Additive Manufacture of Tailored Electromagnetic Materials (AMOTEM) Hybrid Printing Testing

Concepts

• research and development
• salisbury
• key aim
• additive manufacturing technology
• manufacturing process
• additive manufacture of tailored electromagnetic materials
• nanoparticle-loaded material
• dielectric materials
• production rate manufacture
• hybrid printing testing

Location

United Kingdom:

Description

To develop a structure that combines an active, nanoparticle-loaded material in a polymer dielectric matrix that exhibits metamaterial behaviour at microwave frequencies. The key aim is to develop additive manufacturing technology that will maximise the ratio of active to dielectric materials with a target wall thickness for the matrix of below 100 microns in the X-Y plane. The manufacturing process should also be capable of building 3D, layered structures, and the method selected or developed must be a suitable candidate for scaling up to production rate manufacture.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Legal Justification

The Secretary of State for Defence intends to enter into a supply contract with The Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM) at the University of Nottingham and their spin out company Added Scientific Ltd for Additive Manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing services. The total estimated value of this procurement is £150,000. In accordance with the provisions of The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 SI No. 2020/1319, this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 as amended (in particular by SI 2020/1319). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service (in accordance with the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with regulation(s) 32(2)(b)(ii) and 32(5)(a) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015. This is because has a unique capability in ink formulation, printer adaption/development and the use of a number of different printers to optimise inks, printing conditions etc. to maximise structure fidelity which is necessary for operation at the electromagnetic frequencies of interest. This capability could not be replicated in a reasonable timeframe or at a reasonable expense. Additionally, the contract will be for research, experimentation, study or development at low TRL. Neither University of Nottingham nor its spin out company Added Scientific Ltd are production companies. Future work beyond research, experimentation, study or development would be transferred to UK Industry.

Other Information

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