will be offered commercially to 10,000 users in 2014/15. Age UK is also interested in the service in terms of supporting the installation of the sensors through its existing ‘Handy Man’ service. Gill concluded: ‘This is a really exciting project to be part of and it’s great for the HDTI to be using our expertise to the benefit of older and vulnerable people. Having big names like British Gas, technology provider Tynetec and Age UK involved adds so much more weight to the work.’

Health Design & Technology Institute, Coventry University Technology Park, Puma Way, Coventry CV1 2TT Tel: +44 (0) 2476 15 8000 Email: hdti.info@coventry.ac.uk www.coventry.ac.uk/hdti 14 Innovate I Spring 2013

Disclaimer: This work is commissioned by the Technology Strategy Board. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Technology Strategy Board.

Connected care Frustrated with the issues involved in finding a carer, Russell Smith has developed a new mobile app to help streamline the service and enable people with disabilities live more independently.

ussell, who was born with Muscular Dystrophy, has been working closely with Coventry University’s Health Design & Technology Institute to develop CarePair, an app which matches carers and users according to their suitability.

Currently, those who require care assistance are assessed and given funding to employ their own carers. Even though there are no restrictions on who you can employ as a carer, it can be hard to find people. Carers often spend large amounts of time with their employers in recreational, family and personal situations so it’s important to find the right person for the role. CarePair acts almost like a dating website, matching people according to their care requirements and also by their interests. The application and website was launched in December and is available free across the UK. Those requiring care assistance can create a profile based on the support they require, including details of typical tasks, the job hours, location and pay. They can also complete a survey on their tastes and opinions which can be rated by preference. Carers can register and do the same, stating their requirements for work and answering the skills and personality survey.

Another benefit of CarePair app is that in the event of a scheduled carer having to cancel at short notice, for example due to illness, the app allows users to find suitable carers quickly, avoiding the need to hire agency carers at a much greater cost. Russell explained: ‘It has been fantastic working with HDTI. I knew what I wanted the application to be but I didn’t have the technical skills to create it, so I approached them with the idea. They have helped turn my idea into commercial reality and the process has been seamless.’ CarePair was also recently voted ‘App of the Month’ by Naidex Living, one of the UK’s largest promoters of events for disability, homecare and rehabilitation. For more information about CarePair visit www.carepair.co.uk

CarePair was part funded by the Assistive Technologies & Community Healthcare Development Project which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund under Priority 1 - Promoting Innovation and Research & Development and the HEIF SME Engagement Fund.

Innovate I Spring 2013 15

Grand Challenge Initiatives DIGITAL MEDIA

Trends in the automotive industry have followed a similar pattern over the last few years; promoting safety and reducing carbon footprints have been prominent in manufacturers’ minds but performance still reigns supreme. Auto companies are still acutely aware that they must inject excitement into every vehicle they build.

Putting drivers bac L

eading the way is Nissan, and its Nismo brand. Abbreviated from Nissan Motorsport International Limited, Nismo is hugely successful in the virtual world, as well as capturing the imagination of high performance drivers in the real world. Nismo cars have long been a fixture in gaming. In 2012 over 500 million virtual miles were driven in Nissan vehicles in Gran Turismo 5 and the Juke Nismo debuted in the Asphalt 7: Heat game.

16 Innovate I Spring 2013

In a drive to push the boundaries of game technology and driving performance Nissan have been working closely with Coventry University’s Serious Games International (SGIL) to develop an iPad app inspired by the Nissan GTR. The Nissan Nismo Statbox allows the Juke Nismo drivers to link their iPad with the car via Bluetooth and, if they mount the tablet on the dashboard, view an extra range of gauges as they drive. These display data including exhaust and water temperature, oil pressure, G-Force, and Turbo boost. There’s also a lap-timer function if the driver wants to take their Juke on track. The app stores all the

driving data, including lap times, on the device. The app positions the Juke Nismo right where Nissan wants it - aimed squarely at the Playstation generation. Further updates could include gamification techniques which will introduce a virtual element to the real world with direct links to social media. Nissan envisages a potential online community of Nismo owners swapping lap times and statistics via Facebook and Twitter. Nissan approached Serious Games International (SGIL) to support with the development of the app because of SGIL’s reputation for combining games technology to create engaging business solutions.

