Nano composites for thin film coating and industrial applications create new opportunities for the coating industry. Engineering at the molecular level improves old materials as well as creating new ones. Nanoparticles, measured as 100 nanometres or less, can take on new and greatly enhanced properties like unique physical, chemical, mechanical and optical characteristics. By a solution (Sol-gel) based process using low cost salt, new more durable complex films and advanced materials can be created with a wide range of functions and application areas.

The compelling business logic and advantage is to use the same process to create multiple films and new materials. This increases the speed to market of new materials, applications and products using the same cost efficient and scalable process. Sol-gel can be coated at low to high temperatures through a coating process that produces thin but resistant layers with high optical quality and purity. In addition, there are a range of production technologies available for the coating process at an attractive cost and investment level: spin, dip, spray, roll, flow coating etc.

Sol-gel processing is a solution based deposition technique that allows for efficient manufacture of complex, nano-structured films of high quality and control. When the proper process parameters are set, low cost, simple manufacturing without complex vacuum systems is possible allowing for high rate roll-to-roll deposition on broad bands. The process is highly flexible and requires relatively low processing temperatures, which allows for changes in the composition and thereby tailored materials in short series without larger investments.

The sol-gel technique has been applied around the world since three decades, mainly with silica based coatings, but through our unique, flexible processes, we are able to deposit for example very complex multi-layer, nano-composite films of most elements with a high degree of precision in structure, composition and thickness, at a cost that is a fraction of competing techniques.

Sol-gel deposition offers the possibility to achieve complex composition films containing many elements as well as composites. There is no real limit to the amount of elements that can be added. It also offers high rate continuous or intermittent deposition on large substrates without the need for vacuum equipment.

Sol-Gel processing can yield a very wide range of materials some which are unique for solution based processing.

Sol-Gel processing can be used for various demands on purity; from electro-ceramics and photonics (Er-doped wave-guides etc) to less purity demanding systems.

Sol-gel processes are quite flexible when the chemistry is known and the process designed properly. New elements and additional doping can be made without much trouble to follow the latest knowledge.

The high yield is a positive factor.

From an environmental protection and recyclability perspective, the solvent is contained and most of it can be recycled or burnt off where a car exhaust catalyst may decompose organic molecules to CO2 and water.

Spectrally selective coatings for solar thermal applications on steel and aluminum.

With the patented process to Ni-Al2O3 nano-composites developed with a detailed knowledge on the process and structures the application to a new surface such as aluminum or Steel-ZnO.

Photo-catalytic “self-cleaning” films

Reflective films

Other films; coloured, patterned etc.