THE SCIENCE

ENGINEERING &

N E T Wo r k s
T E C H N O LO G Y
MAGAZINE FOR

ISSUE 9
NORTH EAST
ENGLAND

A MORE SPR
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N E T PA R K
ISSN 1753-6677
FOREWORD

NETWorks reports on the very latest science and technology news, putting discoveries
and advances in the context of everyday life - showcasing the North East as a place
of scientific excellence.

It’s all about the appliance of science, engineering and technology.

And, if you ever had any doubts about how important this is in these challenging
economic times, look at how high it is on the UK’s political agenda. Described by the
Prime Minister in his Romanes Lecture at Oxford in February as a “key element of our
path to recovery’’.

And echoed in the words of Lord Mandelson: “Science is not only the ladder by which we
will climb out of the downturn – it is also critical to our success in the upturn.”

We live in a region with an impressive record of innovation, and it is innovation that will
give us a competitive advantage.

So in this issue of NETWorks we focus on sectors in which we have considerable

strengths and which can act as a powerful catalyst for investment and economic recovery
-nanotehcnology, energy, engineering and defence.

These are sectors which already make a significant contribution to the regional economy
and are key components of the region’s economic strategy. Underpinned by a strong
network of regional research and support, scientific and technological advances in these
fields of endeavour can position us to come out of the recession well placed to thrive.

Stewart Watkins
Managing Director, CDDC

NETWorks is published by Distinctive Publishing Ltd, Aidan House,

Sunderland Road, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE8 3HU
Telephone 0191 4788300
Managing Director John Neilson
Creative Director Martin Williamson
For all enquiries including editorial, subscription and
advertising please contact Distinctive Publishing.
With thanks to all our contributors.
NETWorks is supported by NETPark www.uknetpark.net
 E
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06

CONTENTS
24
. AS

04. RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

TRUM

06. POWER TO THE PEOPLE

08. CREATING THE CUTTING EDGE
10. PUSHING FORWARD THE BOUNDARIES OF SCIENCE
W I N N ATI O N A L

12. NANOCENTRAL - OPEN ACCESS FACILITIES

21. NORTH EAST SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTED IN THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS
22. THE DEFENCE SUPPLY CHAIN THATS MAKING A BIG
IMPRESSION
SU

