10/12/99 - OPTIMUM and QUB Sign Strategic Alliance Agreement PITTSBURGH, PA, October 12, 1999 - OPTIMUM Power Technology and The Queen’s University of Belfast (QUB) have signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement to develop technology that will benefit the core business of OPTIMUM and enhance the international research reputation of QUB. Within the agreement, QUB will apply its academic, technical and scientific skills to support the expertise of OPTIMUM personnel in developing engine simulation software and advanced engine designs relating to two and four- stroke engines. OPTIMUM and QUB have been collaborating for the last ten years on various engine related projects but this new agreement, covering the next five years, signals a serious commitment by both parties to be successful in the expanding business of engine design software. Glen Chatfield, President of OPTIMUM Power Technology comments: "Our agreement with QUB exemplifies the long term fundamental research and development commitments that we have to continuously improving our products. However, our customers will obtain benefits quickly. For example, next year QUB will help us add turbo-charger and super-charger support to our Virtual 4-Stroke® and Virtual 2-Stroke® engine simulation products. Equally important, their expertise and location will help us to better serve our customers throughout Europe." QUB is best known for their expertise in the design and development of two-stroke engines. The engine group’s reputation has evolved over many years with most of the work directed at the traditional two-stroke engine applications; motorcycles, outboards, personal watercraft, chain saws, generators and light aircraft. For many years the main focus area has been the development of computer-based engine design models and these models are used worldwide by both the automotive industry and by small engine manufacturers. However, the impact of emissions legislation and the introduction of new technologies have gradually broadened the emphasis of the research effort, which now involves both two and four-stroke engines. Key areas of current research at QUB are in the integration of the two main types of computer models: 1-D unsteady gas dynamics models for complete engine cycle simulation and 3-D CFD models for difficult flow regimes. These models are designed to assist engine developers in optimizing the engine geometry early in the design process, thereby significantly reducing the development time and costs. In addition, modeling of engine transients and the use of 1-D codes in drive-cycle simulations are becoming more important. In all cases, extensive validation on individual laboratory rigs and complete engines support the simulation work. Professor Robert Fleck, who directs the activities at QUB states: "We have a strong group of eight academics who are ably supported by research engineers, technicians and research students. This agreement enables us to plan our research over the next five years and allows us to focus on the fundamental aspects of simulating the thermodynamic processes. The expertise of the OPTIMUM personnel is entirely complimentary and the net result of the collaboration will be a suite of engine performance simulation and design software products that will revolutionize the marketplace." The School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at QUB produces around 100 graduating engineers each year. The research topics within the school are varied with the largest effort being concentrated on internal combustion engines. In the 1996 Research Assessment Exercise, conducted by the UK higher education funding bodies, the School achieved the top 5* grade and indeed was one of only five schools in the Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing sector to achieve the highest grade. Research of this caliber leads to better informed teaching and consequently the school’s graduates are widely sought after by industry. OPTIMUM Power Technology applies computer technology to two and four-stroke engines. Research at OPTIMUM focuses on enhancing the performance of and reducing emissions from these engines. OPTIMUM’s products span from engine simulation software to vehicle data acquisition. Products are available for pressure trace analysis, engine management systems, fuel injection, and dynamic testing. OPTIMUM Power Technology is located in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.