Public Funding for Energenics Europe Limited

Soot particles from diesel engines are now recognised as carcinogenic and are a major contributor to urban air pollution. Modern cars and trucks are fitted with Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) systems which are composed of porous honeycomb structures which trap soot particles and then oxidise them using the exhaust gases when there is sufficient heat. This project aims to prove the feasibility of a novel filtering device capable of dynamically trapping and eliminating soot particles. The device uses a fibrous substrate sandwiched between highly porous ceramic plates. Trapped particles are removed by exposure to high electric current densities. The project intends to develop advanced versions of a fibrous substrate where loadings of adsorbed nanoscale oxidation catalyst facilitate soot removal at lower temperatures. Such advanced substrates will enable the development of attractive novel alternatives to conventional DPFs which can potentially make major in-roads in providing effective, lightweight, cost-effective, robust and affordable emissions abatement technology for developing countries with severe urban air quality problems like India.

A consortium consisting of Energenics Europe Ltd, Indestructible Paint Ltd and Monitor Coating Ltd has been awarded a TSB grant to develop a nanoparticle-based coating solution for high performance applications. Aerospace coatings are expected to perform in demanding environments and are subjected to very high levels of UV exposure which degrades their structure. This makes the coatings more susceptible to erosion through high speed impacts with dust particles and vapour droplets and can eventually lead to operational failure. Coatings on wind turbine blades (particularly offshore) are prone to similar degradation mechanisms. The project aims to develop a nanoparticle-based solution that simultaneously improves both the UV protection properties and the mechanical resilience of high performance coatings. This will extend re-painting intervals, significantly reducing maintenance costs and contribute to the sustainability of these high growth markets in the longer term.