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Advanced technology project backed this year by DTI-led Technology Programme has applied for first patent
Researching piezo effect in extreme environments
London, UK. 23 October 2006 – The Servocell-led Consortium, founded in 2006, is developing commercially effective solutions that increase 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 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 this year.
The project, managed by Paul Weaver, development manager at Servocell, is concentrating on the long term effects of humidity and temperature extremes.
"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,' comments Paul Weaver, Servocell development manager and project leader. 'It is very much our intention to generate innovations and patents throughout the project.'
The success of the project will enable the use of piezo actuators 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.
The consortium includes Servocell, Southampton University, National Physical Laboratory and Diameter Ltd. The project brings together academic and commercial organizations 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 & Development and Knowledge Transfer Networks.
Servocell customers are developing innovative security solutions using Servocell's current Active Latch technology - 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 of 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 technology to develop the core actuator technology to meet the most demanding and extreme of conditions.
"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 " comments Simon Powell, CEO, Servocell. "We are delighted to be working with the University of Southampton, the National Physical Laboratory and Diameter Ltd.
- ENDS -
Notes to editors
About Servocell
Servocell (www.servocell.com) specialises in the design and manufacture of low power piezo based product for a wide range of electronic security and valve control applications. Servocell's application of novel techniques in design and manufacture generates low cost piezo based actuators which with low energy inputs produce relatively large movements and motion compared to other existing actuator technology.The applications of the piezo based products range from more reliable electronic locks to gas valves in the 'smart' home, with the products targeted at both the industrial oem and end user markets.
About Active Latch
Servocell's Active Latch encapsulates all the benefits of using the piezo technology into a mechanism making the adoption of the technology easier for lock manufactures to integrate into their product suite. In additional Servocell is developing its own range of cabinet latches and door locks based on the Active Latch technology. Servocell's Active Latch products have already been commercially launched and target the expanding electromechanical sector of the global locks markets, which is valued at billion in annual sales.
Diameter Ltd
Founded in 2004, Diameter Ltd is a UK registered company formed to exploit pioneering technology based on advanced materials, adding value and improving performance. The company consists of two divisions: manufacturing advanced coatings and high-tech products with main stream commercial potential.
For further information please contact
For Servocell:
Simon Powell (Chief Executive Officer)
sp@servocell.com
+44 (0) 1279 621 515
Steven Weaver (Chief Financial Officer)
sw@servocell.com
+44 (0)1279 621 515
Zoe Biddick
Biddicks Associates
zoe.biddick@biddicks.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 7448 1000
Posted on 23 October 2006
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