DELFT, Netherlands (September 16, 2024) – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Delft University of Technology have formalized a master research agreement (MRA) facilitating cooperative endeavors across a spectrum of eco-friendly aviation research initiatives, such as advanced materials, hydrogen propulsion, cutting-edge manufacturing, and industrial design. Under the strategic umbrella of the MRA, Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney will launch numerous research ventures involving TU Delft graduate research facilities, scholars, and personnel over the forthcoming five years. Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney are divisions of RTX.
“Partnerships between RTX engineers and academic research establishments are vital for enhancing our comprehension of emerging technologies, while simultaneously nurturing the upcoming generation of talent that will propel our sector forward,” stated Michael Winter, RTX Chief Science Officer. “Our MRA with TU Delft – our inaugural agreement with a European educational institution – aims to advance innovations that bolster sustainable aviation, crucial for the future of our industry.”
Among the initial projects commenced as part of the MRA, Collins and TU Delft are teaming up on a high-speed intelligent inspection system designed to optimize manufacturing procedures for lightweight and recyclable aircraft materials. Pratt & Whitney, in collaboration with TU Delft, will devise innovative engine designs that harness thermal energy recovery technologies to enhance fuel efficiency and minimize CO2 emissions for commercial aircraft.
“We’re thrilled and very pleased to formalize this new partnership. It affords us the chance to strengthen our collaboration on sustainable aviation with the engineering teams of Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney,” expressed Professor Henri Werij, Dean of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft. “Collaboration with leading aerospace firms is absolutely essential to make significant progress toward achieving the goal of climate-neutral aviation by 2050.”
The new research agreement builds upon a long-term relationship between Collins, Pratt & Whitney, and TU Delft, including participation in European framework programs such as Clean Aviation, under which Collins and TU Delft are involved in the COCOLIH2T project, focused on developing technologies for storing liquid hydrogen fuel on commercial aircraft. The companies sponsor TU Delft’s aerospace student association VSV Leonardo da Vinci, provide facilities, and maintain a close partnership with the Aerospace Innovation Hub at TU Delft, along with regular internship opportunities at Collins Aerospace’s aircraft interiors development center in Houten, Netherlands.
TU Delft: impact for a more sustainable society.
TU Delft in the Netherlands hosts one of the globe’s most extensive and highly regarded academic and innovation ecosystems for sustainable aviation. Across all eight faculties – including the specialized faculty of Aerospace Engineering – efforts are directed towards sustainable aviation, spanning sustainable production, maintenance, and circular life cycles of aircraft, highly energy-efficient designs, as well as propulsion technologies and energy carriers, green ATM, sustainable airports, multimodal transport, and foundational research into the climate impacts on the system. This allows us to approach minimizing the climate impact of the entire aviation system from a systemic perspective. In total, the university accommodates over 26,000 Bachelor and Master students, among which nearly 3,000 are Aerospace Engineering students, supported by close to 8,000 staff members.
