On November 19-22, 2018, scientists from the UK and Russia held a joint research seminar in Newcastle-On-Tyne, during which they discussed future trends in the development of autonomous and environmentally friendly transport with low CO2 emissions. The event featured presentations by 20 young Masters of Technical Science from eight Russian universities and research institutes in Moscow, Chelyabinsk, Nizhny Novgorod and Kazan, as well as 20 young PhDs from 14 universities in the UK.
The seminar was organised by Northumbria University of Great Britain (the automotive technology programme at Northumbria University is headed up by PhD Ulugbek Azimov) and GNZ RF FGUM NAMI (headed up by Director of the Power Equipment Centre, Master of Technical Science, Aleksey Terenchenko) with the support of the Culture Department of the British Embassy. The seminar was opened by presentations by FGUM NAMI representatives, Master of Technical Science, A. Terenchenko, and professor A. Kozlov. Aleksey Terenchenko talked about the history of NAMI and their latest research in the field of internal combustion engines: energy-saving technologies, innovations aimed at cutting emissions of contaminants and greenhouse gases, hybrid power plants and vehicles. Professor Kozlov made a presentation on alternative fuels, such as natural gas, biofuels, alcohol, DME and how modern internal combustion engines can be modified to use these new fuels.
The seminar consisted of four sections, each of which was given one day:
1) Biological resources and modern biological fuels for low carbon emission power units this section discussed ways to improve the efficiency of conversion of biofuels into energy, the impact of the properties of biofuels and its chemical composition on the operation of power plants with low carbon emissions.
2) Electrification in transport: this section discussed topics related to cutting edge electric battery technologies, electric vehicles, power electronics and fuel cells.
This section featured reports by Master of Technical Science A. Kolbasov, who presented his report "Use of photoelectric converters as additional energy source for electric vehicles", and associate professor R. Kurmaev, who presented his report "Ways to maintain the temperature of high voltage batteries used in electric vehicles".
3) Energy recuperation systems: this section discussed ways of recuperating the energy generated during the burning of solid waste, recuperating heat from internal combustion engines, regenerative braking systems, as well as energy accumulation technologies.
4) Mathematical modelling of low carbon emission power units: this section discussed methods of mathematical modelling to boost the productivity and efficiency of low carbon emission power units. The section featured presentations by Master of Technical Science V. Krasnov on "Study of local heat exchange in the combustion chamber of a hydrogen diesel engine", and by Master of Technical Science I. Kulikov on "Analysis of electrically driven vehicles through mathematical modelling utilising observations of non-measurable control variables".
During the event, the participants visited the Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research at the University of Newcastle, as well as the engineering and environment department at Northumbria University. In addition to the research programme, the organisers also arranged for cultural events, allowing the participants to visit notable attractions in the region, such as the Durham Cathedral, the museums and galleries of Newcastle.
The meeting was characterised by a very warm and friendly atmosphere. The event helped strengthen the ties between British and Russian researchers, and it is hoped that another seminar will be held in Russia to discuss autonomous vehicles and smart cities of the future. Now, direct links can be established between the Russian universities and Northumbria University not only in the field of research, but also in terms of teaching, exchange of personnel and students.