The new technology has won the Materials Science Venture Prize awarded by The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers, and worth £25,000.  Swansea University is the first institution to have won this prestigious award twice, both times for its pioneering work on steel.

Currently in steelmaking, production is halted while disposable probes are immersed into the molten metal to measure temperature and take samples. This is inefficient as it takes up time, requires expensive probes and reduces productivity.

In contrast, the new technology will use laser beams projected into the molten furnace bath which monitor the contents continually. There will be no need for disposable probes and – crucially – production will not need to be stopped. 

Picture: Dr Szymon Kubal pictured with a vessel of molten steel at the Tata Steel Port Talbot works.  Courtesy: Tata Steel

The technology is being developed by Swansea University spin-out company Kubal-Wraith Ltd.

It is likely to be commercially available in around three years' time.  The Armourers and Brasiers Prize is important as it will help the team take the new technology to the next phase of its development. 

Dr Szymon Kubal of Tata Steel, research fellow at Swansea University, said:

“Our new technology allows a laser beam to be projected into a molten furnace through a channel called a tuyère in the furnace wall.  We exploit the latest gas injection techniques to protect the data channel.

One key factor is testing our innovations in an operational steel plant under production conditions.  Thanks to working with Tata Steel UK we are able to prepare and undertake full-scale  trials.”

The technology will also be applicable to other metals such as aluminium, copper and nickel.  World Steel Association data indicates there are more than 1000 molten metal furnaces worldwide, which could see benefits in cost and productivity by using the new method of monitoring.

The team, led by Dr Szymon Kubal, includes Swansea University College of Engineering experts Dr Cameron Pleydell-Pearce and Dr Adrian Walters.

Professor Bill Bonfield, chairman of the Armourers and Brasiers Venture Prize judging panel, said:

“This project shows how research and innovation has the potential to transform long-established manufacturing processes. 

Our prize looks to encourage scientific entrepreneurship in the UK and provide funding to help innovative developments like this realise their potential.” 

Dr Adrian Walters, Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence at Swansea University, said:

“Swansea University also won the Venture Prize in 2016 with a pioneering method of tackling corrosion, improving steel-based products, whereas this year’s winner focuses on the first stage of the steel manufacturing process.  It shows that Swansea University is delivering innovation right across the steel industry.”

Dr Gerry Ronan, Head of Intellectual Property for Swansea University, said:

“This is a highly prestigious and competitive award and offers a great deal of credibility to an early stage start-up.

This second award in three years shows the strength of expertise in material science at Swansea and also the quality of the commercial opportunities that the University creates. It is also a credit to Dr Adrian Walters, who has worked closely with both of these successful teams.”

21st century steel - find out more about Swansea University's work on steel