Thin Metal Films Limited

This Proposal confronts manufacturing challenges that constrict the on-going revolution in complex ('freeform') optical surfaces, these promising radical performance-improvements, yet with fewer components. We focus primarily on resolving the lack of worldwide capability for nano-scale-accurate, super-smooth freeforms that i) can survive high laser-powers...

Precision optics underpin the digital revolution, and other next-generation applications such as autonomous vehicles. However, a fundamental bottleneck exists in the scalable manufacture of all precision optics across freeform, aspherical and spherical optical components, due to a lack of cost-effective technology to accurately measure 3-D forms of these ...

The project is a 18 month feasibility study which is a collaboration between (1) Micro Materials Ltd, a SME manufacturer of advanced nanomechanical test instrumentation, (2) Thin Metal Films Ltd, a SME manufacturer of advanced optical coatings, and (3) Cranfield University, a research organisation. The project will develop new tools for coating characteri...

Awaiting Public Project Summary

"**Nanomechanical testing is a revolutionary technique in improving our fundamental understanding of the basis of mechanical properties of materials and the importance of the nanoscale behaviour on their performance. It is important to measure nanomechanical properties at testing temperatures that are close to their operating conditions. The results are m...

Photovoltaic (PV) devices are one of the major green alternatives for low carbon, clean and renewable energy. The conversion efficiency of solar power into electricity using PV technology is currently limited owing to unwanted heat generation and higher production cost. The innovative alkali thin film PV technology (APVs patented by Solaris Photonics) pro...

The EC smart coating window project will demonstrate technical feasibility of producing multilayer electrochromic (EC) coatings and its integration with photovoltaic (PV) module for development of affordable smart windows having potential applications in energy efficient buildings and aircraft. The PV powered ECWIN technology will address the challenges o...

The project will develop an innovative coating characterisation tool – the high temperature micro-scale impact test - that will be used by the Surface engineering and advanced coatings Industry in the R&D of advanced coatings operating under extreme conditions in jet and automotive engines, so they can be optimised for high durability and avoid coating fa...

Photovoltaic (PV) devices are one of the main alternatives of environmentally clean and renewable energy. The conversion efficiency of solar power into electricity using PV technology is currently limited owing to unwanted heat generation and high production cost. The innovative alkaline PV technology (patented by Solaris Photonics) promises to simplify s...