Novel Materials

A new method of adding exfoliated nanotubes or graphene to polyester and subsequently preparing fibres from the mixture.

Applications Include:

Food, drink, pharmaceutical packaging,automotive parts,recycled PET products- adding graphene could boost strength after recycling,clothing fabrics,furniture,sheet and films.

SEM images of melt processed PET-SWNT fibres.

A new method of initiating reactions and preparing micro- and nano-structures.

This technology offers new approaches for initiating phase transfer reactions using an external magnetic field. This invention enables development of new composite materials by using magnetically assisted trans-phase reagent delivery and also allows magnetically triggered reaction initiation or catalysis (e.g. polymerisation, condensation, etc.) at aqueous/organic interfaces.

Applications Include:

Traditional phase-transfer reactions and catalysis are currently used in various industrial applications and research fields, including the production of: surfactants,polymers,adhesives,sealants,dyes,pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials,flavours and fragrances.

Illustration of the technology.

A robust, cost effective process to manufacture large quantities of the thinnest possible platelets – one atom in thickness.

We have recently made a major breakthrough in the manufacture of high aspect platelets. Suitable materials such as Graphene (black in colour) or Boron Nitride (white in colour) are currently being manufactured and tested.

Applications Include:

Optoelectronic devices, use as a strong, light filler material, composites and sending devices.

Single sheet of one atom thick material.

Unique manufacture method to create nanowires in known locations.

Applications Include:

Bio sensors.

Schematic of nano wire growth process.

Diamond patterning technology enables high resolution nano-scale engraving on to the surface of diamond.

This facilitates a wide range of applications specific to diamond in a simple cost-efficient method for the first time.

Applications Include:

Patterning on a wide variety of substrates for anti-counterfeiting.

Schematic of diamond nano patterning technology.

These next generation sensor devices use graphene, a novel material that has the potential to offer extreme sensitivity and high selectivity.

Applications Include:

Point of care diagnostics, environmental monitoring of pathogens, chemical and gas detection.

A schematic diagram showing the basic components of a biofunctional graphene sensor.

The technology solution takes a low resolution diamond tip and creates a high resolution tip from it- using diamond patterning technology.

Applications Include:

Higher resolution AFM imaging.

Tip processed with diamond patterning technology- high resolution tip.