Public Funding for Nanolayr UK Limited

The SWIFT project aims to create eco-friendly air filters using seaweed-based materials. Traditional filter media, primarily synthetic polymers, fibreglass, and cotton for example, contribute significantly to landfill waste as filters are considered unsafe for recycling. As global temperatures rise and air pollution becomes a growing concern, the demand for commercial and residential air conditioning increases, further exacerbating the waste problem. FlexSea, a leader in eco-friendly biomaterials, uses sustainable seaweed farming without fertilizers or freshwater, avoiding competition with food resources. Their home-compostable materials degrade naturally, unlike alternatives such as PLA, which requires specific conditions. Innovating seaweed-derived biomaterials boosts market demand, promotes raw material trade, and enhances the UK economy by encouraging local seaweed production; a global market expected to more than double over the next decade! NanoLayr will transform FlexSea's planet-friendly materials into nanofibres. 500x smaller than human hair, these fibres are highly effective for air filtration due to their ability to capture tiny particles. The process used, called electrospinning, is efficient and adaptable, making it applicable to use new materials without major changes to manufacturing, as well as remaining evironmentally friendly, making it ideal for this project. Combining FlexSea's eco-friendly materials with NanoLayr's technology, the SWIFT project aims to develop scalable, high-quality, and sustainable air filters, reducing landfill waste and reliance on synthetic or oil-based plastics. The Core objectives of this project are: * Validate first prototype filters using seaweed biomaterials * Develop knowhow and processes for manufacturing * Optimise first prototypes ready for scale-up. Post this project, with minor adaptations, electrospun seaweed-derived nanofibres can be further developed to address many other markets, such as sanitary products. For example, 300,000 diapers go to landfill every minute worldwide! Tackling this has the opportunity to save 248 million barrels of crude oil annually!

Heat shielding in applications where space and weight is critical, has always been a tough engineering challenge. It is one of the few design commonalities between rocket engines, combustion engines and electric vehicles. Today, this need is a crucial as ever with delicate electronics often located near high temperature components. Our project, "NanoTherm" represents a significant advancement in the development of thermal management solutions. Rooted in precision, adaptability, and innovation, we aim to deliver heat shielding products that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and safety across industries. At the heart of our innovation lies a patented manufacturing method to create innovative nanofibres that facilitates control over our proprietary material's fabrication. Through an energy efficient process called Electrospinning, our 'Biowool' material is transformed into nanofibres, 500x smaller than a human hair. This method enables us to tailor the material to various forms, ranging from a cotton wool-like consistency, perfect for intricate applications, to a robust, solid-state ideal for heavier-duty requirements. Our material offers superior thermal insulation compared to market leaders while reducing weight and thickness. This balance between effectiveness and size makes it ideal for applications requiring top-tier thermal performance without space or weight compromises. Over the course of this project, we will scale up production for both forms, in addition to manufacturing thin sheets for large-scale applications. Once produced at scale, we will conduct pilot tests in motorsports and electric vehicle (EV) battery insulation with testing partners. While our initial applications lie within EVs and motorsports, our long-term vision includes diverse sectors such as aerospace, construction, and energy storage. Rooted in innovation and precision, our project signifies a step forward in thermal management technology. By combining cutting-edge solutions with adaptability, our aim is to enhance thermal management efficiency across industries, contributing to a more sustainable future. This is a true platform technology with the capacity to improve the sustainability of many aspects of daily life where temperature control is critical. From improving the efficiency of homes to enhancing the safety of aerospace; we are committed to ensuring the full potential of our technology is realised and available to anyone who will benefit from our innovative material. In conclusion, this project represents a step forward in thermal management, addressing the critical need for sustainable solutions. Our vision extends beyond our initial applications, seeking to address thermal challenges effectively and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Over 34 billion tonnes of CO2 are emitted into the atmosphere annually worldwide, 73.2 % from the energy sector by burning fossil fuels. CO2 is a greenhouse gas and contributes to global warming, which is why the UK government as part of the Net Zero UN Coalition have set a target for all sectors to decarbonise to reach net zero targets by 2050\. The AMAZE project will produce a high-volume commercial filtration media that will capture CO2 at the point of source. Offering a game-changing innovation to the Carbon Capture (CC) market with higher adsorption capacity, and lower regeneration energy requirements. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are highly functional chemicals that can be tailored to capture CO2 more efficiently and requiring less energy to be regenerated. Being a powder, the challenge is that they need to be supported on a highly breathable substrate so they can be reused. Nanofibres are 500x smaller than a human hair and collectively produce porous non-woven sheets. With extremely high surface areas and the ability to carry particles like MOFs, nanofibres are perfectly suited to the task. MOF-loaded nanofibres will revolutionise the current approaches to CO2 capture with a universal filter which offers a low-cost, high-efficiency alternative to current systems. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has highlighted Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage as a priority action in their Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050\. Carbon capture reduces the CO2 produced during industry by capturing it before is enters the atmosphere. This captured CO2 then gets bottled up and either transported for permanent storage, or processed into a useful product, like plastics, chemicals, or new fuel. Traditionally, capturing the carbon can be an energy-intensive process with chemicals that are hard to dispose of when depleted, which often defeats the original environmental goals. Innovation and increased adoption of new and existing technology is needed to reach Net Zero goals. novoMOF (Switzerland) a pioneer and manufacturer of MOFs, and NanoLayr (UK) a developer and manufacturer of nanofibres; are integrating these two technologies to bring transformation to the Carbon Capture market and produce a commercial MOF-loaded nanofibre sheet. The resulting sheets will be directly applicable to current high-volume air filters, meaning they can be used to stop CO2 from entering the atmosphere without any major infrastructure being needed. This cheap, low-energy solution has the potential to have a huge impact on the planet's carbon problem.

