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Research undertaken by the University of Sheffield between 1999 and 2012 in functional oxide thin films was commercialised through knowledge transfer partnerships (KTP) with Ilika Technology. This directly led to over £1M in contracts and subsequent improvements in the commercial viability of the product base of blue-chip companies such as Toshiba, Toyota and Ceramtec and contributed to the increase in Ilika's turnover to ~£2M per annum and a growth in staff from 5 to 35 in 2012. In 2011, Ilika floated on the stock exchange with a valuation of ~£20M. The CEO has personally recognised the role Sheffield has played in establishing Ilika Technology as a limited company and in growing company revenue through contracts with leading multinationals.
Research at the University of Manchester has supported the development of drinks vending systems for Mars Drinks. The research has demonstrated that a detailed understanding of the relationship between the structure and properties of the polymeric components is vital for the design and performance of two drinks vending systems, Flavia (single-portion fresh beverages) and Klix (in-cup beverages). This research has contributed to major improvements in materials selection, quality control, cost reduction and performance. These drinks vending systems were developed originally in the UK in collaboration with the University of Manchester, with Flavia now also manufactured in the USA and marketed worldwide by Mars Drinks with an estimated sales value of > US$400m per annum.
Prof Silver's research on the development of the technology to fabricate 3D electro-optic circuits via ink-jet and screen printing has provided a more sustainable solution to conventional back-lit posters (energy saving up to 75%) and printed displays. Due to the flexibility of the components (they can be printed in any shape or design) and low maintenance (battery operational), the technology has been commercially exploited by several industrial collaborators. Johnson Matthey have used Brunel research to gain knowledge of the market and supply chain, to sell silver and palladium nano-particles for ink-jet printing and to inform the investment of around £2M on R&D in this area. Intrinsiq Materials Ltd successfully marketed copper-based inks for ink-jet printing of ACEL displays, allowing the company to employ 22 additional staff. In addition, they have secured $4M of venture capital investment to develop the technology. Printed Electronics Ltd have secured £8.6M of investment to develop a high-volume supply chain for printed electronics, and have employed an additional 9 staff within the company. As a result of working with Brunel, Keeling and Walker have begun to sell ink that contains antimony-doped tin oxide nano-powders.
An advanced plasma source based on novel engineering has been developed and proven in conjunction with Thin Film Solutions Ltd (TFSL). This source is retrofittable to existing electron- beam deposition systems and significantly improves the properties of thin films and advanced optical filters. TFSL has produced commercial products based on this source and has achieved sales to date of £2.3 million (letter from CEO of TFSL provided) as the new technology has been widely adopted in the optical filter industry.
Nanomaterials research at Ulster into materials including diamond-like carbon (DLC) ultra-thin films, carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, silicon and metal oxide nanoparticles has resulted in direct uptake by major industrial manufacturers and led to a directly quantifiable socio-economic impact via added value, improved efficiencies and cost-savings and has secured or increased the employment of skilled engineering staff. Examples of this impact since 2008 include ceramic nanoparticles research in partnership with AVX Ltd that resulted in improved production efficiency processes (up 20%) and higher quality devices (up 10%). [text removed for publication] Research into ultra-thin DLC films, funded by Seagate, has led to their incorporation into magnetic media. [text removed for publication] Our nanoparticle research has attracted a new spin-in company SiSaf Ltd. (2009) and by incorporating NIBEC's expertise in nanomaterials into its business plan, the company was able to grow to a valuation of £3.5m and employ 7 people in skilled technical positions.
Research carried out by Prof. Ton Peijs and colleagues has led to significant breakthroughs in engineering plastics: PURE® and its licensed Tegris® technology, which are lightweight self- reinforced alternatives to traditional polypropylene (PP) composites such as glass-fibre or natural- fibre-reinforced PP. Environmentally friendly and 100% recyclable, these strong and ultra-light self- reinforced plastics have been successfully used across a number of applications, from suitcases and sports gear to protective armour and automotive panels, with impressive results. When used for car, truck and van components, they have been shown to help lower exhaust emission levels and increase fuel economy.
Ehiasarian and Hovsepian of the Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI) have achieved significant economic impact through industrial uptake of their innovations in High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS). Exploiting these innovations, HIPIMS treatments have been used by manufacturers to enhance the surface properties of millions of pounds worth of products. Applications include industrial blades, components within jet turbines, replacement hip joints, metallised semiconductor wafers and satellite cryo-coolers. Patents based on Ehiasarian and Hovsepian's research have achieved commercial success. In the REF impact period, HIPIMS machines equipped to deliver MERI''s HIPIMS surface pre-treatment have achieved sales of over £5m, and income generated through SHU's HIPIMS-related licences has totalled £403,270. In 2010 Ehiasarian's group established the Joint Sheffield Hallam University-Fraunhofer IST HIPIMS Research Centre, the first such Centre in the UK. This has broadened the industrial uptake of MERI's HIPIMS technologies and stimulated a network of sub-system providers.
Electrical power companies are tasked with operating a highly reliable and robust power system. Electrical power outages (blackouts) have serious consequences for the companies concerned as well as society. The health of electrical insulating materials is critical for the reliability of these systems as it often determines equipment lifetime.
Leicester was the first to demonstrate experimentally that polymer based nanocomposite materials could increase the service life and reliability of electrical insulation as used in high voltage power transmission systems. Its research has also led to the development of measurement techniques to assess the health and the extent of thermal ageing of HV power cables.
National Grid has used Leicester's research findings to manage and monitor its electricity transmission equipment, with resulting impacts on its safety, efficiency and financial economy. Borealis, a major international supplier of insulating materials has used the research to solve manufacturing problems and to set up test facilities for medium voltage cables. A Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Alstom Grid has led to the the establishment of a £1M commercial size HVDC cable test facility which has attracted £0.5M investment from cable manufacturers worldwide.
Surrey Spin-out Surrey Nano Systems (SNS) is a business based around key patents resulting from the work of Prof. Ravi Silva and his team. SNS has raised over £11M from investors who have scrutinised the technology and recognise its value. The business develops technologies for low-substrate-temperature growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and for novel low-k dielectric materials both of which align with the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS). SNS is working closely with multinational leaders and has attracted a team that includes senior management experience of selling into the semiconductor process equipment market.
Research in atmospheric pressure (thermal) chemical vapour deposition (APCVD) at the University of Salford demonstrates the following impact: