Latest News from the Micro Materials Website http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/news.asp Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:58:13 +0100 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:58:13 +0100 Micro Materials Ltd (MML), established in 1988, has returned to private ownership following a buy-out by major shareholder David Harding, managing director of Winton Capital. Mr Harding first became interested in MML via his substantial shareholding in Millbrook Scientific Instruments plc., who acquired MML in 2004. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/news/ownership.asp 26/07/10 ]]> http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/news/nick.asp 2/07/10 Micro Materials are pleased to announce the tenth MML European User Meeting, this years meeting will be taking place in Politecnico Di Milano, Milan on Thursday the 28th of October 2010.As always we have some excellent speakers attending. This years invited speakers are Prof Bill Clyne, The Gordon Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK. Prof Edoardo Bemporad, University of Rome, Roma Tre, Italy. Prof Mojtaba Ghadiri, Institute of Particle Science and Engineering, University of Leeds, UK. Dr Marc Masen, Laboratory for Surface Technology and Tribology, University of Twente, The Netherlands. If you are working on something and would like to share it with the community please submit either a talk, a paper or a poster. These meetings are always very lively and I'm sure this year will be no different. Even though these meetings act as a forum for NanoTest users to share recent work and findings, we encourage prospective users with an interest in nanomechanical testing to attend. Please find attached the meeting announcement and call for papers, please feel free to circulate this as you see fit I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Pasquale for hosting us this year.For full details, including how to register, please visit: www.micromaterials.co.uk/eurouser http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/eurouser 21/06/10 Micro Materials Ltd (Wrexham, UK) have introduced a new addition to their versatile NanoTest system. The Environmental Purging system allows for control of the gas content within the NanoTest enclosure. This opens up a vast range of new possibilities in surface and thin-film technology as it allows the measurement and optimisation of mechanical properties for varying atmospheric oxygen content.Reduced oxidation rates are achieved by replacing oxygen content in the chamber with inert gases such as argon. The system allows for set oxygen levels to be achieved allowing experimental work to be undertaken from 20pc oxygen to 0.1pc oxygen.Denise Hoban, MMLs International Business Development Manager, says This new capability is another in the long list of innovative testing options developed at MML. We were the first manufacturer to offer high temperature testing, and we have the only nano-impact capability available. This tradition of pushing the boundaries of nanomechanical testing highlights our highly innovative approach.The high temperature capability of the NanoTest system, which allows users to test materials at temperatures up to 750C, has been extremely well received by the nanomechanical community. Having established themselves as the only manufacturer capable of reaching such temperatures, MML recognised the role of oxidation which can effect some materials at such high temperatures. The environmental purging chamber is therefore especially useful when used in conjunction with the hot stage, as it allows for vastly reduced oxidisation rates, ensuring accuracy of test measurements. Established in 1988 Micro Materials Ltd are manufacturers of the innovative NanoTest system, which offers unique nanomechanical test capability to materials researchers for the characterisation and optimisation of thin films, coatings and bulk materials. Techniques include nanoindentation, nano-scratch and wear, nano-impact and fatigue and nano-fretting.Read more on www.micromaterials.co.uk http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/news/purging.asp 10/06/10 Micro Materials Ltd (Wrexham, UK) showcase data acquired using their unique NanoTest system in a recent application note focussed on aerospace applications.The NanoTest system offers a range of nanomechanical test capabilities, including nanoindentation, nano-scratch, nano-wear, nano-impact, nano-fatigue and nano-fretting. The system can carry out this work under a range of environmental conditions, including in liquids, at temperatures up to 750C, at sub-ambient temperatures down to -30C, under controlled humidity and under oxygen-free conditions. This allows the researcher to evaluate mechanical properties under a range of true service conditions, rather than depending on data acquired under ambient laboratory conditions.A copy of the application note is available for download from the MML website. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/news/aeronote.asp 1/06/10 Micro Materials Ltd Wrexham UK have recently released their new Platform 3 operating software which is included as standard on all new systems and is available as an upgrade to existing systems. The new software includes a range of new features allowing NanoTest users even more flexibility in experiment design while simplifying the operation of the system. MMLs Managing Director Paul Grasske says - This new generation of software has been developed with the inexperienced user in mind. The simplified interface while maintaining full flexibility is easier to navigate and more intuitive. The additional features included ensure the system is even more versatile MML customers may download updated versions of their current operating platform from the user section of the MML website. Established in 1988 Micro Materials Ltd are manufacturers of the innovative NanoTest system which offers unique nanomechanical test capability to materials researchers for the characterisation and optimisation of thin films coatings and bulk materials. Visit the website for more details http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/news/p3.asp 27/05/10 The Micro Materials Show Schedule has now been updated to cover shows up to November 2010, so why not come visit us at one of the many conferences which we will be attending. For full details visit our website. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/news.asp 25/05/10 Click here to download the PDF. