PoreXpert

PoreXpert, a software and consultancy firm, has developed novel software and methods to model the voids within porous materials, such as oil and gas-bearing shale, and how liquids and gases behave within them.

The University of Plymouth spin out has also developed experimental approaches which avoid grinding up materials before analysis. Grinding can destroy much of a material’s crucial void structure.

Applications of the technology include helping energy companies understand and exploit the nature of oil and gas reserves. Other industries have also used the technology to model the ageing of graphite cores in nuclear reactors, optimise paper coatings for ink-jet printing and improve the aluminium castings for high-performance engine blocks in the automotive industry.

The Company was established to develop and commercialise the work of Professor Peter Matthews’ Environment and Fluid Modelling Research Group at the University.