Manchester Nanomaterials is a UK-based advanced materials company specialising in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of layered crystals for scientific research and the development of advanced materials for industrial applications. Their customers include NASA and IBM, as well as various universities and companies worldwide. Manchester Nanomaterials leveraged the CEAMS network to develop a proof-of-concept for a new class of sustainable, high-performance thermal management materials with end-of-life circularity.

The Challenge

Manchester Nanomaterials operates in the niche market of advanced materials, producing thermal management solutions crucial for current and next-generation devices across various sectors, including automotive and aerospace . Traditional materials used face two significant limitations: ability to enhance heat dissipation capabilities beyond current performance, and  difficulty in  recycling or reuse at end-of-life. Despite ongoing improvements in material design, progress in developing solutions that address both performance and sustainability is limited. This challenge highlights a critical gap in the market for materials that can deliver both enhanced thermal management and environmental responsibility.

The Solution

Recognising the need for innovation, Manchester Nanomaterials partnered with the Henry Royce Institute through CEAMS, a collaboration that provided access to the Institute's world-renowned expertise in materials development and characterisation. The team focused on developing advanced composite materials to optimise heat transport mechanisms. This methodology enabled the design of materials that not only improve thermal performance but also incorporate innovative chemistry allowing for material recovery and reuse - a significant advancement over traditional solutions.

The Impact

The collaborative effort successfully demonstrated a new class of materials that achieve significant improvements in heat dissipation  and are able to be recycled and reused. This breakthrough represents a positive change in combining high performance with sustainability principles, and the project's success has established a strong foundation for further collaboration. Future work will focus on optimising the material properties, scaling up production, and working with end users to validate performance in real-world applications. The continued partnership promises to advance the field of sustainable thermal management materials, contributing to both technological advancement and environmental sustainability in critical sectors.