Felix Bradshaw, Business Development Director at SGIL explained: ‘At SGIL we have a unique approach to solving problems and have the advantage of a huge pool of expertise at the University that we can tap into. We worked with Nissan very closely, listening to their brief, developing the concept and continually talking with them on a step by step process to deliver the final product. Our pedigree in video games including Formula 1 and V-Rally enabled us to understand the psyche of the modern Nissan owner.’ SGIL collaborated with Nissan to build the bespoke iPad App for their Nismo range which

ack in control The Nissan Nismo Statbox allows the Juke Nismo drivers to link their iPad with the car via Bluetooth and, if they mount the tablet on the dashboard, view an extra range of gauges as they drive

could revolutionise the way customers interact with their vehicles. SGIL worked on this initial stage prototype to provide a demonstration of the Nismo Statbox application at the launch event of the Nissan Juke Nismo. Nissan has been at the forefront of cutting edge technology in this sector and Richard Candler, Nissan International SA thinks the development of the App showcases a lot of opportunity to the automotive IT area. Richard said: ‘The Nismo Statbox App is a working prototype that previews Nissan’s vision of a connected community of Nismo fans. With this approach we can add the

innovative technology from the Nissan GT-R to more accessible products like the Nissan Juke Nismo and excite more customers.’ Tim Luft, Managing Director, Serious Games International adds: ‘Utilising this technology has enabled us to create an App which gives Nissan consumers the exact statistics and key information they need from their vehicle on demand. The benefits for consumers are countless and with the potential to develop this technology further, SGIL is looking forward to developing further opportunities that will add real value to Nissan’s product portfolio.’

Biography Felix Bradshaw, Business Development Director SGIL Felix has more than 16 years’ experience in working within emerging and interactive technology for companies such as Gartner, Insight and F1™. He has run a $5m office for SouthPeak & 7Sixty games leading their digital game strategy and managing traditional sales in every territory outside of North and South America. Felix is confident that his skills, expertise and passion will contribute to SGIL’s major success. He is passionate about making an impact on people’s lives using games technology and believes that SGIL is positioned to be the knowledge base and industry leader to service the Google Specs’ generation. Innovate I Spring 2013 17

Grand Challenge Initiatives human security

Biography Professor Mike Hardy CMG OBE Mike is Director of the Human Security Grand Challenge and Director of the University’s Centre for Social Relations. Mike is an applied economist by training and for more that 10 years has been working internationally to develop work in intercultural relations for the EU, UK Government and British Council. Mike was awarded an OBE in 2001 for his work in the Middle East and Asia; he was appointed a Companion of Honour of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 2010 for his work internationally in intercultural dialogue. Mike’s research has been extensively published in journals and publications, and he regularly presents at conferences and seminars across the world.

Aurelie Broeckerhoff Aurelie is a researcher within the Centre for Social Relations at Coventry University, as well as one of the founding members of the Human Security Grand Challenge. Her particular research interest focuses on the way in which the pace and nature of changes brought about by increased global flows affect the sociocultural realities of diverse and marginalised groups, and the way in which people, as social actors, respond to diversity. Aurelie has presented at a number of global conferences and has published her work for the British Council and EUNIC.

18 Innovate I Spring 2013

Shining a Our world can be an uncomfortable place for many people; it is characterised by continuous change and our communities by permanent diversity. Populations thrown together for political, economic or just expedient reasons can create challenges where relationships within and between communities can be tense.

ising populations, declining resources, seemingly ‘less to go around’, inequality, violent conflict and the need to cooperate with people who are tenuously linked to each other by the forces of globalisation have each inspired thinkers, practitioners and policymakers over the past decade to reflect on the nature of wellbeing in a modern, changing and connected world. Coventry University has responded to this change by creating a new Grand Challenge Initiative in Human Security, offering an opportunity to increase the role and contribution of the University’s applied research to social wellbeing.

This latest Grand Challenge Initiative on Human Security recognises the need for Coventry University to become even more engaged in social development by growing larger, stronger networks for our research and by partnering with policymakers as well as service providers. More than ever, success and peaceful relations now depend on our sharing of space, resources, and understanding, in particular in complex contexts. Natural and man-made disasters, violent conflicts, risks to health as well as economic and financial downturn challenge the University to become more organised in studies of issues that ensure sustainable, healthy and ultimately happy communities.

