May 2009 CPI launches PETEC A novel

May 2009
CPI launches PETEC A novel Biosource programme at the NIBF CPI harnesses sustainable energy
Diagnosing DVT Success through nanomaterials ALD – Nanotechnology for high value coatings
Welcome to The Oracle
Welcome to The Oracle. In the time since the
last edition, much has happened here at CPI.
We have launched and continue to manage
a number of national facilities which provide
companies with access to state of the art
facilities and a highly experienced team and
knowledge base.
In this edition we are able to showcase a number
of key achievements which we have made over
the past few months.
March marked the international launch of
PETEC, the UK’s national Printable Electronics
Centre. We attracted over 200 global leaders
to the event which was officially opened by
Lord Peter Mandelson and chaired by Lord Alec
Broers. Lord Mandelson commented that PETEC
will help to secure the UK’s position as a global
leader in plastic electronics.
CPI’s National Industrial Biotechnology Facility
(NIBF), based at the Wilton Centre, is being
enhanced through the novel BioSource
programme. NIBF’s unique open access facility
is set to play a significant role in the UK’s
chemical industry with industrial biotechnology
set to challenge many conventional chemical
processing routes.
Through its experienced team and first class
facilities, our Low Carbon Energy
Development Centre offers technical
support and equipment to companies,
allowing them to handle, test and
develop new fuel cell technologies.
The process sector is now worth £70bn to
the nation’s economy and is the UK’s fastest
growing industry with the North East region’s
contribution comprising 25 per cent of this
national total.
CPI drives market led innovation within the UK
process industry and we bring together market
‘pull’ from industry with technology ‘push’ from
academia to translate scientific research into
commercial reality.
We continue to make great progress toward our
vision of being a world class centre of innovation
for the process industry, stimulating a more
innovative, sustainable and competitive sector
by reducing the risks associated with innovation,
allowing businesses to take advantage of
growing international demand.
We are going through a period of great
economic change and uncertainty – and CPI
is not immune. Companies who survive these
troubled times will be those who adopt and
adapt, increasing their rate of innovation to find
new products and new processes. CPI’s role is
more important than ever and it is critical that
we succeed. Becoming a world class centre of
innovation is absolutely vital for the North East
and the UK to compete successfully in the new
and emerging technologies across the globe.
Nigel Perry
CEO, The Centre for Process Innovation
CPI launches PETEC: the UK’s national
Printable Electronics Technology Centre
The Centre for Process Innovation launched the UK’s national Printable Electronics Technology Centre,
PETEC, on the 17th March 2009.
The Centre, connects innovators in research with commercial
activity using proof of concept devices and pilot scale manufacture
and helps clients identify the materials, industrial steps and
investments required to bring products to market quickly.
Tom Taylor, Director of PETEC, commented “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.“
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. With a strong internationally
recognised team of experts, PETEC is already gaining a reputation
for its creative approach and ability to break new ground in
prototype production.
What we offer:
Facilities include 1000m2+ of cleanroom and laboratory space,
housing an impressive range of equipment including:
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R&D laboratory for investigations to 100mm scale for rigid
and flexible substrates
300mm wide R2R prototyping and processing facility in class 1000 cleanroom: lithography, subtractive patterning e.g.
plasma etch, laser ablation, encapsulation
additive patterning equipment e.g. Litrex IJ printer, flexo
lab and continuous in line DC/ RF magnetron sputterer for metal and metal oxide deposition onto 400mm web up to 20m/min in class 1000 environment
fully equipped materials preparation and formulation lab
state of art measurement and characterization equipment e.g. surface profilometer, Kelvin probe, semi auto probe station, customized informatics software
This range of equipment allows testing, prototyping and pilot
manufacturing to be carried out confidentially in one facility.
For further information visit www.ukpetec.com or contact Rosanne Binnie at [email protected]
The Oracle May 2009 – 3
Creating new horizons for the UK’s
industrial biotechnology facility
The Centre for Process Innovation is currently working to enhance the prestigious National Industrial
Biotechnology Facility (NIBF) through the novel BioSource programme.
Launched in 2007, the £12m National Industrial Biotechnology
Facility is a state of the art process development house which
through its partnership with CoEBio3 provides a unique gene to
kilo service for industrial biotechnologists. BioSource will allow
enhancements in the facility such as two 15L steam-in-place
fermenters, a photobioreactor and other equipment for the growth
of algae, a high speed centrifuge and additional analytical capability.
