Muc-Off’s innovation in testing technology for Sir Bradley Wiggins’ bicycle chain wins Application of the Year 2015

NIDays – National Instruments has unveiled the winners of the 2015 at a ceremony held at the Royal Academy of Engineering, London. The awards highlight Northern Europe’s most innovative engineering projects using NI technology to solve some of the world’s most demanding engineering challenges.

The 2015 Application of the Year Award was presented to Martin Mathias and Alex Trimnell, from Muc-Off for their case study detailing their use of NI hardware and software for chain lubricant optimisation for professional cycling teams. Ultimately, this helped to contribute to Sir Bradley Wiggins’ success in setting the current UCI World Hour record. In professional cycling, the smallest improvement can make a huge competitive difference and Muc-Off’s new, optimised chain contributed to Wiggins smashing the world record by more than 3%, travelling 54.526km (33.88 miles) in only 60 minutes.

“We now work with NI frequently to help drive further marginal gains in professional cycling, while always aiming to bring the best of this technology to the everyday cyclist,” said Martin Mathias, co-author of the Application of the Year. “So whether it is in-depth sound and vibration analysis or reproducing climate conditions, NI has the breadth of experience across many industries to assist in specifying and utilising the hardware and software to achieve our upcoming goals.”

Congratulations go to all the category winners in the 2015 Engineering Impact Awards:

Advanced Research: Merlin: Developing a High-Speed X-Ray Imaging System for Synchrotron Beam Lines Using FlexRIO and LabVIEW – Quantum Detectors

Education: Robotic Table Football: Revolutionising Mechatronics Education Using myRIO and LabVIEW – Loughborough University

Electronics Test & Measurement: ON Semiconductor Speeds Up Test Times With the Semiconductor Test System – ON Semiconductor

Internet of Things: Preparing Today for the Grid of Tomorrow – National Grid UK

Life Sciences: Holographic Tweezers: Positioning Living Stem Cells in 3D – University of Nottingham

Machine Control: Subsea Cable Survey and Inspection ROV Control System – TBG Solutions

Physical Test & Measurement: Lubricating the Gears of Greatness – Muc-Off  

Student Design: MedSIM – A Haptic Simulator for Medical Training – University of Leeds

To learn more about the NI Engineering Impact Awards or to submit an entry for next year’s contest, visit uk.ni.com/eiawards