(19)

(11)

EP 1 244 876 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.10.2002 Bulletin 2002/40 (21) Application number: 00983413.6 (22) Date of filing: 21.12.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F16B 1/00, F03G 7/06, C22F 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/GB0004/954 (87) International publication number: WO 0104/6597 (28.06.2001 Gazette 2001/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR (30) Priority: 22.12.1999 GB 9930390 (71) Applicant: BRUNEL UNIVERSITY Middlesex, UB8 3PH (GB)	(72) Inventors: Chiodo, Joseph, DavidBrunel University Egham, Surrey TW20 0JZ (GB) Billett, EricBrunel University Egham, Surrey TW20 0JZ (GB) (74) Representative: Price, Paul Anthony King et al D. Young & Co.,21 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1DA London EC4A 1DA (GB)