24. ASTRUM WIN NATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN AWARD

P

26. THE EMERGENCE OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION

P LY

28. TAKING WIND POWER FURTHER OFFSHORE

CH

30. TOWARDS A BRIGHTER GREEN FUTURE

AI

33. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN THE CREDIT CRUNCH

N
AW

34. UK’S NATIONAL PRINTABLE ELECTRONICS

AR

TECHNOLOGY CENTRE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

D

2 8 . TA K I N G
WI
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P
O
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FUR
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think M.’s RESULTS
SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
At think M. we are currently working on a number of very
exciting projects which reflect the North East’s creative and FREE BUSINESS AND MARKET
innovative spirit, from super intelligent toy robots, to new
wind tunnel systems for F1 race car design and new chipsets INTELLIGENCE ANYONE?
for leading brand guitar amps.
NETintel provides rapid response business intelligence to the
After three years in business, think M. has grown into a substantial
region’s science, technology and engineering community.
marketing and research consultancy team.
The service provides access to a wide range of intelligence on
‘We specialise in applied research and practical strategy. We now
competitors, suppliers and potential customer markets as well as
have 7 full time marketing and research professionals in the core
scientific papers, technology research and even free Intellectual
team, as well as a number of specialist associates who regularly
Property (IP) searching.
work with us. I think what appeals is our proven track record for
achieving results, not just producing reports. NETintel has been used by a diverse range of businesses since its
- Joanna Curry, MA Senior Marketing Executive launch in October 2008. lovle Ltd used the service to identify open
sources of funding for the ICT sector:
‘We have recently worked on securing a major agreement on behalf of
our client, Weigh-ahead UKENA; for the installation of their machines “The NETintel team were very helpful and quickly identified and
in airports across the UK, which is potentially worth £250,000.’ supplied an extensive dataset of potential investor contacts relevant
- Adam Jones, MA MCIM Channel strategist to our business sector”
- James Burke, lovle Ltd
The intelligent Weigh-ahead systems allow passengers to weigh
their luggage prior to check in, which may result in them avoiding Access to accurate, relevant and timely intelligence enables better
excess luggage charges and problems at check in. informed decisions, giving your company a competitive advantage.
The service is free for NETPark Net members.
‘We simply can’t thank think M. enough. From ‘real’ market
research to support establishing pilot sales, they are truly committed You can join for as little as £99 per year.
and passionate about getting clients to market’
- Managing Director, Weigh-ahead UKENA For further information please visit:
www.uknetpark.net/join
To see if think M. can help your company succeed, call Katie on
0845 838 7372 or email Katie@think-m.co.uk.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE
There always has to be one who puts the telling question,
doesn’t there? And, at the latest NETPark quarterly debate to
examine the energy question, that one is Robin Twizell.
Robin, managing director of Renewable Energy from Agriculture,
asked the panel of august experts gathered to discuss the future of
energy: do they really need, in broad daylight, the lights above their
heads to be switched on?
In fact, this moment of wry amusement neatly encapsulated what
was to be a key theme of the debate: to what extent should we
be looking for top-down, government-led solutions to our energy
problems, and to what extent do the answers lie in our own hands,
by, for example, switching off unnecessary lights?
“It’s a change of everybody’s attitude that’s needed and by the
individual,’’ says Twizell. “There’s too much emphasis put on saying
the government has got to this, or One NorthEast has got to do
that. We are passing on the responsibility, instead of grabbing
hold of some of that responsibility ourselves. If we are interested in
sustainability, I think we have to put our own house in order first.’’
Panel member Professor David Wood, from Durham University’s
School of Engineering, points to one area where individuals can
make a difference.
“Look at where people live and work. Nobody here is flying in from
Russia or Cape Town every day, but you can bet your life that they
would do it if they could. What you have these days is people going
to a centralised place to work and coming in from 20, 30 or 50
miles away, because they can, not because it’s a good idea. You
have to get around to this notion of living close to where you work
because a huge amount of transport energy consumption is spent
effectively going nowhere.’’
Fellow panel member Lyn Miles, chief executive of Romag Holdings,
also supports the idea that individuals can make a difference.
She says: “It’s small, incremental steps that altogether, will make
that giant leap.’’ She also argues that the recession might prompt
people and businesses to find ways of saving energy as they seek
to cut costs.
However, the panel’s chairman, Andrew Mill, chief executive of
NaREC, questions the bottom-up approach, asking whether it is not
the role of government to provide leadership.
Panel member John Barton, director of Renew, Centre for Process
Innovation, says: “I keep hearing there is no leadership, there
is no vision and I think we need a new model, I think the model
of waiting for vision and leadership to come down doesn’t work
anymore, because the political five-year cycle stops people taking
the decisions that need to be taken. I think we are in a position now,
where leadership has to come from the ground up.’’
Audience member Gareth Taylor, chief executive of Evince
Technology, tells the panel he welcomed last year’s hike in oil prices,
because only when people feel the pain of more expensive energy is
there the momentum for change coming from below.
He adds: “One of the big problems we have in the UK is that for
the past 25 years a generation has taken a holiday from putting in
infrastructure, whereas the previous two or three generations built
up the water infrastructure, the electricity infrastructure, the gas
infrastructure and generations took responsibility for putting things
in place but since the privatisation of the 1980s we have taken a
huge holiday.’’
Barton cites a survey which reveals that two thirds of adults don’t
believe climate change will have any impact in their lifetimes and the
problem with government advertising campaigns is that they have
advocated small measures such as changing light bulbs which leads
the public to believe we must only be facing a small problem.
Ged Parker argues the scale of the problem throws into question the
freedoms that people take for granted. He says: “We may have to go
back to something close to a wartime economy where we are directed;
where politicians say this is all you can consume and this or where you
can travel and these are the kind of holidays you can take’’.
Professor Dermot Roddy, Science City professor of energy, Newcastle
University, says that in the UK we may also have to return to a previously
unfashionable idea and grasp the nettle of picking winners.
“Finland will say they’ve got lots of biomass, so will Austria, so they
will major in that and build an industry around it and we will create
jobs. Spain does solar and Germany does a lot of solar and Denmark
does a lot of wind. People are picking things that make sense for their
geography, climate and industrial base and they concentrate on those
and they absolutely do pick winners, but we say as a country we want
to be technology agnostic. The corollary of that is that if we take for
ever to make a decision then, one by one, we miss the economic
boats.’’
All the panel members agree that the technology is available and that
it requires some leadership to make full use of it.
“We are not short of technology, the bits of the jigsaw are all there,’’
says Mr Barton, and Lyn Miles agrees, saying, `the innovation is in
the application.”
There is also strong feeling among the panel that the solution lies in a
mixture of those technologies.
Andrew Mill said: “I don’t think any one technology is going to solve
it, I think we need all the photovoltaics we can get, we are going to
Image: Olafur Eliasson ‘The Weather Project’ Tate Modern
N E T PA R K
need all the wind power we can get, we are going to need all the
wave energy we can get, and we are still going to need nuclear and
coal and that’s a fundamental reality unless we make a fundamental
change to the use of energy.’’
The debate’s various themes: the tension between top-down and
bottom-up action, frustration with perceived lack of leadership, the
availability of a mix of viable technologies in the region, lead the
panel and audience to the idea of making the North East a renewable
energy sustainable lifestyle world leader.
Gareth Taylor explained: “Let’s become world experts in how to
reduce your energy consumption by 35% and create a new economy
based on the fact that we can deliver knowledge and manufacturing
capability that outstrips the rest of the world.’’
Audience member Neil Loxley, managing director of Thermastrate,
takes up the idea, suggesting a programme for the North East to
make itself energy independent.
“That would drive investment in the region,’’ he says. “You start with that
as a long term goal and you can take some bite-size chunks out of it.’’
Lyn Miles agrees, saying the North East has the appetite for such a
project and has all the elements in place, in terms of universities,
research centres, industry, labour force and a regional development
agency which also has the appetite to support it.
“If we can harvest our collective will, we in the North East, above all
regions can make a success of it.’’
She adds: “I’m a bit of an optimist and I’d like to think that no matter
what we believe the negative sides of these things are, we’ve got the
make the effort, we’ve got to try and I believe, if we try hard enough,
we can achieve sustainability.’’
07
PUSHING FORWARD THE
BOUNDARIES OF SCIENCE
Newcastle University has developed an enviable reputation
in Nano-science and technology - leading the way in many
areas of these new and exciting fields in recent years.
Here, head of nanomaterials and electronics Professor Nick Cowern
outlines some of the key research projects under way at Newcastle.
USING THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE TO
GROW SEMICONDUCTOR NANOMATERIALS
The molecule that carries our genetic code - DNA - proves highly
useful when it comes to controlling the growth of inorganic
semiconductor materials such as cadmium sulphide.
At Newcastle we are using the negatively charged DNA to pull
together and bind metal ions which in turn can be reacted with the
appropriate reagent to make a solid.
By controlling this reaction, it is possible to vary the type of growth
- creating either chains of individual nanoparticles or continuous
nanowires.
THE ‘QUANTUM DOTS’
FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY
Silicon nanocrystals are a subject of keen interest for many technology
applications. Newcastle scientists have prepared nanocrystals - also
known as ‘quantum dots’ - by crushing down nanoporous silicon to
a fine powder and coating this with an atomically thin alkyl capping
layer.
Several experimental methods – small-angle x-ray scattering,
transmission electron microscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy
and atomic force microscopy - are used to study the nanocrystals
which are no more than a few atoms across - 2 nm to 0.4 nm.
Scientists Dr Ben Horrocks and Dr Lidija Siller discovered that
these tiny crystals can be evaporated by heating to a temperature
of around 200°C in an ultra-high vacuum environment, and that
the resulting vapour of nanocrystals can be deposited onto various
solid substrates (article in NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2, 486
(2007)). This interesting behaviour provides a more controlled way
to prepare films of quantum-confined silicon structures, opening the
way to a variety of potential applications in industry.
Current research projects are investigating the luminescent,
electronic and structural properties of the nanocrystals, with a view
to utilising them as cellular and genomic probes in biological and
medical applications by attaching them to DNA.
A GOLDEN COATING
Binary nitrides exhibit a remarkable variety of desirable characteristics
such as high melting points, high hardness and a robust chemical
stability which makes them useful coating materials.
Gold is particularly good for the electro-plating of electrical
components due to its high conductivity and robustness in the
ambient atmosphere which is often improved by combining the
parent material with iron, nickel or cobalt.
Gold films incorporating gold nitride are 50 per cent harder than
those without it, so pure gold nitride should provide a greatly
superior material for contact coatings in electronic circuits.
For almost twenty years researchers had tried without success to
synthesize this material until Newcastle scientist Dr Lidija Siller and
colleagues created gold nitride by firing a beam of low-energy
nitrogen ions into a single gold crystal surface with plasma and
reactive ion sputtering.
More recently the process has been simplified by using a nitrogen
plasma treatment, and this new process has been awarded an
international patent.
A DIAMOND OF A GEM
Diamond is a material perhaps more commonly linked with
jewellery than electronics and chemistry. Newcastle University’s
Dr Jonathan Goss explains how a team of electrical engineers
are looking at ways to modify this precious gem to become an
important electrical conductor.
The common perception of diamond is of a hard, inert, heat
resistant, expensive and aesthetically-pleasing rock.
In actual fact it is extremely useful. For instance, diamond conducts
heat much better than most other materials, and its molecular
structure means it is also a highly effective electrical conductor.
Coupled with other properties such as chemical stability, mechanical
hardness and favourable optical properties, diamond has great
promise for the application to electronic devices.
At Newcastle University we are developing state of the art quantum-
chemical simulation software to look at this process in more detail.
Running high-performance parallel-computing systems enables
us to simulate the effect of chemically changing the structure of a
diamond’s surface at a nanomolecular scale.
Although pure diamond is essentially an electrical insulator, the deliberate
