International Partner Search

Innovation & Technology Request

Technology sought for cable weight reduction onboard ships

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Reference Number: TRUK20180417001
Publication Date: 18 April 2018

Summary

A multinational shipping enterprise with a registered base in Scotland (UK) is seeking to replace data transmission cables on board ships with wireless transmission of signals from sensors. The aim is to reduce the dead weight of non-critical systems data cables by 50%. The company seek a system provider to run a pilot project, with the capability of rolling out to new ships under design. The Scottish company is looking for partnerships via a joint venture or technical cooperation agreement.

Description

A leading multinational shipping enterprise with a registered base in Scotland (UK) is looking for technology solutions that can be applied to their cargo and passenger ships that travel in all of the world's oceans. The company is actively involved with open innovation and is currently involved with several international projects.



Historically, the company's ships use heavy cables to transmit data for non-critical systems like Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. These cables add 2-5% to the dead weight of ships, increasing fuel consumption.  The company would like to reduce the cable weight by 50% by eliminating the need for cables for such non-critical systems. The company expects this could be achieved by replacing traditional data transmission cables on board their ships with wireless transmission of signals from sensors for non-critical systems.



The company is willing to consider technology from other end-application sectors that are capable of addressing the problem set out here. The client would prefer collaboration via joint venture or by technical cooperation agreement. Some budget may be made available for development and this could include being actively involved in the development of a solution, technical overview of the end application and provision of testing facilities.

Expertise sought

The company are seeking novel approaches to replace traditional data transmission cables on board their ships with wireless transmission of signals from sensors for non-critical systems.



The company would like to reapply proven technologies like wireless transmission of signals via a smart grid.  However, suggested approaches must be suitable for use in the marine environment.  



Key concerns include:

•	Signals must be able to transmit through steel bulkheads

•	Equipment must be able to withstand vibration and variations in temperature and humidity

•	Signals must be protected to prevent breaches in security



Evaluation criteria:

1.	Technical Viability-- Solutions proposed must be based on sound scientific principles and have laboratory or pilot scale data that demonstrate efficacy. 

2.	Scale up Potential—Solutions proposed must have a clear pathway to be application on commercial ships within 1-2 years. The ideal partner would be able to lead the design and installation of full-scale systems. Solutions already practiced in marine markets have higher value.

3.	Costs—Total system cost (components and installation) must be comparable to conventional cabling.   

4.	Ownership—Solutions covered by patents have higher value. At a minimum, proposed solutions must not be prohibited by other patents in the field.

Requested partner

The company are seeking an experienced system provider for monitoring and automation to run a pilot a project for non-critical systems, with the capability of rolling out to new ships currently under design. 



The company are looking for concise, 1 page, non-confidential proposals. The proposal should describe the technical approach and should ideally include information on the technological readiness of the proposal, any proof of concept data, reference to any peer reviewed publications, and potential route to commercialization.



The preferred collaboration type would be a joint development or technical cooperation agreement.