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Strengthening Our Research Capability Through New Lab Collaborations

12 Dec 2025

This month, two of our workstream leaders and key researchers, Alan and Duleepa were part in the opening and founding members of two new research facilities:  Alan, now part of the “University of Canterbury’s Advanced Cryogenics Research Lab”, and Duleepa, now part of “John Boys Transdisciplinary Wireless Power Technology Centre”. Congratulations!

https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/2025/uc-launches-new-lab-to-advance-cryogenics-research-

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2025/12/02/john-boys-legacy-powers-new-research-centre.html

Case study 2025: Capability building – pioneering the advancement of cryogenic power electronics

2 Sep 2025

Our next programme case study is ready : Capability building – pioneering the advancement of cryogenic power electronics.

Follow the link to the pdf.

Airbus looks to NZ for hydrogen aircraft expertise

12 Aug 2025

Robinson Research Institute has hosted a two-week visit from three engineers leading AIRBUS’s efforts to develop superconducting electric aircraft motors powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The aim is to identify how New Zealand’s expertise in this area can help accelerate this technology.

Next successful delivery of STEM workshop for our rangatahi

31 Oct 2024
Our recent collaboration with Tauhara North No. 2 Trust gave students an immersive week of activities, exploring a range of disciplines and career opportunities in STEM.
A huge thank you to all the facilitators for their exceptional mahi. Your dedication has inspired our rangatahi, and we’re already seeing past bootcamp students achieve milestones like PhDs and scholarships.

NZ UK sustainable partnership with Hyflux takes off

31 Oct 2024
Robinson Research Institute researchers discuss the necessity of superconducting technology to decarbonise large electric aircraft, and their recent partnership with HyFlux (U.K.)

Academic-Industry Partnership Fuels Student Success at MIT

29 Sept 2024
As part of our programme Raynil Ram, a recent graduate of MIT, has secured full-time employment with WM New Zealand (formerly Waste Management New Zealand), thanks to the collaboration of the MIT’s External Engagement and Academic teams. More info’s in the MIT article, link.

Our next case study is ready

12 Aug 2024
Our next programme case study is ready “Building New Zealand’s High-Value Manufacturing Industry for Future Heavy Electrified Transport”. It outlines how we are supporting the growth of existing New Zealand’s industries while scouting for new opportunities. Check out the PDF via the link above.

Grants presentation at EATS – a new superconducting generator

1 Aug 2024
High-power electric motors and generators are crucial to advancing electric aviation. At the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Electric Aircraft Technology Symposium (EATS) in Las Vegas, Dr. Grant Lumsden, Principal Project Engineer at the Institute, introduced our concept for a 10 MW partially superconducting generator. This design, intended for hybrid aircraft applications, can be directly integrated with a gas turbine. It surpasses the 10 kW/kg power density threshold for its class and is notably easier to manufacture compared to many competing designs.

Electrifying the aviation sector — introducing an innovative prototype

2 Feb 2024
Comprising a diverse and committed team of scientists and engineers, the Institute aims to apply cutting-edge research findings and advanced engineering to innovative technologies. An example of this work is the homopolar superconducting electric motor that has been designed, built and tested at the Institute.

Funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Endeavour Programme, the prototype superconducting electric motor/generator provides evidence that Paihau–Robinson Research Institute has a workable solution to revolutionise the aviation industry. Developed in association with key New Zealand companies such as HTS-110 Ltd, Llama Engineering, and Fabrum, this prototype benefits from their expertise in superconducting magnet systems, precision engineering, and metal fabrication, respectively. Their collaboration also helps advance the Institute’s research and development efforts in various other projects.

Training for the low carbon future of heavy transport

5 Oct 2023

Last week, Professor Rod Badcock of the Paihau-Robinson Research Institute, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington gave a seminar at MIT Tech Park, Manukau.

Kiwi Net Award for Rod Badcock

3 Oct 2023

Robinson Research Institute’s Deputy Director Professor Rodney Badcock won the BNZ Research Entrepreneur award which recognises an experienced entrepreneurial researcher who has made outstanding contributions to research commercialisation impact in New Zealand.

Paihau-Robinson Research Institute’s deputy director, Professor Rod Badcock, nominated for prestigious KiwiNet Award

4 September 2023

Kiwi Net Award nomination for Rod. The KiwiNet Awards are the biggest national event for the research commercialisation sector in Aotearoa New Zealand, bringing the community together to connect, showcase successes, and inspire others. For more details follow the link.

We have to fly’ – NZ leading the way to solve challenge of sustainable aviation

1 August 2023

View the video presentation of Rod as he addresses the NZ Chamber of Commerce Hutt Valley, discussing our program and networks.

Superconducting Motor Runs for the First Time

25 July 2023

On 25 July we achieved a major milestone our superconducting AC homopolar motor demonstrator was successfully ramped up for the first time. During the test the motor reached a speed of 1000 revolutions per minute (rpm). Future tests will see the motor speed gradually increased to the design target of 20000 rpm. This is our first demonstrator to prove and test superconducting technologies for powering large electric aircraft.

We have to fly’ – NZ leading the way to solve challenge of sustainable aviation

16 April 2023

Listen to Rod’s latest interview on Radio NZ.

Robinson Research Institute announced as partner for Air New Zealand’s Mission Next Gen Aircraft

8 Feb 2023

Air New Zealand has teamed up with Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s Paihau—Robinson Research Institute to help the airline on its mission to replace its Q300 domestic fleet with a more sustainable option from 2030.

Our 1st impact case study is online

7 Nov 2022

Follow the link to download our programme’s first impact case study “Building capability and increasing the diversity in New Zealand’s Research Workforce”.

Tech bootcamp to inspire rangatahi (the younger generation) into science pathways

29 April 2022, Te Ao Māori News

Nine year-12 and year-13 students, from Tauhara, north of Taupō, recently attended a tech bootcamp at Victoria University of Wellington. Teaomaori.news spoke to coordinator and team member Tahlia Crabtree, from the Robinson Research Institute of Victoria University about the programme.

Tech Bootcamp inspires students

3 March 2022, Victoria University of Wellington

The Paihau—Robinson Research Institute’s Tech Bootcamps open up pathways to STEM careers for Māori and Pasifika students.

New technology for zero-emission electric passenger aircraft

26 October 2021, Wellington UniVentures

New Zealand researchers lead by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington have teamed up with Air New Zealand and Wellington UniVentures to create technology that will make zero-emission electric passenger aircraft a reality.

Degrees in Engineering at the Robinson Research Institute

9 September 2021, Evolocity Careers Special article

Read about Kent’s PhD and Cameron’s Masters work at Robinson Research Institute for simulations of large electric aircrafts and hardware-in-the-loop. Below is a little video showing Cameron’s hardware-in-the-loop setup

Funding News

16 August 2020, Victoria University of Wellington

University receives funding boost to build high-power electric motors for rail, shipping and aviation