NTNU commercialises rock reinforcement technology

Spin-out formed

NTNU Technology Transfer has helped Charlie Li from the Department of Geology and Mineral Resources Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), to spin out Dynamic Rock Support to commercialise his proprietary rock reinforcement technology, which can prevent rock failure and render mining excavations safer.

Li has worked as a mining engineer specialising on rock reinforcement at the University of Technology in Luleå, the Boliden Mineral mining company and NTNU. He has invented deformable, highly energy-absorbing rock reinforcement bolts that withstand high loads to anchor moving rock masses securely that could otherwise collapse.

Li says: “The industry is crying out for new energy-absorbing elements for rock reinforcement, and that is what we have. Mining geology is a traditional profession and the people working here might not be used to thinking about patenting. I am sure there are several technologies and scientific ideas here that are worthy of commercialisation, because our research is world class. This will significantly improve safety levels in mines and tunnels and reduce operation and maintenance costs.”

He added: “I contacted the faculty and was sent to NTNU Technology Transfer AS, which handles commercialisation of technologies from NTNU. The patent application was filed within six weeks.”