Expertise in materials

Metals, polymers, ceramics, composites… materials are everywhere

Radical material advances drive the creation of new products and even new industries. Without the discovery of semiconductors, radios, computers and solar panels would not exist. The development of composite materials has lead to radical changes to the design of products from airplanes to baseball bats. Material innovations drive performance, pleasure, health, comfort – in one word, progress.

Our Expertise in Materials

Materials Expertise by Industry

Our Expertise in Materials

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How we meet your specific need

We aim to establish a balance between performance, properties, structure, sustainability, manufacturing and value proposition to meet the need.

Materials expertise is more than a material’s performance and esthetics

Innovation cells can help you establish a balance between performance, properties, structure, sustainability, manufacturing and value proposition to meet the need.

Engineers and designers sometimes select the material for a new product based on what they know, rather than choosing the material best for the applications.

Innovation Cells can work together with your in-house team to select the correct material to deliver the functions needed while respecting the manufacturing process, the cost objectives and considering the impact on the environment.

Materials Expertise by Industry

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New materials are driving innovation in all sectors

Nearly all industries can benefit from use of advanced materials. Innovation Cells has the expertise to help you find new materials solutions to improve your products.

Packaging

Sports

Automotive

Aerospace

Construction

Cleantech

Using Two Aluminium Alloys

Beverage cans use two aluminium alloys, one for the sides and a stronger alloy to meet the higher mechanical requirements of the top of the can.

Composite Materials

Composite materials made of paper, aluminium and plastic allow for packages that protect products, while minimizing waste, space and cost.

Bio-based Polymers

Containers made from bio-based polymers can be composted after use.

Packaging

Providing secure and sustainable packaging

Each year, 3 billion tones of waste are generated, in Europe. (2) The packaging industry must do its part to eliminate waste by designing packages that use less material or recyclable materials. With our expertise in materials, Innovation Cells can propose solutions for:

• Use of advanced alloys
• Use of natural materials
• Recycling

Sandwich Structures

Sailboat designers pioneered the use of weight saving sandwich structures that are now found in everything from train roofs to road bridges.

Titanium Components

Titanium components make bicycles both lighter and more durable.

Ultrasonic Welding

Replacing sewing with ultrasonic welding has helped swimsuit manufacturers create record breaking designs.

Sports

Breaking the records

Sports competitions can be won or lost by fractions of a second. Athletes must have equipment made from the strongest and lightest materials to ensure a victory. With our expertise in materials, Innovation Cells can propose solutions for:

• Use of fiber composites
• Use of advanced alloys
• Lightweighting

Aluminium and Magnesium

Increasing the use of aluminium and magnesium makes vehicles lighter and more fuel efficient.

Electric Cars

The development of electric cars presents designers with the opportunity to rethink the material used in every part of the vehicle.

Vehicle’s Life

Considering the end of a vehicle’s life before it is even manufactured is the key to sustainable production.

Automotive

Helping OEMs to tackle the CO2 challenge

Passenger cars are responsible for 12% of Europe’s CO2 emissions. (1) Using new materials can help manufacturers to reduce the carbon footprint of vehicles. With our expertise in materials, Innovation Cells can propose solutions for:

• Light weighting
• Heat recovery
• High efficiency heat exchange
• Use of fibre composites
• Use of natural fibre composites
• Recycling

Carbon Fiber Composites

First developed by the military, carbon fiber composites are now used to make commercial aircraft lighter.

Shape Memory Alloys

Use of shape memory alloys in engine nacelles help make planes quieter.

Resist High Temperatures

Super alloys are used to resist the high temperatures found in jet engines.

Aerospace

Driving the evolution of flying

Companies in the aerospace sector have long struggled to be profitable. Now they face the additional challenge of reducing their impact on global warming. Using lightweight materials can help airlines reduce both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. With our expertise in materials, Innovation Cells can propose solutions for:

• Lightweighting
• Use of fiber composites
• Use of advanced alloys
• Recycling
• Structural health monitoring
• High efficiency heat exchange

Laser Cut Formwork

Laser cut formwork was used to create the precisely curve concrete in the inconic Rolex Learning Center building.

Sustainable Alternative

When harvested in a sustainable fashion, wood can provide a sustainable alternative to man-made construction materials.

Innovative Capillary Glass

Innovative capillary glass allows light to pass but does not transfer heat. When used in windows, it keeps buildings cool and well lit.

Construction

Allowing impossible designs

Using new materials in order to decrease the energy consumption of homes and offices and increase the longevity of public infrastructure like roads and bridges are key topics for companies in the construction industry. With our expertise in materials, Innovation Cells can propose solutions for:

• Low energy buildings
• Prefabricated construction
• Structural health monitoring
• Durable civil engineering structures
• Functional facades
• Building integrated energy production
• New materials for interior design

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

‘Reduce, reuse, recycle’. Remembering this simple dictum is essential when selecting materials for new products.

Amorphus Silicon Solar Cells

Amorphous silicon solar cells are flexible which means they can be used to make foldable solar panels which can be packed up and transported to remote locations.

Carbon Fibre Composites

Use of carbon fibre composites in turbine blades is allowing for larger and more powerful wind turbines.

Cleantech

Making energy greener

Companies in the solar and wind energy fields must reduce cost in order to be competitive with traditional energy sources. Using high efficiency and easy to fabricate materials can help solar companies reduce cost. With our expertise in materials, Innovation Cells can propose solutions for:

•  Lightweighting
•  Building integrated energy production
•  High efficiency heat exchange
• Heat recovery
•  Solar thermal energy