Methodology
The way in which novel materials are discovered is changing. Over the past few years, high throughput screening has dramatically increased the productivity of traditional, trial-and-error ´wet chemistry´ materials research. We are now entering a new phase in enhancing materials R&D in which computational methods are used to design materials at the molecular level and deliver materials with tailored bulk properties.
So while MatOx will form exclusive partnerships with some of the world´s leading academic groups in several fields of applied materials science, we will also build similar relationships with the foremost research groups in the field of computational modelling and simulation to develop further these techniques and apply them in the discovery of new materials.
Focus
´Materials´ is a huge and diverse market worth hundreds of billions of dollars world-wide. As an early stage company, MatOx understands the need for focus and is initially targeting a small group of well-defined sub-segments within the field of ´functional materials´:
- Coatings
- We are engaged in the development of coatings with functionality that can be controlled by an external stimulus. This sector has the potential to be highly valuable, a view supported by engagement of MatOx´s first tier-1 customer in this field, Becker Industrial Coatings Holdings AB. Delivering the technology developments that will lead to products in this field requires a unique combination of commercial and scientific skills, which is available within MatOx and through the partnerships we have with several carefully selected world-leading academic groups.
In current projects, we are modelling the supramolecular structure of resin systems and simulating their responses to external stimuli to understand how unique, dynamic mechanical properties can be designed into coatings at the molecular level. We are also designing nanoparticulate additives from the sub-atomic level upwards that will not only introduce high-value functionality into a coating, such as enhanced optical properties, but allow external control of that functionality.
- Catalysts
- We are also pursuing the development of projects in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. This huge global market is seeing strong growth and opportunities for innovation are manifold. The need to derive transportation fuels and the basic materials of our everyday lives from unconventional fossil feedstocks places new demands on the many different catalysts involved in facilitating these conversions. Performance improvements in catalysts for current industrial processes are an imperative as is the development of new catalysts for alternative energy supply, next-generation fuel cell catalysts being a prime example.
- Other target markets
- We are open to exploring any opportunity in the field of materials science. Using the same analytical methodologies that we used to identify the above focal areas, MatOx is in the process of analysing the broad field of materials science for further opportunities. In conjunction with industry clients and academic partners we are assessing where there is market opportunity, technology headspace and an advantage to be taken by bringing a unique combination of scientific skills and methodologies to bear on delivering ground-breaking new materials concepts.
