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Haydale, a leader in the development of enhanced graphene and nanoparticulate materials, has announced that it has been awarded a number of research grants, totalling £350k, which will help accelerate the development of new products enhanced by the incorporation of functionalised graphene and other nanomaterials. 

These new projects include:

The development of electrically conductive graphene enhanced adhesives for aircraft structures. The ability to conduct electricity from lightning strikes throughout a composite aircraft fuselage, including bonded joints, is essential for improved safety. This work builds on an existing research project to develop electrically conductive carbon fibre composite materials for aircraft construction. This project is funded under the NATEP scheme and other partner organisations involved include Airbus, Element Materials Technology and SHD Composite Materials. The project commenced on 1st January 2016 and will take 18 months to complete.

The development of multi-functional graphene enhanced composite materials which are not only capable of detecting the build-up of ice on structures, such as aircraft leading edges and wings, but can be then thermally activated in order to prevent ice build-up. The opportunity to detect and limit ice build-up on structures has a broad range of application opportunities including aircraft structures, wind turbines, power line insulators and antennae masts. This project was awarded to Haydale under Innovate UK's "Advancing the Commercialisation of Graphene" competition in November 2015. The project involves Thales and Bath University and will take 12 months to complete starting in April 2016.

The development of graphene reinforced polyolefin materials for lightweight, extruded, oriented products such as filaments for nets and filtration. The goal of this project is to increase the strength and operating temperature of commodity polyolefin materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene to those of engineering polymers (such as nylon), and then manufacture and test a range of prototype products. This project was awarded to Haydale under Innovate UK's "Advancing the Commercialisation of Graphene" competition in November 2015. The project involves Thomas Swan, Delstar, UoB partners and will take 12 months to complete starting in April 2016.

The development of graphene enhanced epoxy resins with improved durability, wear resistance and thermal cycling performance. This project involves developing methods for the efficient dispersion and mass production of graphene enhanced epoxy resin masterbatch and processes for dilution into resin. This project was awarded to Haydale under Innovate UK's "Advancing the Commercialisation of Graphene" competition in November 2015. The project partners with Huntsman Corporation and Warwick Manufacturing Group and will take 12 months to complete starting in April 2016.

The development of graphene enhanced carbon-carbon composites materials for use in high performance brake systems. The aim of this project is to improve the thermal conductivity, wear and friction of carbon-carbon materials in a wide range of applications where careful thermal management is critical such as brakes for aircraft. This project was awarded to Haydale under Innovate UK's "Advancing the commercialisation of Graphene" competition in November 2015. The project is being conducted in conjunction with Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems and will take 12 months to complete starting in April 2016.

Commenting on the winning these awards, Dr Mat Turner, R&D Director of Haydale Composite Solutions (HCS) said "We have a well-defined product development strategy and are committed to developing graphene enhanced polymer and polymer composite products in targeted markets including aerospace, automotive, rail and marine. Successfully gaining the awards for these research contracts underpin this strategy. The ability to radically improve the mechanical, electrical and thermal characteristics of polymers, resins, coatings and adhesives through the incorporation of functionalised graphene is one of the most exciting enabling technologies for a generation and could lead to a whole new range of materials".

Ray Gibbs, Haydale CEO added "I am extremely pleased that the British Government recognises the potential that graphene and other nanomaterials offer and are backing British business to develop the next generation of materials here in the UK. Haydale will be collaborating with leading global organisations across the aerospace, automotive, rail and marine markets and these projects will enable us  to expand our technical team and our capabilities in these areas."

Haydale Composite Solutions (HCS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Haydale Ltd, has developed a reputation for delivering innovative solutions in the commercial applications of advanced polymer composite materials working with global companies over more than 20 years.  HCS is focused on a range of market sectors including pipe lining for the oil, gas and water industries, infrastructure for electricity and energy sectors plus the marine and transportation markets.  HCS competence spans the entire development cycle from applied research, product design, process development, product testing and certification, to setting up manufacturing plants. EPL also works with OEMs and end-users to develop and provide composite solutions with demonstrable clear technical, economic and environmental benefits over existing structures currently manufactured in traditional materials such as steel, aluminium, wood or concrete.

Haydale Ltd, based in South Wales, UK and housed in a purpose-built facility for processing and handling nanomaterials, is facilitating the application of graphene's and other nanomaterials in fields such as aerospace, inks, sensors, energy storage, photovoltaics, composites, paints and coatings. Haydale has developed a patent-pending proprietary scalable plasma process to functionalise graphene and other nanomaterials. This enabling technology can provide Haydale with a rapid and highly cost-efficient method of supplying tailored solutions to enhance applications for both raw material suppliers and product manufacturers.

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