Human Security at Coventry University?

spotlight What is human security? As a subject, human security is a relatively new approach to the way in which we estimate human development. It places the individual at the centre of study. Activity for human security wants to protect and empower people, so that they can lead fulfilled and happy lives. It highlights that secure states do not necessarily ensure secure communities within. Instead, human security focuses on the concerns and vulnerabilities of people in their everyday lives. So it can include threats of disease and environmental hazards, hunger, unemployment, crime, social conflict, political repression and discrimination.

Stakes in the ground At Coventry University, human security is a person-centred approach that focuses on the most critical and pervasive threats beyond which the survival, livelihood and dignity of individuals is seriously threatened. Threats are universal – they affect people across the globe, urban and rural, rich and poor, educated and not. Threats are also interdependent – events on one side of the globe can have serious repercussions or impacts in other parts of the world. Often, humanitarian, political, environmental catastrophes draw in the support of a wide variety of individuals and actors.

The Human Security Grand Challenge Initiative will work to strengthen collaboration across the University in order to mobilise new research projects and partnerships. Its corporate ambition is to provide resources for security by increasing our knowledge and understanding of those phenomena that pose a threat to individuals across the globe. Focusing on people’s abilities, support to human security aims to lead people on an individual and collective journey from vulnerability to resilience.

Being involved: a committed community of interest

Working together: a global network of collaborations, partners and supporters

Creating solutions: a strong portfolio of human security research and projects

have lost work in the economic downturn, they may lack access to clean water, their house may have been destroyed by an earthquake or they are being persecuted by their country’s political regime. The aim of the Human Security Grand

Challenge Initiative will be to be a source of inspiration and support to the many who dedicate their time to reducing not only the number of causes of insecurity but also the number of people affected.’

In an iconic city – a hub for knowledge and action Coventry already has an international reputation as a city of peace and reconciliation. Building on this trademark, the Human Security Grand Challenge Initiative will particularly focus on the insights that prevent the causes of human insecurity, rather than intervene to mitigate adverse effects. ‘We need very practical and tangible results, and we need Human Security to become part of the calling card of Coventry University,’ says Professor Mike Hardy, newly appointed Director of the Grand Challenge Initiative. ‘Sometimes, we take security for granted. But the reality is that anyone, anywhere in the world feels insecure in their lives from time to time. They may

Innovate I Spring 2013 19

Grand Challenge Initiatives INTEGRATED TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

oventry University’s Integrated Transport and Logistics Grand Challenge Initiative has recently been awarded 2.7 million Euros to lead an international project looking at precisely this issue.

Currently, there is no standardised system for recording the passenger experience on public transport, which means there is no way of benchmarking the results between countries. This new European Union 7th Framework project is called ‘MEasurement Tool to determine the quality of Passenger EXperience’ or more simply METPEX. METPEX aims to develop and evaluate a standardised tool to measure passenger experience across whole journeys. The project involves 16 partners drawn from 12 different countries, with Professor Andree Woodcock, leading the research. The development of an inclusive, validated passenger experience measurement instrument is the first step in creating high quality, user centred, integrated, accessible public transport services, which are capable of attracting and retaining public transport users whilst meeting sustainability targets. Andree explains: ‘This project draws on expertise from Coventry

20 Innovate I Spring 2013

University’s School of Art and Design, its Serious Games Institute, and Centre for Sustainable Urban Regeneration to provide a holistic approach to the problem. Governments and local authorities across the world gather research about their own transport systems but there is currently no joined-up approach to understanding the whole journey experience. If we can understand why people choose to travel on the bus, train or metro and what barriers prevent them from doing so then we can provide a global approach to providing better services and improving the quality of life for passengers.’ The three year project was launched in November 2012 at Coventry University. Andree and her team of researchers are now developing a generic measurement tool which can be used to gather data about passengers and their experiences. The tool will be available on a variety of platforms, including a mobile app, developed by the University’s Serious Games Institute, as well as focus groups, interviews and an online survey. The multi-lingual tools will be piloted in Coventry, before being used in eight sites across Europe –

including Greece, Italy, Lithuania and Spain. The research will examine the views of a wide range of passengers, with a particular focus on people on lower incomes, older people and women. The tools will be used to examine the whole passenger experience, from planning a trip, travel to the transport, reliability, fares and frequency. The data collected through METPEX will then be analysed by the research group and used by governments and local authorities to help shape transport plans of the future. Andree continued: ‘This is such an exciting project to be a part of, and I’m delighted that Coventry is taking a lead on this. It’s good for the University and a great way to pull the expertise of a variety of our research centres together to create an effective solution. Public transport is essential in helping to

@metpex

Metpex

deliver on low carbon agendas and green charters so we need a way of vocalising the views of users to help inform systems for the future.’ METPEX will also be used to examine the views of people who participate in active transport ie walking and cycling, and may be used to examine views of air and sea travel at a later stage. More details about METPEX can be found at www.metpex.eu info@metpex.eu

Working towards a more sustainable future and reducing our carbon footprint is high on the global agenda. An essential contributor in achieving this aim is to improve the performance of public transport and encourage more people to use buses, trains and metro systems.

