From particles to an ice-repellent coating
Emily Haas1, Christina Puijk1, Selina Ambrose1, Angelo La Rosa2, Geraldine Durand2, Anna Wojdyla-Cieslak3, Alan Taylor3
1 Promethean Particles, Nottingham, UK
2 London South Bank University (LSBU), Cambridge, UK
3 TWI, Cambridge, UK
Promethean Particles is a pioneer in the manufacture of high specification nanomaterials for a range of applications including pigments, printed electronics, energy capture and storage, functional nanoceramics and coatings.
The company has developed breakthrough innovations in nanoparticle technologies by designing safe and commercially viable liquid dispersions at its multi-material manufacturing plant. Located at Genesis Park, Nottingham, the site manufactures nanoparticles with tonnes-per-year capacities through a patented continuous flow process - making it the largest reactor system of its kind in the world.
Advancements in technology over the years has made nanoparticles accessible to a variety of industries. Operating in a wide range of sectors, the company tailors its process to customer specification by using both large and small-scale reactors to continuously meet demand and maintain quality.
As a partner in the national, Innovate UK-funded project ICELIP, Promethean Particles is involved in the development of super-hydrophobic nanomaterials for use in anti-icing coatings. Since the project contains partners from all parts of the value chain, it provides a great overview of how nanomaterials can be adapted and upscaled using Promethean’s continuous flow methodology, to then be formulated downstream into an ice-repellent coating for the aerospace sector. The project primarily focuses on the aerospace sector for end-use, to reduce drag and associated costs while improving fuel efficiency, but the coating technology could benefit several other sectors including, but not limited to, architectural coatings, the oil and gas industry, and ground transportation.