EC Funded Projects
MERL has extensive experience of projects funded by the European
Commission and participated in project consortia under the fourth (FP4),
fifth (FP5)
and sixth (FP6) framework programmes. In addition MERL is participating in
various Technology Platforms for the formation of the seventh programme. Under
FP5, MERL was co-ordinator and technical lead in three RTD projects and Work
Package
leaders
in two Thematic
Networks.
Under FP6 MERL is active in several projects as partners in the transport
sector, materials sector and aerospace sector. MERL is open to approaches from
other organisations for partnering opportunities. For more information contact Dr
Rod Martin.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
- NEW-MMEETT: New Materials and
Methods for Energy Efficient Tidal Turbines
- CESAR: Cost
Effective Small AiRcraft
- iNTeg-Risk: Early Recognition, Monitoring
COMPLETED PROJECTS:
- BIOCOMP:New Classes of Engineering
Composite Materials from Renewable Resources
- SUPER LIGHT CAR: To deliver
the technologies and design concepts that would allow up to 30% weight
reduction in the C-class car models of the future
generations
- ExtreMat: New
Materials for Extreme Environments
- KMM-NoEKnowledge-based
Multicomponent Materials for Durable and Safe Performance - A Network
of Excellence
- SMART RESERVOIR: To
identify and fill technology gaps for oil field reservoirs in the
next 10 - 20 years using a thematic network
- LTD-BAMS: Long Term Durability of
Bonded Automotive Metallic Structures
- DEFRIS: Deep Water Flowline and Riser Insulation
- HYFOMA: Hygienic Food Manufacturing
- FULPEC: Function
Life Prediction of Elastomers
in composites
CURRENT PROJECTS:
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| |
New Materials and Methods
for Energy Efficient Tidal Turbines (NEW-MMEETT) |
| Aims: |
NEW-MMEETT focuses on the investigation and improvement of the fatigue
properties of composite materials used in tidal turbine energy generation
through the design of a matrix resin system specifically for this particular
application. The improvement of the fatigue resistance of thick composite
components would offer the potential to extend the life and increase
the usage of such components for long-term use in hostile environments.
It would also allow for improved efficiency in manufacture, reduction
in component mass simplifying installation and maintenance of large
generators and reducing inspection requirements. |
| Application: |
Renewable Energy |
| Duration: |
2008 - 2010 |
| Participants: |
MERL, Advanced Composites Group (Lead Partner), Aviation Enterprises
Ltd., University of Bristol |
| Contact: |
Dr Stefanos Giannis |
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Cost Effective Small AiRcraft (CESAR) |
| Aims: |
CESAR focuses on small-size commercial aircraft providing EU manufacturers with the enhanced ability needed to become fully
]competitive in the world market. The main objective of the project is to build up a new development concept for this aircraft category
and to improve selected technologies enabling a significant reduction of the time-to-market and lowering the overall development,
operation and maintenance costs, while considering safety, passenger comfort and environmental impact. |
| Application: |
Aviation |
| Duration: |
2006 - 2010 |
| Participants: |
MERL (Work Package 2 - Structural Design: Experimental and analytical
work on the damage tolerance of the forward wind structure of the PIAGGIO
AVANTI P180 and the composite roof of the EVEKTOR COBRA VUT100 aircrafts)
+ 39 partners |
| Contact: |
Dr Rod Martin
Dr Stefanos Giannis |
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iNTeg-Risk: Early Recognition, Monitoring
and Integrated Management of Emerging, New Technology Related Risks |
| Aims: |
To improve the management of emerging risks, related
to "new technologies" in European industry. The project
aim is to reduce time-to-market for the lead market EU technologies
and promote safety, security, environmental
friendliness and social responsibility as a trademark of the EU technologies. |
| Application: |
Oil and Gas |
| Duration: |
3 years |
| Participants: |
62 partners |
| Contact: |
Dr Rod Martin
iN Teg-Risk Website |
|
COMPLETED PROJECTS: |
| |
New Classes of Engineering Composite Materials
from Renewable Resources (BIOCOMP) |
| Aims: |
To obtain innovations on engineering thermoplastic and thermosetting
materials mainly from natural resources. |
| Application: |
Medical, automotive, electronic, constructions, sports goods |
| Duration: |
2005 - 2008 |
| Participants: |
MERL WP6 leasers on Innovation and WP5 co-leaders on validation testing.
