News
August 2009
Centre
for NanoHealth - Big opportunities in a small world
July 2009
NORTH WALES COMPANY ON MISSION TO MARS
Denbighshire-based high-tech company Laser Micromachining
Limited (LML) is set to play a crucial role in a European
Space Agency (ESA) mission to Mars after developing a vital
component in the next generation of space technology.
From its world-class laboratories at St Asaph’s Technium
OpTIC, LML is using its laser micromachining expertise to
produce a critical element which will help to measure the
wind speed and direction on the dusty red planet. The anemometer,
as the instrument is better known, is set to be housed on
the robotic Rover vehicle on the ExoMars mission set to launch
in 2016.
“LML has been chosen to assist in the ExoMars mission
because we have world-leading laser-based capabilities for
producing the highly precise components needed to measure
the direction and strength of the wind on Mars”, said
General Manager of LML, Dr Nadeem Rizvi. “Other techniques
have been tried but have not been able to produce the very
fine features required by the mission. This is a major technical
development for the mission but also for future science investigations
to come.”
ExoMars is a European-led space exploration mission, currently
under development by the European Space Agency (ESA), that
will send a robotic Rover vehicle to the surface of Mars.
The mission will search for signs for life on Mars, survey
the Martian terrain and study the interior make-up of the
red planet. Data from the mission should provide valuable
input for broader studies of exobiology (the study of organisms
originating from outside of Earth) as well as the search for
life on other planets.
The anemometer, one of the scientific instruments used to
gather data on the robotic Rover, requires a small rod of
glass coated with a very thin layer of platinum (about a one
thousandth of the thickness of a human hair). By using its
laser micromachining technology, LML has developed a way of
producing the very fine patterns on the platinum-coated rod
which can essentially create a miniature electrical circuit.
By connecting sensitive electronics to this platinum circuit
and measuring the response of this device it is then possible
to detect the strength and direction of the wind.
“The major challenge was to produce extremely fine
and accurate patterns, as small as two hundredths of a millimetre,
over the surface of a circular rod. We are proud to say that
through the expertise and world-class facilities here at LML
we have delivered what many thought was not possible and the
detectors are being tested as we speak,” said Dr Nadeem
Rizvi. “Not only has our technology produced the strongest
accuracies demanded in space projects but we have proven that
laser micromachining is here, it can work and has the potential
to be the number one technology of the future.”
LML is also part of the XGEN consortium which was established
in 2007 and consists of three Welsh Micro/Nanotechnology Centres
of expertise that have been jointly funded by the Assembly
Government and the UK Government’s Nanotechnology Fund
to ensure industry has open access to state of the art facilities
and equipment.
It brings together top micromachining and micro nanotechnology
(MNT) organisations as a world-class platform to bridge the
gap with industry and to capitalise on the wealth of high-quality
research, experience and manufacturing capabilities available
within Wales.
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport,
congratulated LML and said the company’s technological
capability was an example of the wealth of expertise in Wales.
“It’s excellent news to hear of a Welsh company
playing a key role in providing the vital technology needed
to support such an exciting high profile space programme.
“Solving complex application problems has been a strength
within each of XGEN’s three member organisations and
pulling these skills, experiences, know-how and technology
together under one umbrella has made XGEN a force to be reckoned
with on the international stage. The combination of these
skills means that the wealth of expertise on offer can be
applied to unique customer requirements enabling the development
of practical, successful and cost-effective solutions for
large and small businesses alike.”
The three centres that unite under the XGEN brand are LML,
MicroBridge Services Ltd and CNH - www.xgen.org.uk.
ENDS
About LML
LML is based at St Asaph’s OpTIC Technium and boasts
a wide range of state-of-the art laser tools together with
in-house diagnostic and metrology equipment providing customers
with a comprehensive microfabrication service.
