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TfI has built an IP portfolio covering a number of different sectors. A selection of these technologies are described here.

Renewable Energy

Within the wave energy sector, TfI is developing a new protection system using non-linear compressive and tensile materials. Based on IP from NUI Galaway, the WaveProtector system has has 5 functions: 1) end stop protection, 2) shock / peak force reduction, 3) equilibrium force (e.g. gas spring replacement), 4) tailored damping and 5) separation of surge, pitch and heave responses. The result of this is that Wave Energy Converter (WEC) devices become economically viable through a substantial reduction in Operational Costs and lower Capital Costs. The technology is protected by a core patent filed by TfI and further IP filed in conjunction with DuPont. TfI and DuPont have signed a Joint Development Agreement and are working together to deliver scale components for testing with WEC developers. Device specific, collaborative projects have started with a number of WEC developers with scale components being prepared for testing at sea during 2009. A related product targeted at mooring systems for WECs is also being developed. For further information, please contact the Company.

Advanced Non-Friction Braking System

TfI has developed an innovative frictionless braking technology targeted at the industrial motion control sector. The brake requires no brake pads and is based on fluidic resistance, with rotating cogs pumping fluid within an enclosed body with the torque and braking being controlled through the use of valves. The technology is completely scalable from micro sized devices up to very large devices a few meters in diameter. It contains few moving parts, is totally sealed and can be regenerative.  Current friction braking technology has limitations in many industrial applications, in particular its high cost of ownership due to the requirement for frequent changing of brake pads leading to regular downtime of associated machinery. TfI’s solution enables significantly lower costs and maintenance requirements. TfI has signed its first license deal on this technology and is embarked on a number of application specific, collaborative projects with both brake and motor manufacturers. Further information can be downloaded here.

Error Correction Coding Algorithm

Based on work conduced at NUI Galway, TfI has been developing a unique systematic mathematical method for generating Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) matrices affording the design engineer greater flexibility in managing the trade-off between throughput, latency, power and silicon area and at the same time offering improved chip routing over conventional methods. When benchmarked against 802.11n and 802.16e the following benefits have been identified:

• 1 db improvement in Bit Error Rate performance compared to current LDPC matrices.

• Delivers 20% enhancement on throughput and latency compared to existing solutions. 

• Reduced memory addressing needs and routing complexity compared to existing quasi-cyclic LDPC approaches, delivering silicon area savings of up to 95%.

• Allows any code rate, block size and modulation scheme to be used.

• Enables fully adaptive coding and modulation.

• Fast, design method delivering high performance bespoke matrices.

For further information, please contact the Company.

Consumer Products

Two innovative consumer products are currently being marketed to a number of companies one in the electronic business equipment segment and the second in the premium kitchen appliance sector. For further information, please contact the Company.