Equity firm invests in liquid crystal elastomers start-up

LEEDS, U.K.—Equity firm Northern Gritstone Ltd. has invested in a United Kingdom-based startup focused on developing auxetic synthetic materials from liquid crystal elastomers.

The investment is part of a funding round in which the startup, LC AuxeTec Ltd., aims to raise about $2.5 million, Norther Gritstone said in an April 5 statement.

Auxetic materials become thicker rather than thinner when stretched, the firm said, which specializes in university spin-offs and technology firms in the north of England.

As such, it said, these materials offer attractive properties for many applications including in absorbing shock, as well as resisting fractures and tears.

This would benefit such uses as electronic screens and glass for buildings and vehicles, which require durability and robustness, Northern Gritstone said.

LC AuxeTec, a spin-out from the University of Leeds, was conceived by Helen Gleeson, a Cavendish professor, and former head of the School of Physics at the university.

Gleeson and her team discovered "the world's first" synthetic material that is auxetic at the molecular level during research into liquid crystal elastomers.

As the materials expand under pressure, they demonstrate "superior impact and delamination resistance," according to Gleeson.

The technology company will use the funding to add to its leadership team, which includes CEO Robert Gunn and Senior Engineer Matt Reynolds.

LC AuxeTec will be based at the Nexus building on the University of Leeds campus.