LML can help to exploit the benefits of laser micromachining
equipment and expertise for companies and projects large or
small. With over 35-years combined experience the team at
LML guarantee high-quality services for demanding applications,
a rapid turnaround and ultra-reliability on deadlines. Industrial
sectors which LML is currently working with include, biotechnology,
microelectronics, photonics, medical, energy, sensors and
semiconductors. Laser processing technologies are developing
rapidly
LML recently was the proud winner of the Institute of Mechanical
Engineers (IMechE) MNT Quality Mark which recognises the quality
of service provided by LML to micro and nanotechnology (MNT)
industries.
About XGEN
Since its foundation in 2007, XGEN – a unique amalgamation
of the UK's top micromachining and MNT organisations –
has established an international reputation for technical
innovation and expertise.
XGEN is a unique initiative which combines expertise to far
exceed what individual UK-based companies can offer. By working
in partnership the three XGEN firms are able to provide service
solutions previously not available to industry. In the past
several different providers were necessary to offer what XGEN
can now seamlessly provide. The objective of this innovative
collaboration is to meet the challenges of an ever-changing
and fast-growing global market.
LML, MicroBridge and CNH are three Wales-based companies
working together to exploit emerging micro and nanotechnologies
(MNT) and showcase world-class research, development and production
facilities.
A one-stop-shop that ensures a streamlined service and increased
manufacturing efficiency through collaboration and innovation.
July 2009
Bionic Man moves step closer to reality as Welsh engineers
develop ground-breaking technology
The XGEN consortium, a Welsh Assembly Government initiative
that unites three of Wales’ leading engineering organisations,
is on course to tackle one of the major challenges facing
the medical industry today - control over artificial limbs
in severely disabled spinal injury patients or loss-of-limb
patients via direct readings of the brain.
At the time the George Lucas classic Star Wars was written,
where hero Luke Skywalker’s arm was severed during a
lightsaber fight, such conclusions of bionic limbs being fitted
and controlled by the central nervous system was pure science
fiction. However, with significant medical advancements in
amputation coming to fruition in recent years, the ability
to manufacture artificial limbs that have the functionality
and even feel of a natural limb is becoming very real.
For decades, scientists have been interested in developing
a technique for interpreting brain activity to motor output
and according to Dr. Robert Hoyle of MicroBridge Services,
part of the XGEN consortium; the technology for helping patients
improve their ability to take signals from the human brain
and translate those signals into motion in the artificial
limb is getting ever closer:
“We have been collaborating with researchers and medical
practitioners who are testing our micro-needle array sensors
in the field which we believe one day will have a massive
impact on the future functionality of severely disabled or
loss-of-limb patients.”
“The majority of motor functions in our body are driven
by electrical currents originating in the brain, so when someone
loses a limb through illness or an accident, it is important
their artificial limb replacement can repair or restore any
physical and mental constraints their body is experiencing.
“In the majority of amputations nowadays, nerves that
normally control the arm muscles are surgically relocated
to the chest muscles and the electrodes are then able to pick
up nerve impulses being sent out to the no-longer-existing
arm muscles. The problem with this solution is that it doesn’t
work with patients without nerve endings, such as patients
with cervical injuries, so the greatest challenge the industry
currently faces is finding a way to control a prosthetic limb
using readings from the brain. And this is where our technology
comes to the fore.”
XGEN’s micro electro discharge machining (micro EDM)
is ideal to help with medical procedures on one of the critical
components of the brain/machine interface, the sensor electrode
array, which sits as an implant in the surface of the brain.
Because of the complex and delicate nature of the brain, there
is no room for error but with years of dedicated research
in the field, XGEN is confident their machinery can stand
up to the test and be used in medical device research and
development for years to come.
Dr Steve Davies, Welsh Assembly Government Technology Manager
said:
“Solving complex applications problems has been a strength
within each of XGEN’s three centres and pulling these
skills, experiences, know-how and technology together under
one umbrella has made XGEN a force to contend with on the
international stage. The combination of these skills means
that the wealth of expertise on offer can be applied to unique
customer requirements enabling the development of practical,
successful and cost-effective solutions for large and small
businesses alike.
“Here at XGEN we now have the structure and combined
expertise to create new and radically enhanced products that
can far exceed what individual UK-based companies can offer.”
ENDS
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