Integrated Transport & Logistics

Biography AndrĂŠe Woodcock Professor of Educational Ergonomics and Design at Coventry University where she has worked since 1999. She is leader of the Grand Challenge in Integrated Transport and Logistics and the Centre of Excellence in Product and Automotive Design. Andree currently holds the Chair of Educational Ergonomics and Design for considering the way in which ergonomics can be taught in schools, or used to inform the design of better educational facilities. Innovate I Spring 2013 21

Investing in innovation Whether you’re an individual with a great idea for a new invention, or a small firm with an innovative product that needs developing, Innovation Networks could offer the support you need.

nnovation Networks has already assisted over 300 businesses resulting in new sales in excess of £14m. The project is open for business with funding to support another 150 SMEs in the West Midlands.

Shrewsbury based inventor and keen mud runner, Mike Drage, had a ‘eureka’ moment when out running one morning. He identified the need for an alternative to the safety pin, traditionally used to secure numbers to the shirts of runners and other athletes. With the help of one of his partners he developed a new fastening system called EventClip which would not leave holes in the competitors’ tops and could be branded.

Up to £10,000 match funding is available and can be used for both capital and revenue activities 22 Innovate I Spring 2013

Mike is now working with his second partner on a marketing plan to launch EventClip around the world. Mike accessed the funding available through Innovation Networks to help with the costs of producing EventClip. Mike said: ‘All too often Great British world-beating inventions never make it to market. By accessing Innovation Network’s funding this concept will become reality.’ WB Timber Innovations in Hampton in Arden are working on developing a new product in conjunction with a project management company and a traditional timber supply company. Their innovation is a high specification timber framed building which has a variety of uses; from an office in the garden to an outdoor gym. The innovation is in the modular system, the mechanism which links the components together and the thermal efficiency of the building. Director David Himmons commented: ‘The application process was straightforward and help was available to guide us through. Once claimed, payment was made swiftly.’

This will make a huge difference to our product line and profitability and make our USP even more unique

1 Measuring blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter 2 Checking Stan’s heart & lung sounds 3 & 4 Fitting an Intubation tube into Eddy’s mouth 5 A student checking their heart sounds with a stethoscope 6 Taking blood from Andy the injection arm 7 Recording skin temperatures

To find out more about the Innovation Networks project, visit: 1

Tom Warrender, from Wolverhampton based, Classroom Medics runs events in schools to inspire pupils to engage with science and, in particular, to consider lesser known careers available in medicine. Classroom Medics applied for funding from Innovation Networks to develop a completely new workshop experience. Their hands-on workshops allow participants to perform key-hole surgery (on a very special box of tricks) and take a picture of their own retina on an iPhone. Tom said: ‘The Innovation Networks funding has allowed us to bring forward developments that we had planned for the next 18-24 months so the new programmes will be out in schools sooner. This will make a huge difference to our product line and profitability and make our USP even more unique!’

www.innovation-networks.co.uk or email innovation@cad.coventry.ac.uk

4 2

To be eligible for funding, the lead company needs to be working in collaboration with two or more other small businesses within the region. Up to £10,000 match funding is available and can be used for both capital and revenue activities. An application is submitted outlining the work to be carried out, highlighting the innovative aspects and demonstrating the market potential. All projects are independently assessed. 7

Innovate I Spring 2013 23

Grand Challenge Initiatives LOW IMPACT BUILDINGS

Sustainable Building Futures

It’s the one thing that every inventor or would-be entrepreneur longs for; that eureka moment when inspiration arrives. Some describe it as a light bulb moment but for Paul Jewell it was more about switching off than switching on.

aul owns the patent for Essential Switch; an energy saving fuse board which can save domestic energy users around 10% on their annual household bills.

