The Institute have developed a coating with anti-adhesive and microbicidal effect. This was originally done for in ear hearing aids. These devices are now commercially available and have met the German regulations for medical products. The institute are able to make tailor made solution for other applications.
Microbicidal Coatings
Principle
Enhanced effectiveness by the combination of microbicidal anti-adhesive properties.
Methods
Inorganic-organic nanocomposites including microbicidally acting silver colloids are produced by the sol-gel-process. The surface is soil-resisting and anti-adhesive;
Silver colloids, integrated in the matrix, bring about a long lasting microbicidal effect by a controlled-release mechanism;
Application by Dip-, Spray- or Spin-coating and subsequent thermal or photochemical curing.
Results
Bactericidal effectiveness;
Fungicidal effectiveness;
Good adhesion (GT 0 / TT 0) and water lixiviation stability on glass, metals and plastics.
Applications
Sanitation and kitchen: e.g. fittings, plastic surfaces;
Packaging material;
Food technology.
Advantages
High microbicidal effectiveness by a large surface of the metal colloids compared to a low colloid concentration (oligodynamic process);
Long lasting microbicidal effect: silver is released continuously and in low a concentration during a sustained period = controlled-release mechanism;
Long-term stability of the coating;
Applicable on various surfaces.
Photocatalytic coatings
These photo catalytic effect of TiO2 is well known and many mechanistic details have been investigated. TiO2 nanoparticles are the most interesting systems due to the fact that the activity depends on the available surface area and the particle diameter.
The majority of the work in surface technologies mainly has been carried out on UV initiated processes. Industrial utilisation of the effect already has started for various applications, especially for self-cleaning and anti-fogging purposes like self-cleaning tiles, self-cleaning windows by CVD processes or self-cleaning textiles, anti-fogging car mirrors, and the anti-microbial effect also has been demonstrated.
Other areas
Surfaces with reduced biofilm formation
The Institute combines the anti-stick function and microbiocide effect with a new technology. Thus, microbiocide surfaces with a new quality are generated.
Layers with low surface energy;
Very smooth surfaces;
Colibacteria do not adhere and do not grow.
Applications: hospitals, food production etc.
New generation scratch-resistant technology
Abrasion resistance up to 0.5 % light scatter at DIN 52347 (1000 cycles) through gradients (system dependent);
Thermic and UV hardenable.
Applications: scratch-resistant paints as topcoat (motor vehicles among others), enamel replacement, super scratch-resistant polycarbonate spectacle lenses with further functions (e.g. UV, IR absorption or IR reflection, microbiocide effect, anti-static effect), self structuring systems for transparent viewing protection, application on all plastics and metals.
Nanocoatings with easy-to-clean functionality
Four basic technologies: high temperature, low temperature, two-component systems as well as air-hardening systems;
Gradient systems with adjustable fluorine gradient;
Good adhesion on practically all substrates;
New functions with integrated corrosion protection;
Anti-static effect (explosion protection);
Self-structuring layers with superhydrophobic effect.
Photocatalytic, self-cleaning surfaces
Cooperation developments with ASTI and R-CAST, Tokyo. Planned properties of the coatings: self-cleaning, fogging-resistant, microbiocide, UV protecting. The new technology: gradient systems for plastics, made with wet coating technology.
Applications:
Self-cleaning layers on plastics, natural stones, metals, ceramics and glass, articles of daily use, textiles;
Hygiene in hospitals and doctors' practices;
Protection against algae on house faηades;
Self-cleaning faηades, windows, installations, outdoor objects, sanitary facilities;
Self-cleaning windows and paints in motor vehicle construction;
UV protection paints.
