New materials and equipment
Article Type: New materials and equipment From: Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Volume 62, Issue 5
New paint makes tough self-cleaning surfaces
A new paint that makes robust self-cleaning surfaces has been developed by a team led by UCL researchers. The coating can be applied to clothes, paper, glass and steel and when combined with adhesives, maintains its self-cleaning properties after being wiped, scratched with a knife and scuffed with sandpaper.
Self-cleaning surfaces work by being extremely repellent to water but often stop working when they are damaged or exposed to oil. The new paint creates a more resilient surface that is resistant to everyday wear and tear, so could be used for a wide range of real-world applications from clothing and cars, say the researchers.
First author Yao Lu (UCL Chemistry), said:
Being waterproof allows materials to self-clean as water forms marble-shaped droplets that roll over the surface, acting like miniature vacuum cleaners picking up dirt, viruses and bacteria along the way. For this to happen, the surface must be rough and waxy, so we set out to create these conditions on hard and soft surfaces by designing our own paint and combining it with different adhesives to help the surfaces withstand damage.
The study, involving researchers from UCL, Imperial College London and Dalian University of Technology (China) and published today in Science, shows how the new paint made from coated titanium dioxide nanoparticles can give a wide range of materials self-cleaning properties, even during and after immersion in oil and following damage to the surface.
Different coating methods were used to create the water repellent surfaces, depending on the material. An artist’s spray-gun was used to coat glass and steel, dip-coating for cotton wool and a syringe to apply the paint onto paper.
All the materials became waterproof and self-cleaning as water droplets of different sizes were seen bouncing instead of wetting the surface, removing the dirt applied by the researchers. This was maintained after damage was inflicted on the surfaces.
Mr Lu added:
Our paint worked extremely well for a variety of surfaces in tough conditions which were designed to simulate the wear and tear of materials in the real-world. For example, car paint frequently gets scuffed and scratched and we wanted to make sure our paint would survive that. As well as practical uses, the paint could also be used creatively to make art with water which is something I have been exploring in my own time.
The experiments were filmed to show the behavior of the treated surfaces against controls. Examples include videos of treated cotton-wool being dipped into blue-colored water and emerging pristine white with no trace of contamination, and treated paper remaining dry and clean after being exposed to dirt and water.
Co-author, Professor Claire Carmalt, who is Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at UCL Chemistry, said:
The biggest challenge for the widespread application of self-cleaning surfaces is finding a way to make them tough enough to withstand everyday damage. The surfaces tend to be mechanically weak and so rub off easily, but by pairing our paint with different adhesives, we’ve shown it is possible to make a robust self-cleaning surface. We used materials that are readily available so our methods can be scaled-up for industrial applications.
Corresponding author, Professor Ivan Parkin, who is Professor of Chemistry and Head of UCL Chemistry, said:
Our work aims to characterise new materials at a very small scale so we can see how best to use them to improve our daily lives. The new paint fits into a broader portfolio of surfaces we are developing for different purposes, including antimicrobial coatings to combat hospital acquired infections, and we hope its discovery advances the widespread adoption of self-cleaning surfaces.
More information is available from: http://www.ucl.ac.uk
Huawei launches new flagship P8 with P2i nano-coating
Chinese technology giant Huawei launched their new flagship devices the P8 and P8 Max at a press event on 15th April, in London, UK. These new devices are redefining the smartphone market with their mix of style and functionality. The Huawei P8 and P8 Max offer a plethora of easy-to-use features and boast an impressive spec list to rival other smartphones currently on the market.
P2i are proud to be amongst the P8’s unique selling points that differentiate Huawei from many of its competitors, through the application of P2i’s liquid repellent nano-coating technology to further increase reliability. The P8 boasts spill resistance and is protected against liquid damage and corrosion caused by everyday environments and accidents. The P8 will survive liquid exposure from humidity and sweat to accidental splashes and spills. This not only means that the phone is more reliable and durable but can also be taken on life’s every day adventures, safe in the knowledge that it will survive.
P2i is a technology solutions provider focused on increasing the reliability of electronic devices by protecting them from liquid damage. P2i’s patented pulsed plasma process delivers hydrophobic nano-coatings which provide the highest levels of liquid repellency. With commercial expertise and proven success in mass production, not just in electronics but across five other market sectors, P2i delivers outstanding performance improvement to a wide range of products.
P2i was established in 2004 to commercialize technologies developed by the UK Government’s Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL). Our Research and Development team, led by our CTO Dr Stephen Coulson, identified innovative applications equipment and processing methods, culminating in a growing patent portfolio extending to over 65 families.
Established as the only credible provider of water-repellent nano-coating technology in mass production, P2i boast monthly processing volumes that have more than tripled over the past year. The technology has now been applied to close to 100 million electronic devices worldwide, as smartphone manufacturers seek to improve reliability and respond to consumer demand to provide essential protection against water damage.
In addition to headquarters in the UK, P2i has a technology centre in the USA, and an applications centre in China.
More information is available from: http://www.p2i.com
Diamond Kote® unveils the world’s only corrosion prevention module for aluminum vehicles
Diamond Kote introduced DK9000-AL – the only electronic corrosion prevention module designed specifically to fight aluminum oxidization on vehicles. Building upon the technology and corrosion-fighting power of the DK9000, the bestselling corrosion control module for steel, DK9000-AL is calibrated for the specific aluminum alloy used in vehicle manufacture.
DK9000-AL combines electronically controlled pulse-impressed current and aluminum-specific sacrificial anode technology to combat the electrochemical process of oxidization. It emits a low voltage current throughout a vehicle’s metal to attract and neutralize free electrons – effectively guarding it against harmful corrosion.
Stephen Clelland, President of WGI Manufacturing, the makers of Diamond Kote, says:
It’s a scientific fact that the properties of aluminum are not the same as those of steel – and they corrode differently. The market demanded aluminum body vehicles, and Diamond Kote engineered the first and only technology to protect them specifically.
Aluminum vehicle demand is expected to surge, as automakers strive to slash vehicle weights and increase fuel efficiency. Ford is on board, reinventing North America’s favourite pickup, with their aluminum-alloy 2015 F-150. Aluminum bodies are also featured on models by General Motors, Chevrolet, Land Rover, Range Rover, Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes Benz and Tesla Motors.
Lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles are good news for the environment. Remaining true to their green commitment, Diamond Kote is the only company with a product available to protect these lighter vehicle bodies. It has been predicted that, within a decade, every leading automaker will have an aluminum body program in place.* Diamond Kote’s DK9000-AL is ready now.
Diamond Kote is Canada’s longest serving manufacturer and supplier of automotive appearance and protection products and programs. Founded in 1968 by Charles S. Walker, the Diamond Kote brand has become an internationally renowned product name in North America, Europe and China.
More information is available from: http://www.diamondkote.com
