NanoKTN Conference Focuses on Solving Engineering Challenges with Nanotechnology

Performance engineering industries face challenges in product development and maintenance such as reliability and performance under a range of extreme environments including temperature, pressure, friction, wear, corrosion, stress and impact. This one-day conference, organised by the NanoKTN and sponsored by The IET, provides a unique opportunity to network with industry peers and to find out the latest developments in materials, coatings and monitoring systems currently providing engineering solutions to the challenges faced by manufacturers and operators.

The event is relevant to all engineering sectors including aerospace, automotive, offshore, energy, defence and construction, as well as nanotechnology developers and manufacturers. HiPerNano 2012 is a unique opportunity to meet and hear from experts in a range of technology areas including Barrier & Protective Coatings, Graphene & New Materials, Tribology, Nanocomposites, Sensors & Monitoring, and Aerodynamic Flow. Speakers include: BAE Systems, Haydale, AgustaWestland, Thomas Swan & Co., tripleO Performance Solution, Aerospace Metal Composites Ltd, Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, LVH Coatings, Durham Graphene Science, Ilika plc, Southside Thermal Sciences, Miba Coating
Group/Teer Coatings Ltd, Promethean Particles, QMUL/Nanoforce Technology, National Physical Laboratory, Micro Materials Ltd, TWI, Imperial College London, and the Universities of Cranfield, Manchester, Southampton and Surrey.

Dr Fabrice Perrot, Managing Director at ALSTOM Grid Research & Technology Centre will provide the industrial keynote entitled The Role of Nanotechnologies in the Electrical Power Transmission Industry, an OEM's Perspective. The UK Energy Policy has set-up some very tough targets to the Electricity Supply Industry including for example, the 2020 targets will require the UK to increase electricity generation from renewable sources to 15% (currently ~3%). Such challenges even on the UK scale will require significant investments from a number of industries, especially the Electricity Supply Industry. Dr Perrot will look at ways in which ALSTOM Grid is helping create solutions to these challenges and more specifically the role nanotechnologies may play.

Will Barton, Head of Manufacturing at the Technology Strategy Board will provide the second keynote presentation at HiPerNano 2012 entitled The Implications of the Technology Strategy Board's High Value Manufacturing Strategy. He will provide a brief overview of the Technology Strategy Board’s Concept to Commercialisation strategy and will explore how it will play out through the Technology Strategy Board's delivery mechanisms ranging from collaborative R&D to the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.

“Innovation is recognised as key to increased productivity, competitiveness, and for opening new markets. NanoEngineering is increasingly beginning to have a commercial impact within the performance industry, providing a new innovation toolkit for product design, manufacturing and maintenance,” explains Dr Martin Kemp, Engineering Applications Theme Manager at the NanoKTN.
“HiPerNano has been a huge success year on year, and the conference this year promises to bring together technology innovators with end-users to exploit the use of nanotechnology in engineering. Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss engineering challenges and the significant role nanotechnology is playing in helping to overcome them.” Dr Kemp continues.

HiPerNano 2012 is supported by a technical committee comprising The IET, The British Composites Society, the Aerospace, Aviation & Defence KTN, The Institute of Metal Finishing and the IOM3 Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Committee.