addition of impurities such as boron – known as ‘doping’ - enables it to
act as a semiconductor, metal and even a super-conductor.
In addition to this “conventional doping”, hydrogen-terminated diamond
surfaces which have then been exposed to atmospheric conditions have
been seen to exhibit electrical conduction within the surface.
A widely accepted mechanism thought to underpin this phenomenon
is termed transfer doping (TD), where electrons are removed
from the diamond by a molecule on the surface which is highly
electronegative, i.e. it is more attractive to the electrons than the
diamond.
The thermal stability of the conduction via this form of TD is relatively
poor: all you have to do is heat up the diamond to the point that
the water evaporates and the electrical conduction is lost. Hence,
more thermally stable, and more controllable adsorbate systems
have been sought for device applications.
The potential of various systems to produce thermally stable surface
conduction has been greatly informed by quantum-chemical based
theory.
We have shown, for example, that certain organic molecules lead to
surface conduction in diamond just by lying on top of the surface, but
a more advantageous effect would result if the organic species can
be chemically bonded to the surface without significantly affecting
the molecules capacity for removing electrons from the diamond.
The development of surface-based devices has already been
achieved to a degree with the use of the unintentional surface-
conduction, but with the advances made through predictive
simulation techniques, both in terms of the surface TD, and more
widely, the role of diamond in electronics is bound for a bright
future.
11
NanoCentral®
NanoCentral is driving the safe, beneficial and profitable commercialisation of
nanomaterials. We are an alliance of organisations capable of providing access
to a broad range of leading edge technologies, equipment and services.
Nanomaterials are widely forecast to play
an increasingly crucial role in market
sectors as diverse as pharmaceuticals,
plastics, inks, coatings and electronics.
Their use offers enormous potential for
new product innovation.
However the introduction of nanomaterials
is being hampered by a number of issues
including; the need to source a connected
supply chain that covers all the process
steps, concerns about Health & Safety and a
significant number of manufacturers unable to
connect with the marketplace.
NanoCentral was set up in July 2006 to
be the pivotal gateway for nanomaterials,
enabling potential businesses looking to
improve existing products and develop new
products using nanomaterials to connect with
a network of key technology providers. Our
aim is simple, we want to accelerate the safe
commercial use of nanomaterials through
a coordinated and reliable supply chain, so
businesses can maximise profits.
Backed by the Technology Strategy Board, the
Regional Development Agency, One NorthEast
and the Centre for Process Innovation,
NanoCentral is based in the traditional heart
of the science and chemical sector on Teesside
at the Wilton Centre.
Why use NanoCentral ?
In a world where products are becoming
commoditised in many market sectors, it
is getting increasingly difficult to achieve a
competitive advantage.
Nanomaterials offer enormous potential to
add value to brands, reinvigorate products
NanoCentral, the alliance of leading
companies created to unlock the commercial
and societal potential of nanomaterials.
nearing the end of life and create entirely
new products to meet evolving needs. For
manufacturers, nanomaterials can shorten the
production process, saving energy and raw
materials and increase efficiency.
How can you gain these benefits ?
NanoCentral is the portal and the pathway.
As world-class experts in nanomaterials
technology, we can help you to overcome
problems that you are already facing, or assist
you to develop innovative bespoke solutions.
NanoCentral can provide you access to
nanotechnologies from our extensive Alliance
of Providers and help you find solutions to
the issues you have identified. If you need
a new technology to solve your problem,
NanoCentral can introduce you to potential
partners to add expertise and capability to the
development process.
“Our aim is simple, we
want to accelerate the
safe commercial use of
nanomaterials through a
coordinated and reliable
supply chain, so businesses
can maximise profits”
NanoCentral continually capture emerging
technologies from a wide range of sectors and
make these available to you. A key advantage
we offer is access to facilities to create and
test these nanomaterial solutions in a cost-
effective way.
At NanoCentral you can get help from a team
of people with an unmatched combination
of industrial, technological and business
expertise.
If you are excited by the potential of
nanomaterials in products, but are unable to
find the right supply chain, or are frustrated
by the difficulties in developing new products
and getting them to market, NanoCentral can
help.
NanoCentral offer a service that:
n Provides access to a network of providers
spanning the enabling technologies of
Synthesis; Dispersion, Functionalisation &
Formulation; Applications Development
and underpinned by Characterisation and
SHE capabilities.
n Undertakes feasibility, development and
pre-production pilot studies.
n Delivers focused expertise in technology
scale-up.
n Enables the manufacture of quantities of
product sufficient to support market testing.
n Signposts routes to market for nanomaterials
n Promotes and facilitates the creation of
supply chain consortia.
n Advocates the application of nanomaterial
solutions to market needs.
In addition to these services, NanoCentral hosts
an International Conference, NanoMaterials,
in partnership with IntertechPIRA. Now in its
3rd year, NanoMaterials, which is to be held
in Bonn, 16-18 June, continues to go from
strength to strength, this year incorporating a
5th parallel stream on clean technology.
Open Access Facilities
The goal of NanoCentral is to accelerate the commercialisation of products
incorporating nanomaterials for the benefit of industry through “open access”
facilities and capabilities from a Network of Providers.
Intrinsiq Materials Ltd., Farnborough
In 2004 the DTI (now the Technology
Strategy Board, TSB), seeing a strategic
need to accelerate UK involvement in
Micro-Nano Technology (MNT), held an
open competition to set up a national
capability to promote its exploitation.
As a result, a multi-regional alliance
of technology providers is being co-
ordinated by NanoCentral to accelerate
the commercialisation of products
incorporating nanomaterials for the
benefit of industry and society.
NanoCentral does this by providing open
access to facilities and capabilities. Although
there are currently in excess of 30 Network
Providers, at the start of the programme,
four facilities were funded direct from the
programme to provide open access facilities
which are available to organisations carrying
out pre-competitive research and development
on an open access basis by paying an agreed
tariff: The NanoCentral Hub does not charge
for its services. Users benefit from being able to
access leading edge facilities without significant
capital investment and consequential risk,
thereby delivering a significant boost to the
UK’s nano-technology thrust.
The facilies funded through the programme are:
Flame Spray Pyrolysis at Johnson Matthey
Johnson Matthey offering Flame Pyrolysis for
producing relatively low cost nano-particulate
metals and metal oxides, for example fumed
silica and ultra fine titanium dioxide. Market
investigations indicate promising applications
of this technology to markets including
Cosmetics, Coatings and Inks and Plastics.
Intrinsiq Materials Ltd (previously QinetiQ
Nanomaterials Ltd) offering Plasma Processing
presently used for custom manufacture of
nano-particulate metals, metal oxides, metal
nitrides and doped materials relevant to
markets including Defence, Pharmaceuticals,
Electronics and Catalysis.
The University of Liverpool providing High
Pressure-High Shear Processing for micro-
mixing nano-dispersed liquids and nano-
particulate containing slurries, an emerging
technology which will find extensive application
particularly in the market sectors of Personal
Care and Food.
Intertek Measurement Science Group
(formerly ICI MSG) gives access to an array
of world class analytical techniques, including
electron microscopy, shear rheology, particle
size measurement, molecular spectroscopy,
surface characterisation and novel injection Intertek MSG, Wilton
moulding.
13
NanoCentral Alliance Capability
Underpinning
Science
NanoCentral® is an alliance of
organisations capable of providing
access to a broad range of leading edge
technologies, equipment and services
relating to nanomaterials and their
applications.
NanoCentral uniquely provides existing,
potential manufacturers and users of
nanomaterials single point access to an
integrated and comprehensive set of nano-
related capabilities that encompass:
n development of underpinning science
n nanomaterial synthesis
n dispersion, functionalisation & formulation
n application development
n characterisation
n safety, health and environmental
These services can be related to each other
in what is known as the nanomaterials supply
chain.
For a nanomaterial to go from production
to end-use, it typically progresses through
the technology platforms shown in the
supply chain diagram. Underpinning these
technology platforms are characterisation
and SHE.
The biggest barrier to commercialisation has
been the fragmented nature of this supply
chain. Providers tend to specialise in a
particular stage.
NanoCentral is now here to co-ordinate
these activities and enable you to achieve
success through nanomaterials.
Safety, Health & Environment
Characterisation
Dispersion
Functionalisation
Synthesis
& Formulation
Management & Facilitation
Scale Up
Developmennt of Underpinning Science
NanoCentral recognises the crucial role
the academic and research establishments
have to play in underpinning nanomaterial
development, and tries wherever possible
to support research organisations in their
grant applications with funding bodies.
NanoCentral has very close links to many of
the key academic research groups working
with nanomaterials, with members of the
NanoCentral Hub Team sitting on several
EPSRC project committees and Industrial
Advisory Boards.
NanoCentral has very close links with the
NanotechnologyUIC which was a regional
collaboration between the five north-east
universities, the Department of Materials
Science & Metallurgy at The University
of Cambridge, The NanoManufacturing
Institute and Particles CIC at the University
of Leeds, the School of Materials at
Manchester University, Brunel University
Wolfson Centre and the University of
Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Other key contacts are the Micro and Nano
Moulding Centre at Bradford which also
links NanoCentral into the Polymer IRC,
Imperial and Queen Mary’s in London,
Newcastle University, Nottingham University
and Cranfield University.
Many of the establishments listed above
have providers to the NanoCentral Alliance,
which are listed in the subsequent platform
areas.
www.nanocentral.eu
Applications
Development
Nanomaterial Synthesis
Customers need to be able to access to a wide
range of reasonably priced nanomaterials
in quantities appropriate for feasibility and
development programmes. These should be
produced using a number of different processing
techniques, thereby providing customers with
a wide choice of material properties and
characteristics.
Open access to nanomaterial production
processes will encourage customers, previously
dissuaded by high risk and capital cost, to
evaluate nanomaterials as part of their product
offerings.
NanoCentral has engaged with a varied array
of nanomaterials suppliers. Alliance members
providing nanomaterial synthesis are Johnson
Matthey with precious and base metals and metal
oxides, as well as more complex mixed oxides,
from solution precursors through their flame spray
pyrolisis facility, Intrinsiq Materials Ltd producing
metals, metal oxides, carbide and nitride materials
using their Plasma synthesis route, Hosokawa
Micron offer various manufacturing routes for
single or multicomponent systems, high shear
precipitation methods from HARMAN Technology,
NanoGap offer nanomaterials manufactured
via several wet chemical routes, Promethean
Particles utilise super-critical fluid technology,
nanoLake who offer an ever increasing range of
materials in commercial quantities and Buhler
Ltd who offer nanoparticle suspensions through
their PARticleTEChnology solutions.
Flame Spray Pyrolysis at Johnson Matthey
Dispersion, Functionalisation and Formulation
With the exception of a few very specialised
applications, nanomaterials need to be supplied
in a stable form within a carrier which is
compatible with forward processing steps.
The inability of nanomaterial producers
(particularly of smaller ones) to provide end-
users with nanomaterials in a consistent, well
formulated and dispersed form has been a
significant obstacle to the commercialisation of
nanomaterials. We can help you overcome this
barrier by providing access to a varying range
of state-of-the-art dispersing technologies and
know-how.
NanoCentral Alliance members providing
dispersion, functionalisation and formulation
services are the University of Liverpool through
their Ultra Mixing and Processing Facilty (UMPF)
which is an ultra high energy mixing facility
designed to deliver nanomaterials dispersions
and formulations. The UMPF facility was
manufactured by Maelstrom APT who also
provide novel and licensed mixer/dispersion
technology to the Alliance, Imerys Minerals
provide processing and milling facilities over a
wide range of scales, Netzsch Mastermix and
Buhler Ltd who provide bead milling expertise.
Hosokawa Micron provide nanomaterial
dispersion and composite formulation equipment
and services. Fundamental to these areas are
the dispersant technologies supplied by Lubrizol
Advanced Materials which are used to stabilise
the dispersions produced.
15
NanoCentral Alliance Capability
Applications Development
Once nanomaterials have been dispersed and
stablilised, they typically go through further
processing steps such as extrusion, injection
moulding, inkjet printing, spray coating etc.
Nanomaterials behave differently in these
applications, delivering different benefits and
properties.
Currently, there is a lack of open access
applications equipment to provide answers and
to enable the user to characterise the material
before and after processing. Equally important
is to understand the impact of nanomaterials
on applications equipment in terms of handling,
flow, erosion and health & safety.
NanoCentral Alliance members providing
applications development are Macdermid