At pilot scale, additions include pre-processing equipment
for wet and dry biomass and membrane and filtration
equipment for down stream processing.
NIBF’s unique open access facility, featuring an
integrated ‘plug and play’ design (a range of
skid-mounted equipment that can be connected up
to suit the projects and customers requirements)
and unique gene-to-kilo service, is set to play a
significant role in the UK’s chemical industry with
industrial biotechnology set to challenge many
conventional chemical processing routes.
The NIBF team can produce trial quantities of your product, walk
you through the scale up of your process and give you detailed real
time information on the fermentation. CPI aims to provide proof of
concept for you to apply for further funding or provide you with
quantities of your product for you to take away and further develop.
Recent case studies of companies who have utilised the NIBF can
be viewed at www.uk-cpi.com.
What we offer:
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2 x 1000 litre fermentors.
Online PAT to tell you exactly what’s happening within
your fermentation – as it happens!
Unique plug and play DSP
New pre-processing options.
Development labs to 10 litre scale.
Marine fermentation capability.
Novel bioreactor design, build and optimisation.
Dedicated 50 litre solvent facility and integrated chemical processing capacity.
Consultancy services and process packages.
If you need a passionate, intelligent and flexible
partner for your scale up, who can add value
through innovation, then please contact Chris Bell
or Sophie Walton at [email protected]
4 – The Oracle May 2009
Green Biologics Limited: utilising CPI’s
National Industrial Biotechnology Facility
Green Biologics Limited (GBL) is an industrial biotech company based in Oxfordshire aiming to become
the world’s leading supplier of advanced fermentation technologies for conversion of biomass to
renewable fuels and chemicals. The primary activity is to provide process technology for the production
of butanol, a high-value chemical and which also holds great promise as an advanced biofuel.
GBL exploits both its Clostridia culture collection and nonconventional microbes from high temperature environments.
Thermophilic microbes and thermostable enzymes are robust, faster,
more effective and cheaper than conventional microbes operating
at ambient temperatures. GBL’s technology platform is based on a
unique proprietary collection of anaerobes and thermophiles together
with the skills for metabolic pathway engineering and fermentation.
The project
GBL asked CPI to perform distillation seperations on
fermentation broth from one of their
proprietary processes.
The data which this generated was
important to understanding how their
whole process would work at scale and
also provided them with test samples of their
products. GBL choose to perform the work
at CPI as there were few places that could
perform the work at the intermediate scale
which was required. Also CPI had extensive
experience of this type of distillation and could
complete the project in the time scales required.
Being able to tap into the open access assets at CPI meant that
GBL did not need to spend extensive amounts of money on
capital equipment.
CPI’s location within the UK also meant that GBL could easily send
one of their technical representatives to CPI’s site to be there at
key stages of the project, and to have first hand experience of the
distillation process. The project was very successful and provided
both the data and the samples which were required.
Fergal O’Brien, Director of Process Operations at GBL commented:
“Being able to access the facilities and expertise at CPI has proved
very valuable to GBL. In particular it allowed us to carry out
non-core, but essential development work, whilst enabling us
to focus our internal efforts in developing our key technologies.”
For further information visit www.uk-cpi.com
or contact Chris Bell at [email protected]
The Oracle May 2009 – 5
CPI harnesses sustainable energy at the
Low Carbon Energy Development Centre
CPI’s Low Carbon Energy Development Centre, housed at the Wilton Centre in the Tees Valley,
is reducing the capital risks associated with the commercialisation of low carbon technology.
Through its experienced team and first class facilities, the
Development Centre offers technical support to companies
working in the fuel cell and hydrogen industry, allowing them
to handle, test and develop new technologies.
Steve Broome, Business Manager for Low Carbon Energy at CPI,
commented “As the low carbon energy industry continues to grow,
innovative solutions will become more and more sought after.
Fuel cells and hydrogen systems will be a key element of these
solutions. Through actively working with third parties and start-ups
in developing new applications and overcoming the hurdles, CPI
is in a strong position to lead efforts to commercialise new
technologies in the coming years.”
The Development Centre offers expertise and the appropriate
infrastructure to support customers in developing a wide range of
fuel cell technology and de-risks the process of commercialisation.
Equipment includes advanced test stations that allow diagnostic
testing, dynamic load testing and experimentation on a wide range
of fuel cell systems. Health and safety advice is also available for
fuel cell users on fuelling systems and design, as well as the analysis,
identification and quantification of sulphur species present in fuels.
