New braking system wins Autocar award

[Auto News]

Student develops cylindrical braking systemAn innovative braking system that does away with conventional discs and pads has won its inventor the Autocar-Courland Next Generation award.
Roberto Antonio Pace collected the 7500 award at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders dinner, and he wins a five month work experience placement with Jaguar Land Rover and McLaren Automotive, as well as Peugeot, Skoda and Toyota.
Paces design replaces the brake disc with a cylinder. Rather than the friction material in the caliper gripping the flat surface of a disc, it works instead on the cylinder, which spins around the hub.
In theory, a cylinder will warm up more evenly than a disc, reducing hot spots on the surface and brake fade. Pace also reckons that a smaller cylinder can offer the same performance as a larger disc, which will help cut vehicle weight. 

McLaren chief engineer Neil Patterson, said: In-wheel braking hasnt seen significant evolution for decades, so for me the most impressive thing is Robertos courage to challenge the status quo by taking it on in the first place.
Jonathan Maynard from Brunel University and James Benson from Huddersfield University were runners up, with their Cooled EGR Discharge and Car Theft Prevention System entries.