Autotype who offer plastic film coating facilities
and nano-structured advanced film expertise,
multi-layer coating through HARMAN Technology,
compounding, extrusion and Ceramic processing
provided by Nanoforce, Printed Electronics Ltd
offers commercial access to an industry-leading
inkjet deposition platform capable of producing
multilayered electronic structures with micron-
level accuracy, Brunel University, Wolfson Centre
offer expertise in compounding, extrusion and
composites, polymer electrospinning through
The Electrospinning Company Ltd, high
throughput screening and physical vapour
deposition technology through Ilika Technologies
and printing and ink formulation through Teknek
Ltd.
UMPF Facility, University of Liverpool
Characterisation
The development of new nanomaterials in the
UK is frustrated by difficulties in sourcing well-
characterised raw materials supplied consistently
to specification.
The Network’s characterisation platform is
designed to address this issue. Incremental
development of the Network will involve linking
this platform with other UK centres of expertise
in metrology and characterisation in order to
broaden its scope.
NanoCentral Alliance members providing
characterisation services are Intertek
Measurement Science Group who offer particle
characterisation services through SEM/TEM,
X-ray and PCCS techniques as well as many
other characterisation techniques, CEMMNT,
The Centre of Excellence in Metrology for Micro
and Nano Technologies, provides measurement,
characterisation, analytical and systems
engineering services.
In addition, many of the Alliance Providers can
offer characterisations services in addition to
their main service offer.
This adds to the flexibility of the overall offering
to the user og the network. For example, The
Wolfson Centre can characterise any of the
materials that they work on for a customer.
This is also true for Johnson Matthey, Intrinsiq,
University of Liverpool, Ilika, Promethean,
NanoForce and NanoGap.
www.nanocentral.eu
Safety, Health and Environment WHAT OUR USERS AND PROVIDERS SAY...
Despite science fiction tales of self-replicating
nano machines reducing the planet to grey goo,
there is no widespread public concern about nanoLake, the UK’s leading distributor of commercial nano scale
nanotechnology. However, media interest and powders and dispersions has developed a productive partnership
pressure group attention is understandable and a
necessary part of the governance of science.
with Nanocentral over the last 2 years. By linking into Nanocentral’s
highly developed network of aspiring nano material users,
Public debate on the balance between risks and nanoLake have been able to successfully solve a wide range of UK
benefits needs to take place sooner rather than later. and European industry needs for commercial nano materials into
As yet there is not enough data about the effects of electronic, coatings, cosmetic and polymer markets.
all the available engineered nanomaterials on the
human body and the environment.
- LAKE CHEMICALS
NanoCentral is well placed to help ensure these
uncertainties will be addressed urgently in a
coherent, scientific way through our partnership
with SAFENANO which is operated by the Intitute
of Occupational Medicine and AssuredNano,
Nanoparticle of silica, alumina, zinc oxide etc. are vital for the
which is the first nanomaterials Safety, Health long-term development of our hard-coated film business. It is
& Environment (SHE) Accreditation Scheme exceedingly difficult to formulate nanoparticles for mass production.
featuring annual Compliance Auditing. More on NanoCentral has been vital in establishing a network of those who
AssuredNano can be seen later in this booklet. can supply the particles, disperse them, analyse them and, in our
case, test them in production. Involvement in the network has been
How to interact with NanoCentral
There are a number of ways to interact with the
beneficial to each of the partners and is significantly reducing the
NanoCentral Hub. If you are a potential user of time to market in this important area.
the network, there is a customer section on the
NanoCentral website: www.nanocentral.eu where - MACDERMID
a request form can be completed. Alternatively,
any enquiries can be emailed directly to steve.
devine@nanocentral.eu. We are always happy
to discuss your needs over the telephone. This is
often the most effective way to interact as a greater Being a Germany-based nanomaterials production company, the
understanding of your needs can be gained. collaboration with Nanocentral has been crucial to our marketing
Telephone on 01642 442464. Alternatively,
and networking activities in the U.K. Through their network
please write to:
and series of organised events Nanocentral have helped us
NanoCentral at find customers and partners alike, and have made us aware of
The Centre for Process Innovation production/characterisation facilities which are available to us.
Wilton Centre
Wilton
- MCM
Redcar
TS10 4RF
17
NanoCentral Activity
AssuredNano
NanoCentral has setup and promotes AssuredNano,
the Nanomaterial SHE Accreditation Scheme.
Public debate regarding nanomaterials has been
relatively muted to date. However, some degree
of public disquiet has already been generated
by visions of ‘grey goo’, self replicating nano-
machines or ‘nanobots’ as they have become
known.
As nanomaterials become more ubiquitous in their
application, it can be expected that concerns will
be increasingly voiced regarding the safety of their
manufacture and application. It is vital that such a
debate is conducted on a factual basis underpinned
by sound science.
In addition, it must be seen that industry is treating
potential consumer concerns with all seriousness and
that the health and safety of people manufacturing
and using such products is demonstrably
safeguarded. AssuredNano is designed to provide
a clear signal to all stakeholders that nanomaterial
SHE (Safety, Health & Environment) is taken seriously
by the business holding the Accreditation Mark and
that the business is committed to ensuring that good
current practice will continue to be applied.
AssuredNano will be the first nanomaterial SHE
Accreditation Scheme, which features annual
Compliance Auditing. It will be marketed by
NanoCentral and will draw upon the technical
expertise of one of the world’s most respected
authorities on nanomaterial toxicological risk and
occupational medicine.
The centrepiece of the AssuredNano Accreditation
Scheme is a standard which considers all SHE aspects
associated with a nanomaterial or a nano-enabled
product throughout its lifetime: uniquely, it takes a
genuinely cradle to grave approach. In order to
minimise bureaucracy, the standard is constructed as
a ‘bolt-on’ addition to a business’ pre-existing quality
system, such as ISO 9000:2000. AssuredNano’s
purpose is to promote the demonstrable adoption
of good current practice by those manufacturing,
using or retailing nanomaterials or nanomaterial
containing products.
As such, it will be progressively updated over three
yearly cycles to ensure that the good practice
contained therein reflects continued advances in
nanomaterial SHE knowledge. AssuredNano will
deliver reassurance to other industrial partners in the
supply chain, governmental agencies and the public
in general that good current nanomaterial SHE
practice is being employed by the business holding
the Accreditation Mark.
The key intention of the AssuredNano Accreditation
Scheme is that it must ensure adoption of evolving
good practice, as well as demonstration of an initial
benchmark level of nanomaterial SHE compliance.
To deliver this goal, it will be a requirement that
a registered business is subject to an annual
Compliance Audit. This will be no cosmetic feature:
business’ failing to improve their practices, as well
as those ceasing to maintain good current practice,
will be liable to lose their AssuredNano Accreditation
Mark.
Anyone familiar with nanomaterial SHE will be all
too aware that there is a plethora of initiatives being
pursued: most offer the prospect of recommendations
in two or three year’s time. A delay of this magnitude
will, at best, seriously hamper the adoption of
nano-enabled products. At worst it will ensure that
competitive advantage in the field of nano-enabled
products passes out of Europe to those geographies
with a more pro-active SHE approach.
There are also several service offers being promoted
which replicate parts of the AssuredNano offer.
Some concentrate on regulatory affairs, some on
risk assessment and some on corporate governance
aspects. AssuredNano differs from these service
offers in three ways.
1. AssuredNano is the only nanomaterial SHE
Accreditation Scheme that is all embracing,
covering the entire range of nanomaterial SHE
considerations relevant to a nanomaterial or a
nano-enabled product from cradle to grave.
2. Underpinning the AssuredNano Accreditation
Scheme is the technical expertise provided by
one of the world’s most respected authorities on
nanomaterial SHE and occupational hygiene
issues.
3. AssuredNano is the only Accreditation Scheme
which will be annually audited for compliance,
with a de-registration penalty for non-compliance.
The AssuredNano Accreditation Scheme standard is
now available following beta testing in several high-
profile UK organisations. For more details on the
AssuredNano Scheme please contact:
Dr Keith Robson
t: 07823 553 675
e: keith.robson@nanoktn.com
www.assurednano.com
www.nanocentral.eu
NanoCentral® in action...
NanoCentral sets up MacDermid Autotype in a project
with three technology providers
MacDermid Autotype make high quality coated
films for the European, US and Asian markets.
A typical single product is one million square
metres of a three-layer coated PET film with a 5
micron UV crosslinked hardcoat surface. Typical
applications include touch screens, touch panels
and appliance panels. The hard coat must combine
multiple, sometimes conflicting, functionalities –
toughness, hardness, flexibility, anti-microbial,
anti-static and antismudge. Nanomaterial based
formulations offer good potential for achieving
these properties.
However, MacDermid Autotypes’ early work into the
development of nanoparticle formulations, led them
to draw the conclusion that they should concentrate
on their expertise in running large clean-room
coating machines, and not try to become experts in
nanoparticle dispersions.At this point NanoCentral
was introduced to MacDermid Autotype who were
first sceptical of “another government initiative”
but quickly found that NanoCentral offered real
value. Firstly, NanoCentral conducted an analysis
of organisations offering specific nanoparticles
for sale. Secondly, NanoCentral introduced
MacDermid Autotype to three key technology
Providers from the NanoCentral alliance, Lubrizol
Advanced Materials, Johnson Matthey and ICI
Measurement Science Group.
Lubrizol Advanced Materials expertise lies in
dispersants and dispersion processes. In order
to achieve the full functional benefit and value
from nanomaterials they must be fully dispersed.
This process is a major stumbling block in the
commercialisation of nanomaterials, as it is not
performed effectively in a lot of cases. As materials
are made smaller and smaller their surface area to
volume ratio increases and so do the forces holding
the particles together. This means nanoparticles
are harder to disperse than larger particles of the
same material. Lubrizol Advanced Materials are
now working with MacDermid Autotype and their
material suppliers in improving material dispersion
properties.
One area of interest to the collaborating parties
is to optimize the steric barrier layer for the
nanoparticles to ensure maximum stability in the
dispersion stage, both initially and on storage, and
to give optimum properties in the final application.
Dispersant selection should include the most
appropriate anchor group technology for the
particle surface and also optimize the steric chain
for best compatibility in the binder resin of choice.
The development of reactive dispersants that lock
into the matrix will further improve the physical and
mechanical properties of the final coating surface.
Johnson Matthey are experts in producing
materials. Their NanoCentral offering is a new
flame spray pyrolysis process for the production
of new nanomaterials. MacDermid Autotype are
now working with Johnson Matthey in producing
and evaluating new novel nanomaterials in
their coating formulations. It is also anticipated
that Lubrizol Advanced Materials will contribute
dispersant expertise as the project develops.
Intertek Measurement Science Group are experts
in the measurement and characterisation of
materials. In a recent tour of their laboratories
at the Wilton Centre, Professor Steven Abbott,
Research and Technical Director for MacDermid
Autotype commented on the broad range of
facilities and expertise, “The range of analytical
techniques available here will allow me to measure
and characterise the quality of a nanomaterial
dispersion within my coating matrix, and to measure
the nanomaterials effect on the properties of the
film, such ashardness and scratch resistance”
Professor Abbott commented further that, “The
real benefit of working with NanoCentral is
the opportunity to collaborate with likeminded
organisations. We are all on a steep learning curve,
and cannot afford to work in isolation – if we do, “The real benefit
the take-off of nanoparticle business opportunities
will be painfully slow. Material producers would
of working with
love to ship tonnes of dry powders. NanoCentral is
Dispersion experts would like to sell dispersing
the opportunity to
machines and chemicals. End-users want to buy collaborate with like-
optimally dispersed materials, easy to use, with
guaranteed performance properties. Analytical
minded organisations”
equipment providers want to sell expensive
machine. But it is not going to happen like that
and without an active, honest dialogue, without a
network of expertise that spans the nanomaterial
value chain, no-one will make money from
nanomaterials.”
Professor Abbott conveyed this message when
he spoke at the NanoMaterials07 conference
and exhibition, organised by NanoCentral. The
interactions at the conference helped enlarge
the network of potential providers to MacDermid
Autotype and therefore increased the probability of
mutually-beneficial interactions occuring.
19
The hugely successful NanoMaterials event organised by the partnership of NanoCentral and IntertechPira is moving to mainland Europe in
2009. NanoMaterials09 will take place at the Maritim Bonn Hotel, Germany, 16 - 18 June 2009. With more speakers and fresh content,
NanoMaterials09 is an evolutionary giant stride, providing you with knowledge and contacts required to tap into the emerging and profitable
NORTH EAST SUCCESS
markets convergent with nanomaterials.

