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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/N018222/1
Title: PHOTOBIOFORM II
Principal Investigator: Desmulliez, Professor M
Other Investigators:
Marques-Hueso, Dr J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Chas. A. Blatchford & Sons Ltd Merlin Circuits Renishaw plc (UK)
Department: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Organisation: Heriot-Watt University
Scheme: Standard Research - NR1
Starts: 01 November 2015 Ends: 31 March 2019 Value (£): 351,844
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Electrochemical Science & Eng. Manufacturing Machine & Plant
Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics
Related Grants:
EP/N018265/2 EP/N018265/1
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
13 Aug 2015 Manufacturing with Light 2 Interviews Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
Selective formation of metallic nanoparticles in plastics has a wide range of uses for generating conductive tracks, creating antimicrobial surfaces and for the fabrication of sensors and actuators which has a broad spectrum of applications such as microsystems, printed electronics and wearable devices.



Photobioform II aims to develop bio-inspired, industrially relevant manufacturing processes that can selectively pattern metals onto non-conductive substrates using light-harvesting complexes to accelerate the reduction of metal ions embedded into these substrates. The key challenges addressed in this project cover the fields of material science and manufacturing.

The material science challenges include (1) the vast range of materials which can be processed using this method where each material requires different treatment techniques or operational parameters, (2) the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the photosynthesis within the light harvesting complexes, (3) the determination of the optimal material formulation for this reduction processes and (4) the understanding of the interdependent factors (wavelength, intensity, etc) acting in this multi-dimensional design space to target the for optimum metallisation process.

The manufacturing challenges cover (1) the interplay between processes and manufacturing techniques (and equipment) to deliver these processes (2) the novel spray coating process using aerosol jetting and (3) the industrial need for high speed, high resolution and low cost photo-patterning techniques. Particular high impact applications of prosthetics and encoders will be used to demonstrate the manufacturing capabilities developed during this research.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Summary
Date Materialised
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Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.hw.ac.uk