The Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) at the University of Sheffield is making significant progress in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) research with support from Anton Paar’s precision instrumentation. Located in the university’s Innovation District, the EIC is one of Europe’s leading research hubs for low- and zero-carbon technologies and is certified to ISO 9001 standards.
To meet the demands of SAF development, the EIC relies on Anton Paar equipment for accurate, repeatable testing across key parameters such as viscosity, density, flash point, oxidation stability, and distillation behaviour. Instruments in use include the DSA 5000 M, SVM 3001, PMA 500, RapidOxy 100, and Diana 700.
“These are relatively small pieces of equipment, but they help us deliver major projects. They’re accurate, user-friendly, and safe,” says Hansini Rathnayake Mudiyanselage, Laboratory Manager at the EIC.
The instruments are used in both academic and collaborative R&D, enabling researchers to simulate years of fuel ageing, automate measurements, and reduce operator variability. For example, doctoral researcher Rahima Babayeva uses the RapidOxy 100 in her SAF oxidation stability research, which is sponsored by EPSRC and Rolls-Royce. Her work has been featured at international forums such as IASH 2024 and COP29.
The partnership between Anton Paar and the EIC also includes maintenance and calibration services using Anton Paar’s ISO 17034-certified reference materials to support the lab’s long-term goals.
“Anton Paar’s responsiveness and expertise have played a crucial role in our projects,” says Dr. Ehsan Alborzi, Senior Research Fellow. “That’s why they were invited to participate in several tenders during our lab expansion.”
With reliable testing technology in place, the EIC is now focusing on advanced analysis techniques, supporting early-stage SAF readiness levels and accelerating the certification process for industry partners.
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