Innova is an award-winning society at University of Leicester driven by innovation and provides a platform for like-minded students to collaborate and work together on innovative STEM projects on themes ranging from space and robotics to sustainability and environment.
We offer a mix of projects, both theoretical and practical, which can be submitted externally to industries as part of competitions or within the society. Innova will be an opportunity to make ideas come true - ideas that could help reshape the world, that are innovative, creative, original, and inspirational.
At Innova, we have designed, built and tested a state-of-the-art litter collecting robot equipped to collect mainstream litter from around our campus and served as a symbol for sustainability to raise environmental awareness. The robot was presented to HM’s Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire and the university’s Vice-Chancellor and won the award for Best Creative Innovation Project by the Students Union.
Innova worked on an IET-sponsored project aimed at designing and developing solutions to significantly improve the efficiency of solar panels.
The project successfully resulted in the creation of equipment that could be retrofitted on to the panel and achieved a 10% increase in solar panel efficiency. This breakthrough marked a major advancement in optimising solar energy performance, contributing to the broader goals of enhancing renewable energy technologies and sustainability.
Innova is currently working on a remote-controlled drone specifically designed to clean solar panels more effectively. The drone will be equipped with a hose and spray nozzle to optimise the cleaning process, ensuring solar panels maintain maximum efficiency.
The project aims to be a visible symbol of sustainability and optimised energy usage on campus, aligning with our society’s goals to promote renewable energy solutions and contribute towards a sustainable future.
Innova also works with key industries on several theoretical projects aimed at innovation and sustainability. These have included developing space sustainability solutions in the Telespazio T-Tec competition, advancing home automation in Schneider Go Green, and creating carbon capture technology with James Dyson.
We have also explored agricultural innovations with Bayer as well as promoting sustainable HVAC systems in LG Hack the Heat. Additionally, the Rail Innovation Challenge allows us to enhance passenger experience and rail efficiency.
Innova formed a partnership with Leicester Museum and Art Gallery to co-host a series of two engineering talks. One of the featured talks focused on the material sciences of lithium batteries in electric vehicles, delivered by Professor Saiful Islam, a distinguished lecturer from the University of Oxford.
This collaboration aimed to promote knowledge sharing and public engagement in cutting-edge engineering topics.
Innova organised an industrial visit to the Enva Recycling Centre, where we were introduced to advanced methods for sorting and categorising various types of waste.
The visit also offered in-depth insights into best practices for recycling different waste materials, contributing to a greater understanding of sustainable waste management processes.
Innova organised a visit to Space Park Leicester, where participants had the opportunity to engage with professionals working in the space industry.
During the visit, attendees gained valuable insights into the latest developments in the sector and learned about future plans and advancements within the space industry. This visit provided a unique platform for understanding current trends and innovations shaping the future of space exploration and technology
Innova Society visited Abbey Pumping Station, where we learned about Leicester's Victorian efforts to address public health challenges, particularly sewage and clean water management.
We explored the significance of the restored beam engines and gained insights into the development of the railway system in Leicester and the UK Midlands over the past 200 years.
The visit also offered a deeper understanding of industrial technology, steam power, and early motorised transport through interactive exhibits and demonstrations.
We invite students from all academic backgrounds and universities to join us in turning innovative ideas into reality. Connect with us through: https://www.leicesterunion.com/opportunities/societies/findasociety/innova/