NanoKTN has helped secure over EUR2.5m (GBP2.1m) funding for a number of its members, to aid further development into a new generation of fluid lubricants that use nanomaterials.
In February 2008, BHR, a research and consultancy provider, held an open-house event that focused on incorporation, break-up and rheology of nanoparticles.
At the event, delegates from Infineum, a developer of chemical additives for lubricants and fuels, invited them to join in a proposal for a grant application from the Framework Programme 7 (FP7) nanotechnology, materials, industrial processes (NMP) call.
The FP7 Programme is the EU's chief instrument for funding research over the period 2007 to 2013, to gain leadership in key scientific and technology areas.
In late 2008, it was announced that the FP7 project application had received approval from the EU and, following a period of contract negotiation, the project started up in October 2009.
The total value of the project is approximately EUR12m for a total of 15 project partners to investigate the prospects for overcoming the existing technological barriers in the supply and usage chain, towards the establishment of a large-scale market introduction of a new generation of fluid lubricants incorporating nanomaterials.
From the total EC funding, BHR will receive EUR1.8m, Infineum will receive EUR325,000 and Ricardo Engineering will receive EUR430,000.
