TECHNOLOGY used to explore Mars is helping a steel firm improve products.

Tata Steel has worked with The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) on ways to identify steel defects.

Bosses say the project, which also involved UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory and MPI Limited, deployed systems previously used to investigate the Red Planet to pick up cracks and issues in cast hot steel.

They added it developed a laser-based technique able to detect faults in temperatures above 800C, with a pilot production unit now installed at Tata’s Scunthorpe casting plant.

Professor Jan-Peter Muller, ICL head of imaging, said: “We are delighted; the project has taken technology previously used in the space sector and applied it to steel manufacturing.

“The technology developments achieved are significant for the UK and should benefit a number of high-value manufacturing sectors.”

Neville Slack, CPI programme manager, added: “The project has been of great benefit.

“It has provided the opportunity to apply these novel techniques in a number of new projects and also across a range of industries.”

The CPI is overseeing a number of revolutionary technological projects in the North-East, including the £38m National Biologics Manufacturing Centre, in Darlington.

The site will open later this year to support companies’ research and development on potentially life-saving cures and vaccines, including cancer treatment, and help experts take concepts to the market place.