How we've helped companies
Fibretech
When Fibretech approached the ETC with a novel idea for the use of alloy fibre normally used in vehicle exhaust systems we used our links within the Faculty of Engineering to point them in the right direction.
Dr Mike Clifford and PhD student Joel Chaney helped Fibretech undertake tests to show that their new product, when formed into a sheet and placed in an open fire, could increase the burn time of coal by as much as 30%.
Dr Clifford said "The results from these tests suggest that this material could be useful to keep domestic coal fires burning longer without significantly reducing the temperature. I’m also interested in the impact of this material could have in reducing wood consumption in stoves used for cooking in poor countries.”
Dr Gérald Busca, Project Officer at the ETC, said: “With our support and advice, Fibretech was able to test the idea and prove that it did keep the fuel burning for longer. It was clear that this could be a viable and cost effective improvement to open coal fires. It will make a considerable difference to people who are spending a significant proportion of their money on heating their homes.”