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

EnviroAsh investigates the potential for using biomass and other wastes as raw materials across the foundation industries

This project has identified opportunities to convert waste materials and other by-products from across the foundation industries into new raw materials for glass, ceramic and cement products.
EnviroAsh glass sample
Project

AI6S project examines energy and waste reduction in the foundation industries

We will be taking part in the AI6S project which will develop a novel toolkit for process optimisation across the glass, cement, paper, ceramics, metals and bulk chemicals industries.
AI6S project examines energy and waste reduction in the foundation industries
Project

A market survey of applications and manufacturing processes of foam glass

BRE and Glass Technology Services investigated the use of waste material to generate a building product or high value lightweight aggregate for insulation purposes.
Project

Bottle rightweighting - beer, cider and spirits

Bottle rightweighting - a process of packaging design and production to optimise packaging weight, whilst taking into account the requirements of all stakeholders in the supply chain, including manufacturers, brand owners, fillers, retailers, consumers and the environment.
Bottle rightweighting - beer, cider and spirits
Project

GlassRite activities

The project has worked extensively with stakeholders in the beer, cider and spirits sectors, and in particular brand owner-fillers and the UK glass manufacturers, to highlight the benefits of rightweighting, and identify rightweighting opportunities within brand portfolios.
GlassRite activities
Project

Manufacturing masonry units from recovered tv and computer screens

Staffordshire University has developed and patented a new technology (known as "Stoneglass") which can convert virtually any type of waste glass into commercial quality masonry units (bricks, pavers and cladding tiles).
Project

Glass market development assessments

This study aims to give an overview of the UK supply chain for recycled glass by looking at the estimated a risings of different glass types, current collections levels, and existing and potential markets in each region.
Glass market development assessments
Project

Light-MiLES – Miniature Laser-Illumined Eye-safe Sensor

Glass Technology Services is providing photonics and material science expertise to a development project on laser illuminated eye-safe sensors, which has been awarded a grant from the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), to forward advances in technology and innovation.
Project

Mono block acetabular cup with trabecular-like coating

MATCh aims to improve the quality of patient’s life through increasing the life-expectancy of hip prostheses through developing new macroporous glass-ceramic coatings for the surface modification of commercial ceramic acetabular cups.
Project

Resorbable ceramic biocomposites for orthorpaedic and maxillofacial applications

The RESTORATION project aims to create novel bioceramic composites using a combination of mechanical design, materials, processing, clinical delivery and subsequent biological interaction to develop new bioceramic products.
Resorbable ceramic biocomposites for orthorpaedic and maxillofacial applications
Project

3D bioactive glass-metal additive manufacture

This project brings together partners with expertise in additive manufacturing, glass technology and orthopaedic implants.
3D bioactive glass-metal additive manufacture
Project

Femtosecond-pulsed-laser augment/bioglass sintering technique for implant customisation

This project aims to develop new technology to allow surgeons to customise joint replacements at the time of surgery on the rare occasions when there is significant bone loss either from a failed implant that needs to be revised or from bone cancer.
Femtosecond-pulsed-laser augment/bioglass sintering technique for implant customisation
Project

Glass recycling and energy efficiency in the Russian federation

This project aimed to assist the Russian industry in developing and implementing a glass recycling scheme in Russia.
Glass recycling and energy efficiency in the Russian federation
Project

Manufacturing and applications of nanostructured materials

The aim of the project is to carry out research in nanotechnology and to encourage researchers to take up jobs in the European nanotechnology industry.
Project

Cathode ray tube recycling

A cathode ray tube (CRT) is composed of two different types of glass – one used for the funnel and neck sections and the other used for the screen.
Cathode ray tube recycling
Project

Assessment of the international trading markets for recycled container glass and their environmental implications

The study clearly demonstrates that the best environmental option for recovered UK cullet is returning it to domestic container glass manufacturers for remelting.

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