Joseph Lucas Research
Lucas Research Centre, of Shirley, near Birmingham
1965 Established; part of Joseph Lucas (Industries) Ltd
1972 Developed a new ceramic, hot-pressed silicon nitride, which was seen to be suitable for use in gas turbines, with particular application for aircraft gas turbines[1]
1974 Developed a new type of ceramic to rival the use of steel. The Sialom material demonstrated resistance to thermal shock and metal attack from molten steel. This product could be used as a refractory lining in furnaces.[2]
1981 Developed a lightweight alternative to lead-acid battery technology for the Lucas Chloride EV Systems Company[3]
1983 Sialon, a very tough porcelain (trade name Syalon) was developed by Newcastle University and Lucas Industries[4]
1983 The Shirley research centre employed 200 scientists and engineers[5]