The facility also has confidential and independent testing and
evaluation services, allowing both manufacturers and consumers
to evaluate the performance of their systems.
The Tees Valley has over 50 years of experience in handling
hydrogen. Taking advantage of the resident skills and infrastructure;
proximity to feed stocks and fuels; CPI has both knowledge and
experience to develop low carbon energy systems.
CPI is currently an active member of the research and European
regions’ groupings for the European Union’s €940m Joint Technology
Initiative (JTI). The JTI will fund research and development in the fuel
cell and hydrogen sector over the next six years.
For further information please visit www.uk-cpi.com
or contact Steve Broome at [email protected]
6 – The Oracle May 2009
Accredited waste
awareness course
What’s so important about waste?
• Did you know that on average, waste typically costs companies
4.5% of turnover?
• Did you know that the cost of waste disposal is increasing year
on year as new legislation aimed at reducing waste takes effect?
• Did you know that your company can be fined up to £50 000
for an infringement of waste legislation?
The good news
• A typical company can achieve savings of around 1% of turnover
by implementing waste reduction techniques.
• By knowing your legal obligations you can help your organization
avoid environmental crimes.
• Plus, by minimising waste, you’ll help save the environment
as well as your money.
The solution
CIWM, the professional body for waste experts, offers an accredited
one day waste awareness course, aimed at providing employees
with the knowledge and information sources to help your company
minimise waste and stay within the law.
What’s involved?
• A one day course (5-6 hours)
• A short multiple choice open book test.
What’s covered?
• Learn about different types of waste
• Know your legal responsibilities for waste
• How to conduct a waste audit to identify cost savings
• How to reduce, reuse and recycle waste
• Learn about disposal routes for remaining wastes
• Deal with waste safely
• Identify sources of help by implementing waste
reduction techniques
• By knowing your legal obligations you can help
your organization avoid environmental crimes
• Plus, by minimising waste, you’ll help save
the environment as well as your money.
What you get
• CIWM Waste Awareness Certificate
(valid for 5 years on passing of test)
• Course reference booklet to keep
• Sources of help for implementing change.
How do I get the training?
Renew at the Centre for Process Innovation will be holding
accredited waste awareness sessions at the Wilton Centre
on 24th June, 15th July and 16th September 2009.
To book your place visit www.ciwm.co.uk/pm/389 or contact 01642 442488
The Oracle May 2009 – 7
Diagnosing DVT: A European
collaborative R&D project
The Centre for Process Innovation is engaged on Diagnosing DVT,
a Framework Programme 6 Project, as a member of an impressive
pan-European consortium.
Diagnosing DVT, a three year project now in its
final year, aims, primarily, to improve the speed,
reliability and accessibility of early diagnosis
of patients suspected of deep vein thrombosis
and pulmonary embolism, through development
of a novel portable d-dimer test.
The project is developing a prototype diagnostic
device, utilising a novel highly accurate assay
on a portable, hand held and cheap test system,
for use in a range of medical and veterinary
situations, where fast, accurate diagnosis at
the first point of contact is required.
Shak Gohir, Project Manager for Diagnosing
DVT says, “It will enable healthcare providers
to improve patient treatment and outcome
and reduce healthcare costs.
It provides the healthcare sector with a mobile
handheld diagnostic system that will connect
with tomorrow’s healthcare computer systems
and infrastructure.
At a time when the NHS are automating their
administration and seeking ways to improve
patient care, technological innovations such as
this are vital for transforming healthcare services
and for meeting the emerging needs
of diagnostics.”
8 – The Oracle May 2009
Results
The project is now in its optimisation phase. So far,
the components of the prototype product – biosensor,
disposable cartridge to carry the assay and biosensor
and manage the sample handling and processing, and
reader carrying processing and measurement functions,
have been developed separately and are now being
co-optimised, ready for co-assembly and integration:
Biosensor
The biosensor carrying D-dimer antibody has been shown
to perform throughout the required electrochemical
response range and has been shown to sensitive
throughout the required range of antigen concentrations
for DVT.
Electrodes have been designed and optimised.
The biolayer linking antibody to electrode has been
optimised to maximise dynamic range and to obtain
high sensor reproducibility.
Cartridge
Development of the assembly process, shown right,
is complete:
• microfluidic body assembly, and
• electrode layer alignment
Electrode
layer
The required performance in sample and reagent filling and
washing properties have been demonstrated.
Manufacturing process is now being optimised to assure
quality and reproducibility.
