Two former engineering student rivals have joined forces to lead a new Clean Sky-funded project (worth 900,000 euros), to develop an on-ground, high-power and high-speed testing system for electric aircraft.

Launched on 1 November, project IGNITE will have global application with industry leaders such as Safran.

The four-year initiative brings together Tao Yang (assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the Institute of Aerospace Technologies at the University of Nottingham) and Beniamino Guida, who runs his own business — Aeromechs.

Dr Yang (www.nottingham.ac.uk) said: “The project will demonstrate high-speed high-power electrical generation technologies, which are essential for future hybrid and fully electric aircraft.

"The successful delivery of this project will consolidate the leading position of the University of Nottingham in hybrid propulsion and electric aircraft.

"I am very pleased to be working with Dr Guida on this project. We got the Clean Sky Best PhD Award together, and we now have this great opportunity to contribute to the Clean Sky agenda.”

Dr Guida, who studied electrical engineering at the Second University of Naples (now the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli), said: “Working in IGNITE together with Dr Yang and the University of Nottingham team is an excellent opportunity to increase Aeromechs’ skills in the development of supervisory and control systems for aircraft electrical systems.”