NANOCLEAN

Optimisation and upscaling of self-cleaning surfaces for automotive sector by combining tailored nanostructured machined injection tools and functional thermoplastic nanocompounds

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

Progress in nanotechnology benefits achieving new functions and features for numerous new products and applications through the knowledge-based tailored properties. However, despite these special features, there are many challenges to transfer real applications into our daily life. NANOCLEAN project seeks to demonstrate the up-scaling of tailor-made nanostructured based self-cleaning feature on plastic components through cross disciplinary approach. In particular, the proposed technology is based on stable and durable so-called lotus-effect from both chemical and physical methods such as nano/micromachining - templation technologies and nanomodified materials. Therefore, the project will evaluate and assess the large scale production of advanced nanostructured plastic components for automotive sector, with controlled wettability properties, by combining the application of specific nano-microstructured surface through enhanced energy femtosecond laser pulse, specialty formulated and modified polymers and industrially implanted injection moulding technology. Furthermore, due to versatility of proposed process, an effort will additionally be carry out to promote this technology of controlling the wetting properties of large volume market plastic products for application to very many different systems where liquid and solid phase are in contact (consumer products, medical products, microfluidic, electric/electronic appliances ...).

Introduzione (Teaser)

Micro- or nano-machining involves adding nanotechnological properties to materials and surfaces, as well as the nano-modification of materials. Researchers have used nano-scale hydrophobicity structures like those found on a lotus leaf to produce a non-wetting plastic for the automotive industry.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The most famous natural example of self-cleaning can be found on the leaf of the lotus flower. Researchers have attributed this feature to highly water-resistant nanostructures known as micropillars, Water resistance and self-cleaning are desirable features for plastics, so scientists have begun exploring ways to synthetically engineer nanostructures that would enable these features.

A project called NANOCLEAN was funded by the EU to optimise and upscale the technologies needed to produce nano-structured self-cleaning plastics for use in cars. This research has enabled the establishment of several small companies that are carrying the research forward to commercialisation.

Specifically, the project tested technologies such as laser pulsing, and industrial injection moulding on nano-structured surface moulds to produce a self-cleaning, hydrophobic plastic based on the lotus structures. Several specially formulated and modified polymers were also developed and tested for hydrophobicity.

One main conclusion of the research is that micro- and nanotextures can be applied to three-dimensional (3D) curved surfaces and that these textures are durable. NANOCLEAN technology prototypes showed wettability and easy-to-clean properties, as well as optical effects that could be used for other applications.

Overall, the project demonstrated that injection moulding represents a promising technology to develop a nano/micro-structured surface with high performances and potentially low costs. The NANOCLEAN approach should provide solutions in passenger and industrial vehicles, and could have other applications in areas like biomedicine, electronics and white appliances.