Most major handheld electronics manufacturers have made their devices water resistant in the last two years, with Apple, Samsung and Sony joining Nokia, Motorola and Huawei in waterproofing smartphones.
There are several innovative application developers now producing protective hydrophobic, superhydrophobic and oleophobic (HSHO) nanocoatings to treat electronic devices, including: cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), music players, cameras, video recorders, computers, tablet computers, batteries, e-readers, radio devices and gaming devices. Electronics is the main current market for HSHO nanocoatings at present and the market will witness increased growth in the next few years.
Figure 1: PowerSkin protected by DryWired’s 101X Liquid Nanocoating submerged in water (DryWired).
These coatings provide electronic components with water protection from humidity to full water immersion. can be use.
As well as providing a direct barrier to moisture, these coatings can also incorporate anti-icing, anti-corrosion, anti-fouling, and anti-microbial functionalities. Synthesis and applications techniques vary between application developers.
Table 1: Main hydrophobic, superhydrophobic nanocoatings product developers in waterproofing electronics and coatings techniques.
|
Company |
Synthesis method/coatings technique |
Product |
|
Aculon |
Proprietary Transition Metal Complexate technology (TMC) and fluorinated acrylic polymers. |
NanoProof® |
|
Drywired |
Low-pressure vacuum plasma. |
101X Liquid Nanocoating |
|
Europlasma |
Plasma. |
Nanofics |
|
HZO |
Proprietary vacuum application. |
WaterBlock™ |
|
Liquipel |
Plasma. |
AQUAGUARD™ |
|
P2i |
Pulsed Plasma Deposition Process. |
P2i Splash-proof |
|
Semblant |
Plasma. |
MobileShield™ |
Act Nano
ACTnano’s Advanced nanoGUARD (ANG) 100 series are used to moisture proof electronics. Read more at http://actnano.com/Applications.html
Aculon
The company develops NanoProof® hydrophobic and oleophobic range of coatings and also produces hydrophilic and adhesion promoting coatings. Main target markets are electronics and oil and gas. Read more at http://www.aculon.com/nanoproofpcbrepellency.php
Drywired
The company’s 101X Liquid Nanocoating, technology is effective on all types of assembled devices and electronic components. Read more at https://drywired.com/101x-hydrophobic-electronics-nanocoating/
Europlasma
The Nanofics fluoropolymer coatings are hydrophobic, oleophobic, resistant to sweat, acid and salt and resistant to elevated temperatures. Read more at http://www.europlasma.be/
HZO
The company produces WaterBlock™ technology for consumer and industrial electronic assemblies. The company deposits its nanocoating formulation using proprietary vacuum application methods that they have scaled-up. Read more at http://www.hzo.com/
Integrated Surface Technologies, Inc.
The company produces Repellix™, a ceramic nanocomposite coating for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). The coatings are used to watersafe electronic devices. Read more at http://insurftech.com/
Liquipel LLC
The company produces the AGUAGUARD™ range of waterproof coatings for smartphones. Read more at http://www.liquipel.com/
Lotus Lead Coatings
The company manufactures and distributes proprietary superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic coatings. The superhydrophobic coating, HydroFoe™ has been applied to consumer electronics applications. Read more at http://lotusleafcoatings.com/
Nelum Sciences LLC
The company is developing low-cost, consumer friendly, superhydrophobic coating materials that can be applied to a wide range of surfaces (e.g. plastics, Si, glass and fabrics) while maintaining the substrate optical properties. The company is also developing tunable, superhydrophilic and superoleophobic coatings and adhesives. http://nelumsciences.com/about-us/
P2i
The company’s hydrophobic nanocoatings are used by Nokia, Motorola and Huawei. The company recently secured £10 million investment deal with Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank. Read more at www.p2i.com
Semblant
The company produces a patented MobileShield™ smartphone waterproofing technology. According to the company over 1 million units/day are currently in production. Semblant’s technology uses nontoxic precursor materials to create complex and unique nanopolymer shield layers that protect mobile devices against multiple elements.
In March 2017 the company signed production qualification agreements with three leading China smartphone manufacturers related to its technology. Read more at http://www.semblant.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13xSfxrCw74
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R6WX9B2-O8
Waterfi
The company’s Dual Layer waterproofing technology is a patent pending, two-step comprehensive process that completely waterproofs and corrosion proofs electronics on the inside. Read more at http://waterfi.com/
REFERENCES
The Global Market for Hydrophobic, Superhydrophobic and Oleophobic Coatings and Surfaces, Published May 2017, Future Markets, Inc. Read more at https://www.futuremarketsinc.com/the-global-market-for-hydrophobic-superhydrophobic-and-oleophobic-coatings-and-surfaces/