Stillbirth affects approximately 1 in 244 births in the United Kingdom. Foetuses may exhibit signs of compromise as part of a stress response before stillbirth and a key indicator is a reduction in foetal movements. Signs of compromise often occur only hours or at best days before foetal death, so it is highly likely to be missed by current monitoring practices, which are performed intermittently and usually require a pregnant mother to alert of experiencing a reduction in movement and actively seek professional advice. It has been well documented that accurate and early identification of reduced foetal movements (RFM) and the ability to perform early clinical intervention may prevent stillbirth. Foetal movements have an important role in antenatal surveillance, but currently, there is a distinct lack of effective technology to objectively utilise this important marker of well-being in the clinical setting. Currently, the burden of identifying RFM is on the expecting mother who has to attend A&E, where an initial check is carried out and if no abnormalities are found, the patient is discharged and advised to continue to monitor movements. There is clearly a need to provide an objective measurement of RFM and reassurance to expecting mothers through a non-invasive wearable solution. Radical Fibres (RF) and KYMIRA have developed a wearable foetal movement monitoring device, BUMPE, embedded with a multi-sensor system that monitors 24-hour continuous foetal monitoring. However, the product has hit a critical standstill in its development: the active nanofibre sensor material used, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), is under threat because it is manufactured from a forever-chemical (PFAS; polyfluorinated alkyl substances). These man-made chemicals build up in our bodies and environment, they do not break down. As a result, they are being phased out and banned. This Innovate UK feasibility grant will support RF and KYMIRA to move BUMPE away from these chemicals to bio-derived alternatives. The continued success of our technology relies on redeveloping it using a suitable bio-derived material and with a sustainable lifecycle. This is a significant technological challenge, as the replacement material is required to have comparable properties. Using a wearable monitoring device for foetal movement outside of a hospital is an innovative practice that will revolutionise the way care is delivered to pregnant women who experience RFM. This is an unprecedented use of wearable technology in a clinical setting, that will remove the risk of subjective assessment and save lives.

Electrospinning turns plastic materials into nanofibers that have a huge range of uses, including flexible sensors, filters of nano-sized pollutant particles, and next-generation composites, all used in a wide variety of markets, including aerospace, architecture, automotive, energy, infrastructure, marine, military, and sports/recreation. Our nanotechnology will enable stronger, lighter vehicles resulting in fewer emissions and cheaper travel via a reduction of fuel and CO2 emissions. In addition, the nanofibres are able to carry within themselves additional so-called "functional materials" such as viral or bacterial killing agents, creating lightweight particulate filter masks that not only block but also kill a virus, for example. Our aim is to create a core business exploiting our state-of-the-art electrospinning system, which creates or substantially improves nanofibres for industrial applications via bespoke customisation. To achieve this, we must first build up the existing innovation into an industrial research-capable electrospinning rig and then use this industrial rig to develop a pipeline of new products, together with the new industrial processes by which to manufacture these products. Ultimately, we will build on our innovation to become a world leader for the UK in nanofibre technology. Through listening to the challenges voiced by industry, we redesigned electrospinning from its fundamental electrostatic physics, resulting in an innovative solution that delivers tight control of the structural organisation and morphology of the nanofibres, delivering consistent and reproducible performance. Furthermore, we can use recycled polymers which are more sustainable and negate the need to use environmentally harmful alternatives. This places us in the advantageous position of being able to offer a high-value product with a low production cost, based in the UK. With public funding, we will get to market much quicker, eventually disrupting the current materials paradigms while simultaneously creating a brand-new industry for the UK with worldwide export potential. We plan to develop a wide variety of applications using nanofibre technologies. Utilising our technology, the first confirmed customer-led project is the development of a smart textile or "wearable" sensor which can be incorporated into clothing and worn on the body. This will be used as a foetal monitoring device to help prevent the 3,400 tragic stillbirths in the UK, improving quality of life and significantly reduces the costs to the NHS.

