Technology offering the optimisation of polymer´s properties is now protected as part of nanoGUNE´s IP portfolio
The nanomaterials group in nanoGUNE, led by Mato Knez, has developed a new technology called SCIP that allows an improvement of the mechanical properties of polymers. The technology can be directly applied to functionalize textile, opening new perspectives in product development in the sports/fashion or personal protection sector.
The results of the research have now been published in the journal RSC Advances in an article entitled "SCIP: A New Simultaneous Vapor Phase Coating and Infiltration Process for Tougher and UV-resistant Polymer Fibers".
In principle, the physical properties of polymers can be significantly altered by blending them with inorganic components. This can be done during the polymerization process, but also by post-processing of already shaped materials, for example through coating by atomic layer deposition (ALD) or hybridizing through vapor phase infiltration (VPI), both of which are beneficial in their own way. The technology nanoGUNE proposes is based on a new processing strategy, which allows distinct control of the coating and infiltration and optimises properties of polymers such as Kevlar. This allows to improve properties as for example wear in rubber and therefore shows high market potential in the automotive sector.
The technology has been protected in 2018 as an international patent application (PCT/EP2019/069970) and is one of the 19 family patents in nanoGUNE´s current portfolio.
I. Azpitarte Iraculis, G. Botta, C. Tollan and M. Knez
RSC Advances 10, 15976 (2020)