Public Funding for Microtech Ceramics Limited

The project will produce a vehicle ready prototype catalytic converter for gasoline passenger vehicles and commercially exploit the innovative Microtech Ceramic Substrate developed in Imperial College London. The novel substrate is fabricated using advanced extrusion techniques incorporating phase inversion to produce a microstructure which increases surface area by nearly 10 times. The initial test results from the new ceramic substrate have indicated that it can deliver performance improvements in fuel consumption, a reduction in HC, CO and NOx emissions and substantially reduced cost resulting from lower catalyst loadings. This technology represents a breakthrough and has the potential to be the next generation of ceramic substrates for the automotive Industry. The project will include: • Optimisation of the catalyst and the catalyst deposition process. • Substrate optimisation and the production of full sized catalyst substrates. • Development of a Canning Process. • Validation of substrate mechanical and thermal properties and catalyst ageing characteristics. • Evaluation of performance using road tests, rolling road tests and engine test beds. The primary aim is to prove to the automotive OEM’s and their tier 1 suppliers that the Microtech Ceramics (MTC) substrate is a viable technology that can deliver a step change performance and can be manufactured to the required quality standards at a competitive cost. The initial strategy is to pilot the technology in the aftermarket. Working with BM Catalysts Ltd., the European leader in aftermarket catalytic converters, Ford Dunton Technical Centre, Johnson Matthey, Millbrook Proving Ground, Queen's University Belfast, Loughborough University and Cardiff University, substrates will be produced, loaded with catalyst, canned, tested and proved for the aftermarket as a stage on the road to OEM adoption.