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 C-Tech's European licensee for Microwave Assist Technology, Carbolite, has launched a range of laboratory furnaces, combining radiant and microwave heating, at two major European exhibitions. The furnaces, which are both chamber designs and have maximum operating temperatures of 1200°C and 1600°C, supply conventional radiant heat supported by microwave power, and were exhibited at Ceramitec and Achema in May 2006
C-Tech's patented Microwave Assist Technology has been successfully used in numerous applications including sintering of ceramics, rapid de-waxing of moulds, and forming and curing of polymers.
As well as proving to be a more costs effective process, cutting down on energy usage and operating costs, there are other processing benefits. More consistent product properties, reduced emissions and improved process yield can all be attributable to the process. The Carbolite furnaces represent a breakthrough in that equipment is now available 'off-the shelf'.
C-Tech also has licenses for the technology covering America and the Far East.
For more information click here.
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 C-Tech has launched a new service called Comm-trak aimed at helping the UK's Universities to commercialise the Intellectual Property and technology which they have created.
C-Tech's Business Development Manager Paul Radage explained: "When a University academic comes up with a new innovation, which may have a commercial application, then typically a UK patent application will be filed by the University's Business Service or Ventures Dept, in conjunction with the academic. The academic is then allowed approximately one year to demonstrate the further worth of the patent by seeking commerical and industrial collaborations to exploit the technology. If at the end of this period, no such collaborations have been found then typically the patent will be dropped, before further costs is incurred".
But a year is a relatively short time for an academic to successfully seek an exploitation partner, considering the many other pressures which University staff face. Now Comm-trak provides a rapid Commericalisation Road Map for academic detailing:
- An objective assessment of the potential for exploitation
- Market size
- Competitive position
- Potential routes to market
- Suggestions of companies and contacts as potential collaborators
For more information click here
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 Most chemists are familiar with the benefits of working with microwave reactors in the laboratory. The technology enables them to test different chemical reactions and find the perfect compound much faster than using conventional heating methods.
Heating a chemical reactor by microwave radiation has the advantages of being faster, cleaner and more efficient than conventional heating methods and the entire volume of the samples can be heated simultaneously and uniformly. Chemists can therefore achieve cleaner, more efficient chemical reactions with higher yields. In many processes, microwave heating has been found to be up to 50% more efficient than conventional heating methods.
But moving directly from laboratory-scale work at the milligrammes scale to production quantities of kilogrammes or more has, to date, proved difficult to achieve using microwave technology.
C-Tech Innovation has used its 2 decades of expertise in applying microwave technology to develop systems for aqueous and solid state applications, and even hazardous areas if required. A prototype flow-through microwave chemical reactor system has already been designed and built, and is currently being improved further.
For more information click here |
 The Resource Efficiency Network helps UK industry and commerce minimise waste through the development and implementation of innovative technologies and processes.
By taking advantage of FREE registration with the Resource Efficiency Knowledge Transfer Network you will gain access to privileged information, online conference facilities and, most importantly, other members.
Click here to visit the REN Portal |
 Very often the barrier for small and medium size businesses (SMEs) is the cash available, or rather lack of it, to fund an innovative step.
Help is available from the DTI in the form of Grants for Research and Development (formerly SMART Awards). Available through the Regional Development Agencies the funding is aimed at individuals, and small and medium sized businesses, to help them develop technologically innovative products and processes.
Four different sizes of project can be funded depending on the stage of development and complexity of the projects. Grants of up to £500,000 are available, covering projects up to 3 years duration.
C-Tech Innovation has provided technology input and been a partner in many successful grant applications.
For more information click here. |
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If you have had limited experience or success in European Funding, why not get in touch & see how C-Tech can help you assess & build a comprehensive consortium.
Click here to send us an email.
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Advanced Heat Engineering is a newly created company formed to exploit the considerable experience of C-Tech Innovation in the field of thermal engineering.
Our experience includes: microwaves, radio frequency, ohmic heating and infra-red technologies, with a variety of uses including:-
- Drying & Firing of Ceramics
- Food Processing
- Rubber & Plastic Manufacture
- Plasma Systems
- Surface Enhancements
- Processing of Sewage
- Processing of Metals
Click here to visit our website
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