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[October 2009]
Surface Transforms Starts Collaborative Ceramic Disc R&D Project
Surface Transforms Plc (Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England) has announced the start of a three-year, £2.1 million collaborative research and development project. The Technology Strategy Board has agreed to fund the project with a grant of £1.12 million to a consortium of companies led by Surface Transforms.
The aim of this R&D project, with the name ‘Sμrface’, is to develop an innovative ceramic disc, using both waste carbon and contemporary manufacturing processes. The objectives are improved friction characteristics and substantially reduced wear with the development of a method that will allow worn ceramic discs to be resurfaced for re-use.
Success in the Sμrface project will enable a much greater flexibility and tolerance in the structure of the core material used in the disc, which will impact directly on reducing cost and increasing performance.
The company's partners in this collaborative project are:
- Faiveley Transport Ltd (manufacturer of train braking systems)
- Alcon Components Ltd (brake systems for high performance cars)
- Bentley Motors Ltd (OEM high performance car manufacturer)
- Federal-Mogul Friction Products Ltd (brake pads)
- Loughborough University (specifications, analysis, testing)
Surface Transforms is the lead company and project co-ordinator and will be supplying the proprietary technology relating to the manufacture of carbon ceramic brake discs. The other industrial partners are all technology leaders in their respective fields of innovative friction material technology for use in the transport market.
The project commenced on 1 September 2009 with the contribution from the Technology Strategy Board grant to Surface Transforms estimated at £470,000 over the next three years.
Kevin D'Silva, Surface Transform's Chairman, commented: "This is the second time that the company has been successful in accessing Technology Strategy Board investment funding. We are pleased that the Technology Strategy Board has approved the Company as co-ordinator for this project”.
ENDS