Remaining loyal to its conceptual origins, NanoMaterials09 will focus on the commercialisation of nanomaterials, rather than technology and
HIGHLIGHTED IN THE
theoretical benefits. This is its defining principle and what sets it apart from other events - providing practical solutions for practical challenges.

During the event, delegates can browse the exhibition stands and poster sessions as well as hear from and pose questions to nanotechnology
HOUSE OF COMMONS
leaders at the conference. Based on the feedback of last year’s delegates and in order to allow for the breadth of information, the conference THE success of the region’s leading science and technology continue the ongoing development of the most exciting innovation
will be structured into 5 parallel sessions: park has been praised in the House of Commons by hub in the region.”
Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson.
• Printed Electronics NETPark recently received planning consent to build a large-scale,
• Nanocomposites In an Adjournment debate in the House on science and innovation in high-tech prototyping and development facility, making it the first
• Nanobiotech & Consumer Products Sedgefield - outlining how the area has changed in the last 10 years science park in the region capable of housing such a prestigious
• Coatings, Inks & Pigments and how it has grasped the technologies of the future - the North venture.
• Clean Technology East Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield, was described as a
success story and a true centre of excellence in science, technology During the debate, Mr Wilson asked the Rt Hon David Lammy MP,
Alongside these specialised application streams, two morning plenary sessions will address the issues that affect the entire nanomaterials and engineering that will be a key driving force behind the county and Minister of State, how his Department intends to engage with the
industry, such as commercialisation strategies and identifying opportunities for convergence. the regional economy. industry and invited him, or his ministerial colleague Lord Drayson, to
meet representatives from PETEC, the County Durham Development
Heralding a new era of science and innovation for Sedgefield, Mr Company and others to discuss the potential that both PETEC and
Wilson added that NETPark was a key driver in achieving his ambition NETPark offer, and to travel to Sedgefield to see the vision in person.
of ensuring that science and innovation replaces the coal industry in
Who will you hear speak at NanoMaterials09? What did they say about NanoMaterials08? becoming the key industry for the area. He also welcomed the part The Minister replied: “The next six to nine months is going to be very
Dr Peter Kruger, Head of NanoTechnology, Bayer Materials Science ‘I rate this as one of the best conferences I have attended’ NETPark is playing in developing an innovation connector, which will important indeed for SMEs. The opportunity is there to work with the
Dr Jan Sumerel, Manager Biomedical Sciences, Fujifilm Dimatix Dr Trevor Rhodes , HARMAN Technology Ltd help engage local businesses, establish science networks and engage financial institutions to ensure that, particularly in the £200,000 to
Dr Ralf Dumpelman, Head R&D Textiles, Clariant the local community. £2 million range of funding, we make sure that adequate capital is
Johanna Schutz-Widoniak, Technical Manager Merck ‘Well balanced and highly informative’ available.”
Dr Zhihao Yang, President and CTO, Nanomas Moritz Graf zu Eulenburg, Coatema Coating Machinery Mr Wilson went on to describe three of the technologies under
Nico Meyer, Manager R&D Projects, AIXTRON GmbH development at NETPark including The Printable Electronics Mr Wilson concluded his contribution to the debate by saying: “We
Dr. Pascal Pierron, CEO, Ardeje, France Technology Centre (PETEC), the UK’s high-tech national centre for are going through a global economic downturn. One day that will end
Dr Thomas Luchterhandt, Head of Development Group, 3M ESPE ‘Interesting place for networking an initiation of ideas’ the development of the printed electronics industry. and facilities such as NETPark, where the public and private sectors
Prof Arturo Lopez-Quintela, University of Santiago de Compostela Panos Kinigakis, Kraft Foods Inc. have worked together, will stand astride a burgeoning landscape of
...and many more Stewart Watkins, managing director of County Durham Development science and innovation ready to take on the 21st century.
‘Very broad range of the lectures, very interesting programme’ Company, which manages NETPark, said: “We are delighted that
Log onto www.nanomaterials09.com for the updated list! Svetlana Mosheev, Hanita Coatings Phil Wilson has brought the work taking place in the science and “Although clean coal technology should have a future, the coal
innovation sector in County Durham to national attention with this industry in County Durham will never be the same as it used to be,
adjournment debate in the House of Commons. although the principles of compassion and solidarity remain in our
communities. The coal mining era in Sedgefield has ended—may the
“It is important that the county is recognised at a national level and new era of science and innovation in Sedgefield begin.”
we are grateful for the praise Mr Wilson has given to NETPark as we

