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Dr Andy Pearson to present new research on refrigeration technology innovations and energy efficiency at the Herrick Conferences 2024

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As part of Star Refrigeration’s commitment to advancing industry standards through innovation and collaboration, Group Managing Director Dr Andy Pearson will present two papers, chair a session, and participate in a plenary session discussion panel during the three-day event.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., July 11, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Dr Andy Pearson is set to play a significant role at the prestigious Herrick Conferences 2024, which will take place from 15th –18th July 2024 in West Lafayette, Indiana. The event encompasses the 27th International Compressor Engineering Conference, the 20th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference, and the 8th International High Performance Buildings Conference.

“Our focus will be on sharing technical research and presenting real-world examples of how our engineering work has significantly improved the efficiency and sustainability of cold stores and process refrigeration plants.”

Hosted by the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories at Purdue University and co-sponsored by The International Institute of Refrigeration, the conference promises to be a key event for industry professionals worldwide.

With over 800 industry experts from 30 countries meeting at Purdue University to present cutting-edge research, exchange ideas, and network, the conference offers an unparalleled opportunity for practitioners, government officials, educators, and industry researchers to find solutions to the global challenges facing society today.

Dr Andy Pearson, said, “I am delighted to be returning to Purdue to participate in this year’s Herrick Conference. By presenting our latest research and developments and collaborating with leading experts in the field, we hope to share valuable insights and contribute to the advancement of sustainable cooling and heat pump technologies.”

“Our focus will be on sharing technical research and presenting real-world examples of how our engineering work has significantly improved the efficiency and sustainability of cold stores and process refrigeration plants.”

Leveraging his extensive expertise and in-depth knowledge of the industrial refrigeration and heat pump market, Dr Pearson will facilitate discussions and share research findings with the global community through multiple roles, including presenter, session chair, and panellist.

On the first day of the conference, Monday 15th July at 2:00 pm (EDT), Dr Pearson will present the paper entitled ‘Validation of Performance for a Novel Compressor-Expander Concept’ during the session on Novel Compressors (C-02). This groundbreaking research introduces a dual-function mechanism that can be adapted for use as a compressor or as an expander. The novel concept combines the benefits of both reciprocating and screw compressors and expanders and offers significant advancements over traditional models. The paper is co-authored with engineers from FeTu Ltd, the developers of the FeTu Turbine.

The results of detailed modelling of performance in both modes will be presented in the form of graphs of isentropic and volumetric efficiency plotted against pressure ratio and pressure difference. These will also be compared and contrasted with equivalent graphs for conventional types of compressor.

Additionally, the validation of the model results against performance data measured on a test cell designed to enable rapid testing across a range of operating conditions will be discussed. The presentation will also cover how the comparison has been used to fine-tune the model, enabling other configurations of compressor and expander to be simulated.

Finally, the presentation will include proposals for future development plans and possible new applications for this innovative technology.

On the following day, Tuesday 16th July from 4pm – 6pm (EDT), Dr Pearson will chair the High-Temperature Heat Pump session (R-16), which will cover a range of topics, including maximum achievable temperatures, their role in decarbonising buildings and industry and performance outcomes of water-ammonia, R-1336mzz(Z) and butane heat pump systems.

On Wednesday 17th July, starting at 8:30 am (EDT) in the Loeb Theatre, Dr Pearson will participate as a panellist alongside Dr Brian Fricke, Dr Min Soo Kim, and Dr Jason Woods in the Refrigeration Conferences Plenary Panel. The panel will focus on the ‘State of the Art and Global Outlook of Refrigeration, AC, and HP Compressors’ which is set to offer an overview of current trends and innovations in refrigeration technology as well as valuable insights into the future of the industry.

Later that day, at 1:20 pm (EDT), Dr Pearson will reveal his findings from his six years of research on ‘Refrigeration system performance assessment for food processing and storage’ during the session on Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration (R-22).

His paper focuses on work conducted since 2018 and investigates the measurement and presentation of cold store and process refrigeration plant efficiency. It highlights the massive variation in cold store performance across notionally similar facilities, the significant amount of energy wastage, and the opportunities for improvement. His presentation will reflect on the stark contrast between best in class and worst performing facilities in terms of energy use, with discrepancies as high as a factor of 10. Moreover, the discrepancies appear to be even greater in process freezing and chilling equipment.

