Manufacturing and Engineering Magazine Volume 425 - January 2016 | Page 21

AEROSPACE TT ELECTRONICS - SEMELAB “A key part of our success in the past and our continued growth in the future is an ability to think ahead of the game. Currently, there’s a lot of talk about silver sintering, for instance. That’s something we’ve been looking at for some time and we are already developing the use of it within our products. More recently, the industry is expecting the next big thing to be silicon nitride substrates, yet we’ve had products in operation for nearly five years using this substrate. So it’s a constant process of innovation to keep ourselves at the forefront of technology with a focus on how we can provide better thermal dissipation, lighter weight designs, energy efficiency and increased lifespan,” Coleman explains. Through its research and development arm, working with academic institutions, its involvement with the Midlands Aerospace “A key part of our success in the past and our continued growth in the future is an ability to think ahead of the game.” Moreover, as Coleman states “We are also currently involved in a research programme with a major aircraft engine manufacturer and academic institutions to develop systems capable of mitigating the adverse effect of lightning strikes on aircraft. On average a commercial aircraft is hit by lightning at least once a year. Existing aircraft with an aluminium body are like a Faraday cage where the electricity would go around the skin of the plane and then dissipate to earth. Nowadays, with more composite airframes the threat has increased substantially with the electrical current seeking to travel along the path of least resistance, which could be cables connected to sensitive electronic systems. Working with partners through Innovate UK, we’re developing a current limiting diode t ]