Opportunities

  • 27006 Vortex control to reduce drag  

    Aerodynamics researchers at Sheffield have designed a series of special vortex generating shock control bumps that can substantially reduce the drag on a transport aircraft when cruising at altitude and transonic speed.

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    The group have previously published papers about the advantages of bumps but recent advances mean that their specially engineered Vortex Generating Shock Control Bumps are tolerant to changes in the angle of attack as experienced by the aircraft as the fuel payload is consumed during long flights.

    Intellectual Property

    Our patent filing protects the design of specially engineered Vortex Controlled Bumps that are tolerant to changes in aerofoil angle of attack as experienced as the aircraft fuel payload is consumed during long flights.

    The Opportunity

    Applications for these engineered bumps could include:

    • Substantial reduction in aircraft wing drag
    • Improvement in helicopter rotor blade performance
    • Improvement to jet engine blade designs to obtain higher engine efficiency


    For more information, download a 1-page summary using the link below:

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  • 29006   Nanoscale Chemical Analysis Technique  

    A research group at the University of Sheffield has introduced a novel procedure for acquiring spectroscopic signals from nanomaterials and nanostructures which allows innovative three-dimensional chemical mapping. The method combines the previously separate technologies of x-ray spectroscopy in the electron microscope with computed tomography.

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    Particular features of the innovation include:

    • Novel data acquisition procedures
    • Novel data processing sequences
    • Novel sample and sample holder geometries for unobstructed signal detection at high tilt

    The preliminary technology has been demonstrated for several years and we are now looking for licensing and development collaborations with industrial partners for a 2nd generation approach. 

     

    The Opportunity

    Typical applications:

    • Spatial mapping of microstructures in nanocomposites
    • Analysis of biomedical materials
    • Analysis of high-strength structural materials
    • Examination of porous materials with more than one chemical phase
    • Inspection of semiconductor nanostructures, e.g. 3D integrated devices.
    • Catalysis

    For more information, download the summary below:

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  • 29038 Ultra-Broadband Superluminescent Diodes

    The first broadband high-power quantum dot superluminsecent diodes (QD-SLDs) to have been intermixed with a significant blue-shift in their operating wavelength have been demonstrated by Researchers at the University of Sheffield. This process could open the door to high bandwidth active devices comprising regions of different wavelengths that meet the demands of, for example, optical imaging of the eye and other skin tissue.

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    Key features and benefits of this proprietary technology are:

    • Post- epitaxial growth intermixing for realising greater than 100 nm bandwidth sources
    • Modulation p-doping in the SLD for optimizing optical quality
    • Central emission wavelength of the intermixed sample blue shifted by ca. 100 nm which can lead to breakthrough and innovative selective area intermixed QD-SLD devices for high resolution imaging

    Intellectual Property

    This technology is protected by Patent Application filed in December 2009.

     

    The Opportunity

    The unique property of QD-SLDs, where high power output and broadband emission are simultaneously realised, make them ideal optical sources for many applications:

    • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) biomedical imaging applications - imaging the eye and other skin tissue
    • Fibre optic gyroscopes
    • Optical telecoms – wavelength division multiplexing

    The Researchers at Sheffield’s Centre for III-V materials have established demonstration facilities and considerable experience in OCT imaging systems. We are seeking commercial licensing and collaborative development opportunities for OCT and other cutting-edge applications.

    For more information, please click on the link to download a 1-page summary of this technology

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  • 27017 Nano-Goniometer for Electron Microscopy

    A research group at Sheffield University has designed a new multi-functional nanomanipulation device for specimens in the field of electron microscopic imaging. The device allows to perform manipulation and imaging processes in parallel and features translational and rotational degrees-of-freedom. In spite of its complex drive mechanism based on piezo-electric nanoactuation, the drive fits into a standard electron microscope goniometer. It complements the degrees-of-freedom built into a microscope by this “goniometer in goniometer” approach.

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    Prospective fields of use will include:
    •Nanoscale resolution electron tomography with unlimited tilt range.

    •Contacting, welding and mechanical testing with user-defined crystallographic orientation relationships

    •Nanofabrication by beam-induced specimen modification (deposition/ablation)

     

    Intellectual Property

    A patent application on the device has been filed covering its use in numerous applications.

    Markets

    Sectors for application of such a goniometer comprise: composite materials research, physics and chemistry of atomic contact zones, semiconductor device technology, biomaterials, Catalysis and nanoparticle research

    Click on the link below for a one-page information sheet

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