Fibre Technologies Platform
Advancing the fabrication of polymer and composite fibres for industrial application in sectors including packaging, healthcare, smart textiles, energy, aerospace, and automotive.
The platform offers scalable solutions for customisable high-performance fibres, bridging research to industrial application.
By combining state-of-the-art facilities with world-leading expertise, the Fibre Technologies Platform brings together materials scientists working across diverse research areas, including biomaterials, composites and 2D nanomaterials, to help accelerate the industrial adoption of fibre technologies in high-impact applications.
Melt spinning and wet spinning pilot-scale lines for small volume process exploration.
Nanofibres to Devices Suite with pilot scale nanofibre production capability
- Disruptive fibre spinning: electrospinning, electro-blow spinning and solution blow spinning
- Controlled environment (humidity and temperature)
- Modules for roll-to-roll capability
- Nanofibre yarn production (including fibre overcoating)
Developmental electrospinning
This suite enables lab-scale discovery and prototyping for flexible packaging materials, as well as the study of fibre architectures for medical devices and study of cell-material interactions.
Application Scientists are central to the lab’s unique offering. These experts combine advanced academic knowledge with technical expertise to accelerate project delivery. Trained to a postgraduate level, they work hands-on in the lab as well as fulfilling a project manager role, ensuring seamless progress in any research project. They provide specialist support, expertise and advice to equipment users, enabling partners to confidently access and utilise our state-of-the-art facilities to drive innovation.
Our impact
To accelerate the industrial adoption of fibre technologies, the lab is making its materials science capabilities readily accessible to researchers and industry professionals working on fibre-related challenges.
Speak to our experts
Professor Jonny Blaker
Professor in Biomaterials, Research Area Lead
- Bio-inspired hierarchical composite materials
- Advanced materials derived from synthetic biology, with an emphasis on medical and defence applications
- Bioactive medical materials
Dr Cristina Valles
Technology Platform Lead
- Multifunctional polymer nanocomposites for aerospace, wearable electronics and sustainable applications
- Polymer composites for energy and structural materials
- Advancing new fibre-based materials with enhanced properties
- Bio-derived materials and sustainable technologies
- Structure and surface chemistry of graphene-based materials
- Integrating nanomaterials with practical engineering solutions
Dr Michael Avery
Application Scientist
- Materials chemistry and characterisation with a focus on biomedical, nano and 2D materials
- Fibre fabrication via electrospinning, solution-blow-spinning and electro-blow-spinning
- Materials development and characterisation for additive manufacturing, 3D printing and inkjet printing
- Soft matter, colloid chemistry and formulation science, including assembly and adsorption at surfaces and interfaces
- Digital fabrication for healthcare and industrial applications
