Altair signs MoU to develop aerospace digital twin

  • August 7, 2024
  • Steve Rogerson

Michigan-based Altair has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Nottingham in the UK to develop a digital twin project for aerospace.

The digital twin – set to be the first of its kind – will not merely be a technology demonstrator, but something the industry can use to 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 unlimited access to Altair’s HyperWorks (altair.com/altair-hyperworks) design and simulation and RapidMiner (altair.com/altair-rapidminer) data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. The platforms will empower researchers with technology for AI-powered multiphysics and multi-domain simulation, along with data analytics and machine-learning technology to manage experimental data and close the loop between the digital and physical models. In addition, the agreement also provides the university with access to Altair’s high-performance computing (HPC) tools and unlimited training.

“Altair is committed to boosting innovation with a focus on next-generation sustainability in all sectors,” said Pietro Cervellera, senior vice president at Altair. “This is why we partner with some of the most advanced universities and research centres in the world, like the University of Nottingham. Through our leading technology and expertise, our ultimate aim is to open new possibilities and advance sustainability in aerospace, transportation and beyond.”

Chris Gerada, lead for research and innovation initiatives at the University of Nottingham (www.nottingham.ac.uk), added: “We share Altair’s vision of accelerating the creation and delivery of innovations that can transform the technologies and systems we use every day. Altair’s technology will help us to accelerate the translation of zero carbon research into real-world industry options that decarbonise transportation. 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 supports the capabilities of the university’s new Zero Carbon Innovation Centre (www.nottingham.ac.uk/zero-carbon/home.aspx), co-funded by East Midlands Freeport, to build a complete digital twin of an electric propulsion system. Thanks to the possibilities Altair’s technology offers, the 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 EMI.

Altair (www.altair.com) specialises in computational intelligence that provides software and cloud options in simulation, HPC, data analytics and AI.