+ 24 project partners. |
| Contact: |
Dr Rod Martin
Biocomp
Website |
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Super Light Car (SLC) |
| Aims: |
To deliver the technologies and design concepts that would allow
up to 30% weight reduction in the C-class car models of the future
generations. |
| Application: |
Automotive |
| Duration: |
January 2005 - July 2009 |
| Participants: |
MERL (WP2.4.2 leader. Co-ordinate working group on bonding and mechanical
fasteneing of multi-material car bodies, emphasis on assessing the
long term durability of adhesive bonding. 37 industry linked companies
including OEMs, material suppliers, research institutes and companies. |
| Contact: |
Dr Rod Martin
Super Light
Car Website |
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New Materials for Extreme Environments (ExtreMat) |
| Aims: |
To provide and industrialise knowledge based materials for top-end
and new applications in extreme environments. To include self passivating
protection materials, heat sink materials and radiation resistant materials. |
| Application: |
Aerospace, rail, electronics |
| Duration: |
2004 - 2009 |
| Participants: |
MERL (investigate new carbon-carbon and silicon carbon reinforced
carbon for aircraft and rail industry braking) + over 38 partners. |
| Contact: |
Dr Rod Martin
ExtreMat website |
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Knowledge-based Multicomponent Materials for Durable
and Safe Performance - A Network of Excellence (KMM-NoE) |
| Aims: |
To create a coherent pan-European structure of key academic and
research institutions, SMEs and large industry partners in the field
of knowledge-based multicomponent materials designed for safe and durable
performance in highly demanding loading and environmental conditions. |
| Application: |
Aerospace, engines, rocket nozzles, brakes, cutting tools, corrosion
protections |
| Duration: |
2004 - 2009 |
| Participants: |
MERL WPI5 leaders on Infrastructure; + 26 partners |
| Contact: |
Dr Rod Martin
KMM-NoE website |
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Smart Reservoir |
| Aims: |
To identify and fill technology gaps for oil field reservoirs in
the next 10 - 20 years using a thematic network |
| Application: |
Oil and gas |
| Duration: |
January 2003 - December 2005 |
| Participants: |
MERL (WP6 leader for materials. Co-ordinate working group to identify
state of the art, technology gaps and a 30 year vision for all materials
in downhole environments.55 Partners |
| Contact: |
Dr Rod Martin |
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Long Term Durability of Bonded Automotive Metallic
Structures (LTD-BAMS) |
| Aims: |
Development standard test method to assess the durability of adhesive
bonds in bonded steel and aluminium automotive structures |
| Application: |
Automotive |
| Duration: |
January 1st 2002 - December 31st 2004 |
| Participants: |
MERL (Co-ordinators), Volvo (S), BMW (D), Hydro Automotive (N), Sika (Ch), Henkel (D) |
| Contact: |
Dr Rod Martin
LTD-BAMS website |
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Deep Water Flowline and Riser Insulation (DeFRIS) |
| Aims: |
Development of new insulation systems for deepwater oil production |
| Application: |
Oilfield |
| Duration: |
November 1st 2001 - October 31st 2003 |
| Participants: |
MERL (co-ordinators), MSC, Thermotite, Borealis, Coflexip Stena Offshore
Limited |
| Contact: |
Dr Rod Martin
|
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Hygienic Food Manufacturing (HYFOMA) |
| Aims: |
Guidelines to promote the hygienic manufacture of food |
| Application: |
Food Industry |
| Duration: |
January 2000 - December 2004 |
| Participants: |
DuPont, Unilever, Nestle and other European food industry companies |
| Contact: |
Dr Michael Lewan |
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Function
Life Prediction of Elastomers (FULPEC) |
| Aims: |
Development methodology for life assessment of elastomeric components |
| Application: |
Automotive, general |
| Duration: |
January 1st 1999 - December 31st 2002 |
| Participants: |
MERL (Co-ordinators), TRW (ES), ITA (ES), Loughboro Uni (UK), Vitamol
(UK). End User Consultative Group |
| Contact: |
Dr John Harris |
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