Plastic pollution was already one of the greatest threats to our planet before the coronavirus outbreak. The huge increase in the daily use of plastic disposable facemasks, along with other forms of PPE to keep people safe and stop the spread of disease, is not sustainable. Numerous reports are emerging everyday imaging and documenting the huge increase in PPE found on river banks and beaches. It is currently impossible to go for a walk from your home without seeing some form of discarded plastic PPE waste polluting the environment. We intend to change this by developing a sustainable filter material that is effective at stopping very small particles, smaller than the COV19 virus (60nm) and thus effectively stop virus transmission as well as eliminate the damage the current masks are doing to the environment. This filter material will be integrated into masks for the general public. Until immunisation becomes available nation-wide (and worldwide), there is a significant risk of major disruption and the UK cannot afford a return to lockdown. Face masks are the new norm, but, apart from the high-end medical N95 respirators, no other filters are rated to stop viruses effectively. The supply of high-end respirators must be prioritised for frontline medical staff. Our solution is to manufacture filters using eco-freindly nanofibres made from biodegradable polymers such as cellulose. These filters which are highly-breathable, flexible and can be used as inserts into natural textile, simple face masks. This will increase the protection of cloth masks (even home-made ones) significantly, with the efficiency then being ruled by the tightness of the fit around the filter/face. The nanofibres will also harness static electricity through engineered scientific design to trap and hold even the smallest of nanoparticles, and may be of further use in areas of high pollution or for people with chronic respiratory problems. Nanofibres are produced using a high electric field to pull a fibre out of a droplet of solution on the end of a needle (a process called electrospinning), a very slow process that would make filters for ~3 masks/day. Due to electrostatic shielding, bringing more needles to bear is not a linear process, requiring higher and more unsafe voltages, and limiting the choice of materials that can be used. Our innovation is a modular solution that increases deposition rates by 1000 - 10000 times per module.

Plastic pollution was already one of the greatest threats to our planet before the coronavirus outbreak. The huge increase in the daily use of plastic disposable facemasks, along with other forms of PPE to keep people safe and stop the spread of disease, is not sustainable. Numerous reports are emerging everyday imaging and documenting the huge increase in PPE found on river banks and beaches. It is currently impossible to go for a walk from your home without seeing some form of discarded plastic PPE waste polluting the environment. We intend to change this by developing a sustainable filter material that is effective at stopping very small particles, smaller than the COV19 virus (60nm) and thus effectively stop virus transmission as well as eliminate the damage the current masks are doing to the environment. This filter material will be integrated into masks for the general public. The UK economy is forecast to shrink 35%, with 2 million jobs lost. Until immunisation becomes available nation-wide (and worldwide), there is a significant risk of major disruption and the UK cannot afford a return to lockdown. Face masks are the new norm, but, apart from the high-end medical N95 respirators, no other filters are rated to stop viruses effectively. The supply of high-end respirators must be prioritised for frontline medical staff. Our solution is to manufacture filters using eco-freindly nanofibres made from biodegradable polymers such as cellulose. These filters which are highly-breathable, flexible and can be used as inserts into natural textile, simple face masks. This will increase the protection of cloth masks (even home-made ones) significantly, with the efficiency then being ruled by the tightness of the fit around the filter/face. The nanofibres will also harness static electricity through engineered scientific design to trap and hold even the smallest of nanoparticles, and may be of further use in areas of high pollution or for people with chronic respiratory problems. Nanofibres are produced using a high electric field to pull a fibre out of a droplet of solution on the end of a needle (a process called electrospinning), a very slow process that would make filters for ~3 masks/day. Due to electrostatic shielding, bringing more needles to bear is not a linear process, requiring higher and more unsafe voltages, and limiting the choice of materials that can be used. Our innovation is a modular solution that increases deposition rates by 1000 - 10000 times per module. In this project, we will develop the prototype eco-friendly filter material, validate it independently for viral filtration and move to pilot production of a consumer and a medical filter.

