Engineering

Ref: 2012 - Quantum-enhanced spectroscopy

A team at the University of Bristol’s Quantum Engineering Technology Labs has developed a novel absorbance spectroscopy technique that delivers 10x the precision of classical methods.  Download more information 2012 (PDF, 355kB) or contact Ros Darby

Ref: 2546 - LayupRITE

LayupRITE provides a digital simulation of the layers which make up a composite part and is used when manufacturing in composites, providing operator training or bespoke instructions for effective right first time manufacturing. This technlogy enables rapid and effective product development and using machine learning with LayupRITE has the potential to provide proactive defect prevention in real time.

Download more information 2546 LayupRITE (PDF, 343kB) or contact: Carolyn Jenkins

Ref: 2624 - Dielectrophoretic liquid zipping actuators

A novel actuator technology that provides for high speed and high efficiency actuation, with potential applications across traditional and soft robotic applications.

The actuator comprises a dielectrophoretic liquid zipping actuator with a high permittivity insulating layer, conductor layers and a liquid dielectric (e.g. silicone, mineral or even vegetable oil) applied as a bead at the zipping locus. This actuation technology can be applied in a wide range of morphologies for operation in linear and torsional applications.

Download more information here DLZA (PDF, 199kB) or Electro pneumatic pumps (PDF, 195kB) or contact Carolyn Jenkins

Science

Ref: 3150 - Non-intrusive Human Activity Recognition

Researchers from the University of Bristol have developed a millimetre-wave (mmWave) radar system for human detection that overcomes intrusion and privacy concerns associated with cameras.  Download more information here: 3150 (PDF, 386kB) or contact James Hamilton

Ref: 2809 - Cocrystal Synthesis Using Eutectic Solvents

There are significant challenges with polymorphism and cocrystallization in organic crystal systems. This is of industry wide concern, dealing with organic molecules in the solid state, as the performance of the active ingredient is intimately linked to the properties of the polymorph and/or cocrystal. In some cases, the desired formulation cannot even be grown as cocrystals, due to incompatibility of the constituent coformers. Removing the volatile component via processes as simple as room temperature evaporation, enables a premeditated, auto destructive capability which can lead to novel crystalline identities.

Download more information here 2809 (PDF, 683kB)  or contact James Hamilton

Composites

 

Ref: 1537 - Morphing air scoop

A novel deployable bistable morphing structure

The morphing air scoop essentially consists of three main components: A deployable structure that deflects the airflow into the aircraft, a tube-like component to manage the airflow inside the aircraft and a structure to integrate these two components into the aircraft skin. In its retracted state the air scoop must be as flush as possible with the external aircraft skin to minimise aerodynamic drag. The air scoop must be able to maintain this flush geometry whilst being subject to aerodynamic loads. Once actuated the air scoop must move into its deployed shape and remain in this state without further actuation. The basic principle could be applied to any bistable actuator for a variety of applications on land, sea or air.

Download more information here morphing air scoop (PDF, 217kB) or contact: Carolyn Jenkins

Ref: 2332 - Composite Sensors

‌Composite sensors

This family of novel, strip-like sensors easily attach to different parts of a structure to provide a simple and reliable indication of when critical loading conditions have been reached or surpassed. The sensors can cover all or part of a structure for a range of conditions such as strain overload, fatigue and impact.

The strain sensor is fully black when initially manufactured, but exhibits striations when a predetermined load condition is reached in service. The fatigue sensor displays a bright band to indicate the number of load cycles experienced by the structure.

Download more information composite-sensors (PDF, 202kB) or contact: Carolyn Jenkins

Physics

Ref: 1656 - Low work function diamond surface

A method for producing a low work function surface on any material electrode that incorporates diamond.

The efficiency of a thermionic device can be improved by changing the structure of the cathode emitter. In doing this it is desirable to produce a surface with a lower work function and which can also operate at lower temperatures. The Bristol invention is a simple method of producing such as surface on materials that incorporate diamond or diamond-like particle layers or coatings. The method may be advantageously applied to the fabrication of many types of vacuum device employing electrodes to significantly improve the efficiency with which they produce a source of electrons.

Download more information Low Work Function Diamond Surface (PDF, 178kB) or contact: Ros Darby

Radiotherapy

Ref: 1529 - Real-time dosimetry system for real-time verification of modulated radiotherapy treatments

A team from the Universities of Bristol and Swansea together with University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust has developed a novel radiation detector device for determining the dose from Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) in real time. The detector is positioned upstream of the patient (between radiation source and patient) and is a very thin silicon detector camera system.

Download more information here 1529 (PDF, 179kB) or contact: Ros Darby