"The competitiveness of offshore renewable energy within the UK power generation mix and the economic feasibility of the proliferation of regional, subsea transmission networks is compromised by the failure rates sustained by subsea power cables. Power cable failure in wet environments arises most frequently from damage to the protective sheath or jacket layers allowing rapid water ingress. This is preventable by inclusion of a water blocking material within the cable assembly, although existing solutions suffer from poor performance and added cost due to incompatibility with standard power cable production processes. CableCare2 harnesses the laboratory validated water blocking capabilities of a water swell-responsive polymer blend, which consequently self-repairs to prevent water penetration and to block permeation of any water present, promising major improvements in mitigating cable failure. The material process characteristics align with current cable co-extrusion techniques, to be deployed as a subsheath repair layer and inner water blocking protection. Test cables featuring the subsheath self-repair and inner blocking layers will be subjected to simulated environment performance tests by ORE Catapult, while complementary testing and composition optimisation by the project lead organisation, Gnosys, will deliver enhanced service durability leading to demonstrator cables for prototyping and commercial adoption."

This research project addresses the need to develop advanced insulation systems for use in next generation high voltage power transmission equipment used in on-shore and off-shore power networks in developing and developed countries. Its seeks to explore and exploit the technological potential of recent findings that it is possible to simultaneously and significantly improve the heat conduction in insulating materials alongside enhancing the electrical breakdown strength to provide the prospect of obtaining new electrical insulating materials that could revolutionise the design and operation of electrical power networks. This finding and its consequences are contrary to accepted scientific wisdom and its novelty offers considerable engineering opportunity. It has massive technological potential since the thermal management of power equipment is a major issue, particularly in connection with fluctuating power flows, as in renewables generation, and that may occur in the operation of future SMART Grids. It will facilitate the development of high perfomance power cables with increased current and voltage ratings and improved reliability at reduced system cost.

NanocompEIM Phase 2 will develop pre-commercial nanocomposite material formulations and component manufacturing processes scaled to full sized components for future power transmision networks including HVDC and HVAC converter and substation equipment for new smaller and more efficient network installations to meet the needs of future low carbon smarter energy grids. The project will produce selected full size components nanocomposite-based prototypes for specific HVDC and also HVAC applications to support the reliable operation of on and offshore renewable energy power networks. The project includes a dissemination phase, designed to support whole industry adoption of nanocompEIM materials technology. This is a vertically integrated project, which engages the complete supply chain from materials producers to equipment manufacturers to end-users in the form of all three Transmission System Operators in the UK who will ultimately use the components containing the materials made by the processes that this project will produce.

The main goal of the Eurostars CableHeal project is to develop self-healing polymers with intrinsic molecular healing to protect against multiple localised damage events in power cables. The polymers will be scalable to industrial production volumes for application as sheath materials for medium voltage (MV) and high voltage (HV) electrical cables. The sheath protects power cables from mechanical puncture and surface damage that can occur during manufacturing, installation and operation. In addition to protecting against mechanical damage, the materials will repair defects that could otherwise lead to reduced cable performance or failure. The development is expected to significantly reduce cable failure rates.

The main goal of the Eurostars CableHeal project is to develop self-healing polymers with intrinsic molecular healing to protect against multiple localised damage events in power cables. The polymers will be scalable to industrial production volumes for application as sheath materials for medium voltage (MV) and high voltage (HV) electrical cables. The sheath protects power cables from mechanical puncture and surface damage that can occur during manufacturing, installation and operation. In addition to protecting against mechanical damage, the materials will repair defects that could otherwise lead to reduced cable performance or failure. The development is expected to significantly reduce cable failure rates.

The objective is to determine whether plasma treatments, particularly those using cold atmospheric plasma, can improve the health and quality of crops by improving seedling emergence, vigour, disease control, as well as biochemical reactivity. If successful, this would lead to healthier crops whilst reducing the chemical burden on the environment. Manipulating the properties of seeds with a non-invasive, physical process could have far-reaching effects on crop production. More vigorous seedlings, able to withstand biotic and abiotic stresses such as disease, pests and drought, could reduce risk in crop production and result in increased productivity and resilience.

There have been many recorded incidents of fires starting in biomass storage facilities. Once started, these fires are difficult to manage and extinguish. They result in significant risk to human health and business interruption and ultimately financial loss. This project aims to show that there is a clear market need to provide early warning of a fire starting inside a biomass storage facility such as wood pellets in a large silo. This will enable measures to be taken to remove or damp-down the specific part of the silo contents at risk, thus reducing the risk of a whole silo fire. The early warning will be based on temperature and gas mixture measurement and profiling in space and time, within the biomass pile, with near real time reporting. This project spans the Technology Strategy Board Priority Areas: • Resource efficiency • Energy • Electronics, sensors and photonics

NanocompEIM addresses the need for advanced electrical insulation materials for reliable manufacture of high performance next generation high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission equipment. Major enhancements in performance and properties of key components in new HVDC electrical insulation systems are essential for long-term growth of on-shore and off-shore HVDC systems in the UK and Europe which rely on point-to-point and multi-terminal HVDC schemes. This highly innovative project seeks to develop a set of nanodielectric property and process rules to achieve reliable nanocomposites production and process methods that are scalable. The project will demonstrate scalability by the construction of a model insulator demonstrator with characteristics reflecting the generic manufacture and use of common components in HVDC systems. The partners in the project are drawn from all points along the supply chain including a component manufacturer Mekufa UK Ltd, an international equipment manufacturer ALSTOM Grid, and three collaborating end-users National Grid, Scottish Power Energy Networks, and Scottish & Southern Energy, along with internationally leading research providers GnoSys Global Ltd and the University of Southampton.

Design for Disassembly This novel assembly/disassembly project aims to provide the first practical means to rapidly disassemble an item of clothing in a semi-automated, cost effective way. Initially this approach will enable zips, buttons, fastenings and other "contras" that “contaminate” clothing recyclate to be easily removed prior to processing. This will immediately benefit down cycling applications e.g. mattress, furniture and automotive products Outcomes A new generation of reusable or recyclable corporate wear (and subsequently mainstream clothing) is being developed in which joints (e.g. seams) can be dismantled and logos and emblems removed using new process technology. The potential to disassemble effectively will encourage the future specification of more suitable fabrics and fibres from procurement professionals based on the extendable life cycle of the garments.

Awaiting Public Summary

This project aims to develop new environmentally sustainable nonwoven fabrics composed entirely of naturally occurring flame retardant particles and short fibre recycled materials. The products will meet regulatory standards for use in the furniture and bedding, building and transport industries. The intended products are principally targeted at mattress components for furniture, seating and bedding and associated filling materials found in the automotive and transport industries, all of which are required to meet stringent UK flame retardancy standards. A systematic evaluation of waste fibre mixes and sustainable FR additons will take place based upon the results of the feasibility study already conducted. A complete environmental and economic sensitivity analysis will be applied to the most successful technical outcomes so that an exploitation strategy can be developed around an innovation that is environmentally as well as economically viable.