Posted to News on 7th Nov 2006, 21:48
Improving performance of piezo devices in extreme environments
The Servocell-led Consortium, founded in 2006, is developing commercially effective techniques to improve the stability of piezo-ceramic materials in extreme environments and is already delivering patentable innovations. Backed by the Department of Trade and Industry-led Technology Programme with a grant worth in excess of £500,000, Servocell and its partners presented preliminary findings from the £1m three-year project at two international forums for advanced technology in May and June of 2006.
The project, managed by Paul Weaver, development manager at Servocell, is concentrating on the long term effects of humidity and temperature extremes.
Paul Weaver states: "We presented preliminary findings at Ferroelectrics UK 2006 in Birmingham, and a paper describing substantial improvements in low-temperature performance of an actuator at Actuator 2006 in Bremen, Germany, in June. We have applied for a patent on that paper. It is very much our intention to generate innovations and patents throughout the project."
The success of the project will enable piezo actuators to be used in challenging environments initially for the security industry, but ultimately across many other applications, whether that is for weather extremes from the Arctic to the equator, or the more punishing environments in space and in manufacturing environments.
As well as Servocell, the consortium includes Southampton University, National Physical Laboratory and Diameter Ltd. The project brings together academic and commercial organisations with the aim of driving an R&D project to commercial viability.
This project is part-funded by a Collaborative R&D grant under the Technology Programme. The Technology Programme, launched in 2004, is investing directly in new and emerging technologies and has been designed to help businesses work collaboratively with each other or with academic partners to develop technologies that will underpin products and services of the future. The Technology Programme provides funding using two of the DTI's business support products: Collaborative Research and Development and Knowledge Transfer Networks.
Servocell customers are already developing innovative security products and systems using Servocell's current Active Latch technology - based on the AL1 and AL2 products - benefiting from ultra-low power consumption, high reliability and responsive electronic control. The reliable and effective use of components under severe operational conditions, such as aggressive or safety-critical environments, requires high-performing, low-maintenance materials. This research project is responding to customer interest in the potential for such applications. Device reliability is crucial in extreme situations, particularly when it is dangerous for humans to work in the environment. The programme will allow Servocell to apply advanced coating and ceramic technologies to develop the core actuator technology to meet the most demanding and extreme of conditions.
Simon Powell, CEO of Servocell, concludes: "The funding of this project by the DTI enables us to bring forward our research and development programme and will mean the potential market and applications for the use of piezo technology will grow even faster. We are delighted to be working with the University of Southampton, the National Physical Laboratory and Diameter Ltd."
