Business
Deployment of Wireless Sensors with Network Rail
Deployment of Wireless Sensors with Network Rail.
About this update from Ilika Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 0867S Ilika plc 07 March 2019 \n\nIlika plc\n(\"Ilika\" or the \"Company\")\n \nDeployment of Wireless Sensors with Network Rail\n \nIlika (AIM: IKA), a pioneer in solid-state battery technology, announces the development and trial deployment of wireless sensors powered by Stereax® batteries for monitoring rail infrastructure. The project consortium consists of Ilika, Smart Component Technologies Ltd (SCT) and Network Rail.\n \nIn this 18-month project, self-powered sensors for monitoring key parameters affecting the performance of the railway infrastructure (load, temperature, shock) will be developed, deployed, tested and evaluated. The sensors will combine Ilika's Stereax® solid-state battery technology and SCT's novel ultra-low power sensor platform and will be wirelessly connected to Network Rail's existing condition monitoring platform. The self-powered sensors will be maintenance free and will generate data 24/7, 365 days per year.\n \nThe self-powered sensors will be demonstrated on live Network Rail infrastructure as part of a six-month trial deployment.\n \nThe project supports Network Rail's Rail Technical Strategy and directly addresses one of the priority challenges, Reliable and Resilient Switches, which Network Rail has published to detail specific business opportunities for the rail industry.\n \nThe solid-state battery powered sensors will be the first of this type developed and tested for the railway industry. Solid-state batteries offer substantial benefits over currently used lithium-ion batteries, including; low leakage currents, compact design with twice the volumetric energy density of lithium-ion batteries, high power density and cycle life of 5,000 cycles (equivalent to a 10-year lifespan).\n \nThe project has been awarded grant funding by Innovate UK, of which Ilika will receive ca. £115,000, with balancing contributions from the project's partners.\n \n\"This project is a great example of how Network Rail would like to work with our supply chain to assist in the deployment of technology to that is closely aligned with our priority challenges in order to deliver significant business benefits\", stated a Network Rail spokesperson.\n \n\"SCT is at the forefront of condition monitoring of critical industrial assets. This deployment is clo...