Nano-Enhanced Applications for Defence

Ed LesterTechnical Director

NANOPARTICLE PRODUCTION

COMMERCIALAPPLICATIONS

An enabling technology…

SCALE UP OF THE TECHNOLOGY

PROJECT SHYMAN2012-2016

Full Scale Plant build underway

Infinity (@ 1,000tn/yr)– Fully Commissioned

Confidential

MATERIALS CLASS EXAMPLES OF WHAT HAS BEEN MADE

• Metals… Ag, Pd, Pt, Au, Cu, Ni

• Metal Oxides… ZnO, ZrO2, TiO2, CeO2, CuO, FeOx

• Mixed Metal Oxides… Ce1-xZrxO2, doped oxides

• Complex Oxides… BaTiO3, Sr(1-x)BaxTiO3, Ferrites

• Carbonates… CaCO3, SrCO3

• Sulfides… CdS, ZnS, CuS, PbS, MoS2, Fe(1-x)S, Bi2S3,

• Hydroxides… Al(OH)3, Mg(OH)2

• Oxyhydroxides… AlO(OH)

• Phosphates… LiFePO4, LMP, hydroxyapatite

• LDHs… Ca2AlNO3, Zn2AlCr-CO3 and Zn2Al-CO3.

• MOFs… HKUST-1, Ni-74, MIL53, NOTT400, ZIF8

Wide range of chemistries…*Commercial scale-up demonstrated

Current Market Activities

Promethean is currently working across a wide range of industries

• Printed Electronics - conductive, insulating and semi-conducting inks

• 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing

• Green Energy - solar, fuel cells, hydrogen storage, batteries etc.

• Nanocomposites - polymer additives for enhanced performance (pigments, anti-scratch, anti-reflective, conductivity, barrier properties)

• Healthcare - bone scaffolds, diagnostics, contrast agents

• Catalysis - precious metals, ceramics

Confidential

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Our approach

HA plates HA rods

Titania NPs

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Our approach

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Yarn pull-out test

1. Starting configuration - yarn pre-loaded

2. Yarn uncrimping – Architecture of the sample is varied

3. Peak load –Maximum = sample’s static friction

4. Drop in force as static friction is overcome

5. Plateau load – Dynamic friction

6. Translation - Tail goes pass the last cross yarn

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Yarn pull-out test

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Fabric Coating Type Test

Number

Depth of

penetration

measured

(mm)

Average

depth of

penetration

(mm)

Standard

Deviation

(mm)

Normalised

Penetration

(mm/J)

High Density PE

No coating (Control)

1 37

48.33 6.68 2.01

2 46

3 53

4 56

5 47

6 51

2.5%wt coating

1 24

20.67 2.34 0.86

2 19

3 20

4 23

5 18

6 20

5%wt coating

1 6

6.75 0.50 0.282 7

3 7

4 7

2.5%wt coating top

and 5%wt bottom

1 7

6.50 0.58 0.272 6

3 6

4 7

MOVING FORWARDS

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Coatings

• Retrofitting - The idea that old vests beyond shelf life can be hand sprayed to extend lifetime.

• Bombsuits – the performance of the coated fabric will be significantly higher than non-coated

• Bomb bags – same as above

• Fragment resistance – helmets, vehicles etc

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Electronics

• Stress Strain Gauges – in helmets, plates etc to determine structural integrity

• Moisture Sensors – time temperature and moisture sensing to determine performance integrity

• RFiD tagging – ownership and other security data

• Wireless Sensors – activation/connection for holsters etc

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Hybrid Performance Materials

• EM shielding – magnetic/microwave absorbers

• UV resistance - doped ceramics that adsorb UV A and B

• Flame Retardancy – the additional of nano-flame retardants such as ATH and LDHs

• Antibacterial – Mg, Ag, ZnO and copper nanoparticles

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Conclusions

1. Promethean Particles has a scaled, sustainable and cost effective platform technology for the manufacture of many different materials for the defence and security market.

2. We have shown that the nano ceramic coating can drastically improve spike and knife resistance and this has been tested with full scale production runs.

3. There are many new applications waiting to be tested including potential for fragment and blast resistance.

CONTACT DETAILS

Ed Lester Technical Director Edward.Lester@nottingham.ac.uk

Laurie Geldenhuys CEO Laurie.Geldenhuys@proparticles.co.uk

Selina Ambrose Technical Manager Selina.Ambrose@proparticles.co.uk

1 Genesis Park, Midland Way, Nottingham, NG7 3EF+44 (0)115 967 8119