Wiltshire-based UK technology company, Modini, specialises in the design, prototyping and manufacture of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and associated subsystem technologies.

The micro-gas turbine market is rapidly expanding. Over the last year, Modini has seen exponential increases in demand for very low-cost micro gas turbine engines to power the next generation of UAS. The only solutions currently available are either low thrust and low reliability model aircraft jet engines, or high power and high-cost engines from manufacturers focused on crewed aircraft. Neither of which suit the rapidly expanding UAS market.

The University of Bath will be collaborating with Modini as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) capabilities must be adopted for new gas turbine design approaches, enabling cost reduction and performance optimisation to meet market demands. Advancement of these engines requires knowledge not currently available to Modini and offers the opportunity for a KTP which benefits both partners.

Dr Lee Nissim and Dr James Scobie, Department of Mechanical Engineering, are the Knowledge Base Supervisors from the University of Bath who will be embedding experimental testing knowledge and advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of engine properties.

Dr Nissim, University of Bath, says:

This KTP provides us with an exciting opportunity to embed our advanced capabilities for a British company to lead a fast-developing market of uncrewed airborne systems. Modini has developed a market entry solution, but essential knowledge and skills are required to ensure continued growth through product innovation which we are looking forward to embedding.

The KTP is key to ensuring Modini's continued expansion through the development of a family of highly innovative, low-cost gas turbine engines with greater thrust to meet rapidly evolving customer needs. Additionally, the KTP will allow design and optimisation of engine components to reduce manufacturing costs and to provide options for ancillaries, based upon customer needs across the civil and military aerospace and micro-grid electricity generation markets.

Nick Sharpe, CEO at Modini, says:

We have commissioned the University of Bath to carry out a full test programme of our prototype 500 Newton gas turbine (GT500), which provides us with an independent evaluation of its performance. However, our ability to advance our gas turbine engine programme to meet market demands is limited by a lack of in house CFD, FEA and thermodynamic capabilities. This is the core element which will be fulfilled by the KTP support. We are very excited to further our relationship with the University of Bath to build on an already excellent partnership.

An exciting opportunity for both partners, the KTP will also bring together knowledge of air, fuel and combustion flows, plus management of airflow pressure, thermal properties and thrust optimisation. This new knowledge will ensure reduced manufacturing and operating costs and enable scale manufacturing for UAS markets and micro-power grids.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are funded by Innovate UK to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills within the UK knowledge base.

We are currently advertising a Senior Propulsion Engineer KTP Associate for this KTP with Modini Ltd. Closing 30 March 2025.

Contact us to partner on a KTP: partnerships@bath.ac.uk