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Issued:15/04/13
A Sheffield Hallam University scientist has received a major award to help a new engineering ceramics company develop its research over the next two years.
Dr Hywel Jones, a principal researcher in the Materials and Engineering Research Institute (MERI) at Sheffield Hallam, will become a Royal Society Industrial Fellow and spend two years conducting research with engineering ceramics company XeraCarb.
Dr Jones will be using his fellowship to develop new lightweight ceramic armour material with XeraCarb.
As well as being up to 30 per cent lighter than current ceramic body armours, the manufacturing process requires much lower temperatures, therefore saving on energy.
The scheme provides each scientist’s basic salary for the duration of their secondment, which lasts for up to two years full-time or four years part-time.
Dr Jones was instrumental in the university "spin-out" company's launch and will use his knowledge of ceramics to boost the Barnsley-based project over the next two years.
XeraCarb was set up in 2011 following research funded by the Ministry of Defence's Centre for Defence Enterprise and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) into new hi-tech ceramic composite materials which could be used as bulletproof armour, among many other applications.
XeraCarb has recently set up its manufacturing base in Barnsley with the help of investment from Finance Yorkshire and others. The company hopes to see its materials used in a range of markets including kiln furniture, body and vehicle armour, wear-resistant components and high temperature resistant materials.
Royal Society Industrial Fellowships are awarded to allow university-based scientists to spend time conducting their research in an industrial environment.
Dr Jones said: “The Royal Society Industrial Fellowship recognises the important role new innovative companies like XeraCarb can play in the UK's economy.
“The Fellowship will allow me to support the company as it develops new innovative products and finds new applications for the technology. Continuous research and innovation are vital for the success of companies like XeraCarb and the fellowship will allow me to contribute to the company's growth and success.”
XeraCarb chairman Chris Wright said “This is a major endorsement of the quality of science that lies behind XeraCarb and its products."
Professor Roger Eccleston, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the faculty for Arts, Computing, Engineering and Science (ACES) at Sheffield Hallam, said: "This is a great achievement, recognising Hywel Jones's work in the development of innovative materials and the commercial potential of XeraCarb's technology.
"This partnership between academia and industry is at the very heart of university's ambitions in this challenging era and demonstrates that our research has the potential to support economic recovery."
For press information contact:Laurie Harvey on 0114 225 2621 or email pressoffice@shu.ac.uk
