The New Whittle Laboratory
Accelerating the development of decarbonisation technologies in aviation and beyond.
Today, rapidly decarbonising aviation and power generation is one of society’s greatest challenges.
The New Whittle Laboratory — with ground broken in May 2023 by His Majesty the King — is designed to revolutionise technology development itself, making the process at least 10 times faster and cheaper. This will ensure that the UK remains a world leader in ultra-low emission aircraft and low carbon power generation as these sectors enter a period of unprecedented disruption. The New Whittle will be vital in helping the UK to maximise the economic opportunities of becoming a greener economy and in meeting its commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Initial funding for the project has come from the UK Government’s Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), Rolls-Royce, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Siemens, Dyson and the University.
By focusing on the critical early lifecycle stages of emerging net zero flight and energy systems technologies and working at the interface of cutting-edge science and its emerging engineering application, the Laboratory will dramatically increase the number of commercially viable options available by the late 2030s.
The £58million facility will be home to the UK’s National Centre for Propulsion and Power, built around a fast feedback model pioneered in Formula One, to cut the time to develop technologies from years to months. The Centre, with its two Future Propulsion and Power Halls, will play a pivotal role in accelerating the decarbonisation of flight and power generation.
The New Whittle Laboratory will also incorporate the Bennett Innovation Laboratory – made possible through a philanthropic gift from the Peter Bennett Foundation – to bring together a critical mass of talent, giving them the right skills, tools, culture and working environment to solve complex multidisciplinary challenges.
We need to completely transform the innovation landscape in the aviation and energy sectors if we are to reach net zero by 2050. The new Whittle Lab has been designed as a disruptive innovation laboratory targeting the critical early stages in the lifecycles of technologies, where there are windows of opportunity to translate scientific strengths into global technological and industrial leadership. The Lab is designed to work at the intersection of cutting-edge science its emerging engineering application, providing fast feedback between the two, and dramatically cutting the time to deliver zero-emission technologies.
The New Whittle Laboratory will be situated in West Cambridge, close to the new Department of Engineering, the new Cavendish Physics Laboratory and the Department of Computer Science and Technology. The West Cambridge development brings together the University’s world-class science and technology expertise and is designed to support collaborations with commercial partners, innovation and entrepreneurship.
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Our vision is to build a cutting-edge laboratory, transforming propulsion and power research and education in the 21st century. We will also create a space for industry leaders and academics to come together to develop cleaner, more sustainable, and more flexible aerospace and power sectors.
In order to realise this vision, we are seeking to partner with individuals or organisations interested in supporting the New Whittle Laboratory project. A range of high-profile naming opportunities will be available in the new laboratory and opportunities for donors to be involved at all levels.
You can donate online or to learn more about supporting the Whittle Laboratory and to explore opportunities for philanthropic partnership, please contact:
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