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/ukag.pdf 8/02/10 Micro Materials Ltd (MML) will hold a one-day meeting on recent advances in the field nanomechanical testing at their production facility in Wrexham on 9th March 2010. This is your chance to find out more about innovation in mechanical measurements at the nano and micro scale, including nanoindentation, nano-impact, nano-scratch and more. The day will provide a mixture of presentations, discussion and live system demonstrations.MML are a world leading manufacturer of nanomechanical testing instruments. In recent years, they have pioneered nanomechanical testing in real-world conditions. This innovative approach has led to the development of unique testing modules, among them the high temperature testing module, which allows testing of a sample heated up to temperatures of 750C. MML also offer a unique liquid cell, which allows the testing of samples fully immersed in fluid. The patented MML nano-impact and fatigue system affords unrivalled information on fracture and fatigue behaviour. As the NanoTest is fully modular one can tailor experiments to replicate mechanical stress as it would be in the field, such as cutting tools at high temperature.New developments to be discussed include purging capability for testing in low-oxygen conditions, nano-fretting, and a new sub-ambient temperature stage. Upgrade options for existing customers will also be discussed, including the new generation of control electronics and software, Platform 3. These new developments have vastly improved usability and performance. The workshop is free of charge and includes lunch and refreshments. As numbers are limited, early registration is recommended. To register please e-mail angela@lotoriel.co.uk. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/ukworkshop09.asp 26/01/10 The review of our ninth European User Meeting is now available online. The ninth MML European User Meeting was held at the Institute of Physics at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, in Prague. The meeting was kindly hosted by Dr Petr Bohac and his group. The opening session of the meeting was chaired by Dr Bill Clegg of Cambridge University............(continue reading on the website) http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/eum09review.asp 15/01/10 This is the last call for registrations to the Euro User Meeting 2009.Visit www.micromaterials.co.uk/eurouser to get your registration form now! http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/eurouser 06/09/09 Register to attend the 2009 European Nanotest User Meeting. Full programme now released. (Full deatils on website) http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/eurouser/ 23/07/09 Four recent publications featuring the Micro Materials NanoTest system are discussed. The papers from Cambridge, MIT, Aston and McMaster Universities, all present novel research carried out using some of the unique features of the NanoTest. (Full article on the website) http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/recentpapers.asp 09/07/09 The recent Welsh trade mission event, hosted by International Business Wales saw a number of innovative Welsh companies take part in what has become the biggest Welsh international trade mission to date. The week-long program included meetings with high-profile executives and engineers at Boeing, NASA, and Defence and Homeland Security, as well as some excellent presentations and workshops.'The mission gave us a great platform to pitch our unique approach to some of the leading researchers in the US' said MML's International Business Development Manager Denise Hoban. (Continued on the website) http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/welshtrademission.asp 02/07/09 MML is pleased to announce the launch of their first RSS New Feed. Keep up to date with all the latest happenings at www.micromaterials.co.uk, online home of the NanoTest, the complete nanomechanical testing system. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/newsfeed.asp 912FFA62-44FA-4399-933E-2EA2BD5A2A87 12/06/09 NanoTest users throughout Europe are invited to submit a paper or poster for inclusion in the MML European User meeting. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/Papers.asp 9E9057B5-CAE2-444B-B4B7-16A9E743837D 09/06/09 Micro Materials Ltd (Wrexham, UK) have been invited to participate on a trade mission hosted by the International Business Wales on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. MML will join a number of innovative Welsh companies active in the aerospace and defence sectors on the trip to Washington, US, where a number of events and seminars will be held in order to showcase the capabilities of the Welsh companies to leading US industry such as NASA and Boeing. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/word%20and%20pdf%20files/IBWmission.pdf F696DD79-839A-4931-9194-DD1A30B5794C 08/06/09 MML confirmed their position as the authority on elevated temperature nanoindentation at a recent focus session at the ICMCTF conference in San Diego. Prof Ben Beake of Micro Materials Ltd delivered a one hour seminar to an eager audience during a lunchtime focus session. This focus session introduced the technique of elevated temperature nanoindentation, covering best experimental practice – including the importance of controlling the sample and indenter temperatures during the test - and the experimental conditions to ensure that indentation creep does not influence elastic modulus measurements. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/word%20and%20pdf%20files/ICMCTF09.pdf A5E97DE7-38A4-4330-99AC-ECB75031CE73 07/06/09 Micro Materials Ltd (Wrexham UK) are pleased to announce the extension of their global distribution network to South America. MML have formed a partnership with Valley Research (Houston, US), a scientific distribution company who have been established in the South American market since 1991. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/word%20and%20pdf%20files/SA1.pdf CC919DA5-318A-45F8-BF52-1E9A9CE84B57 06/06/09 Micro Materials Ltd, in conjunction with our Iberian partners Telstar, and NanoTest users at Centro Nacionale de Investigaciones Metalurgicas, are pleased to host the Eighth annual Micro Materials European User meeting. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/word%20and%20pdf%20files/Euro%20User%20Meet%2008%20Final.pdf 125803C2-434D-49F5-B71A-BDB400DB0F71 05/06/09 The new website is designed to showcase the capability of the MML NanoTestTM and MicroTestTM systems, with a specific emphasis on the vast range of applications which benefit from the unrivalled performance of the systems. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/word%20and%20pdf%20files/MML%20New%20Website.pdf 04C81F0A-4435-4011-A764-2FB3FF528944 04/06/09 The ICONSAT conference in Chennai was an exciting event, bringing together scientists working in the fields of nano science and technology. The conference hosted 6 plenary and 32 invited talks, and 370 contributed papers were accepted as posters. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/word%20and%20pdf%20files/ICONSAT%20-%20N%20Ranganathan.pdf 09FFEB82-55D5-425D-8E6C-CC81ED897BC1 03/06/09 MML are very pleased to announce the move to our new facility in Wrexham, from which all departments will operate with immediate effect. The custom built building will afford MML double the floor space previously held, increasing our capacity for both production and development, as well as customer testing and demonstration facilities. http://www.micromaterials.co.uk/news/MoveNews.pdf 6A5AB40F-89E9-466A-9F1E-8ECCC2705B27 01/06/09