Unconventional glass applications we have developed

Repairing the human body

Repairing the human body

Utilising additive manufacturing, glass can be used in orthopaedic implants. The aim is to develop the next generation of coatings for orthopaedic implants such as hip replacements.

Glass and metal can be combined to have better mechanical stability and faster integration with bone thus improving long-term clinical performance and reducing the revision rate. This will deliver a significantly better clinical outcome for patients and savings for the health service. This novel technology has the potential to transform the manufacture of orthopaedic implants and has applications in other fields requiring specialist combinations of glass and metal.

Rock consolidation

Rock consolidation

Glass materials are excellent carriers for sustained and controlled release of different ingredients to deliver desired properties. We have invented novel glass solutions to stabilise and increase the strength of rock formations using this technology. These can be mixed and pumped with the conventional used in the construction and oil industry to seal or control water flow or stabilise ground whilst retailing permeability to allow drainage.

Waste immobilisation

Waste immobilisation

Glass materials are key to a range of waste immobilisation technologies intended to transform a potentially hazardous chemical or radioactive waste into a form which can be more easily handled and safely stored or disposed of. Glass materials are utilised by these technologies to either chemically incorporate or physically encapsulate toxic materials and thereby create a stable ‘waste-form’, where the toxic material is locked away by a vitrous (glassy) barrier.

Due to the wide variety of treatment technologies and potential waste-streams, it is often necessary to tailor the glass materials used in these processes to meet specific requirements. We have worked for a range of organisations and developed the expertise necessary to design and develop materials which can act glass precursors. We are then able to demonstrate their suitability through lab scale melting trials and subsequent analysis of the resultant ‘waste-forms’.

£10m+
Funding
secured for project work
1000+
Clients
we've worked with in the last 5 years
100
Grant funded & commercial projects
delivered in the last 5 years
40+
Project partners
we have collaborated with

R&D and innovation leadership and expertise

Our experts conduct innovative research and development projects for clients across a wide range of sectors and glass applications. We operate from a centre for glass research and development and are supported by our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory,

View the full leadership team
Chris Holcroft

Chris Holcroft

Energy & Environment Lead
Chris joined Glass Technology Services in 2005 and has expertise in environmental process improvement, resource efficiency, recycling and circular economy. He is also involved with the development, manufacture, and practical applications of novel glass products. Read More

Areas of expertise:

Dr Owen McGann

Dr Owen McGann

Principal Technologist
Owen McGann has over ten years of experience in glass materials. He has led and participated in world leading research with a specific focus in photonic materials and waste thermal treatment. Read More
Martyn Marshall

Martyn Marshall

Melting and R&D Lead
Martyn has over 30 years’ experience in the design, development and production of silicate and non-silicate glasses for both commercial and scientific use, working globally with glassmakers. Read More
Dr Nick Kirk

Dr Nick Kirk

Technical Director
Nick is a glass expert with decades of experience in all aspects of sustainability, glass production, and product design across the global glass supply chain. Read More

Areas of expertise:

Glass production Sustainability and recycling Product design
Dr Marlin Magallanes

Dr Marlin Magallanes

Specialist Glass Lead
Marlin has been working in the field of glass since 2006. As a Specialist Glass Lead she oversees our bio-medical projects, as well as managing links with academic partners. Read More

Areas of expertise:

Glass and glass-ceramic materials for biomedical applications Glass manufacturing process Glass characterisation
David Eustice

David Eustice

Senior Technologist
Working in the glass industry since 2002, initially in mechanical testing / analysis, Dave now focusses on the development of new testing methods, novel forming techniques and process automation. Read More

Areas of expertise:

Bespoke glass testing and analysis Glass process development and automation 3D modelling and simulation

R&D Projects

Project

Decarbonisation and batch reformulation

The EnviroGlass project set out to investigate the challenges identified within the glass industry’s 2050 decarbonisation roadmap and identify cost-effective routes to achieving decarbonisation.
Decarbonisation and batch reformulation

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