The objective of this research work is to provide facility owners and operators with a mechanism for assessing plant performance and benchmarking it against past performance and other facilities. Dr Pearson will introduce a method for forecasting the annualised effect of performance improvement interventions and provide case study examples of successful improvements.

Additionally, he will outline a roadmap for adopting these techniques and a method of expressing the results in financial terms in order to aid capital investment planning. He will also introduce a new business model, designed to overcome the barriers to the adoption of this methodology.

Star Refrigeration’s participation at the Purdue Refrigeration Conference, led by Dr Andy Pearson, is part of the company’s wider commitment to disseminating knowledge, fostering innovation and collaborating on international events to contribute to the sector’s progress and sustainability.

The Herrick Conferences are a global gathering of the top minds in compressor engineering, refrigeration, air conditioning and high-performance buildings.

To find out more information about the Herrick Conferences 2024 and to register, visit 2024 Conferences – Ray W. Herrick Laboratories – Purdue University

To learn more about Star Refrigeration, visit http://www.star-ref.co.uk

About Star Refrigeration:
Star Refrigeration is an industry leader in sustainable refrigeration and heat pump engineering. Known for its pioneering approach to the development of efficient and low life cycle cost solutions, the company has a team of dedicated researchers and engineers who are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation to meet the cooling and heating needs of its customers.

Media Contact

Astrid Prado, Star Refrigeration, 01416387916, aprado@star-ref.co.uk, www.star-ref.co.uk

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SOURCE Star Refrigeration

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Aker Solutions receives letter of award for engineering scope on the Maydan Mahzam project in Qatar

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OSLO, Norway, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —  Aker Solutions has received a letter of award (LOA) from PTSC Mechanical and Construction Limited Company (PTSC M&C) for a sizeable1 contract for detail design work related to the redevelopment of the Maydan Mahzam oil field offshore Qatar.

The work will be executed by Aker Solutions’ engineering teams in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Mumbai, India.

The Maydan Mahzam oil field is located about 100 kilometres (km) northeast of the Qatari coastline and 28 km southeast of Halul Island, in water depths of about 40 metres. The oil field, along with the nearby Bul Hanine field, was discovered in the 1960s and has been in production since 1965. Operator QatarEnergy is now planning a major redevelopment project to upgrade and extend the operational life of the field. PTSC M&C has been selected by QatarEnergy for a key package in the redevelopment program.

Aker Solutions will provide detail design services for several offshore installations under PTSC M&C ‘s project scope, including three major topsides, four jackets and brownfield tie-in.

“This award reflects the strength of our engineering organization and our long track record of delivering complex offshore projects. Our team in Kuala Lumpur brings extensive offshore oil and gas experience, complemented by the capabilities of our office in Mumbai and the wider Aker Solutions organization. Together, we look forward to supporting the successful execution of the Maydan Mahzam project,” said Guro Rausand, Executive Vice President of New Build at Aker Solutions.

The LOA is subject to the signing of the final contract. Upon signing, Aker Solutions expects to book a sizeable1 order intake in the fourth quarter of 2026 in the Renewables and Field Development segment.

1Aker Solutions defines a sizeable contract as being between NOK 0.5 billion and NOK 1.5 billion. 

CONTACT: 

Preben Ørbeck
investor relations
preben.orbeck@akersolutions.com 
+47 470 10 611

Odd Naustdal
media contact
odd.naustdal@akersolutions.com 
+47 905 76 079

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/aker-solutions-asa/r/aker-solutions-receives-letter-of-award-for-engineering-scope-on-the-maydan-mahzam-project-in-qatar,c4420299

 

 

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SOURCE Aker Solutions ASA

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Cathay United Bank Ho Chi Minh City Branch Wins Bronze Stevie Award, Advancing Digital Lending Innovation in Vietnam

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Building on its award-winning digital innovation, CUBHCM continues to enhance the customer journey with “View Your Offers”

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cathay United Bank Ho Chi Minh City Branch (CUBHCM) has been named a Bronze Stevie Award winner in the Financial Services/Banking category at the 23rd Annual International Business Awards, recognizing the success of its innovative digital lending platform, the CUB Vietnam App. The app was also the only Vietnam-based winner in the App Categories of this year’s awards, highlighting CUBHCM’s continued efforts to leverage digital innovation and deliver a more convenient, secure and responsible financial services.

