HTMS joins Mobilise accelerator program to advance its CMC materials

HTMS exhibits an electric vehicle (EV) battery box made using its ceramic matrix composite (CMC) prepregs. Source | High Temperature Material Systems

High Temperature Material Systems (HTMS, Bristol, U.K.) has been selected to join Mobilise, an early stage accelerator program focused on supporting innovative, zero-emission and connected and automated mobility (CAM) technologies. It is a joint initiative by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC, University of Warwick, Coventry) and Zenzic (London), as part of the U.K. government’s £2.5 billion DRIVE35 initiative.

Mobilise is an 18-month innovation accelerator supporting the U.K.’s most forward-thinking clean mobility companies and designed to keep Britain at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle technologies and automotive leadership. As part of the program, HTMS will:

• Accelerate development of its CMC battery enclosure systems for electric vehicles (EVs)
• Receive expert mentoring, funding and technical validation
• Make EVs lighter, safer and more affordable using a U.K.-focused supply chain.

“This opportunity marks a pivotal milestone as we bring our next-generation high-temperature composite solutions to market and support a cleaner, greener automotive future,” says Will Larkin, COO of HTMS. “We’re excited to join Mobilise and collaborate with an exceptional group of clean mobility pioneers. This is an opportunity to fast-track our high-temperature composite technology with expert support, and to play a meaningful role in shaping the U.K.’s zero-emission future.”

HTMS prepregs enable parts that can serve long-term up to 1000°C and withstand EV battery heat and flame tests for 30-60 minutes. Using commodity fibers and a novel matrix chemistry, HTMS products Ignishield (basalt fiber), ThermaLite (alumina fiber) and Carbonite X (carbon fiber) handle and cure like polymer prepregs, but the 180-200°C cure cycle is then followed by a freestanding post-cure in a furnace, resulting in CMC performance.

“Our goal is to enable the existing composites supply chain in the U.K to produce affordable, lightweight, high-temperature parts for a variety of applications,” says Dr. Richard Grainger, CTO of HTMS. It is working with companies in defense, motorsports and high-performance cars to demonstrate thermal protection systems, heat shields, exhaust components and brake ducts.