SOLVD CASE STUDY: Thermal Matters: ‘Project ThermMonitor’

Thermal Matters Ltd are a Shropshire-based start-up (and consultancy firm / sole agent of industrial temperature measurement equipment), providing technical equipment sales and consultancy in the management and control of chilled/frozen food and its inspection (HACCP regs).

Andy Slater, Director of Thermal Matters, identified a gap in the current state of the art/ market with a great idea to bring temperature management ‘out of the dark ages’. Andy decided to develop his innovation in collaboration with UoW’s SOLVD project.

Andy’s idea was to create “ThermMonitor” a first of a kind (FOAK) in the marketplace, which harnesses cutting-edge digital, non-destructive sampling technologies to drive accuracy, ease of use, and coordination of product temperature measurement records. By coupling this innovation to blockchain, IoT and AI technologies, the entire food supply chain can be integrated and remotely analysed cross multiple locations.

Phase 1 involved validating the Proof of Concept to develop both the innovation and the company’s business model. The SOLVD project provided initial consultancy support, including:

• Innovation canvas modelling to identify priority themes, including Intellectual Property protection, Business model innovation and access to Human Resources during company growth.
• Support to develop bid into real-life challenges, facilitating further commercialisation through collaboration with industry partners, Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury’s.
• Identification suitable grant funding

Phase two of R&D is currently underway to integrate this system across multiple manufacturing and logistics sites and across the entire supply chain, from raw ingredients to the retailer’s shelves. This includes the application of blockchain and cloud IT technology, to providing immutable data real-time dashboard of a product’s vital statistics. 

Andy from Thermal Matters Ltd commented:

“Working with the University of Wolverhampton’s SOLVD project has really helped me to make rapid progress on the development of my prototype, which I simply couldn’t do alone. Expertise from the University on IoT, wireless protocols and blockchain technology helped ensure that my innovation includes exactly the right combination of emerging technologies to make my product stand out.

The Innovation canvas exercise was also very useful; it helped to illustrates one’s weaknesses and helps keep all the balls in the air as the project develops. I always get to involved with the fun, practical aspects and can easily overlook some essential tasks.”

SOLVD is continuing to collaborate with Thermal Matters Ltd on a long-term Research and Development to take his innovation to the next level.