Reader
All components of the reader mechanical system have
been developed. Two systems of analogous measurement
circuitry have been developed, to enable optimisation
of system performance at integration stage,
Adhesive
foil
Microfluidic
body
Design of the control and temperature control systems
are now being optimised and measurement circuitry
is being optimised.
Next Steps – prototype integration and testing
The final stage of the project will see the components
integrated into a working prototype, culminating
in a six month period of testing in a clinical setting,
which will complete technical validation of the system
and will position the device for commercialisation
through an appropriate route to market.
For further information please
visit www.diagnosingdvt.com or contact
Alex Maw at [email protected]
The Oracle May 2009 – 9
NanoCentral: success
through nanomaterials
NanoCentral is driving the safe, beneficial and profitable commercialisation of nanomaterials. Operating
as part of the Centre for Process Innovation’s functional materials technology platform NanoCentral
are an alliance of organisations capable of providing customers with access to a broad range of leading
edge technologies, equipment and services.
NanoCentral was established 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.
The team at NanoCentral work 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 and One North East
NanoCentral is based in the traditional heart of the science and
chemical sector on Teesside at the Wilton Centre.
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:
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Development of underpinning science
Synthesis
Dispersion, functionalisation & formulation
Application development
Characterisation
Safety, health and environment
These services can be related to each other in what is known as the
nanomaterials supply chain.
For further information visit
www.nanocentral.eu or contact
Steve Devine at [email protected]
10 – The Oracle May 2009
Nanotechnology Knowledge
Transfer Network: connecting
technology, catalysing innovation
The NanoKTN is one of the UK’s primary knowledge-based networks for
micro and nanotechnologies.
The NanoKTN supports the exploitation and commercialisation of micro and
nanotechnologies (MNT) by informing, facilitating innovation and encouraging
collaborations between suppliers and users.
The four broad areas that the NanoKTN focuses on are:
• Promoting and facilitating knowledge exchange
• Supporting the growth of UK capabilities
• Raising awareness of Nanotechnology
• Providing thought leadership and input to UK policy and strategy
The activities of the NanoKTN are divided into four themes as follows:
• Materials
• Metrology
• Manufacturing & Processing
• Bionano & Nanomedicine
Industry Sector Focus Groups
Focus Groups have been built around the NanoKTN’s four themes to engage as
many potential stakeholders as possible and act as a three way communication
channel between industry, academia and funding authorities.
They identify the gaps in the supply chain as well as identifying the UK’s
potential in innovation. This information is reported back to the Technology
Strategy Board to input into their UK Nanotechnology Strategy and also
provides leverage for channelling government funds into specific areas of need.
How do Focus Groups engage?
Focus Groups have been built around the NanoKTN’s four themes to engage as
many potential stakeholders as possible and act as a three way communication
channel between industry, academia and funding authorities.
They identify the gaps in the supply chain as well as identifying the UK’s
potential in innovation. This information is reported back to the Technology
Strategy Board to input into their UK Nanotechnology Strategy and also
provides leverage for channelling government funds into specific areas
of need.
What do Focus Groups achieve?
• Identify supply chain gaps
• Identify capability and skills gaps
• Influence and shape regional and national policy
• Assist in determining the service offer of the NanoKTN
• Assemble pre-competitive research and development consortia
• Develop self-help groups
• Come together for networking opportunities
For further information visit www.nanoktn.com or
contact Natasha Taylor at [email protected]
The Oracle May 2009 – 11
Research & development
grants, consortium
building and technology
partnering services
The Enterprise Europe Network for North East England
can help you to:
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Secure finance for your R&D projects from EU Framework Programme Seven (FP7), UK Technology Strategy Board
and the Carbon Trust
Build and strengthen your R&D consortium
Find the technologies you need for your new product development initiatives.
Promote the technologies you have developed and can offer
other businesses.
You are welcome to search our online database of technology offers
and requests, which includes technologies for renewable energy,
environment, digital, ICT, functional materials, food, medicine and
healthcare sectors:
Please visit:
http://een-northeast.co.uk/3_pages/technology-database/
What our clients say about us:
“The North East England Enterprise Europe Network team and
expert panel ran the extra mile to effectively help us with
every aspect of our FP7 proposal submission from shaping the
proposition, building the consortium, facilitating consortium
meetings in Italy and Munich and ‘hand-on’ writing of the
proposal itself. With the current economic climate, this project
would give Thermacore an element of stability over the next
three years which will be very important for our future.”
