LONDON (Alliance News) - Haydale Graphene Industries PLC on Monday said its composites division Haydale Composite Solutions Ltd has entered into a collaborative 18-month research project awarded and managed by the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme.
The company said that the project is for Airbus UK and BAE Systems PLC, and that Cobham PLC and SHD Composites Ltd also are collaborating.
NATEP will provide a grant of up to GBP150,000 towards the GBP300,000 cost of the project, of which HCS will receive up to GBP100,000.
The aim of the project is to develop highly electrically conductive epoxy resins through the addition of functionalised graphene which, when combined with conductive carbon fibre, is expected to result in a highly conductive carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite material capable of withstanding lightning strike in its own right, Haydale said.
The development of such a material would result in safer aircraft and weight and cost savings from the elimination of the expensive metallic meshes, as well as eliminating time associated with integrating the meshes into the structure, the company added.
"The support of NATEP is very welcome as it will accelerate our research in this area and enable us to collaborate with leading aerospace companies to develop new materials and structures at the forefront of emerging technology," Chief Executive Ray Gibbs said in a statement.
Shares in Haydale were trading up 2.5% at 142.00 pence Monday morning.
By Karolina Kaminska; karolinakaminska@alliancenews.com @KarolinaAllNews
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