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UK Public Sector Funded Projects
MERL conducts a range of UK government funded projects either as the project lead or as a partner or subcontractor. Typically projects are funded via the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills' Grant for Research and Development, and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). For further information on funding opportunites contact Dr Rod Martin.

CURRENT PROJECTS:

  1. DURASTOR: Low Cost, Durable Thermoplastic Hydrogen Storage Tanks
  2. YORKSHIRE FORWARD: Critical interfaces for new generation of offshore bonded flexible hoses
  3. THERMOPIPE: Thermoplastic composite pipelines versus corrosion resistant alloys.
  4. PEOR: Polymers for Use in Enhanced Oil Recovery

COMPLETED PROJECTS:

  1. MSI-SPAR: Maintaining Structural Integrity of yacht and wind turbine Spars
  2. FETLEC: Fuel Emission Testing for Low Emmision Components
  3. COMPOSITE FRICTION MATERIALS
  4. INCREASED DEMAND FOR RECYCLED PLASTICS
  5. TOOLKIT FOR ADHESIVE BONDING
  6. VIRCON: Virtual consultant for composite materials
  7. EPSRC: Thermoplastics in high pressure gas environments
  8. CURIGHT: Computer controlled curing of rubber.
  9. MMS DEFECTS: Effect of defects in composites
  10. FARADAY PLASTICS: Polymer networking.

CURRENT PROJECTS:

  DURASTOR: Low Cost, Durable Thermoplastic Hydrogen Storage Tanks
Aims:
The objective of the project is to develop a novel, low cost, high pressure (700bar) gaseous hydrogen storage vessel for the automotive market that will offer improved fatigue performance at a lower cost than current solutions with the added benefit of being fully recyclable at the end of life. This step change in cost and performance will be achieved by the development of monolithic thermoplastic composite pressure tanks. The project will research and develop new formulations of low cost engineering thermoplastic polymers and co-polymers that have excellent hydrogen barrier properties, are low density (resulting in a lighter weight structure) and are inherently recyclable so the product can be broken down and re-used at the end of its service.
Application: Hydrogen storage in automotive applications
Duration: 2009 – 2012
Participants: MERL, EPL Composite Solutions (Lead Partner), Crompton Technology Group Ltd, Ticona UK Ltd, Delta Motorsport Ltd, Crompton Mouldings Limited, Oxford Brookes University
Contact: Peter Hansen

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  YORKSHIRE FORWARD: Critical interfaces for new generation of offshore bonded flexible hoses
Aims: This project aims to develop technology that will allow novel bonded flexible hoses to be designed with high axial strength. This potential new market for bonded flexible hoses requires a new generation of designs with enhanced capability and long-term performance especially in the UK continental shelf. In order to achieve these new designs, a greater understanding is required of the interfacial failure modes in the composite layers of hoses alongside the ability to predict hose performance using FEA.
Application: Oil & Gas: Bonded hoses for offshore applications
Duration: 2009 – 2011
Participants: MERL, Dunlop Oil and Marine Ltd
Contact: Peter Hansen

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  THERMOPIPE
Aims: To research and develop a cost effective thermoplastic composite pipeline with increased durability and reduced maintenance over expensive corrosion resistant alloy
Application: Oil & Gas
Duration: 3½ years
Participants: EPL, MERL, Acergy, Chevron, Hess, PERA, Ticona
Contact: Dr Morris Roseman

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  PEOR: Polymers for Use in Enhanced Oil Recovery
Aims: To identify, qualify and develop new polymeric materials used during EOR operations to ensure their longevity for safe operations during these potentially hostile applications.
Application: Oil & Gas
Duration: 2 years
Participants: MERL, Clwyd Compounders Ltd, Precision Polymer Engineering Ltd and Baker Oil Tools
Contact: Dr Morris Roseman

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COMPLETED PROJECTS:

  MSI-SPAR: Maintaining Structural Integrity of yacht and wind turbine Spars
Aims: To investigate the damage tolerance of composite large yacht spars, with the aim to deliver improvements in structural durability, design and quality control
Application: Marine
Duration: 2005-2007
Participants: MERL (lead partner), UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Energy Management Consultants Ltd, Formula Yacht Spars Ltd, High Modulus Europe Ltd, Insensys Ltd, NDT Solutions Ltd, SP Technologies Ltd and Testsure Technology Ltd.
Contact: Peter Hansen
MSI-SPAR website

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  FETLEC - DTI Technology Programme
Aims: To develop new and improved test methods and measurement techniques to enable fuel system components with reduced rates of emission to be more rapidly designed and validated.
Application: Automotive (fuel containment)
Duration: 2004-2005
Participants: MERL (lead partner), Roulundes-Codan, Visteon, GPS
Contact: Dr Nickie Smith

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  Composite Friction Materials - DTI Technology Programme
Aims: To develop the methodology and associated test methods to identify the factors that influence the tribological properties of the composite friction materials in high friction applications
Application: Transport (aircraft, trains, commercial vehicles etc.)
Duration: March 2002 - February 2005
Participants: MERL (project managers), Leeds University, MIRA
Contact: Dr Rod Martin

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  Increased Demand for Recycled Plastics - WRAP funded
Aims: To develop a life prediction methodology and more durable Biobeads™, a recycled plastic media used in residential and commercial filtration. The results will increase the tonnage of recycled plastic by increasing the markets for Biobeads™
Application: Utilities
Duration: March 1st 2002 - February 28th 2003
Participants: MERL, Brightwater Engineering Ltd.
Contact: Dr Nickie Smith

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  Toolkit for Adhesive Bonding - DTI Materials Metrology Programme
Aims: To develop a web site for dissemination of information on adhesive bonding
Application: General engineering
Duration: April 2002 - March 2004
Participants: TWI (lead partner), MERL, NPL, AEA
Contact: Dr John Harris
Adhesives Toolkit website

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  VIRCON - DTI Materials Metrology Dissemination Programme
Aims: An introduction to composite materials using a web based ‘virtual consultant’
Application: All engineering fields
Duration: April 2002-May 2004
Participants: NPL (lead partner), MERL, Rapra Technology, AEA, Trend 2000, Qinetiq
Contact: Dr Rod Martin
VIRCON website

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  EPSRC
Aims: Assess physical ageing of thermoplastics in HP gas environments
Application: Oil and gas hoses, seals
Duration: 2002 - 2004
Participants: MERL, University of Strathclyde, WMG
Contact: Dr Barry Thomson

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  CURIGHT
Aims: To demonstrate feasibility of computer controlled curing to improve the control and precision of curing rubber components, saving energy and reducing scrap
Application: Rubber components
Duration: 2003
Participants: MERL,Silvertown UK Ltd.
Contact: Dr Michael Lewan

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  MMS DEFECTS
Aims: To assess the effects of defects on composite materials
Application: General composite engineering
Duration: 2002 - 2005
Participants: AEA (lead partners), MERL, NPL
Contact: Dr Rod Martin

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  FARADAY PLASTICS
Aims: To improve the link between academia and industry for plastics research
Application: General plastics engineering
Duration: 2002-2005
Contact: Dr Nickie Smith

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