Electrospinning turns plastic materials into nanofibers that have a huge range of uses including flexible sensors, filters of nano-sized pollutant particles, and next-generation composites, all used in a wide variety of markets, including aerospace, architecture, automotive, energy, infrastructure, marine, military, and sports/recreation. Our nanotechnology will enable stronger, lighter vehicles resulting in fewer emissions and cheaper travel via a reduction of fuel and CO2 emissions. In addition, the nanofibres are able to carry within the fibre "web" additional so-called "functional materials" such as viral or bacterial killing agents, creating lightweight particulate filter masks that not only block but also kill the virus, for example. Our aim is to create a core business exploiting our state-of-the-art patented electrospinning system, which creates or substantially improves nanofibres for industrial applications via bespoke customisation. To achieve this, we must first build up the existing innovation into an industrial research-capable electrospinning rig and then use this industrial rig to develop a pipeline of new products, together with the new industrial processes by which to manufacture these products. Ultimately, we will build on our innovation to become a world leader for the UK in nanofibre technology. Through listening to the challenges voiced by industry, we redesigned electrospinning from its fundamental electrostatic physics, resulting in an innovative solution which delivers tight control of the structural organisation and morphology of the nanofibres, delivering consistent and reproducible performance. Furthermore, we can use recycled polymers which are more sustainable and negate the need to use environmentally harmful alternatives. This places us in the advantageous position of being able to offer a high-value product with a low production cost, based in the UK. With public funding, we will get to market much quicker, eventually disrupting the current materials paradigms while simultaneously creating a brand-new industry for the UK with worldwide export potential. We plan to develop a wide variety of applications using nanofibre technologies. Utilising our technology, the first confirmed customer-led project is the development of a smart textile or "wearable" sensor which can be incorporated into clothing and worn on the body. This will be used as a foetal monitoring device to help prevent the 3,400 tragic stillbirths in the UK, improving quality of life and significantly reduces the costs to the NHS.

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We aim to develop a filter material that is effective at stopping very small particles, smaller than the COV19 virus (60nm) and thus effectively stop virus transmission. This filter material will be integrated in masks for the general public, to help with a safe return to work and will be certified for viral filtration efficiency independently. The UK economy is forecast to shrink 35%, with 2 million jobs lost. Until immunisation becomes available nation-wide (and worldwide), there is a significant risk of major disruption and the UK cannot afford a return to lockdown. Face masks are the new norm, but, apart from the high-end medical N95 respirators, no other filters are rated to stop viruses effectively. The supply of high-end respirators must be prioritised for frontline medical staff. Our solution is to manufacture filters using polymer nanofibres made from a biocompatible material, filters which are highly-breathable, flexible and can be used as inserts into textile, simple face masks. This will increase the protection of cloth masks (even home-made ones) significantly, with the efficiency then being ruled by the tightness of the fit around the filter/face. The polymer nanofibres will also use static electricity to trap even the smallest of nanoparticles, and may be of further use in areas of high pollution or for people with chronic respiratory problems. Nanofibres are produced using a high electric field to pull a fibre out of a droplet of solution on the end of a needle (a process called electrospinning), a very slow process that would make filters for ~3 masks/day. Due to electrostatic shielding, bringing more needles to bear is not a linear process, requiring higher and more unsafe voltages, and limiting the choice of polymers that can be used (eg. no flammable solvents). Our innovation is a modular solution that increases deposition rates by 1000 - 10000 times per module. In this project, we will develop the prototype filter material, validate it independently for viral filtration and move to trial production, followed by large-area pilot production.

In the UK, 1 in every 225 births is a stillbirth (baby born dead after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy); equivalent to 3,400 babies dying each year. Around nine in ten stillbirths occur before the onset of labour. One in three stillbirths occur in babies who have reached term and seem to be completely healthy. Women who have suffered stillbirth can develop mental health problems afterwards; one study showed women experiencing stillbirth were 4x more like to have depression and 7x more likely to have post-traumatic stress disorder compared to women having live births. The results are long-lived, with women reporting anxiety and depression up to two years afterwards. Over 50% of mothers experiencing stillbirth noticed slowed fetal movement beforehand. However, movements differ between women and between pregnancies, and perceptions of movement are subjective. KYMIRA, a market-leading developer of e-textiles successfully commercialised within the performance sports sector, now wish to create a wearable technology for non-invasive, 24-hour fetal movement monitoring deploying a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based piezoelectric sensor to help prevent stillbirth. This project will enable KYMIRA and Radical Fibres Limited to develop and test prototypes in a clinical setting, generating preliminary safety and efficacy data to inform a post-project clinical trial. These outputs align with the 2016 National Maternity Review, which recommends personalised care based on unbiased information.