More than £800 million worth of energy billing is eaten up by devices on stand-by power 24 Innovate I Spring 2013

Inspiration for the invention came to Paul in 2008 when he was leaving the house to go on holiday. Paul explains: ‘My partner and I were going around checking all of the plugs were switched off at the mains and everything was safe when an idea occurred to me. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to ‘kill’ all the electricity points with the flick of a switch? We can do it in hotel rooms but not in our own homes.’ Paul set to work creating Essential Switch. Paul, who’s worked in the automotive industry for 20 years, confesses he had no previous experience of electrical systems. He took his idea to electrical experts and a patent attorney and found out how he could bring his idea to life. Essential Switch works through the distribution board in a domestic fuse box.

Switch It provides the user with the option to isolate certain areas whilst shutting down any unused power. Paul continued: ‘More than £800 million worth of energy billing is eaten up by devices on stand-by power. Every home has around 9 or 10 items that are never properly switched off and continue to use power while we sleep or when we’re away from home. Essential Switch puts the homeowner in control and with one click they can shut off the power to all those unused appliances whilst keeping supply to fridge freezers or other essentials.’ The idea was formulated and the patents were drawn up but before Paul could bring Essential Switch into production he needed some technical support on quantifying his claims for the energy saving capabilities of the product. Paul attended an event hosted by the Manufacturing Advisory Service and found out about a European funded project at Coventry University called Sustainable Building Futures.

ched on savings The £5 million project, jointly funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Coventry University assists small to medium sized enterprises in the West Midlands Region. The project offers collaborative development, assessment and innovative sustainable building solutions to enable them to grow whilst delivering buildings that perform in use. Paul continues: ‘I thought the Sustainable Building Futures project was too good to be true. I visited the University’s Engineering and Computing Building, which was pretty impressive on its own. The building is an actual living test bed for technologies so concepts and ideas can be tried and tested through the skin of the building. I was given a grant through the scheme which covered the costs of research and development of Essential Switch.

We talked through what I needed to help justify the energy saving claims and the University team worked out a series of tests which could be performed on the product to help find out its potential. Without the support of Sustainable Building Futures I would not have the hard evidence on cost savings and energy consumption, which would make it hard to bring my product to market.’ Following the research, Paul has now been able to progress his invention and is looking to build a working prototype in the next six months. Paul has been meeting with some of the biggest names in energy supply with a view to working in partnership to install Essential Switch in homes as a standard energy-saving tool. Paul is also keen to see Essential Switch used by housing associations to help residents reduce their bills and stop wasting energy. Paul continued: ‘Getting this far with Essential Switch has been a real labour of love. I’m passionate about the product, and thanks to the University, I have the facts and

figures to support my claims about energy saving. I’ve invested my whole life into this product and I’m determined to see it succeed. It’s been a long process but I feel like its gaining momentum now and I’m ready to start seeking private investment. It’s reassuring to know there are experts, like Coventry University, who are willing and able to support small businesses with schemes like Sustainable Building Futures.’ Developing Essential Switch has sparked even more ideas in Paul. He’s also working on a smart meter which provides homes with real-time billing leading to more efficient ways of managing household energy. ‘There are so many ways we can stop unnecessary energy waste. I’m confident that Essential Switch and the smart meter will soon be household names and I’ll be doing my bit to help make the world a little bit greener.’

Innovate I Spring 2013 25

Grand Challenge Initiatives SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

Chain C

onsumers are increasingly interested in where their food comes from and how it arrives on their plate. Campaigning organisations have for years argued that food chains are too complex and too long, meaning that consumers are ‘disconnected’ from knowing about their food and its origins. ‘Reconnecting’ consumers with their food has been up and down political agendas for governments and food agencies ever since the ‘Mad Cow’ scare of the late 1980s and the ‘Foot and Mouth’ crisis of 2001. One way of achieving this reconnection is to ‘shorten’ food chains, and this has recently been the topic of a study carried out by Coventry University’s Centre for Agroecology and Food Security (CAFS).

CAFS was commissioned by the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development, part of the European Commission, to carry out research into short food supply chains. The European Commission is considering the introduction of a new labelling scheme to support farmers in marketing their products locally. The European Commission is keen to understand if such a labelling scheme, which is accepted Europe-wide, will help consumers identify short food supply chains and protect the incomes of the farmers in the chains.

