High time to rehabilitate radiation
05 May, 2011
The recent tragic nature of events in Japan have once again touched off the sensitivities of the world to issues of nuclear energy, nuclear power and to nuclear radiation. The fragility of man's built environment has once again been contrasted to the power of nature and - for a spell at least - there has been a pause to reconsider the wisdom or folly of nuclear power. A number of other countries - some as landlocked as Germany have ordered a review of their energy strategy and nuclear power programme. Part of the side effect of these events has been to revive the pall over the popular - ie negative - image of radiation. The theory and science of radiation is a key part of our work at Ceramicx in infrared heating. Its ultimate nature is derived from the driving power for our planet - the sun, the ultimate source of life on earth. Despite this fact, and despite the undisputed curative powers of radiation - dating from its discovery by Marie Curie - the discovery and application of the technology has proceeded slowly - including infrared applications. Radiation treatment - in cancer treatment for example - although necessary and effective hardly inspires positive connotations. 
At Ceramicx, however, we believe that - for industry and our world - this is about to change. Thermal radiation technology - including infrared - is in fact a sleeping giant; capable of delivering enormous social and economic benefits in a number of areas. Thermal radiation - developed considerably since Curie's discovery 116 years ago - has become lately embedded in our world for the design and production of various engines and combustion devices; for space and satellite technology; solar technology of course; for manufacturing and uses of silica, glass, crystals and other materials; for applications in nano-technology; applications in gas technology. These are cutting edge developments to be sure but hardly household scenarios. At Ceramicx we believe that our particular brand of thermal radiation has many broader applications closer to home - for the consumer and for industry alike; for the food industry; in laboratory, husbandry and animal care; in mass-market plastics technology and in painting and coatings applications and in printing - to name but a few instances. We call these areas of opportunity the 'low hanging fruit' and although the opportunities are well within reach, in truth there is much work to be done. One hundred years on, and the theory and practice of thermal radiation remains much misunderstood and under-used - in Universities and in industry.Consequently we are working forward with a number of other industrialist and researchers - most notably Dr Phil Harrison - of the University of Huddersfield - in an effort to break new ground. We are seeking to establish the everyday good practices, science and benefits of radiation in a new centre that will be a resource and inspiration for the future of the industry. The Marie Curie Fellowship and other related bodies are a key part of this new territory landscape and we are liaising closely with them to get our new work off the ground. If you care for the progress of thermal radiation, please don't hesitate to join us in our efforts. A full account of our proposed research and activity in this area is detailed in our latest magazine HeatWorks, pp 4-5. To get a free copy - simply contact us direct for one. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you.
05 May, 2011
The recent tragic nature of events in Japan have once again touched off the sensitivities of the world to issues of nuclear energy, nuclear power and to nuclear radiation. The fragility of man's built environment has once again been contrasted to the power of nature and - for a spell at least - there has been a pause to reconsider the wisdom or folly of nuclear power. A number of other countries - some as landlocked as Germany have ordered a review of their energy strategy and nuclear power programme. Part of the side effect of these events has been to revive the pall over the popular - ie negative - image of radiation. The theory and science of radiation is a key part of our work at Ceramicx in infrared heating. Its ultimate nature is derived from the driving power for our planet - the sun, the ultimate source of life on earth. Despite this fact, and despite the undisputed curative powers of radiation - dating from its discovery by Marie Curie - the discovery and application of the technology has proceeded slowly - including infrared applications. Radiation treatment - in cancer treatment for example - although necessary and effective hardly inspires positive connotations. At Ceramicx, however, we believe that - for industry and our world - this is about to change. Thermal radiation technology - including infrared - is in fact a sleeping giant; capable of delivering enormous social and economic benefits in a number of areas. Thermal radiation - developed considerably since Curie's discovery 116 years ago - has become lately embedded in our world for the design and production of various engines and combustion devices; for space and satellite technology; solar technology of course; for manufacturing and uses of silica, glass, crystals and other materials; for applications in nano-technology; applications in gas technology. These are cutting edge developments to be sure but hardly household scenarios. At Ceramicx we believe that our particular brand of thermal radiation has many broader applications closer to home - for the consumer and for industry alike; for the food industry; in laboratory, husbandry and animal care; in mass-market plastics technology and in painting and coatings applications and in printing - to name but a few instances. We call these areas of opportunity the 'low hanging fruit' and although the opportunities are well within reach, in truth there is much work to be done. One hundred years on, and the theory and practice of thermal radiation remains much misunderstood and under-used - in Universities and in industry.Consequently we are working forward with a number of other industrialist and researchers - most notably Dr Phil Harrison - of the University of Huddersfield - in an effort to break new ground. We are seeking to establish the everyday good practices, science and benefits of radiation in a new centre that will be a resource and inspiration for the future of the industry. The Marie Curie Fellowship and other related bodies are a key part of this new territory landscape and we are liaising closely with them to get our new work off the ground. If you care for the progress of thermal radiation, please don't hesitate to join us in our efforts. A full account of our proposed research and activity in this area is detailed in our latest magazine HeatWorks, pp 4-5. To get a free copy - simply contact us direct for one. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you.
