Auxetec technology

High Tech Elastomers

Auxeticity – the tendency of a material to become thicker rather than thinner when stretched – is an unusual phenomenon. While the property is uncommon, it’s not unheard of. In nature, to take a few examples, it can be seen in places like the achilles tendon, cat skin and zeolites. But what makes this behaviour attractive is that auxeticity gives materials an edge when it comes to absorbing shock, as well as resisting fractures and tears. That makes them promising in applications where materials need to be durable, such as body armour and glass for buildings and vehicles.

Because of this, researchers have used a number of innovative approaches over the last 40 or so years to create synthetic auxetic materials. One thing all auxetic materials have in common is a negative Poisson’s ratio: the measure of the expansion of a material perpendicular to the force being applied to it. By 3D-printing or otherwise forming complex, porous geometries – honeycomb structures or perforated sheets, for example – it’s possible to create auxeticity in materials that would ordinarily show a positive Poisson’s ratio. However, the porosity required of these materials introduces inherent weaknesses, and the complex manufacturing processes often needed additionally make them expensive to produce. That’s what Auxetec, a new company spinning out from the University of Leeds in the UK, is setting out to solve.

Auxeticity

Auxetec is developing this groundbreaking technology platform. The Intellectual property is in place and is now granted in two Global regions USA and India.

This novel, technology is tuneable, and can be tailored to address unmet needs within the Advanced Materials sector to provide:

  • Delamination resistance
  • Enhanced shock absorbance
  • Strength and durability
  • Impact protection
  • Lightweight material performance

Technical development programs undertaken both internally and with partners deliver tailored and robust prototypes at relevant scale to promote further License and co-Development initiatives.

Currently we have:

  • A Defined library of categorized demonstration materials at small scale from the current acrylate platform.
  • Lead candidate materials at A4 demonstration scale to meet various indicatory POC specifications.
  • We are currently accelerating scale-up activities beyond A4 contemplating roll to roll manufacturing process delivering significant operational and commercial impact.
  • Additional technical and operational challenges in providing auxetic performance in other formats like fibres, yarns, and extrusions.
Auxetec

The Company is engaged in a scoping further technology development options building relationships with industry expert bodies like the Centre for Process Innovation (Sedgefield), AMRC in Sheffield and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC. Blyth and Glasgow)

  • Green Energy – Leading edge protection for Wind Turbines to increase energy efficiency and reduce maintenance cost.
  • Composite Materials – Enhanced functionality, strength, durability, and delamination resistance
  • Glass Lamination and protection – Automotive and Architectural glass systems
  • Electronic and Engineering Materials – Impact resistance, Chip packaging and protection systems

We look forward to understanding how we can tailor and integrate our technology to add value to your next generation Advanced Material Products and Solutions!

Green Energy