Above: House of Commons

Maritim Hotel, Bonn Left: Phil Wilson MP talking with

This exclusive conference hotel is situated just a few minutes away from the “Rheinaue park” and government quarter. The university city of Dr Arnab Basu of Kromek on his
Bonn, the Federal Republic’s former capital and gateway to the romantic Rhine gorge, has a number of attractions to offer. Visit its famous recent visit to NETPark.
museums, for example, or climb the legendary mountain of Drachenfels in the Siebengebirge. For golfers, the Driving Range on the roof of
our hotel is surely of particular interest. Far left: Mike Pitkethly of Roar
Particles also at NETPark

NanoMaterials09 is THE event to attend for anyone involved in any part of the ‘nanomaterials’
supply chain. For more up-to-date information please take a look at www.nanomaterials09.com
21
Royal Airforce AWAC Surveillance Aircraft
THE DEFENCE SUPPLY CHAIN
THAT’S MAKING A BIG IMPRESSION
At the end of last month, two Government ministers and top
executives from the biggest defence contractors in the world
spoke to a conference of over 250 people in Newcastle.
They hadn’t collectively fallen in love with England’s most northerly
region. They came because they recognise that there is a formidable
supply chain organisation that has developed up here over the last
few years. It’s known as NDI.
NDI is Northern Defence Industries, a network of nearly 200 small
and medium sized companies specialising in defence, aerospace
and high tech engineering.
But increasingly the ‘N’ is standing for ‘national’. Although the North
East, Yorkshire and Humberside are still the NDI heartland, 46% of
the membership is located outside of these areas. And NDI has
global partners too - many of the major suppliers to the UK Ministry
of Defence and defence ministries elsewhere around the world.
NDI is a membership organisation dedicated to helping companies
boost their business. It does this through networking; building supply
chain relationships with prime contractors; helping companies come
together to exhibit at the UK’s biggest exhibitions (Farnborough
NDI Managing Director Robin Fox (Right)
and Chairman David Bowles (Left)
Air Show in even numbered years and Defence Systems Exhibition
International, at the Docklands in London, in odd numbered years
like 2009); acting as their voice; and helping them improve their
business through quality schemes.
The Annual Conference - taking a five year look at the place of
SMEs in the defence supply chain - was a good example of how
NDI works. As well as the two day long conference, there was a
mini-exhibition and the event was rounded off with “meet the buyer”
sessions which enabled attending SMEs to have one to one detailed
talks with senior executives of the contractors who are their potential
customers.
NDI is led by Robin Fox, who was recently appointed Managing
Director. He’s no desk bound bureaucrat though - in his spare time,
he’s a Colonel in the Territorial Army, and he spent last Christmas in
Afghanistan helping to plan a major base for UK troops.
“We are proud of the expertise and experience that our member
companies offer the defence industry in this country and elsewhere,”
he said “and we are delighted at the seals of approval we continue
to get from the Government, the defence civil service and the
customers.”
REGIONAL HIGH TECH COMPANIES
INVESTING AND SUCCEEDING
Astrum of Stanhope, Co Durham
Astrum has been chosen by VSS to supply its innovative solution to
secure their seating system in place, known as Twistlock, for an
export contract.
British company VSS has beaten European competition to win a
two-year contract to fit the Finnish Defence Force fleet of over 700
vehicles with its Roll Over Protection System frame seating system.
The VSS system is supplied as 4 seat modules with a unique lock
down mechanism for quick installation.
Altec of Bowburn, Co Durham
Top defence executive John Smurthwaite has joined Altec
Engineering Limited from Cobham PLC to lead the Defence Business
Development Team.
John will seek to secure Altec’s leading position in the competition
for the Warrior LIP Gun Programme in particular around the
ammunition in-feed and spent case exit systems which Alstec is
developing.
Petards Joyce-Loebl, Team Valley, Gateshead
Petards Joyce-Loebl has won a contract to supply spares to help
The FV510 Warrior tracked armoured vehicle
maintain the Royal Air Force’s Sentry-View 20 display equipment
installed on its AWACS aircraft.
Sentry-View 20 system was developed by Petards Joyce-Loebl as
a high performance TFT-LCD display unit, specifically designed to
interface with the E-3D Sentry radar console graphics system.
The latest contract, worth almost quarter of a million pounds, will see
Petards Joyce-Loebl continue to supply spare parts for the system for
the next three years and follows a similar French Air Force support
contract for their Sentry-View 20 systems.
Connor Solutions of Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear
Connor Solutions, the UK’s second largest privately held electronic
manufacturing services provider, has invested in broadening the
range of its technology. The aim is to provide greater product quality
and efficiency in order to meet customer specifications consistently.
To oversee the quality process, the company has also invested in
Q-Pulse, an electronic based tool designed to control the company’s
quality management system. It will modernise current methods away
from a paper based regime to ensure that all records are more
accurate, and processes are more effective and reliable.
Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
23
ASTRUM WIN NATIONAL
SUPPLY CHAIN AWARD
Astrum (UK) Limited, based in Stanhope, County Durham,
specialising in the manufacture of track systems and running
gear for armoured fighting vehicles and cast steel products
has become the first UK non aerospace Company to win a
prestigious National Supply Chain Award.
Initiated by the SBAC in 2006, Supply Chain for the Twenty First
Century (SC21) is a change programme which aims to accelerate
the competitiveness of the UK’s defence and aerospace industry
by raising the performance of the supply chain. To date over 400
companies have signed up to the programme including the UK
Government’s Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems but only a
handful of companies have achieved award status, making Astrum’s
achievement even more significant.
Participating SC21 companies sign up to a formal recognition process
which reflects their contribution and commitment of their supply
chain. Organisations achieving and maintaining agreed criteria in
terms of delivery, quality, sustainable improvement and the associated
continuous improvement frameworks (business and manufacturing
excellence) receive recognition in the form of an award sponsored by
a SC21 founder company, in Astrum’s case this was BAE Systems.
Achieving supply chain improvement is critical to the continued
competitiveness of the UK aerospace and defence industry and
SC21 aims to accelerate the process. With international competition
increasing, the participation of companies of all sizes throughout
the UK supply chain is crucial to delivering real results from this
modernisation programme.
Phil Kite, Managing Director of Astrum (UK) Limited, said:
“Signing up to SC21 was a very straightforward decision for Astrum.
We initiated our continuous improvement programme in 2005 and
taking part in SC21, which recognises the importance of best practice
throughout supply chain, reinforces Astrum’s own commitment to
offering its customers the best quality, service and delivery.
“Being one of only a handful of companies and the first land systems
company, sponsored by BAE Systems, to win a SC21 award is special
and we are confident that this recognition will enable us to access
potential new customers. Being joined in the programme by the
Ministry of Defence, who signed up in 2008, shows the significance
of the initiative.”
Steve Langsford, BAE Systems, Global Combat Systems,
Procurement Director, said:
“BAE Systems continues to make good progress with its procurement
transformation within the Weapons & Vehicles business, and is
making significant improvements in supply chain efficiencies,
particularly with the work undertaken on SC21 with Astrum.
We appreciated that a good, cooperative business relationship existed
which was evidenced by responsive communications, performance
and solution development, which already provided BAE Systems,
Astrum and the UK MoD with a good supply chain relationship. The
work which has been undertaken with, and commitment to, SC21 is
enabling us to build upon this further for our futures. I am extremely
pleased with the progress we are all making, and am delighted with
the achievement of Bronze accreditation, which represents the first
accreditation sponsored by BAE Systems.”
Neal Dobby, BAE Systems Land Systems SC21 champion
added:
“Astrum is a key supplier to both BAE Systems and the UK MoD and
following SC21 activities jointly undertaken with the UK MoD, Astrum
has produced and delivered a Continuous Sustainable Improvement
Plan (CSIP), comprising key criteria which has been reviewed and agreed
against SC21 criteria, which enabled BAE Systems to make a formal
submission to the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) for
independent review aiming for formal accreditation to SC21. SBAC has
confirmed Astrum will be receiving a SC21 Bronze award which will be
presented at the next Task Force meeting on the 9th December.”
Gary Wade, Directorate of Supplier Relations, Ministry of
Defence said:
“‘The 21st Century Supply Chain programme, to which the Ministry
of Defence became a signatory in July 2008, makes a significant
contribution to increasing the competitiveness of the UK aerospace
and defence industry at all levels. We welcome all companies’
engagement with the programme and acknowledge the effort and
commitment demonstrated by Astrum (UK) Ltd in achieving this
award and the support provided by BAE Systems.”
Robin Fox, Managing Director of NDI said:
“This is a tremendous achievement for Astrum who is an important
and valuable member of NDI. It is particularly significant that
Astrum are the first non aerospace supplier to successfully undertake
the process as this demonstrates that the principles and practices
that underpin SC21 are applicable to all suppliers in the defence
industry.”
Russ Armitage, Chairman of SC21, said:
“The future of the UK aerospace and defence industry depends
on having an efficient supply chain if we are to remain globally
competitive. I believe that SC21 is the way to achieve that.”
www.astrum.uk.com
25
THE EMERGENCE OF
DISTRIBUTED GENERATION…
Distributed energy (DE) systems generate electricity and heat
near to the end user, and their increased future deployment
in the UK will play a major role in helping to address climate
change and ensure security of energy supplies.
Devices incorporate one or more renewable or traditional energy
generators devices, and may or may not be connected to the
distribution network to complement the existing centralised supply.
DE systems offer potential cost savings and avoid some electrical
grid network issues.
…DELIVERING LOW
CARBON SOLUTIONS
With the rising price of fossil fuels and the introduction of
carbon reduction credits and feed-in tariffs expected in 2010,
the case for Combine Heat and Power (CHP) has never been
greater -
n For business - high energy efficiency levels cut energy costs
n For community heating schemes - provision of affordable warmth
and cheaper electricity from a secure and local source
n For climate change - a substantial reduction in carbon emissions
CHP can be applied to meet large industrial demand (typically up
to 2 MW), or in smaller residential applications (micro schemes up
to 50kW), for users looking for a more efficient, less expensive, and
greener way to power and heat their buildings.
A range of technologies can be installed depending on the site
requirements using natural gas, biomass or biofuel feedstock.
NaREC is in a unique position to offer independent solutions based
on hands-on experience of testing in the laboratory and in real live
practical installations for small wind turbines; air source heat pumps;
ground source heat pumps; solar PV; solar thermal; biofuels; Micro
CHP; and energy storage devices.
Our specialist technical and engineering consultants work with
developers of technologies to speed up the process towards
commercialisation; and with business and residential end users to
inform and install effective site solutions, which reduce energy costs
and environmental impact.
A collaboration between NaREC and North-East based electrical
specialists Engineering Support Partnerships (ESP), UK Sustainable
Energy (UKSE) can find the optimum solution for your site and manages
the complete process from the initial site investigation right through to
the installation and management of a recommended solution.
The user not only benefits from the increased energy performance
and reduced environmental impact from an integrated CHP System,
but will also receive a share of the energy costs savings each year
in operation.
For local authorities, housing trusts and care providers looking to
make improvements to the energy efficiency of older residential
stock, UKSE is able to construct ESCo arrangements which spread
the cost of a new CHP installation over the course of its lifetime.
www.uk-se.com
TAKING WIND POWER
FURTHER OFFSHORE…
The rapid development of offshore wind capacity is central
to the delivery of the UK’s share of the EU target of 20 per
cent renewable energy by 2020. In March 2009, developers
submitted their proposals to the Crown Estate for the Round 3
offshore wind programme, which could see the delivery of up
to 25GW of new generation around the UK by 2020.
