Commercial application
Our research expertise can be applied to the following industry areas:
- Anti-counterfeit
- Surgical tools/implantable devices
- Drug delivery
- Healthcare diagnostics
- Dentistry
- Optics
- Mechanical components
We can deliver our expertise to companies using a range of services determined by identifying what you need:
- Contract research projects
- Collaborative research projects- Answering a question- New IP is generated- Dedicated staff (PhD studentship, Post Doctoral Research Assistants) recruited if necessary
- Licensing Opportunities
- Facilities usage
- Conferencing space (meeting, demonstrations of technology/equipment)
- Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)
- Final year student project
- Student placements
- Internships
Find out more about the University of Bradford's business services >>
Anti-Counterfeit
- Mould insert for anti-counterfeit motif
- QRcode pattern at micro and nano length scales
- Large pattern laser machined
- Small pattern machined using Focussed Ion Beam
- Bulk metallic glass material (BMG)
- Spin-off company, Sofmat formed to commercialise this technology - see the Sofmat website for more information.
Surgical tools/implantable devices
Materials:
- Engineering (PEEK etc)
- Biosorbables
- Filled/PIM systems (ceramics, glass)
- Insert moulding (titanium, Stainless)
Application areas:
- Arthroscopics (spinal, suture anchors)
- High value, each treatment costs thousands
Drug Delivery
· Inhaler/nebuliser components
· Single use syringes
· Controlled release implants
· Microneedles - coated solid needles and hollow needles
Healthcare Diagnostics
- Fluid capture and analysis - sample handling/washing/prep systems
- Lab on a chip - microfluidic screening applications and single use diagnostic cartridges
- Integrated systems;optics – lenses, light-guides,static mixers and pumping
Dentistry
Thermoplastics:
· Engineering (PEEK etc)
· Filled systems (ceramics, glass)
Application areas:
-
Brackets (reducing aesthetic impact)
-
Endodontics
-
High value - treatment costs $600
Optics
- Require exceptional surface finish <10nm Ra
- Fibre optic interconnects
- Lenses – Fresnel, MLA
- Diffractive optics
- Anti reflective surfaces
- Energy harvesting
Mechanical Components
- Gears - only useful above a certain scale
- Connectors - fibre optics requiring high precision
- Housings - smartphone assemblies
- Cantilevers - flexural response avoids friction issues