The journey to Net Zero
The simple truth is that the only certainty about the impact of Net Zero is guaranteed uncertainty. However, what we do know about the journey to carbon reduction, alternative energies, nuclear waste disposal, and the circular economy, is that it will throw up many materials challenges.
And that’s where we can help
We specialise in pioneering solutions to these challenges, leveraging our expertise to guide organisations and provide ground-breaking insights using our extensive experience combined with cutting edge techniques and future-proof technologies.
Case Study
Our enabling technologies: AI & IMPACT™
Our expertise has led to the development of AI (Artificial Intelligence) systems that automate product control through remote sensing and image analysis with the UK Research and Innovation IRIFIO project. Utilising our IMPACT™ (integrated and Materials Processing and Computational Technologies) technology to dramatically speed up the introduction of new, specially-formulated materials with optimised performance characteristics, this means more efficient use of resources and less waste.
Case Study
iCRTTM
Our iCRT™ (Intelligent Controlled Release Technology) is used to allow active ingredients such as drugs or fertilisers to be released in a pre-determined way, without the use of environmentally-damaging microplastics.
Case Study
MIDAR®
Lucideon’s MIDAR® technology brings together a unique blend of materials science, formulation technologies, and people expertise to provide optimally performing alkali-activated geopolymer and non-sintered ceramics solutions. This versatile technology permits a range of materials with a significantly lower carbon footprint than traditional cements that can be used in applications ranging from construction to problematic waste encapsulation.
Case Study
Flash Sintering
Our unique Flash Sintering technology is an innovative type of Field-Enhanced Sintering (FES) involving the application of electrical current directly to a material during sintering. Not only does the process itself have a lower carbon footprint than conventional sintering due to a significant reduction of furnace temperature and time, but the technology has applications in many Net Zero-related technologies, such as nuclear fuels and batteries.
An upsurge in demand for materials science expertise
Business incentives and a groundswell of public support are now aligning to reward organisations that take the challenge of tackling climate change seriously, whether that’s through taking responsibility for improving their own impact on the environment or through helping to address some of the technological challenges associated with for example, de-carbonisation.
One certainty is that the journey to Net Zero requires materials in the process to be changed, improved, and developed, and those materials have a critical requirement to be processed, tested, characterised, and approved.
In every case, there will be materials challenges – either known and to be solved, or as yet unknown, to be discovered and quantified. And that’s where we excel.
Low-carbon solutions
Enabling a new energy mix beyond fossil fuels
With a quantum shift in energy reliance and the need for removal of man-made emissions from the atmosphere, new demands are being made on existing energy infrastructure and many alternatives to fossil fuels will be part of the mix.
Hydrogen
Enabling a fuel revolution
Whilst there is a global shift toward finding alternative fuels to power existing processes, a choice which potentially could deliver the required CO2 reductions, the cost and wider impact of this potential change are as yet undetermined. Changing from oil or natural gas to the use of hydrogen is a solution that we’re currently pioneering. The benefits versus impact on performance, safety, transport and storage are all critical factors, as is the performance of the product or process with the new fuel.
Preparing for the possible substitution of natural gas, Lucideon is already working on projects investigating hydrogen as a viable alternative – either as a blend, or at 100%. Working alongside Cadent, we are pioneering the use of hydrogen in ceramics kilns to dramatically decrease carbon emissions during firing.
Fuel cells & batteries
Trailblazing storage technology
We’re creating new possibilities for the future of fuel cells and batteries. Our Flash Sintering technology offers radical new capabilities in the sintering of novel materials, enabling new products to be developed that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to manufacture using traditional sintering techniques. We’re currently using this cutting-edge process to support the development of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) and solid-state electrolytes, which are thinner and low resistance in comparison to current options, developing more prospective potential for energy storage.
Nuclear
Making nuclear energy safer
Our novel material technology MIDAR™ is currently being explored for use as a waste encapsulation solution in the nuclear energy industry. Known as MALLET™ (MIDAR™ - Augmented Lower-cost Lower-carbon Encapsulation Technique), this unrivalled material technology uses a low--temperature chemically-stable geopolymer that can contain a greater proportion of waste than current solutions, and therefore deliver a reduction in overall waste disposal volumes, with lower costs and a reduced carbon footprint.
Lucideon also supports the nuclear industry through world-class testing and characterisation infrastructure. We operate the largest and most sophisticated high-temperature water corrosion facility in the world. Over its operational history, it has amassed over 10,000,000 hours of Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) testing, extending the lifespan of nuclear reactors and other vital, energy infrastructure, ensuring this low-carbon energy source as a sustainable part of the overall energy mix.
Creating opportunity and solving challenges
If you are a cutting-edge organisation that is working to address one of the many technological challenges associated with achieving a Net Zero target, it is highly likely that at some point you will encounter a materials-related issue. As a specialist in materials technology, processes and testing, Lucideon applies our cross-industry insight, materials science expertise and innovative thinking to solve these issues for you. Our unique technology platforms deliver cost and/or product performance benefits and enable real market differentiation.
Ready to move your organisation forward on its Net Zero journey?
Lucideon is an international, independent, materials technology company which helps organisations achieve their R&D goals. Solving Net Zero-related challenges using our materials expertise across diverse industries, we are helping industry partners to assess the feasibility of many decarbonising or circular economy technologies.
Innovating change
Our world-leading materials technology expertise is helping organisations globally to identify opportunities, leverage change and solve known and unknown Net Zero solutions.
Start your Net Zero journey with us today.
Our Experts
Discover more about our experts.
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intelligent Microbiology-Driven Formulation (iMDF)
Combining consultation with intelligent Microbiology-Driven Formulation development to make informed decisions
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Constructing a sustainable approach
Combining structural expertise and world-class testing facilities for advanced methods of construction
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Our Cutting Edge Technology Platforms
Solving problems and adding value with our unique array of technologies
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Integrated Materials Processing and Computational Techniques (IMPACT™)
Combining our expertise and computational methods to solve your material and process development challenges
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Materials for Harsh Environments
Transcending the most demanding requirements with supreme performance qualities