“This award reflects our commitment to developing financial solutions around the everyday needs of our customers,” said Keng Yang Lin, General Manager of Cathay United Bank Ho Chi Minh City Branch. “Since launching the CUB Vietnam App, we have continued to enhance the digital lending experience by making access to credit simpler, more transparent, and more convenient. Building on this progress, we introduced ‘View Your Offers’ in August this year to help customers better understand their potential credit options before formally applying for a loan.”

Launched in 2024, the CUB Vietnam App enables customers to complete the entire lending journey digitally, from identity verification and application to credit assessment, approval, and disbursement. Since its launch, up to October 2026, the platform has attracted more than 1.3 million registered users and surpassed 9.6 million downloads, demonstrating strong demand for convenient digital financial services in Vietnam.

A key feature of the app is its revolving credit model, which allows eligible customers to apply once and access an approved credit line multiple times for up to five years. Customers can obtain credit limits of up to VND 40 million, with the entire process completed online. The platform also integrates eKYC, automated credit assessment, NFC-enabled identity verification, and advanced security technologies to provide a secure and seamless borrowing experience.

Building on its digital lending capabilities, CUBHCM introduced “View Your Offers” in August 2026. The pre-screening feature allows prospective customers to check their estimated credit limit before formally applying for a loan. Without downloading the app or uploading documents at the initial stage, users can provide basic information and receive a preliminary credit offer in approximately two minutes. Those who wish to proceed can seamlessly continue their application through the CUB Vietnam App, providing greater transparency and convenience throughout the borrowing journey.

The Bronze Stevie Award adds to a series of international recognitions for the CUB Vietnam App in 2026. The platform was also named “Best Consumer Lending Technology in Vietnam” at The Asian Banker Financial Technology Innovation Vietnam Awards 2026 and received the “Customer Experience Solution Award – Vietnam” at the Asian Banking & Finance Fintech Awards 2026.Together, these recognitions demonstrate CUBHCM’s continued progress in digital innovation and customer experience.

With 21 years of operations in Vietnam, the country remains a cornerstone of Cathay United Bank’s “Second Home” strategy. Drawing on its deep local market experience and the financial and technological capabilities of Cathay Financial Holdings, CUBHCM will continue to advance digital innovation and financial inclusion, delivering responsible and customer-centric financial solutions that support Vietnam’s long-term economic development.

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SOURCE Cathay United Bank

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Pudu Robotics Unveils “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” Strategy and Showcases Full Portfolio in European First

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Global commercial robotics leader showcased six product lines together for the first time at its 2026 European Partner Summit in Amsterdam.

AMSTERDAM, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial robotics, yesterday set out the next phase of its global strategy in Amsterdam at its first European Partner Summit. At the event, which was themed “AI in Action: Scaling Impact Across Europe—Together,” Pudu unveiled its “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” strategy along with its full product ecosystem spanning six product lines for the very first time.

“The next stage of growth will depend not only on advancing robot capabilities, but also on making robots easier to deploy, more adaptable and commercially viable at scale,” said Felix Zhang, founder and CEO of Pudu Robotics. “With our ‘One Brain, Multiple Embodiments’ strategy, we are building a shared technological foundation across different robot forms—from specialized service robots to semi-humanoid and humanoid robots. By combining reusable AI capabilities with purpose-built hardware, we aim to accelerate innovation, improve development efficiency and bring robotics into more real-world applications.”

Unveiling the Robotics Portfolio Under the “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” Strategy

At the summit, Pudu debuted its full product ecosystem, guided by its “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” strategy and spanning six product lines: service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, general embodied AI, commercial lawn mowing and home lawn care. The home lawn care line includes the PUDU TOMO S Series, the company’s first consumer robotics product, announced on November 3. The debut of Pudu’s full product ecosystem marks the company’s expansion into a broader range of application scenarios, from indoor to outdoor environments and from commercial to home use.

“Under our ‘One Brain, Multiple Embodiments’ strategy, we will continue to invest in foundational technologies, including hardware, operating systems and embodied foundation models,” said Zhang.

At the core of the “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” strategy is a shared technological architecture designed to support different robot forms. Built on Pudu’s proprietary technologies, including PuduFM, an Embodied Foundation Model, and PuduAgent OS, an Embodied AI Agent Platform, the architecture enables reusable AI capabilities, software modules and skills across different robotic platforms, while allowing hardware and motion-control systems to remain optimized for specific tasks. By sharing these underlying technologies across different robot forms, the strategy helps reduce R&D and deployment cycles and costs, bringing robotics into more industries and making adoption more practical for customers.

