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Executive Summary: Transforming Global NDT Practice with Ultrasonic Arrays

Institution: University of Bristol

Innovation Focus: Full Matrix Capture (FMC) and Total Focusing Method (TFM) for Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

Sectors Impacted: Aerospace, Nuclear, Defence, Petrochemical, Power Generation

The Innovation

The University of Bristol’s Ultrasonics & NDT Group pioneered Full Matrix Capture (FMC) and Total Focusing Method (TFM)—revolutionising how ultrasonic arrays are used in safety-critical inspections. Their methods improve imaging resolution, defect detection, and inspection coverage, enabling faster, more accurate, and cost-effective NDT.

Commercial & Industry Impact

Technology Licensed and Adopted Worldwide

  • Peak NDT Ltd adapted its systems for FMC, driving sales and uptake of MicroPulse FMC hardware globally.
  • Other companies such as Evident, Eddyfi, TPAC and  Verasonics now also use FMC/TFM capabilities in the instrumentation devices

Aerospace

  • Rolls-Royce  developed a 2D FMC array system for on-wing inspection of single-crystal turbine blade roots.
  • QinetiQ used TFM to extend the operational life of UK military aircraft, generating £450k in direct business and £10M+ per year in projected sector-wide savings.

Standards

  • FMC/TFM is an established part of the NDE landscape and is covered by several international standards:  ISO 23864:2021 and ISO 23865:2021.

Nuclear & Energy

  • Ontario Power Generation (Canada) deployed Bristol’s FMC/TFM in complex weld inspections across CANDU reactors.
  • AMEC (now part of Amentum Global) used FMC to develop procedures for inspecting nuclear reactor pressure vessel welds.

Real-World Business Impact for representative end users

BP: Safely processed cheaper, corrosive crude oil, unlocking €100M profit in 2.5 years at one refinery alone.
Shell Brunei: Enabled additional oil and gas production worth $11M per year, by reducing risk classifications.
PTTGC (Thailand): Cut chemical inhibitor costs by $300K annually, while improving asset safety.
Global Sites: Reduced unplanned shutdowns, extended equipment life, and minimised manual inspections, improving both safety and profitability.

The Bottom Line: Measurable Cost & Safety Gains

Faster inspections, reduced downtime, and safer operation of high-value assets

Commercialised tools and hardware in daily use by OEMs and maintenance providers

Industry-standard techniques in ultrasonic array-based inspection globally

The RCNDE Advantage

RCNDE played a pivotal role in enabling this impact by:
  • Funding early-stage research that seeded the development of FMC/TFM
  • Supporting industry engagement through secondments and collaborative projects
  • Accelerating tech transfer via events, training, and coordinated licensing pathways

Result

Bristol’s innovations moved from lab to frontline inspection faster—maximising value for both the UK’s strategic infrastructure and global industrial markets.

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