NaREC is already supporting wind turbine manufacturers around the
world in the testing and development of their next generation wind
turbine blades, and is working on proposals designed to prepare
the industry for major growth in very large capacity turbines – giving
manufacturers the expertise and resource to develop and test new
systems, and the supply chain the opportunity to adapt to bigger,
more challenging technology.
The vast, remote sites envisaged in Round 3 will require much
bigger machines, able to cope with the harsh offshore environment.
To date, offshore turbines have been based upon onshore turbine
technology with minor adaptations for the offshore environment.
Reliability and performance of these turbines has therefore been
similar to that onshore, but with added problems due to obtaining
access offshore.
Although failure onshore can be costly, repairs are much easier to
organise than with an offshore site. The costs and long-term set
ACCELERATING ENERGY
TECHNOLOGIES
backs due to any wide, systemic failure of turbines at sea are almost As an internationally recognised and independent R&D, testing Based in North East England, the organisation is also playing a leading
unimaginable and may well terminally cripple the developing and verification centre for energy technologies, NaREC offers part in the regeneration of the region’s energy economy, creating
market. a unique proposition to the energy sector and provides the tangible and sustainable benefits for businesses and communities
highest industry standards of accreditation for developers of alike. NaREC attracts new companies to the region, and supports
The number of turbines required for the UK’s Round 3 targets is renewable, offshore and grid technologies. existing business looking to diversify to take full advantage of the
staggeringly large – over 5000 turbines with capacities in the 3 economic benefits to be had from the energy industry.
– 5MW range will be needed. Over 800 turbines alone could be Utilising a dedicated team of specialist technical and engineering
deployed in the largest site in the North Sea, 150km off the North consultants, the company is renowned for its role in stimulating NaREC’s focus is on four key market sectors - offshore wind, marine
East coast. If farms on such scale are to be deployed, then the innovation in the energy field, working with developers of renewables, electrical networks and distributed generation.
transfer of offshore industry and know-how will be vital. technologies from across the world to enhance their product
and market propositions, and speed up the process towards www.narec.co.uk
It is not just the number of turbines required that needs accelerating commercialisation and field deployment.
– the rate at which they are installed needs to increase by an order
of magnitude. To date the UK has installed around 200MW a
year offshore. This needs a 10-fold increase, to over 2,000MW a
year – a very significant challenge, considering that Round 3 sites
will be further from shore and in deeper water than is currently
undertaken.
These sites will require long term O&M support as well as the
initial build out. They will offer opportunities to manufacturing,
engineering, ports and marine operators. As the focus of technology
development and supply chain support shifts from onshore farms to
the offshore environment then this presents opportunities for those
with the skills to enter the market.
29
TOWARDS A BRIGHTER
GREEN FUTURE…
In March 2007 Dr Geoff Williams and his team embarked on
a major 3 year project to revolutionise the lighting industry…..
Project TOPLESS! This programme is now two thirds through
and is more than achieving the original targets set….this being
due to the excellent collaboration between Thorn Lighting,
in Spennymoor, the Department of Physics and Chemistry in
the University of Durham and Cambridge Display Technology
(CDT).
In the global lighting industry, a technological battle is shaping up
that will have a profound impact on the way we illuminate our lives.
Giants from the across the market, including Lumiotec, Philips and
Zumtobel, are striving to produce the next generation light sources
– and they are using very different methods to meet their end goal
of organic solid state lighting product.
Dr Geoff Williams of Thorn Lighting, a subsidiary of Zumtobel, is
the creator and leader of Project TOPLESS (Thin Organic Polymeric
Light Emitting Semiconductor Surfaces) and his team is working
to produce a single polymeric material that will emit white light.
This material will then be printed on to glass substrates, in a similar
fashion to applying paint to a surface with a roller. Although the
printed layer thickness is only 50 nanometers.
In layman’s terms, it is an ultra-thin sheet of plastic that is only
1/2000th the width of a human hair, topped with a conductive
layer which, and when electricity is passed through it, is capable of
producing high quality white light similar to daylight.
Thorn, based in Spennymoor, County Durham, is the UK’s largest
lighting manufacturer and Dr Williams has teamed up with the best
the UK has to offer, photonics research experts Prof Andy Monkman
from Durham University and polymer material expert Dr Scott Brown
of CDT (founded by those who discovered light emitting polymers
back in 1989).
As with all emerging technologies, the ability to turn exciting
laboratory developments in to commercially viable products is the
key. It has to be reliable, scalable and produced at a price consumers
are prepared to pay.
Topless is now at the stage where it is ready to start stepping out of
the lab and into the manufacturing plant, but this may take a little
while to happen. Dr Williams explains: “Unfortunately, we do not yet
have the capability to do small volume manufacturing production.
However, processes are underway to raise the necessary funding for
the pilot manufacturing phase. But at the same time not losing sight
of the continued fundamental material research required to take the
technology to the next level and beyond.
“It really is an exciting time in this technology platform and it is
equally exciting for County Durham, especially when we consider if
this technology is integrated with other local emerging technologies
a complete platform based on non-metered (off-grid) lighting can
be realised.” Dr Williams added.
Efforts to begin small-scale manufacturing have been greatly helped
by the completion of the Printable Electronics Technology Centre
(PETEC) at the North East Technology Park (NETPark). The £9.5M
facility is one of only four centres worldwide with the capability to
provide prototype manufacturing for printable electronics.
In terms of volume, Zumtobel will be looking to produce up to
9000 square metres of solid state lighting per year by 2012. This
production is expected to multiply exponentially to three to six million
square metres a year in a high volume production facility by 2016.
However, we must learn to crawl before walking, but Dr Williams
anticipates small scale production will start within the next 18 months
and expects reasonable volume manufacturing to be a possibility by
the start of 2012.
In addition to plans to begin small-scale manufacturing, Dr
Williams’s team is also looking at alternative metals that it can use
to replace indium tin oxide, a transparent conductive coating used
in displays and other applications that is becoming an increasingly
scarce resource. Project Topless is working with glass manufacturer
Pilkington to discover alternative metals that will give enhanced
performance. Pilkington will become an important project partner in
the next phase of Topless….TOPDRAWER (Thin Organic Prototypes,
Design, Research With Enduser Recognisation), and will throughout
the next phase research new glass compositions to enhance device
performance.
For a man who is North East born and bred, the technological
innovation that is occurring close to the place where Joseph Swan
first demonstrated his electric lightbulb is deeply satisfying for Dr
Williams.
He says: “We are striving to bring a high-technology manufacturing
base into a region which has a strong innovation heritage, and with
the intention of staying. We are basically turning the wheel. Instead
of manufacturing going offshore to low wage countries there is an
opportunity to set up successful new manufacturing technologies
here in the UK.”
To commemorate the 130th anniversary of Swan’s first lamp
demonstration, Dr Williams, in conjunction with other local key
innovators, gave a presentation at Hardwick Hall in December
2008, and introduced a desk lamp based on his technology.
This was presented with a model of Swan’s original lamp…..two
technologies separated by 130 years and both from within 30miles
of one another!!
Presently Dr Williams is working closely with senior national
politicians, BERR, County Durham Development Company (CDDC)
– which manages NETPark on behalf of Durham County Council
and Nigel Perry CEO of CPI to support TOPDRAWER’s presence in
the North East of England. Dr Williams has already had commercial
discussions with BAA, the NHS and MITIE regarding developing
solutions to reduce their carbon footprint
Therefore there is a strong argument for such investment in the
complete supply chain and all UK based! The environment has
become a main staple of the political agenda rather than the fringe
issue it once was. Artificial lighting accounts for between 20-25% of
all electricity consumption and the work Topless is conducting has
the ability to reduce that consumption, especially with key dates of
2016 and 2020 beckoning.
Furthermore, the light emitting polymer is incredibly long-lasting
and a single kilogram of active material is capable of coating ten
thousand square metres of device…..two rugby pitches! And the
devices are completely recyclable, return directly to the glass furnace
at end of life, no land fill from these luminaries.
The overall environmental impact of this is clear. Not only will it
reduce energy consumption, it will also reduce waste, cut packaging
and shrink the carbon footprint of companies.
All told, the technological advances being made in County Durham
are setting pulses racing for experts in the field. The added frisson
of competition only heightens that excitement and is attracting
international recognition. Dr Williams has been invited to attend
international conferences in Korea and Taiwan in the coming months
as a technical expert in this amazing sector. He has just returned from
informing an American audience of his team’s excellent progress.
It is fair to say that Project Topless is in incredible shape and, with
the national and regional support and world-leading developments
such as PETEC, it is on course to transform the way we light our lives
in the future.
31
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
IN THE CREDIT CRUNCH®
In 2008 the UK Trade Marks Registry received a number of
applications to register trade marks that included the words
“CREDIT CRUNCH”. The goods varied from potato crisps,
chocolate bars and beer, to travel services!
Whilst these applications may in themselves be trivial, what they
represent, i.e. securing intellectual property rights during a recession
is worthy of deeper consideration.
The owner of an intellectual property (IP) right enjoys a limited
monopoly. In times of economic uncertainty the ability to exclude
competitors from a market place can be of considerable value.
However, through the judicious use of IP rights business owners
can not only protect against competition through the downturn,
but can place their businesses in a better position, relative to their
competitors, to exploit the upturn when it arrives.
The recession may also present opportunities that do not arise in
periods of economic boom. For example:
n Failing businesses provide opportunities to acquire valuable
intellectual property portfolios.
n Competitors may be filing fewer patent applications, resulting
in the market place becoming more open, and potentially making
it easier to obtain patent protection for improvements to existing
products, and allowing those businesses filing patent applications to
strengthen their relative positions.
n Infringers who may have fought court action may be more likely
to settle purely because of the costs involved.
Undoubtedly though, many businesses will be looking for ways to
make cost savings and intellectual property budgets need to be
scrutinised as carefully as other budgets.
systems are available to reduce these burdens. They also have
the added benefit of allowing management to see quickly what
intellectual property rights are owned.
n Consider whether you are receiving value for money from
intellectual property service providers and look for innovative ways
to reduce costs.
n An internal review can identify those areas that add most value to
the business and are worth pursuing. For new filings, it is important
to consider which ideas are worth protecting and in which particular
strategic markets.
n There are ways of making money from existing intellectual assets,
such as licensing or selling patents to others. Now may be a good
time to explore those opportunities.
It is those companies who invest in product development and protect
that development with intellectual property rights now, who will be in
the strongest position when the economy takes off again.
Written by Juliet Scullion and Dominic Elsworth of Hargreaves
Elsworth Patent Attorneys.
Hargreaves Elsworth Patent Attorneys is an independent firm having
particular expertise in developing IP strategies and managing IP
more efficiently, with three of its members having formerly run in-
house intellectual property departments at AGCO Corporation,
Mayborn Group and ICI. For information please contact Dominic
Elsworth on 0191 211 1974.
delsworth@heip.co.uk

