Breakthrough 2013 (PDF) - Swansea University

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College of Engineering ]
Transparent Barriers
and Conductors
It’s not difficult to imagine that a number of
devices will be incorporated into building
structures to collect and store renewable
energy. But there are important common
requirements including protection from the
environment and, in many cases, a
transparent conducting layer – especially
vital in the area of building-integrated
photovoltaics (BIPV).
A desirable material would be a cost
effective, transparent flexible film with strong
conductivity, good moisture and gas barrier
properties – as well as a rugged consistency
which doesn’t degrade under UV radiation.
Such a material is viewed as an enabling
technology for many different flexible
electronic applications, such as organic
First-class facilities
To enable its work, SPECIFIC has installed
state-of-the-art laboratories at the Baglan Bay
Innovation Centre, allowing researchers to
quickly test new ideas and collect robust
scientific data. This supports the development
and understanding of new products and
processes.
The laboratories’ wealth of facilities include
scanning electron microscopes (with EDS
capability), atomic force microscopy with a
Kelvin Probe attachment, NIR lamps and
electrochemical equipment.
SPECIFIC has also developed, designed
and delivered a class 10,000 (ISO7)
cleanroom facility to house its two pilot
production lines.
The pilot production lines enable the
demonstration and full scale manufacture of
1.2m 2 sheet steel, glass and polymer
substrate based technologies, and other
potential flexible and non-flexible materials.
This includes 350mm wide coil materials
such as steel and polymers.
Alongside the cleanroom installation,
SPECIFIC is expanding its laboratories and
offices for world-class investigations into
solving manufacturing challenges associated
with delivering functional coatings to the
marketplace.
Over a short space of time the results of this
pioneering research will come to fruition,
giving strong foundations for the powerefficient
buildings of tomorrow and
renewable energy as a whole.
www.specific.eu.com
Engineering at Swansea
Engineering has been a key subject for Swansea University since its formation, and its teaching and research has evolved and
adapted with time and technology throughout the 20th Century and right up to the present day.
In 2001, the former Departments of Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Materials and Mechanical Engineering were combined to form a
single integrated College. This integrated College has proved extremely successful from both teaching and research perspectives,
helping to address future challenges within engineering where a multidisciplinary approach is crucial.
A broad portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes reflects research strengths which are enriched by industry
collaboration, while a number of programmes are accredited by the Engineering Council.
The College of Engineering is a cutting-edge learning and research environment with state-of-the-art facilities. Pioneering
technological progress in both traditional and emerging disciplines have led to partnerships with major industrial companies.
All activities are driven and underpinned by world leading research, as recognised by the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in
2008, when a combined College of Engineering score ranked 8th in the UK and the best in Wales.
Swansea University has been recognised for its outstanding teaching by an international award, the QS Stars global university
rankings system, which awarded the University five stars for its teaching quality.
The leading research centres and projects within the College are profiled in these pages.
light-emitting diode (OLED) devices and
organic photovoltaic (PV) cells.
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