Research Agenda - Industrial Research Projects
| Title: |
Self-stratifying coatings. 2004-2006 |
| Researcher: | Mr. Niall Stobie
|
| Funding: |
Brite Project |
Hybrid blends of polymeric dispersions can be designed to stratify into multilayered systems. The current
project explores the outcome from BRITE Programme No. R1 1B-246 (Proposal No P 233 S-1) in which a wide range
of commercially available solution polymers, common to the surface coatings industry, were characterised in
terms of their ability to stratify into discrete and distinct multilayers. The driving forces rely on
solubility characteristics (Hansen), molecular weight (Mw), interfacial tension and surface tension (
σ ),
solvent vapour pressure and hence drying rates. The current activity concentrates on exploiting the benefits
of stratification with commercially available materials to tailor the interfacial chemistry to deliver high
levels of substrate adhesion coupled with chemically inert surfaces.
[ Back to Top | Research Agenda ]
| Title: |
Low Noise Solutions for Night Deliveries – Acoustic Coating 2006-2007 |
| Researcher: |
Mr. Niall Stobie |
| Funding: |
Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Technology Development Fund. |
CREST’s involvement in this project, managed by the Department of Transport Engineering in DIT, is as materials innovator. The full project aims to bring to the market low noise/low cost products which will enable Irish logistics service providers to promote more sustainable solutions for deliveries to city centre stores.
CREST identified and developed an acoustic coating to dampen noise in the interior of delivery trucks. Existing and commercially available materials were sourced, and a series of initial paints were formulated for screening. Starting with a materials matrix of all the formulations, these were developed based on anti-damping elastomeric binders. Once the most promising formulation was identified, it was tested for abrasion resistance, washability, hardness and impact resistance as indicated by market and standard requirements.
The new material formulation was then licensed to an Irish coatings manufacturing company.
[ Back to Top | Research Agenda ]
| Title: | Intellion Nano-film and smart material for corrosion control 2004-2005
|
| Researcher: | Dr. Brendan Duffy
|
| Funding: | Enterprise Ireland Proof of Concept Fund.
|
| Collaboration: | National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University. |
Intellion was a Proof of Concept project, designed to investigate the use of inorganic coatings for early corrosion detection on aerospace aluminium based on pH indicators. The project partners in the NCSR were led by Dr. Aisling (now at SFI) as lead researcher. The project proved that pH indicators would not be useful for corrosion detection, but instead introduced the use of chromoionophores to detect the ingress of aggressive chloride ions.
[ Back to Top | Research Agenda ]
| Title: |
Dualion- Anti-corrosion coatings for aerospace aluminium 2005-2007 |
| Researcher: | Dr. Brendan Duffy
|
| PhD Student: |
Rajath Varma - Application of Sol Gel Technology
|
| Funding: |
Enterprise Ireland Commerialisation Fund
|
| Collaboration: |
National Centre for Sensor Research, Dublin City University. |
Dualion is an Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund Technology Development (CFTD) funded project, which followed on from work in Intellion with the NCSR. The purpose of Dualion is to develop an anticorrosion coating for aerospace aluminium, and license the technology. A global aerospace manufacturer is involved in the project, and initial steps towards patenting the technology have been taken.
[ Back to Top | Research Agenda ]
| Title: |
Spice - Surface Protection in Clinical Environments 2006-2008
|
| Researcher: |
Dr Hugh Hayden , Emer Ryan
|
| Funding: |
Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund - Technology Development Phase.
|
|
SPICE is an Enterprise Ireland CFTD funded project, with partners in the NCSR (DCU), the Centre for Pharmaceutical Research & Development (CPRD) in ITTD and Prof. John Kelly in TCD. The project involves Surface Protection in Clinical Environments, with particular emphasis on biomedical device and hospital furniture surfaces. An Irish plastics producer is currently involved, with particular interest on hospital furniture.
[ Back to Top | Research Agenda ]
| Title: |
Hi-Gen - Hygiene coatings to assist in the control of hospital acquired infections. 2006-2008 |
| Researcher: |
Mr Niall Stobie
|
| Funding: |
Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership |
|
The current increase on cases of nosocomial or “hospital acquired” infections reported in Ireland is of great concern. Current technologies and practises are insufficient in dealing with the problem, thus new innovations in hygiene control are required. This project aims to achieve the delivery of a validated product formulation of hygiene coatings for clinical environments against resistant bacteria such as MRSA.
Currently a small range of paints have incorporated triclosan as an active bactericide. The products are then marketed as providing continuous hygienic surfaces. However these products may come under threat from the biocides Directive (98/8/EC). The project work programme will exploit the scientific findings on compounds that have antibacterial effects by incorporating these materials in a coating to make it washable, durable and antibacterial
[ Back to Top | Research Agenda ]
| Title: |
Nanofoam- Novel Printing formulations with reduced process temperature capability 2005 - 2007 |
| Researcher: |
Dr Suresh Pillai
|
| Funding: |
Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership |
|
This project is an innovation partnership between NTERA Ltd Dublin and CREST funded by Enterprise Ireland. The NanoChromics TM technology developed at NTERA uses electrodes fabricated from nanostructured films of semiconducting metal oxides (e.g. TiO 2) and electrochromic viologen molecules. The innovative aspects of the current project are the formulation of materials with novel processes and the use of advanced printing processes such that the high temperatures can be avoided and the production problems significantly reduced. In addition, lower temperatures will enable lower cost substrates, and also substrates for high information content displays, to be used.
[ Back to Top | Research Agenda ]
| Title: |
Novel Sealing Process for anodised aluminium 2006-2008 |
| Researcher: | Mr Michael Whelan
|
| Funding: |
Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership |
The use of aluminium is constantly growing in the automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical and architectural industries. Aluminium is lightweight and has relatively good wear and corrosion properties. Such properties are a consequence of a thin oxide film which forms as soon as the aluminium is exposed to the atmosphere. This oxide coating and its protective properties can be greatly enhanced by an electrolytic process known as anodising.
The aim of this project is to investigate the performance of a novel sealing process for chemical and corrosion resistance of anodised aluminium. Current methods for sealing anodised aluminum for such purposes include the use of hexavalent chromium or nickel based solutions, materials to be eliminated due to their detrimental impact on human health and the environment. Several novel coatings have been proposed as replacemets for hexavalent chromium as such a goal is currently a major research focus in the coatings industry. The project will investigate the use of organically modified coatings for alkaline resistance without any degradation of the aluminium oxide and corrosion performance in acidified salt spray. A full series of physical tests will be performed to evaluate the morphology, thickness, hardness and wear, corrosion and sealing properties of the coatings. The use of volatile organic solvents (VOC’s) will be eliminated by formulation of water based coatings with equal performance. The coating will also incorporate colour specified for industrial applications
[ Back to Top | Research Agenda ] |