26 Innovate I Spring 2013

Bring this page to life with the CUview app Aurasma: Coventry University

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There is no official definition of a short food supply chain but it is widely considered to be either a direct sale from farmer to consumer, in person or via the internet, or a sale involving just one intermediary, where the origin of the food is still clear to the consumer. As part of the research CAFS looked at evidence about the social, economic and environmental impact of short food supply chains in Europe. The first step for CAFS was to create a systematic literature review, the first of its kind in this subject. Dr Moya Kneafsey, Principal Investigator, explained: ‘This was a huge review covering over 300 research papers reporting on short food chains from around the world. We found plenty of qualitative case studies but not so much economic data which made it difficult to tackle the question of economic impact.

Biography Dr Moya Kneafsey

Sustainable Agriculture and Food

tion

Moya is a Reader in Human Geography at Coventry University and leads the ‘Food and Communities’ research theme at the Centre for Agroecology and Food Security. Since 1997 her research has examined the ‘reconnection’ of consumers, producers and food through ‘alternative’, local and short food supply chains. The research team includes: Moya Kneafsey, Ulrich Schmutz, Liz Trenchard, Gemma Sutton, Trish Eyden-Wood – Centre for Agroecology and Food Security, Coventry University Laura Venn – Innovative Futures Research, Warwick Bálint Balázs – St István University, Hungary Elizabeth Bos – Centre for Sustainable Regeneration, Coventry University Matthew Blackett – Department of Geography, Environment and Disaster Management, Coventry University Fabien Santini – Institute of Prospective Technological Studies

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CAFS is a partnership between Coventry University and Garden Organic

ent weeks.

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What we did establish was that farmers using short food chains put a strong emphasis on producing high quality fresh food and that many of the farms use organic, or similar, production methods. We also found that consumers in these short chains are extremely committed to their purchases. Despite changes in the economic climate these ‘ethical’ consumers have maintained their bite of the market.’ Moya and her research team created a database of 84 examples of short food supply chains, with at least one example from each of the 27 European Member States. The database includes a variety of foods and a number of different schemes including community supported agriculture, box delivery schemes and farm shops in rural and urban areas. The database showed that overall, the schemes emphasised their social contribution even more than their economic and environmental impact. Not only do these short supply chains deliver high quality, extremely traceable food, but they also aspire to educate and inform consumers, develop skills, support resilient local economies and even contribute to social inclusion. Most of the examples are run on a small scale involving farms of 10 hectares or less and they are mainly involved in local sales, rather than sales at a distance. Market growth or commercialisation is not always the main aim for producers involved in short supply chains, but they do want to be able to sustain livelihoods and local economies. The researchers then carried out three case studies; a family farm offering direct sales in Austria, a producer-consumer co-operative running an internet based local delivery scheme in France, and a local food shop in Hungary. Moya continued: ‘The case studies revealed a number of factors including the importance of shared ethical and moral values between producers and consumers about fairness, environmental sustainability and care for local cultural resources. They also flagged up the existence of ‘false’ producers who take advantage of consumer interest in buying local produce and sell goods which are not genuinely local.’

The final report to the European Commission offered a range of pros and cons on the subject of a labelling scheme. Overall, arguments in favour of a label are that it may potentially bring more recognition, clarity, protection and value added to the short supply chains. Arguments against are more centred on the possible absence of benefits, and the potential costs which might be incurred. While labelling might help consumers to reduce their difficulties in finding or spotting short food chain products, it would not address the problem of lack of availability and access to produce from named farms or the barriers to small-scale producers seeking to develop short food supply chains, especially in business start-up phase. This requires additional solutions around logistics, marketing, and public procurement. A new label, therefore, could be just one policy tool amongst others, including financial incentives, training and exchange of knowledge and skills, the development of regulatory and administrative frameworks. Moya concluded: ‘A full package of support would be a strong recommendation to the European Commission. Research suggests that short food supply chains can provide a viable business model for small farmers, as well as delivering positive social impacts, including health and wellbeing dividends which are generated through access to quality foods, green spaces, and better sense of community. Supporting these schemes brings much wider benefits to society than simply knowing where our food comes from.’ Informed by the CAFS research, The European Commission will present a report on short food chains to the European Parliament in January 2014. CAFS will also continue the debate through a European conference entitled “Food From Here”, to be held on 3 July 2013, hosted in Coventry. Guest Speakers include a representative from the European Commission and Professor Tim Lang, famed for coining the phrase ‘food miles’, will offer a thoughtprovoking reflection into the UK food system.

