Case Studies

Barrier layers, used to increase the lifetime of sensitive thin-film products, are currently manufactured in ultra-clean rooms to avoid introducing defects through which water can permeate. These facilities are expensive to maintain, contributing to around 40% of total production costs. To assess the suitability of alternative,...

Positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTCR) ceramics are a type of material which becomes highly resistive when heated beyond a threshold temperature. This behaviour makes PTCR ceramics ideal for use as thermistors in electronic devices and in the heating elements of consumer products such as car window demisters and...

Many photonic technologies require optical components, such as lenses or mirrors, with more complex geometries than traditional spherical systems. High-quality consumer optics such as eyeglasses, cameras and DVD players all use free-form lenses. These lenses offer superior imaging quality over spherical lenses, and a single len...

High-pressure technologies are increasingly being used to create more durable materials in industries such as petrochemical, pharmaceutical and automotive. This is of particular importance in the manufacture of diesel injection fuel systems: improving engine efficiencies to meet new EU vehicle emissions regulations, requires ma...

Dynamic pressure changes involving a near instantaneous shock wave are generated in many applications. For example, during the fuel ignition sequence of an internal combustion engine a rapid increase in pressure occurs from atmospheric to several hundreds of atmospheres. Even more extreme conditions arise when airbags inflate d...

Innovative plastics are increasingly incorporated into car manufacturing and building materials, making products lighter and more cost-efficient. However, plastics deform under stress and over time. This problem is made more complicated as manufacturers recycle old plastics into new products. Blending recycled and raw materials...