KTPs are joint projects between industry and universities designed to improve performance and profitability through knowledge transfer between the university and industrial partner.  Plasma Quest is an SME providing thin film materials and process solutions. This KTP was setup to develop material characterisation procedures using the sophisticated equipment at the University of Surrey, allowing Plasma Quest to improve its deposition processes and develop new products. Collaboration with Dr Mark Baker, in the MMA Division at the University, enabled Plasma Quest to obtain access to the University equipment; learn to prepare and test samples and analyse the results. The company gained all the benefits of using surface characterisation technology, without all the costs of having to acquire such facilities themselves.

Professor Mike Thwaites, CEO of Plasma Quest explains “The KTP has brought a huge number of benefits to us as a company. Working with the University of Surrey has helped us improve our products and promote ourselves better technically. The information acquired has already been used to guide and accelerate new product and process development and to assist in ‘tailoring’ coatings to specific – sometimes previously unachievable - customer requirements”.  The KTP has also resulted in a new annual one-day meeting being set up on the deposition, characterisation and exploitation of novel metal oxide thin films, initiated by the KTP Associate working on the project, Hayley Brown, and supported by Dr Baker and Professor Thwaites. The 30 month KTP project finished in March 2011, with the outcomes being graded as ‘Outstanding’ in meeting the KTP objectives and awarded a Certificate of Excellence.