Drayson Racing and Aston University (UK) have launched a major partnership to develop and demonstrate low carbon automotive technologies. The partnership will investigate second-generation biofuels—biofuels derived from waste biomass such as straw, wood and sewage sludge—to create high performance cars with reduced CO2 emissions.
The Drayson Racing and Aston University partnership will in particular investigate:
- The production of ‘second generation’ biofuels from sources such as organic waste;
- Improving the stability and reliability of second generation biofuels;
- Enhancing the ability of high performance engines to optimize performance;
- Developing materials for use in fuel pumps and other areas which are capable of surviving a highly aggressive biofuel environment.
Aston University’s expertise in low carbon and sustainable research includes involvement in the UK’s largest study into long-term low carbon vehicle use, investigating the performance of fuel cells, electric, and hydrogen power cars. The University’s European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) is a leader in biofuels and biomass research. Current projects include the transformation of algae, wood waste and sewage sludge into new forms of energy. Aston’s Polymer, Bioenergy, Mechanical Engineering, Photonics and Computer Science research groups will all be working with Drayson Racing.
Lord Drayson, the former UK Minister for Science and Innovation, formed Drayson Racing to act as a racing laboratory to pioneer the development of green technologies and remove reliance on fossil fuels in motor racing. Last year, Drayson Racing achieved the first ever international pole & win for a bio-ethanol fuelled race car in the American Le Mans Series endurance race at Road America, showing the effectiveness of its 200 mph+ Flex-Fuel race car while producing approximately 40% less carbon impact than the gasoline fuelled cars that it beat.