Staffordshire-based Lucideon has teamed up with a leading tech group in a cutting-edge deal to develop a NASA-patented ceramic material.
The development and commercialisation organisation is working with the Technetics Group to explore the use of the substance in high-temperature, high-speed applications.
Technetics Group has licensed the patented ceramic composite material from NASA to explore how it could be used in the development of next-generation dynamic seals.
The goal is to develop a unique, low-friction ceramic composite suitable for high-performance rotating environments.
Lucideon, which has its headquarters in Stone, is carrying out the work at its site in Raleigh, North Carolina, utilising world-class testing and characterisation laboratories.
Dr Carolyn Grimley, Manager of U.S. Advanced Materials and Processing at Lucideon, said: “Lucideon’s long-standing expertise in ceramic processing capabilities will play an important role in the advancement of these materials for Technetics as they develop these materials.
“Our advanced ceramic process equipment will be deployed to establish detailed and repeatable testing conditions.
“The data assessment phase will focus on consolidating experimental parameters from the patent and utilising literature to build on the patent’s detail regarding both processing parameters and target outcomes such as grain size.
“In subsequent phases, key parameters will be identified and refined until testing and characterisation data shows that the material has been reproduced as closely as possible to that described in the patent.
“This is a complex challenge, which involves our materials scientists drawing on a wide range of expertise and using the latest technologies to complete.”
