Commercialisation of Advanced Thermal Characterisation Technology

了解材料和结构如何导热，即准确地知道它们的热导率，对于设计需要承受高热负荷的结构至关重要，例如大功率电子设备和电池。不准确的导热系数数据可能导致设计缺陷，从而导致设备过热和运行效率低下，甚至导致事故。例如，如果波音787梦想飞机的电池在设计时具有足够的隔热参数，就可以防止级联热失控和由此引发的火灾。然而，测量导热系数可能非常具有挑战性，例如在薄膜和复合材料上，这些材料越来越多地用于电子，电池，航空航天和核等各个领域。我们的技术解决了这一挑战，并帮助工程师和科学家准确地确定热导率，用于开发性能和可靠性更高的材料和电子产品。我们的技术是在布里斯托尔大学开发的，基于瞬态热反射（TTR）方法，该方法使用激光进行测量。到目前为止，TTR只有小众应用，因为它需要复杂、昂贵的设备和相当多的专业知识。我们从可靠性、准确性、适用性和用户友好性等方面对该技术进行了根本性改进，使该技术适合产业化部署。我们最近开始用我们的实验室原型提供测量服务。在这个项目中，我们将为热表征仪器开发一个成熟、强大的商业平台设计。在ICURe的市场调查中，我们确定了复合散热器、热界面材料、印刷电路板和电池热管理系统的制造商是早期采用者。它们也有非常相似的技术要求。在这个项目之后，我们将扩展到高影响力的行业，例如航空航天，核能和半导体；我们的技术可以很容易地适应所有这些应用。我们的愿景是成为英国第一家导热测量设备制造商，并帮助电子，电池，发动机等制造商达到无与伦比的效率和可靠性。在开发商业原型的同时，我们还将专注于与早期采用者合作，使用他们的产品验证技术。获得对我们测量技术的准确性和可靠性的独立验证是项目的另一个关键目标；我们将与国家物理实验室合作，成为热表征的黄金标准。一些公司已经表示，一旦技术得到验证，他们对购买TTR仪器有浓厚的兴趣，因此我们的目标是在项目结束时交付1-2台设备。这将向投资者展示该技术的准备情况和商业潜力。

Understanding how materials and structures conduct heat, i.e. knowing their _thermal conductivity_ accurately is critical for designing structures that need to withstand high heat loads, e.g. high-power electronics and batteries. Inaccurate thermal conductivity data can lead to design flaws and consequently, devices that overheat and operate inefficiently or even cause accidents. For instance, had the Boeing 787 Dreamliner battery been designed with adequate thermal insulation parameters between cells, it would have prevented the cascading thermal runaway and the resulting fire.However, measuring thermal conductivity can be very challenging, e.g. on thin films and composites which are increasingly used in various sectors including electronics, battery, aerospace and nuclear. Our technology solves this challenge and helps engineers and scientists to accurately determine thermal conductivity, for developing materials and electronics with improved performance and reliability.Our technology, developed at the University of Bristol, is based on the transient thermoreflectance (TTR) method, which uses lasers for measurement. Until now, TTR has had only niche applications as it required complex, expensive equipment, and considerable expertise. We radically improved the technology in terms of reliability, accuracy, applicability and user-friendliness, which made the technology suitable for industrial deployment. We recently started to provide measurement services with our lab prototype.In this project, we will develop a mature, robust commercial platform design for thermal characterization instruments. During the ICURe market research we identified the manufacturers of composite heat sinks, thermal interface materials, printed circuit boards and battery thermal management systems as early adopters. They also have very similar technical requirements. Following this project, we expand into high-impact industries, e.g. aerospace, nuclear and semiconductor; our technology can be easily adapted to all these applications. Our vision is to become the first thermal conductivity measurement equipment manufacturer in the UK and help manufacturers of electronics, batteries, engines etc. to reach unparalleled efficiency and reliability.While developing the commercial prototype, we will also focus on working with the early adopters to validate the technology using their products. Obtaining independent verification of the accuracy and reliability of our measurement technology is another key project goal; we will work with the National Physics Laboratory to become the gold standard of thermal characterisation.Some companies already expressed their strong interest in purchasing a TTR instrument once the technology is proven, hence our objective is to deliver 1-2 units by project end. This will demonstrate the readiness and commercial potential of the technology to investors.