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Mettech has come full circle, returning to its roots in nanomaterials
science.
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Mettech started as a
materials company in 1990 providing computer models for the steel
and non-ferrous metallurgical industries. Concurrently, in the Department
of Metallurgy at The University of British Columbia, research was
being conducted on the plasma synthesis of sub-micron ceramic particles.
This research was successful in the development of a family of sub-micron
materials based on carbide ceramics. It was evident that the process
was limited by the design of the existing equipment, as these light
reactants had difficulty penetrating the sides of the plasma flame
through radial injection. In response, a unique high-capacity ‘Axial
Injection’ plasma torch for efficient production of submicron
particles was conceived and patented by The University of British
Columbia. Mettech became the exclusive licensee of this plasma technology
and continued its commercial development. As today’s markets
for ‘submicron’ (nano) ceramic particles did not exist
at that time, the Company turned its focus to applying its plasma
torch technology to advanced thermal spray applications. It launched
its first ‘Axial III’ system in 1994 and has since become
a world leader in plasma spray technology. |
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In 2002 Mettech recognized
that the emerging nanotechnology sciences represented a new and
exciting opportunity for the Company. Mettech is now focusing significant
resources on the development of nanotechnology products using its
core plasma technologies applied to powder production. Milestones |