David Mullen, Senior R&D Engineer, Thermacore
For more information on our service, please contact Gillian Kears,
Business Innovation Manager at [email protected]
For further information visit
www.een-northeast.co.uk or contact
Gillian Kears at [email protected]
12 – The Oracle May 2009
OmniRead secures investment to improve
the reading ability of today’s digital generation
North East based company, Omniread Group Ltd, is in the process of developing a unique, internet-based
software solution with the ability to improve people’s reading when using electronic screens thanks to
funding secured with assistance from the Enterprise Europe Network for North East England (EEN).
EEN assisted OmniRead in securing a £91,000
Grant for Research and Development from One
North East, enabling the business to secure
additional investment of £150,000 from the
Three Pillars Fund.
Using the funding, OmniRead will develop a
web-based solution to enable today’s digital
generation to personalise the display properties
on electronic devices to improve their reading
ability and speed; on average the improvement
in people’s reading speed after using the product
is approximately 40%.
The software will enhance the user’s reading
proficiency and comprehension in addition to
reducing reading fatigue and visual stress. It
also has the potential to make reading for those
people living with conditions such as dyslexia,
migraines, eye/neck aches and photophobia
a more productive and pleasurable experience.
Mark Kelk, OmniRead’s CEO, commented:
“White is not always the optimum
background colour to maximise people’s
reading performance.
In developing this world-leading ‘objective’
capability, we are offering any computer user
the opportunity to tune the background colour
of their computer screens to their unique,
individual characteristics and improve their
reading capability.
The OmniRead software solution will, in many
cases, reduce fatigue, increase stamina and
improve the user’s efficiency at reading from
and working with electronic displays.”
The Enterprise Europe Network for North East
England was launched by the Centre for Process
Innovation (CPI) during June 2008 with the key
objective to help regional businesses to secure
grant finance for research and development and
better exploit opportunities offered by Europe.
It works closely with businesses to help shape
their R&D project ideas, to build the project
consortium and to write compelling R&D
grant applications with strong market-led
business propositions.
For further information visit www.een-northeast.co.uk
or contact Gillian Kears at [email protected]
The Oracle May 2009 – 13
Atomic layer deposition:
nanotechnology for high value coatings
CPI has collaborated with the School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering at Newcastle
University to set up the UK’s leading R&D facility targeting new applications of ALD films.
Based in a dedicated clean room on Newcastle University campus,
CPI has installed an Oxford Instruments FlexALR tool to deposit ALD
films on parts up to 200mm in diameter and several mm in thickness.
Work is currently focused on using ALD oxides as barrier layers on
plastic and as active materials in sensors.
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is an excellent example of
nanotechnology applied to thin film coatings. The method uses
low pressure gas-phase processes to deposit many types of film
with thicknesses readily controlled in the range from one nanometre
to several hundred nanometres.
The ALD process provides real benefits in the quality of coatings.
The ALD layers can be made dense and with a high degree of
perfection at the atomic level showing few pinholes. The coatings
are highly conformal on surfaces that are difficult to cover
uniformly by other techniques.
Coatings can also be deposited at low temperatures on thermally
-sensitive substrate materials such as plastic and fabric because
the process is largely driven by the strongly exothermic reactions.
However the coatings tend to be less dense as substrate
temperature is reduced.
Inorganic ALD coatings have been used commercially for over 25
years. The first application was deposition of multilayer thin films
on glass sheets to make large electroluminescent display panels.
ALD is now being adopted in the microelectronics industry
to deposit nanometre-scale high-permittivity dielectric layers
used in memory devices and as the critical gate materials for
next-generation silicon chips.
Research points towards promising new areas of application including
the development of complex oxides with specific properties;
examples include ultra-thin solid electrolytes and catalytic layers
for low temperature fuel cells, and ferromagnetic, ferroelectric
or piezoelectric films for sensors, particularly in microsystems.
Passive ALD coatings are increasingly being investigated as barrier
or sealing layers in the electronics, plastics and engineering sectors.
The CPI facility is available to customers for their R&D projects
or to provide coatings on suitable customer-supplied parts.
For further information visit www.uk-cpi.com or contact Dr David Robbins at [email protected]
14 – The Oracle May 2009
Contact us
Alex Maw
Marketing and Communications Manager
T: +44 (0)1642 447 279
E: [email protected]
The Oracle May 2009 – 15
CPI Head Office
Wilton Centre
Wilton, Redcar
TS10 4RF
T: +44 (0)1642 455 340
e-mail: [email protected]
www.uk-cpi.com