However, failing to protect intellectual assets (patenting ideas or

registering designs and trade marks) during an economic downturn
could leave businesses vulnerable and unable to retain market
share when the economy eventually picks up.

Rather than holding back on protection of IP in new products,

businesses should review the performance of their current IP
strategies and management systems.

It is possible to continue to protect current and new IP assets - but

at lower cost. The following suggestions are just some of the ways in
which to manage your company’s IP spend:
n Sort out an IP strategy for your company and follow it, rather than
dealing with matters on an ad hoc basis. Developing a strategy
will allow costs to be better forecast and controlled. An intellectual
property strategy would consider many factors including the countries
where intellectual property should be protected. Getting this one
aspect of strategy right can save huge sums of money.
n Sometimes it is not the actual cost of protecting IP rights that is
the problem, but when that money must be expended. If this is the
issue, consider how the system can be used to defer costs, even if
that means ultimately paying more.
n Could the internal management of your company’s IP be
improved? Is significant staff time and other resource being devoted
simply to dealing with intellectual property rights? This can easily
happen, even with an IP portfolio of modest size. Management

33
UK’S NATIONAL PRINTABLE
ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY
CENTRE OPEN FOR BUSINESS
March 2009 marked the international launch of PETEC, the
UK’s national Printable Electronics Technology Centre, at the
North East Technology Park (NETPark).
PETEC‘s expertise and equipment in the field of Printable Electronics
delivers design, development and prototyping services and facilities
to its customers. The field of printable electronics offers companies a
high-yield, low-cost manufacturing technology applicable to a wide
variety of applications.
Tom Taylor, director of PETEC, said: “The UK has a well established
competence in research in printable electronics whereas PETEC’s
focus is in accelerating the commercialisation of these products
through the production processes and solving technology issues that
companies face in developing new products.
“PETEC offers experience, knowledge, and the appropriate
infrastructure to support customers in this emerging global
market.“
The Centre, a division of the Centre for Process Innovation Limited
(CPI), connects innovators in research with commercial activity using
proof of concept devices and pilot scale manufacture. The Centre
helps clients identify the materials, industrial steps and investments
required to bring products to market quickly.
PETEC’s initial focus is in displays, where there is already commercial
pressure to produce larger area displays that are more efficient and
at lower cost. With the emergence of new formats such as E-paper,
OLED Displays and LCD on flexible substrates, the potential for
printable electronics to make an impact is vast.
Other near term markets for PETEC’s customers include Solid
State Lighting and Organic Photovoltaics. The Centre is geared to
help companies address the various materials performance and
processing challenges in these emerging markets.
Richard Kirk, CEO of Polyphotonix, an OLED lighting company
building its first production line at PETEC, commented: “PETEC has
been pivotal to the creation of PolyPhotonix. Without access to the
facilities, management expertise and experience it would have been
prohibitively expensive. The ability to work quickly and effectively is
crucial in this fast moving technology environment.”
PETEC is already attracting customers from the UK and internationally,
from Start-Ups & SMEs to multinational blue chip organizations.
Its aim is to secure the UK’s manufacturing reputation in this field
by training the next generation of PR engineers and providing a
valuable contribution to the UK economy. PETEC’s presence will The PETEC launch was chaired by Lord Alec Broers, who received a peerage
consolidate national and international resources into efficient supply in 2004 in recognition of his contributions to engineering and higher
chains. education. Lord Broers also chaired the House of Lords Select Committee
for Science and Technology from 2004-2007.
With a strong internationally recognized team of experts, PETEC is
already gaining a reputation for its creative approach and ability to Attracting global leaders across the field of Printed Electronics, including 60
break new ground in prototype production. members of the International Organic Electronics Association, the launch
featured a programme of keynote lectures by distinguished speakers
www.ukpetec.com from the UK, Korea, Japan and Europe, supported by demonstrations of
prototype work from innovative companies.
35