The Matrix Assembly Cluster Source (MACS)

Grove Nanomaterials Limited was launched in 2023 to exploit and scale disruptive research in the efficient, solvent-free production of nano-particles. The company is named in honour of William Grove of Swansea, who invented the fuel cell in the 1840s. It is the 6^th spin-off company based on the inventions of Prof Palmer and collaborators; Grove has acquired 3 patents from Swansea University. Grove’s proprietary Matrix Assembly Cluster Source (MACS) technology, and its most recent derivatives, as developed by Swansea’s Nanomaterials Lab, utilise physics-based processes to form nano-particles in a vacuum chamber. The scaled-up metal-to-metal approach of MACS transforms the production rates from the previous and essentially esoteric, laboratory-based approach of cluster beam deposition. The clusters are uncontaminated by the residues that can be associated with wet-chemistry-based techniques, and the process avoids the use of toxic salts and reducing agents and generates no effluents.

The nano-particles, or clusters, manufactured by Grove are approximately 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. They have already moved from the domain of research into industry because of their unique and tunable properties. The nanoscale design of functional materials opens up completely new horizons across a wide range of disciplines – from physics and chemistry to biology and engineering – with the power to enable radical advances in advanced, high-value and high-impact technology. Applications areas include catalysts and sensors, theranostics, and materials for renewable energy generation, storage and utilisation.

Grove Nanomaterials Limited is uniquely positioned to supply industrial customers with manufacturing technology and/or nanoparticles at multi-gram and ultimately kg levels, tailored to meet customer requirements for size, specific surface chemistry, integration and longevity.