Commercialisation of Advanced Thermal Characterisation Technology

Understanding how materials and structures conduct heat, i.e. knowing their _thermal conductivity_ accurately is critical for designing structures that need to withstand high heat loads, e.g. high-power electronics and batteries. Inaccurate thermal conductivity data can lead to design flaws and consequently, devices that overheat and operate inefficiently or even cause accidents.

For instance, had the Boeing 787 Dreamliner battery been designed with adequate thermal insulation parameters between cells, it would have prevented the cascading thermal runaway and the resulting fire.

However, measuring thermal conductivity can be very challenging, e.g. on thin films and composites which are increasingly used in various sectors including electronics, battery, aerospace and nuclear. Our technology solves this challenge and helps engineers and scientists to accurately determine thermal conductivity, for developing materials and electronics with improved performance and reliability.

Our technology, developed at the University of Bristol, is based on the transient thermoreflectance (TTR) method, which uses lasers for measurement. Until now, TTR has had only niche applications as it required complex, expensive equipment, and considerable expertise. We radically improved the technology in terms of reliability, accuracy, applicability and user-friendliness, which made the technology suitable for industrial deployment. We recently started to provide measurement services with our lab prototype.

In this project, we will develop a mature, robust commercial platform design for thermal characterization instruments. During the ICURe market research we identified the manufacturers of composite heat sinks, thermal interface materials, printed circuit boards and battery thermal management systems as early adopters. They also have very similar technical requirements.

Following this project, we expand into high-impact industries, e.g. aerospace, nuclear and semiconductor; our technology can be easily adapted to all these applications. Our vision is to become the first thermal conductivity measurement equipment manufacturer in the UK and help manufacturers of electronics, batteries, engines etc. to reach unparalleled efficiency and reliability.

While developing the commercial prototype, we will also focus on working with the early adopters to validate the technology using their products. Obtaining independent verification of the accuracy and reliability of our measurement technology is another key project goal; we will work with the National Physics Laboratory to become the gold standard of thermal characterisation.

Some companies already expressed their strong interest in purchasing a TTR instrument once the technology is proven, hence our objective is to deliver 1-2 units by project end. This will demonstrate the readiness and commercial potential of the technology to investors.