30th November 2001

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Heart operations could soon be safer - thanks to new diamond-like coating technology in development at the University of Ulster.

A research team headed by Professor Jim McLaughlin, Dr Paul Maguire and Dr Stephen Morley of the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the University have been awarded a £350,000 grant for research into Filtered Cathodic Vacuum Arc (FCVA) technology.

FCVA technology enables scientists to lay down ultra-thin, hard as diamond, biomedically inert coatings on medical devices for use inside the body - like heart valves, sensors and catheters - removing the risk of infection or rejection by the host.

The funding boost will help the UU scientists research the Underpinning science of FCVA, as well the development of nanoclustered diamond-like carbon based materials. Coatings close to the hardness of diamond will be achieved with this new deposition technology.

Generated from methane gas, the carbon-based diamond-like coating is biologically inert, and has no adverse environmental impacts.

FCVA technology also has exciting applications potential in the semiconductor industry, as well as in the manufacture of high-capacity disk drives in the computer industry, and will boost the University's research links with local companies such as Seagate, AVX, Samsung, and Analog Devices.

Professor McLaughlin said: "The University of Ulster is at the forefront of nanotechnology research in Ireland and the UK. This very welcome grant will enable us to drive forward our exciting programme of research at a faster rate than would otherwise have been possible."

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk