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:
- THERMOPIPE: Thermoplastic
composite pipelines versus corrosion resistant alloys.
- PEOR: Polymers for Use in Enhanced Oil Recovery
COMPLETED PROJECTS:
- MSI-SPAR: Maintaining Structural
Integrity of yacht and wind turbine Spars
- FETLEC: Fuel Emission Testing for Low Emmision Components
- COMPOSITE FRICTION MATERIALS
- INCREASED DEMAND FOR RECYCLED PLASTICS
- TOOLKIT FOR ADHESIVE BONDING
- VIRCON: Virtual consultant for composite materials
- EPSRC: Thermoplastics in high pressure gas environments
- CURIGHT: Computer controlled curing of rubber.
- MMS DEFECTS: Effect of defects in composites
- FARADAY PLASTICS: Polymer networking.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
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: |
Mr Peter Hansen
MSI-SPAR website |
|
Back to
top
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
| |
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 |
|
Back to
top
|