Strong Presence in Europe: 60% Annual growth, Footprint in 20+ Countries

The Pudu Robotics 2026 European Partner Summit marks the company’s first large-scale strategic brand event in Europe. Pudu chose Amsterdam to unveil its global “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” strategy, reflecting Europe’s importance as a key market for the company’s next phase of strategic growth.

Pudu operates across more than 20 European countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic and Poland. The company serves customers across a range of European industries including retail, food and beverage, hospitality, healthcare and transportation, such as EDEKA, Albert Heijn, Carrefour, Denner, Marriott, Van der Valk, Pizza Hut and Intermarché, as well as Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

This footprint has been accompanied by strong business growth. Over the past two years, Pudu’s revenue in Europe has grown by an average of more than 60% annually, reflecting the strong momentum of its business across the region.

Pudu is also strengthening its local presence to support its continued expansion. On October 30, the company announced the establishment of its European headquarters in Germany. The multifunctional regional hub brings together offices, a showroom, warehousing, training, sales, after-sales support and repair services, strengthening Pudu’s ability to provide localized support, improve service responsiveness and work more closely with distributors and customers across Europe.

Expanding Pudu Robotics Across Every Scenario

Today, Pudu’s technologies serve 16 industries and more than 900 application scenarios, reflecting the breadth of environments in which its robotics solutions are being applied. Pudu’s full product portfolio was showcased at the summit, demonstrating the full-scenario range of Pudu’s innovative use cases. Among the robots on show were:

BellaBot Pro – An upgraded delivery and interactive service robot featuring multimodal interaction, enhanced mobility and Omni-Sense safety. With a 65 cm path clearance, it is designed to navigate tight and complex commercial environments while delivering an engaging service experience.PUDU CC1 Pro – An AI-powered 4-in-1 commercial cleaning robot that integrates sweeping, scrubbing, vacuuming and dust mopping. Its AI capabilities include real-time cleaning performance detection and targeted spot cleaning, helping deliver more precise and efficient cleaning operations.PUDU MP2000 – An AI-native autonomous pallet handling robot with a 2,000 kg payload capacity. Featuring AI load-carrier recognition, adaptive fork alignment and 20-second fork insertion, it is designed to simplify pallet transport across manufacturing, warehousing and logistics environments.PUDU D5, D7 and D9 – Pudu’s general embodied AI portfolio spanning quadruped, semi-humanoid and humanoid robots. Combining embodied mobility, perception and manipulation capabilities, the portfolio reflects Pudu’s approach to advancing embodied intelligence across different robot forms.PUDU GT Series – A three-model lineup of commercial robotic mowers—GT3, GT5 and GT7—designed for professional grounds and turf management. With purpose-built mowing and collection systems, the series addresses the distinct needs of commercial properties, large turf areas and golf courses or professional sports fields.PUDU TOMO S Series – Pudu’s first consumer robotics product, bringing intelligent lawn care into the home. Featuring the proprietary SharpLoop™ Self-Sharpening System, TOMO S is designed to maintain blade sharpness automatically, supporting convenient and consistent lawn maintenance.

Looking Ahead: Innovating to Build Robots for Europe

Whether through its “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” strategy or its product ecosystem spanning a full range of application scenarios, Pudu’s goal remains the same: to use AI and robotics to improve the productivity and well-being of human society.

“We want Europe to be among the first markets where this strategy is put into practice,” said Bella Sun, Vice President and General Manager for Europe at Pudu Robotics. “This means not only bringing Pudu’s most advanced technologies and best talent to Europe, but also working more closely with our customers, distributors and other partners across the region to translate advances in robotics into practical value for commercial and household scenarios.”

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics is a global commercial robotics leader dedicated to empowering easier work and better lives through AI and robotics, with a vision of building a global intelligent robotics infrastructure serving 10 billion people worldwide.

Pudu develops robotic solutions across commercial and home robotics, with a portfolio spanning service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, general embodied AI, commercial grounds care, and consumer lawn care.

With over 130,000 robots shipped and a presence in more than 85 countries and regions, Pudu serves customers across diverse industries, including retail, hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, real estate and property services, education, entertainment and sport, and public services.

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