About Theta

Theta Technologies

The world’s only provider

of Nonlinear resonance NDT

Revolutionising the metal AM industry with our unique non-destructive testing technology.

about Theta Technologies

UK-based engineering company specialising in non-destructive testing of metal and composite parts produced for critical applications. Our unique nonlinear resonance non-destructive testing technology is capable of safer, more cost-effective, and rapid flaw detection for AM metal, conventional metal and composite manufacturers.

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what drives us

Our unique technology offers a number of key advantages over other non-destructive testing methods on the market.

The vision

To enable our customers to implement faster, safer, and more economical systems, by offering innovative, game-changing NDT solutions.

The mission

To drive the boundaries of non-destructive testing technology for our customers.

The values

We pride ourselves on working both internally and externally with honesty, integrity and delivering to exceptional standards.

Theta Technologies

OUR STORY

2007

Theta Technologies Limited Established

As a spin-out from Exeter University, Theta Technologies Limited was established.

2008

First patent application submitted

Our very first patent application was submitted.

2011

First private investment round

2013

First contract with European Space Agency

We embark on our first major collaborative project with the European Space Agency. The project was designed to provide imaging of wave scattering in solid materials.

Innovate UK project Friction Harmonics

Another significant project begins, which is focussed on the on-line control of friction stir welding processes using ultrasonic test techniques.

First appearance at BINDT conference

Patent granted in China

2015

First stand at Advanced Engineering Show

2017

NATEP project on Nonlinear Resonance

To possibilities of triaging through non-destructive testing are assessed in collaboration with the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme.

2018

Innovate UK project RASCAL

The rapidly evolving metal additive manufacturing industry helped initiate project RASCAL where we begin to assess scalable NDT for AM.

US Patent granted

2021

EU patent granted

2022

UK patent granted

First appearance at TCT 3sixty event

Theta Technologies attended their first TCT event in Birmingham, UK to unveil the world’s first nonlinear resonance non-destructive testing solution.

RD1-TT announced

Officially unveiled at TCT 3sixty, Theta Technologies announce their first commercially available NDT product, RD1-TT.

First appearance at Formnext event

Theta descended on Frankfurt, Germany to showcase RD1-TT at the world’s largest additive manufacturing industry exhibition.

BAE and AMRC project announced

Late 2022 saw major Aerospace and Defence manufacturers BAE Systems and AMRC North West adopt RD1-TT as part of a significant collaboration.

2023

Watch this space

Looking to build on the developments over the past 12 months, 2023 promises to be another significant year in the Theta Technologies timeline.

meet the team

From professors to highly-experienced engineers, every member of the Theta Technologies team is dedicated to delivering revolutionary non-destructive testing solutions for our customers.

Steve Butler

Chief Executive Officer

Steve is a private investor in Theta and has been a non-executive director since December 2012. He then went on to become CEO in August 2019. An aeronautical engineer by education, he has over 30 years’ of experience in the commercial and defence aerospace markets. He majored in international commercial negotiations and has led a number of SMEs including Claverham (sold to UTC in 2004) and more recently Sogeclair Aerospace UK.

Prof. James Watts

Chief Technical Officer

James completed a Ph.D. in Semiconductor Physics at the University of Exeter, before working on radar hardware design and analysis at the UK Defence Research Agency (Now QineticQ). Moving back to the South West in 2005, he was Chief Engineer, then Chief Executive at Flann Microwave, an SME with an international reputation for the design and manufacture of RF and microwave equipment for telecommunications, space, defence, and medical applications. As Chief Technical Officer, James is responsible for guiding the company’s talented engineering team to turn its heritage of world-leading research in nonlinear acoustics into real products that make a difference.

Julian Wright

Intellectual Property Officer

Julian has held a variety of roles since he joined Theta Technologies Limited in 2011. An acoustics engineer by education, Julian spent 17 years in the audio industry and 10 years in software development and academic research. As Intellectual Property Officer, he is currently leading on the IP development and protection of Theta’s technology and products. He also supports the production of AM standards on BSI and ISO committees.

Kristofer Delaney

Operations Manager

Kris is a chartered engineer with a wealth of experience in offshore oil and gas sectors. He has previously designed and developed subsea cable ploughs and pipelay tower pinned connections in the offshore sector, applying finite element techniques to accelerate design processes and provide evidence for third-party certification. Kris joined Theta Technologies in 2020 and is responsible for new product development and process implementation with day-to-day responsibility for ensuring the necessary resources, support, and personnel availability for R&D and customer projects.

Daniel Sanmartin

R&D Manager

Daniel has over 15 years of experience working on Science and Engineering projects funded by both industry and academic institutions. Originally from Spain, where he obtained his first degree in Physics, he went on to obtain a Ph.D. at the University of Birmingham on Piezoelectric devices in 2011. Daniel joined Theta Technologies in 2017 and is responsible for driving the research and development activities necessary to develop existing products so they can meet the application requirements of Theta’s customers.

Nathalia Correia Lopes

Sales Manager

Nathalia has a bachelor’s in materials engineering with a wealth of experience in quality and product development engineering, business development, and technical sales engineering for high-profile multinational companies in the plastic, automotive, and civil construction sectors. In her various roles, Nathalia has been responsible for managing teams and customers across the globe, most notably in Brazil, Portugal, and the UK. Nathalia joined Theta in 2022 and is responsible for representing Theta and providing customers with a comprehensive understanding of products and solutions to their manufacturing needs.

Iain Fairbairn

Chairman

Iain has led Theta since 2011, having assumed responsibility following a change to the original management. He has both invested personally and secured support (predominantly from existing shareholders) through multiple investment rounds. He is a former commercial solicitor, with subsequent wide business experience in manufacturing, property development, and service industries, and was also for many years the senior independent director of an NHS teaching hospital.

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Find out more about this revolutionary NDT technology from the team that built it.