Prior to setting up Mantis Innovation Ltd, our founder and Principal Consultant was the Chief Scientist and latterly also the Managing Director of a ground-breaking research and development organisation. In this case studies section we give some examples of the projects and innovations he led and was involved with directly in collaboration with national and international partners over a 13-year period.

This involved development of a new material for NO2 scrubbing. The polymer which was developed has a very high affinity for NO2 gas, using both physisorption and chemisorption mechanisms, the polymer is able to remove up to 98% of NO2 from a polluted air stream. 

uPVC windows are vulnerable in a fire and survive barely 15 minutes in a normal cellulosic fire. The collapse of the window means an influx of oxygen, further fuelling the blaze. The client asked for help find a solution to this problem leading to the development of an inorganic foam which was injected into the cavity of the window profiles. The foam cures inside the window and forms a ridged fireproof reinforcement to the uPVC profile, allowing for the window to survive for over 50 minutes (after which the glass failed) thus allowing sufficient time for occupants to evacuate the building. The solution was incorporated into windows for a school and hospital buildings.

Our Principle Consultant provided support to a small SME seeking to acquire ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation, in response to customer requirements. The company didn't have a QMS in place of any kind. An integrated QMS for ISO 9001 and 14001 as well as ISO 45001 was developed for them, together with a package of support for internal audits ahead of re-accreditation assessments. 

This was a development of an acoustic insulation foam capable of removing 95% of sound waves at 500-1000 Hz. With fireproofing being a key requirement for many acoustic application (such as cinemas and multi-storey car parks), this non-combustible foam is considered to be an environmentally friendly solution to the problem of noise.

PIR based insulation is the cutting edge technology in the insulation industry, however, it is combustible and gives off noxious emissions in a fire. In collaboration with a leading producer of PIR based insulation, a non-combustible thermal insulation foam was developed, capable of replacing PIR based insulation cores for many applications. 

Polyurethane is the go to material for gap filling solutions. Due to the complexity of the task, the client requested support to develop an alternative to their PU based gap filler. The outcome was the successful development of a non toxic, waterproof, one-component system gap filler foam which is currently being sold across Europe, with positive sales potential because of anticipated legislation changes covering the use of PU based materials.