Innovate I Spring 2013 27

Grand Challenge Initiatives INTEGRATED TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

With unmanned ground vehicles becoming increasingly prevalent in a diverse range of industries, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Defence is aiming to exploit their potential by harnessing Coventry University’s integrated transport and logistics expertise.

n recent years, the use of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) has become more widely accepted for civilian, industrial and military applications. These autonomous vehicles require advanced communication systems for guidance and control, so when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) initiated a programme in 2011 to explore UGV capabilities and reduce the involvement of personnel in logistics operations, cutting-edge innovation and technology was a key priority.

In recent years, the use of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) has become more widely accepted for civilian, industrial and military applications. These autonomous vehicles require advanced communication systems for guidance and control, so when the Ministry of Defence (MOD) initiated a programme in 2011 to explore UGV capabilities and reduce the involvement of personnel in logistics operations, cutting-edge innovation and technology was a key priority. The purpose of the MOD’s ‘Unmanned Distribution Capability’ (UDC) initiative was to marry the latest innovations from industry with internationally-recognised research expertise from academia – and that is where Coventry University’s credentials came to the fore. 28 Innovate I Spring 2013

A team of researchers from the Faculty of Engineering and Computing’s Control Theory and Applications Centre (CTAC) was successful in securing a grant under the UDC initiative, making Coventry one of the only academic partners involved in its development. Under the leadership of Dr Siraj Ahmed Shaikh and Professor Dobrila Petrovic, the team devised an intelligent control and guidance system for unmanned logistics vehicles based on the concept of ‘fuzzy logic’, which is a form of artificial intelligence. Through this system, the UGVs can ‘talk’ to each other to enable smart, autonomous clustering of vehicles – essential for convoys of logistics vehicles delivering supplies in unpredictable circumstances. By creating a simulation of the kinds of environment in which a convoy of unmanned military vehicles might typically be deployed, the research team could assess the efficiency of their system in numerous scenarios, including changeable terrain and climate conditions, different threat levels, and even how a vehicle would remain on course if it lost its connection with the convoy. The implications around logistics and cost for the military are significant, reducing the need for extensive pre-planning on combat logistic patrols and immediate replenishment groups while also reducing the level of manual

guidance needed – as a direct result of which fewer personnel are exposed to risks during material distribution. “This kind of science underpins the UK military’s ability to become a smart and agile force, helping them stay ahead in the game,” said Dr Shaikh. “It’s also crucial to efficiency in a number of areas, not the least of which are the costs of deploying human resource and the ability to limit vehicle damage or loss in logistics operations.” Following on from the success of this first part of the project, the team was invited to work on a second phase designed to meet two further priorities for the MOD. The first priority was a human factors analysis of unmanned vehicles, in acknowledgement of the fact that such vehicles are in most cases still being operated by two service people. Human factor analyses are critical as they provide valuable insight into the cognitive load placed on personnel in the cabin of a semi-autonomous vehicle. For example, the outcome of this study suggested that in some cases drivers demonstrated much faster responses and up to 20% better attention than those driving manual vehicles. CTAC’s team used an advanced 3D simulation engine as a development environment, the high degree of realism ensuring that the

researchers could focus their efforts on designing suitable experiments to assess the impact of human factors in unmanned vehicles and gather the data relevant to the MOD’s requirements. A second priority for the MOD – and one which Coventry University will be investigating as part of the UDC initiative’s second phase – is the exploration of Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) data from unmanned vehicle platforms, and how to make best use of such information. The data has the potential to more effectively inform the vehicle control system, allowing it to be more efficient and sensitive both to its own diagnostics and to external conditions. These work streams are all set to build on CTAC’s already-extensive expertise, as Professor Petrovic explains: “The University’s involvement with and work on the MOD’s Unmanned Distribution Capability programme has led to the creation of a novel fuzzy logic-based controller for UGVs and a unique simulator for a UGV convoy in military environments. Developments like these position CTAC and Coventry at the forefront of integrated transport and logistics research not only for military applications, but for a wide range of fields across industry.”

