Frontier IP tests Cambridge Material

Commercialisation firm Frontier IP yesterday revealed it has taken a 24% stake in Cambridge Material Testing Solutions, a UK-based metals evaluation software spinout from University of Cambridge.

Founded in May 2018, Cambridge Material Testing is developing technology to assess the condition of metal components in industrial sectors such as oil and gas, aerospace and nuclear facility management.

The spinout’s software suite, Sempid, is expected to automatically interpret the metal’s strength and remaining working life when a hard tip is inserted, in an already-common laboratory probe known as the indentation test.

Cambridge Material also plans to introduce its own indentation test equipment with better flexibility and portability, including the ability to assess complex components, and the option of installation at the client’s facility to conduct evaluations on site.

The spinout is based on work by James Dean, coordinator of the Centre for Scientific Computing in Computational Methods for Materials Science. The centre is part of the Cavendish Laboratory at University of Cambridge.

Dean, now chief technology officer of Cambridge Material Testing, said: “Our partnership with Frontier IP is further confirmation of our proposition’s value.

“With Frontier IP’s expertise in the commercialisation of advanced technologies and its ready access to the sectors we intend to penetrate, where the accurate and non-destructive characterisation of material properties is crucial to the safe operation of high-value assets.”

Neil Crabb, chief executive of Frontier IP, said: “Frontier IP is delighted to be working with Dr James Dean and his team to help accelerate the commercialisation of this exciting technology.

“We believe Cambridge Material Testing Solutions could prove invaluable to companies in critical sectors which need to ensure the materials they use are safe and robust.”