RAB Microfluidics, a pioneer in advanced diagnostics technology, has successfully secured a significant contract worth £750,000 with a global energy leader to develop an autonomous oil monitoring system for 2-stroke marine vessel engines. This innovative system, which utilizes RAB’s patented ‘lab-on-a-chip’ technology, is set to revolutionize oil condition monitoring within the maritime cargo sector upon its expected deployment.

Innovative Technology Driving Efficiency in Maritime Operations

The development of this autonomous system builds on the success of RAB Microfluidics’ Oleum Oracle, a portable oil condition monitoring system launched in 2023, which has already seen adoption in the European energy and shipping sectors. Dr. Rotimi Alabi, CEO and Founder of RAB Microfluidics, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with a major player in the global energy sector, and the collaboration signifies the growing recognition of our innovative oil condition monitoring solutions.”

Optimizing Maritime Operations

Michael O’Sullivan, RAB’s Head of Technology, highlighted the extensive research and development that preceded this milestone: “This award validates the efforts and success of over 2 years of R&D by our talented team of physicists, chemists, and engineers who developed and field-trialled an advanced prototype.” The company anticipates that the new system will not only enhance the operational efficiency of maritime fleets but also significantly reduce downtime by about 25% and operational and maintenance costs by approximately 15%.

Broadening Market Reach and Future Prospects

RAB Microfluidics expects widespread adoption of the Oleum Oracle system over the next 12-24 months and plans to deploy hundreds of these systems globally across multiple sectors including energy, renewable, offshore wind, shipping, and industrial sectors. The system is supported by RAB-Illuminare, a platform that provides online visualization of live data from Oleum, further empowering operators with real-time insights.

  autonomous oil monitoring, lab-on-a-chip technology, marine engine technology, maritime cargo sector, Oleum Oracle, RAB Microfluidics