Integrated Transport & Logistics

ÂŠ Images licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0 from www.defenceimagery.mod.uk

Biography Dr Siraj Ahmed Shaikh Dr Siraj Ahmed Shaikh is a senior lecturer working out of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at Coventry University. His research has been funded by EPSRC and the MOD, and with over 50 papers published to date he remains engaged in research in the areas of security and defence, and transport and logistics. He is a Chartered Scientist and a Chartered Fellow of the BCS. From 2007 to 2009, he worked as a research fellow at Cranfield University, at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.

Professor Dobrila Petrovic Professor Dobrila Petrovic is a professor of optimisation and control in the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at Coventry University, in which capacity she is a member of the institutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Control Theory and Applications Centre. Her main research work has been in the area of modelling and treatment of uncertainty in management and control by employing fuzzy logic based reasoning in a diverse range of industries. Professor Petrovic has led three EPSRC funded projects and two funded by the MOD/DSTL, and has published over 100 papers. She is an associate editor of the International Journal of Systems Sciences and the IMA Journal of Management Mathematics. Innovate I Spring 2013 29

Fly higher with professional suppo Continuing Professional Development, or as it’s more familiarly known CPD, is becoming part of all our lives. Regardless of industry or sector, most employees are now required to undertake some form of CPD. Whether you’re updating skills and knowledge or staying abreast of technology, all CPD is critical in helping organisations to run effectively.

PD has formed part of the offering at Coventry University for many years and we have a huge portfolio of courses spanning a range of professions. We provide highquality learning and development programmes that are relevant, flexible and taught by leading experts.

One of the most recent additions to the University’s portfolio is a range of bespoke courses developed specifically for the Light Aircraft Association (LAA) whose members build, fly and maintain their own light aircraft. Qualified pilot and Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering, David Sandells, struck up a partnership with LAA through a chance meeting at The Flying Show in 2011. Following this initial meeting a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the University and LAA which sees the two organisations working on collaborative research ventures in the areas of light aircraft engineering, aircraft design training and student projects. A suite of bespoke one day courses entitled ‘Light Aircraft Design’ have since been developed to add an element of academic rigour and supplement the practical courses that are currently available through the LAA. The programme comprises five consecutive one-day modules covering the areas of design, flight simulation dynamics,

30 Innovate I Spring 2013

computational fluid dynamics and wind tunnel dynamics. The courses are all delivered from the University’s brand new Faculty of Engineering and Computing, allowing LAA members to access state-of-the-art equipment including the Mercedes Petronas wind tunnel and the flight simulators. David Sandells said: ‘Our partnership with LAA will greatly enhance the current educational offering to LAA members. The existing courses offered by LAA are very practical and cover topics such as welding, which are skills their members require. The new suite of courses on offer at the University will help inform the academic theory behind flight and aerospace design. Our facilities are industry standard so it’s a cost-effective way for LAA members to access the very latest technology, whilst receiving academic support from expert teachers.’ Roger Hopkinson, Chairman of the LAA said: ‘I am very pleased to be launching this partnership with Coventry University. We at the LAA are convinced that the only way to continue to promote the aerospace sector at all levels is through collaborative research. I am certain that this partnership will create further exciting opportunities for us both in the years ahead.’ The courses have all been designed with LAA members in mind; a service which could be extended to a whole range of

specialisms and sectors. By developing these close relationships with external partners the University is able to develop and design bespoke training provision that solves real and current sector challenges, comprehensively addressing the partner organisations’ requirements and enabling individuals to apply what they learn in their workplace. To date Coventry University’s Professional Learning and Development team has supported almost 10,000 individuals across 21 industry sectors to develop leadership skills and gain a higher education qualification. It offers custom designed learning and development solutions for a variety of industries including business and professional services, health and life sciences, engineering, manufacturing, construction, creative, IT, defence and security. If you would like to know more about the ways the University can work with you, contact the Professional Learning and Development team who will be happy to help. Tel: +44 (0)24 7688 7798 Email: cpdenquiries@coventry.ac.uk

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024 7688 7798 www.coventry.ac.uk/cpd cpdenquiries@coventry.ac.uk Innovate I Spring 2013 31

Do you need to find an innovative solution to a difficult problem? At Coventry University, our applied research teams work closely with your organisation, applying their knowledge and expertise to devise inventive and original solutions for real-world problems. At a local, national and international level, we work with clients across the public, private and voluntary sectors. From art to design, health to sports, regeneration to human security, mathematics to engineering, computing to communications – we can find a solution that’s right for you. Applied Research at Coventry University www.coventry.ac.uk/research.

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