Contract Research
Bay Materials provides turn-key solutions to fundamental research problems. The most difficult aspect of industrial research is starting from the unknown; a “fuzzy vision” of a “crystal clear need”. The principle researchers and founders of Bay materials have spent their careers engaged in developing products from new technology using a systematic approach to overcome that challenge and deliver predictable results.
Our approach includes an early short-duration phase to define materials specification, a complete literature search, a screening of alternative solutions, prototype samples to establish feasibility, and a complete research plan. The follow-on phases can range significantly in terms of scope, timing and quantities based on the specifics of a project.
Having been through this development cycle many times, we recognize the uniqueness of each of our customers’ needs – and strive t0 meet them. We define a research plan with a minimum of time, and cultivate solutions that make sense from both a technical and business perspective.
Common contract research activities include:
- Identify a commercial material for your application based on your requirements through literature and contacts.
- Modify a commercial material when no standard material meets your exact requirements.
- Verify material performance in the application: use standard tests or develop specialized tests to predict how a material will perform or compare to a benchmark material.
- Lifetime and application testing: how will a material or system perform in realistic use conditions such as at elevated temperatures, high humidity, or exposed to solvents?
- Materials compatibility: how do the materials in the system interact, how are they joined, and will the system survive the mechanical and chemical environment?
- Fabricate basic prototypes: such as rods, film, or sheet to test fundamental performance.
- Coordinate with vendors for services or testing that we do not provide, for example; radiation sterilization or injection molding.
Examples of prior contract research projects:
Selection and Testing of Specialty Film for Medical Device
Objective: identify or develop an improved medical film with specific required durometer and surface properties.
Trial films were solvent cast and mechanically tested before and after irradiation for initial properties and properties after storage at high humidity. These films were compared to films commercially available on current devices and a recommendation made for improved performance.
Evaluation of Moisture Vapor Transmission of Elastomeric Diaphragms at Elevated Temperatures
Objective: identify MVTR properties outside of common literature values for vapor transmission (generally only available at 25C or 37C).
Diaphragms were molded by external vendors and tested at Bay Materials for vapor transmission at elevated temperatures both as material stock and in the final form factor. Performance was predicted and materials were recommended.
Improved low CTE adhesive for solar assembly
Objective: develop an adhesive having high rigidity and low thermal expansion to bond layers of a solar panel.
Commercial water based emulsions were modified to improve adhesion and fillers selected to reduce expansion. A coatable, solvent free adhesive was provided for further evaluation by client.
Protection of improved thermal interface
Objective: provide a binder to protect a carbon nanotube device used as a thermal interface material.
Long term thermal stability was demonstrated for a binder developed to protect the carbon nanotubes from crushing and to provide an improved thermal interface for mating to a device. An application method was developed to apply the binder to the nanotubes.
