Materials and Coatings Section
The focus of the research within the section is the development and use of new materials and formulations within applications such as coatings, adhesives, personal care products, packaging applications and composites. For example, we develop inorganic nanostructured as well as surface engineered nanoparticulate materials with specific functions.
Mesostructured materials are produced by colloidal self-assembly techniques and they are for example used as carriers for controlled delivery and release of actives in different systems. Nanoparticulate materials with designed surface properties are used for improving optical (UV protection for example), mechanical, magnetic/ electric or catalytic properties of coatings and films.
Coatings and Surface
Furthermore, coatings and surface modification layers with properties such as anti-soiling, superhydrophobic, scratch resistance, anti-fouling, camouflage and barrier functionalities are developed at the section. Surface modifications are performed using techniques such as atmospheric plasma, low pressure plasma and corona. Furthermore, encapsulation techniques, including microencapsulation, have been used to incorporate self-healing resins in composites. The film formation of water-based coatings and adhesives, and the migration of components in these films, is also an important area for the section.
The activities of the section are of special interest to the following industries:
- The paint industry
- The adhesives industry
- The plastics and rubber industries
- The packaging and labeling industry
- The textile industry
- The mineral industry
- The ceramics and powder metallurgy industry
- The cement, mortar and concrete industries
- The consumer product industry
- Producers of building materials
- Suppliers and producers of performance chemicals
- Industries with a need for surface modification
- Pigment producers
- Ink producers