Latest News...
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Latest News
The latest news, events, developments, new technology and services involving MIRA, the leading providers of product engineering, testing, research and information services to any type of industry worldwide.
MIRA Investigates the link between Tyre Tread Wear and Braking Performance |
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In 2003, MIRA carried out a programme of car braking tests on its Straight-Line Wet Grip facility to investigate the loss of braking performance that accompanies increasing tyre tread wear. The results showed an increase in stopping distance as wear progressed, with a marked increase in the rate of deterioration that started around 3.5mm tread depth. In 2008, the Department for Transport awarded MIRA its contract PPRO 4/012/043 to investigate this in more depth, and to undertake an Impact Assessment on possible changes to the legal minimum tread depth allowed in the UK. The results of this showed a similar deterioration in performance to the earlier tests, but with a less marked transition in the 3mm to 4mm range.
The impact assessment compared the costs and benefits of changing the current 1.6mm minimum tread depth to either 2.5mm or 3.5mm. The costs were associated with more frequent tyre replacement, because of the reduced amount of wear available from each tyre. The study also considered the atmospheric CO2 emissions that would result from the increased numbers of scrap tyres requiring disposal. The benefits were associated with the savings in deaths and injuries resulting from improved braking. In both cases, the costs outweighed the savings by a wide margin. The project concluded that there is currently no economic case for increasing the 1.6mm minimum requirement for tyre tread depth on cars and light commercial vehicles. |
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18th March 2010 |
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MIRA's Climatic Chambers Help Prepare Arctic Survey Team. |
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MIRA is Europe's largest indpependant provider of climatic testing, with a large range chambers that can simulate any global environment. This capability allowed the Catlin Arctic survey team to test all their equipment and clothing ahead of their expedition, to ensure it was suitable for the conditions they knew they would be facing later in the year. With so much at stake, careful preparation is vital for personal safety and for the success of the scientific research they will undertake.
The Catlin Arctic Survey team touched down on the ice last night and the 2010 expedition is underway.
Having dropped the explorer team out on the arctic sea ice late on Sunday, the team of four scientists have now safely reached their tented ice base - location 78.43 N /104.47 W.
The four scientists are acclimatising to life in this truly inhospitable region where temperatures reach minus 45°C. They will be conducting a range of experiments designed to help in understanding the effects of CO2 absorption on marine life in the Arctic Ocean. |
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16th March 2010 |
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8th MIRA Aerodynamics Conference 2010 - CALL FOR PAPERS |
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MIRA's 8th International Vehicle Aerodynamics Conference will be held at the RBS Williams F1 Conference Centre on 13 &14 October 2010 with the theme of 'Low Carbon Vehicles'.
We have now annouced the call for papers, if you would like to register a paper please visit the website below. Please note the deadline is Friday 19th March 2010.
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15 February 2010 |
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MIRA Introduces Fixed Price Certification in the UK |
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MIRA has taken advantage of the harmonization of EU law, which empowers the national certification authority from any member state the right to provde certification applicable across the union. By collaborating with the Dutch certification authority (RDW), MIRA has achieved Technical Service status across 72 catergories of test.
This enables MIRA to both perform and witness a wide range of ceritfication tests necessary for whole vehicle type approval and homologation. By removing the reliance on a seperate witnessing authority, MIRA are able to offer the market a fixed price certification service.
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17 March 2010 |
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LIMBS - Experts in Blast & Ballistics Collaborate to Improve Survivability |
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MIRA is pleased to announce its participation in the MoD’s LIMBS (Lightweight Materials and Structures for Blast and Ballistics Survivability) project.
Co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board, LIMBS brings together industry experts in blast and ballistics with the aim of developing materials and structures that will provide improved survivability from land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
With knowledge gained across automotive safety, defence and aerospace MIRA is able to provide the consortium with expertise in modelling of occupant response during blast events.
Further details can be found here:
LIMBS Project (700kb .pdf)
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16th November 2009 |
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Construction Commences on World Leading ITS Centre |
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Approval has been given for construction to start on innovITS – ADVANCE, a new centre for the development of intelligent transport innovations. Based at MIRA's HQ, this world-class technical facility is the result of a unique collaboration between innovITS, MIRA and TRL, with £6.5 million funding support provided by Advantage West Midlands.
The first phase city circuit will open for business in summer 2010. |
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21st September 2009 |
Press Release |
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MIRA Appoints New Business Development Director |
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It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Dr Geoff Davis as Business Development Director.
As a main board director Dr Davis will provide new impetus to the company’s sales and marketing strategy and will lead the business development teams in the UK and around the world.
Dr Davis enthused: “I am very much looking forward to working with MIRA’s talented engineering and senior management teams in driving the business forward and developing a platform for sustainable growth across a range of select sectors and international markets.”
Dr Davis joins MIRA's board on October 5th. |
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17th September 2009 |
Press Release |
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Type Approval for Replacements Cats needed |
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From 13 August 2009 all replacement catalytic converters on cars with up to eight seats and vans up to 3.5 tonnes registered after March 2001 must be Type approved. This new law will bring the UK up to the same standards as other major European markets.
The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) have been appointed by the DfT to enforce compliance and will be doing random visits to both manufacturers, distributors and installers. People fitting units that do not meet the regulation standards may face up to a fine of £5,000.
MIRA is able to provide the test and approval if necessary for the replacement catalytic converter to comply with the R103, The Motor Vehicle Regulation 2009 (SI 2009 No.1899).
Any enquires please contact Dr Prabhjot Kaur +44 (0) 24 7635 5029. |
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30 September 2009 |
Read More |
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New Aero Technology to Help Automakers Achieve 2012 CO2 Limits |
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Automakers can increase the efficiency of their aerodynamic development process & design aerodynamic cars that produce less CO2, thanks to a new flow visualisation and measurement technique. Wind tunnel time becomes more productive as aerodynamicists can ‘see’ the entire airflow & directly correlate modelling predictions with test results in a common analysis
environment. By bringing wind tunnel development and the virtual world together, aerodynamics has taken a huge technological step forward.
MIRA have pioneered the approach and are particularly keen to apply the technique to complex areas such as the vehicle wake, which contributes significantly to drag.
Drag reduction is a key enabler in the delivery of vehicles that meet the new EU 2012 fleet average CO2 legislation. |
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4th Sept 2009 |
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MIRA Sets Standards for Functional Safety |
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The long-anticipated functional safety standard for road vehicles, ISO 26262, was published as a Draft International Standard (DIS) today.
ISO 26262 provides a process for managing the safety of complex software-based control systems in vehicles from concept to eventual decommissioning.
The DIS enables advanced vehicle control systems to edge towards commercial reality, by contributing towards the creation of a safe operating framework for green control technologies that promise lower carbon emissions.
This the first time the standard has been publicly available, and marks the beginning of a 5-month consultation period on its contents. MIRA's Dr David Ward is the UK's Principal Expert on the ISO Working Group. His expertise is available to guide the application of this new standard to new products. |
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8th July 2009 |
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Events...
Defence Research 2010
23 & 24 March 2010
Birmingham ICC
ELROB
The European Robot Trial
17-20 May 2010
Hammelgurg,
Germany
JSAE Annual Congress
19 - 21 May 2010
Pacifico,
Yokohama,
Japan
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