THERMASTRATE™ NEWS

NORTHSTAR FUNDS COOL SOLUTIONS FOR ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES

A North East company is developing a new generation of thermally-efficient technology with the potential to improve performance in the automotive and aerospace industries.

North Star Equity Investors (NSEI) has invested £430,000 in Northumberland-based Thermastrate from its Co-Investment Fund (COIF), as part of a £650,000 funding package, with private investors providing the rest of the funding.

This latest funding follows a £60,000 investment from NSEI’s Proof of Concept (POC) Fund in 2005, which was used for detailed market research and prototyping.

Many modern electronic components generate a substantial amount of heat, which can damage equipment and call for complicated heat dissipation structures or ‘heat sinks’ to prevent burnout.

Even the latest state of the art heat sinks struggle to cope with these demands, but Thermastrate has two ingenious solutions, soon to hit the market.

The first is a foil-based substrate - a combination of aluminium and copper with an ultra-low thermal resistance that can withstand extremely high voltage. These substrates can be connected together easily to form complex 3D structures.

The second is a plated substrate – using an inorganic plated coating that can operate in very high temperatures and humidity.

These new technologies can be used in electronic systems that generate their own excess heat, and are also ideal for use in harsh environments such as aircraft engine bays, high altitudes, and the orbit of satellites.

It is hoped that by tapping into the current market demands, Thermastrate can hit a turnover of £14 million by 2010.

Company founder Bob Morse said: “Our products will be invaluable for use in lighting for aircraft, airports, trains, signalling, signs, architecture, hazard lighting, automotive – the potential is huge.

“At the minute, development of high brightness LEDs is being held back by the restrictions caused by heat output. Thermastrate’s products will allow other technologies to surge ahead. What’s more, the substrates can be easily interconnected, allowing for flexible solutions in 3D structures.”

Dr Richard Exley of NorthStar Equity Investors, said: “Thermastrate is just one example of the world-leading technology that is now being developed in the North East.

“A £60,000 investment from our Proof of Concept Fund allowed Bob Morse to explore the potential markets for this technology, and now through this latest £430,000 investment, our Co-Investment Fund enables the company to develop its premises and expand its team to include technical managers and sales people.

“Thermastrate has the potential to become a highly profitable business, and we foresee a phase of rapid growth in the next five years.

“Any other entrepreneurs with an idea that requires investment should contact the team here at NSEI to find out what venture capital could do for them.”