SCIENTISTS at the University of Bolton are leading the way in a £1 million Government project to create hi-tech materials.

The materials, called auxetics, become fatter rather than thinner when they are stretched and have a huge potential for industry.

Scientists at the university have already become famous in the field for discovering a strand of auxetics that led to them inventing a new fibre.

Dr Kim Alderson and Virginia Simkins, of the University's Centre for Materials Research and Innovation, made the discovery in 1999.

An example of the fibre recently went on display at the London Science Museum. Since then, Dr Alderson has continued the research in Bolton, heading a team that also includes her husband, Professor Andy Alderson.

Now scientists and technologists at nine specialist British research centres within universities and industry are pooling their knowledge, aiming to benefit aerospace, automotive, marine and space technologies through the development of auxetic materials.

For the past three years, the auxetics network Auxetnet, hosted by the University of Bolton, has investigated the properties and potential of a range of auxetic materials.

The new research project, funded through the Department of Trade and Industry's Technology Programme, is an outcome from the activities of Auxetnet.

The project aims to pull together each research centre's activities in a co-ordinated research programme to create the next generation of advanced composites.

Dr Alderson, who leads the Auxetics Network, said: "Each research centre within the network has developed its own specialist areas.

"This funding allows us to bring our specialist areas together to see what applications can be explored in combined research."

Her husband, who is professor of materials physics at the University of Bolton and member of the North West Composites Centre, said: "Auxetics have wide-ranging potential for aerospace, automotive, marine and space technologies. For aerospace, for example, we are looking at the use of auxetics in morphing' and adaptive' structures, such as wings that can change shape to maximise wind-resistance efficiency."

The other research project partners are The University of Bristol, the University of Exeter, Auxetics Technologies Ltd, a spin-off company from the University of Bolton, Auxetics Ltd a spin-off company from the University of Exeter, Shakespeare Monofilament UK, ICI, Cytec Engineered Materials and Rolls-Royce.