Ionix on the rise at 3M BIC
Tenant News
Ionix on the rise at 3M BIC
A leading manufacturer of high temperature piezoelectric ceramics and ultrasound devices has experienced high business growth since its move to the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre ( 3M BIC ) in Huddersfield
Ionix Advanced Technologies , a University of Leeds spin-out , specialises in high performance piezoelectric materials and sensors that can operate in high temperature and extreme environments to detect and monitor plant and machinery integrity . It moved to the 3M BIC in June last year and since then its number of staff has increased two-fold in parallel with an expanding production capability .
Ionix was set up in 2011 by Professor Andrew Bell , Dr Tim Comyn and Dr Tim Stevenson from the University of Leeds ’ School of Chemical and Process Engineering ( SCAPE ), to create high temperature piezoceramics and devices for sectors such as oil , gas , energy , aerospace and automotive .
The devices can be used in extreme conditions , in particular at high temperatures , for position sensing , crack monitoring , flow measurement and thickness monitoring , and are designed to improve safety , increase longevity of a product or machine , lead to greater productivity and save money .
Dr William Vickers , Business Development Manager at Ionix , said : “ Our devices reduce the need for companies to cool down their sites for maintenance by allowing continuous inspection and monitoring of safety critical parts at high temperature . Cracks are inevitable in machinery in extreme environments , however our products can be used to detect them at up to 400 ° C while machines and processes are still running . The cost savings to our customers of reducing planned and unscheduled shut downs runs into the millions of pounds . Other devices on the market can ’ t handle the high temperatures .”
The 3M BIC offers businesses the tools to accelerate growth through a range of commercial , technical and support services , from access to state-of-the art-technology ,
The Ionix team at work in the laboratory
signposting to funding streams , and access to international and national markets . It also encourages business to academia collaboration with the University of Huddersfield .
Dr Vickers continues : “ We ’ re a high tech company working with high tech firms , and the 3M BIC fits in with that image – there ’ s a real buzz about the place . The building had all the basics we needed to get started and the 3M BIC team went out of their way to ensure that our specific requirements , such as 3-phase electrical supplies and extraction systems were ready for us when we arrived . Their support and willingness to accommodate our needs was invaluable .
“ Since being at the 3M BIC , we ’ ve doubled our staff , doubled our equipment and grown our ceramics and devices capabilities , which enables us to keep up with growing demand for our products . Eventually , we hope to expand into full scale production in larger premises , whilst still maintaining a presence at the 3M BIC .”
3M BIC ’ s CEO , Prof Liz Towns- Andrews , said : “ Helping businesses grow is what the 3M BIC is all about . Our facilities allow us to cater for all types of businesses , especially high tech businesses such as Ionix . It ’ s reassuring to see that Ionix is making use of all our resources , from the lab space , technology , as well as our links with the University of Huddersfield , and great to see them flourish from a University spinout to a fully established business .” Ionix has also worked closely with academics from the University of Huddersfield on analytics , x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy , as well as another 3M BIC tenant , the National Physical Laboratory , on coordinate mapping and surface measurement . Ionix has also taken advantage of other technology available on Innovation Avenue at the 3M BIC such as laser engraving .
For more information on Ionix Advanced Technologies , go to www . 3mbic . com
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