Capability
The complete capability
For prospective users of nanomaterials, we offer access to unique leading edge technology capabilities. Once you initiate a project, payment is by the day or project, thus avoiding the risks involved with capital investment and helping to deliver a significant boost to the UK’s nano-technology thrust.
Via the Hub you will be routed to relevant world-class technology and characterisation Providers and introduced to those who may wish to work collaboratively with you. You also gain open access to an array of nanomaterial prototyping capabilities in geographic clusters that assist rapid product commercialisation.
We are continually adding Providers to consolidate the overall capacity of the NanoCentral Network. At launch, the founder Providers have been chosen to span the whole spectrum of commercialisation.
Nanomaterial Synthesis
- Johnson Matthey offers Flame Pyrolysis, presently used to produce relatively low cost nano-particulate metals and metal oxides, for example, fumed silica and ultra fine titanium dioxide. Market investigations indicate this technology could be extended to market sectors including Cosmetics, Coatings and Inks & Plastics. The service offers a small-scale facility for producing products under controlled conditions for feasibility studies.
- QinetiQ Nanomaterials Limited provides Plasma Processing for custom manufacture of nano-particulate metals, metal oxides and metal nitrides. The technology is capable of extension to market sectors including Defence, Pharmaceuticals, Electronics and Catalysis. The service is available for small-scale production of materials for market testing.
Dispersion
- The University of Liverpool supplies High Pressure-High Shear Processing for micro-mixing nano-dispersed liquids and nano-particulate containing slurries. This is an emerging technology whose development will find extensive application particularly in the market sectors of Personal Care and Food. The service delivers stable, highly consistent dispersions, not possible from current mixing techniques.
- Crystallisation (liquid phase processing) is currently used extensively in nanomaterial manufacture, particularly within personal care products and medicines. Its planned inclusion within the NanoCentral network will consolidate and further enhance current UK strength.
- Milling and Dispersion (liquid and solid phase processing) using a wide variety of techniques will be provided for de-agglomeration and dispersion of nano-particulates to form suspensions for forward incorporation into, for example, cosmetics, coatings and foodstuffs.
- Polymer Compounding (solid phase processing) is also a candidate for expanding Network capability. It includes hot melt extrusion, which will permit dispersion in polymers for use in, for example, automotive, architectural and electronics applications.
Applications
Although some application development companies will be Providers already in the Network, most development will be undertaken by Network users. In support of these applications, a cross-section of the plastics industry is on hand at the Wilton Centre offering unique access to applications testing ranging from polyalkyls to polyesters and to polyacrylates. In addition, companies based in the region offer leading edge applications testing in coatings, barrier properties, electronics and catalysis. Thus NanoCentral is exceptionally well placed to promote testing of novel products in application, crucial to the speeding of products to market.
Characterisation
We provide access to an array of world class analytical techniques, including electron microscopy, shear rheology, particle size measurement, molecular spectroscopy and surface characterisation. The ICI Measurement Science Group at the Wilton Centre has developed many innovative interpretative analytical techniques which have found international industrial application. Exploitation of this expertise, combined with innovative process control, provides a unique service within dense phase nano-particulate characterisation. We are also linking with complementary characterisation services from the CEMMNT network.