Superhydrophobic Materials

Researcher: Dr. John T. Simpson Commercialization Manager: Alex DeTrana Presenter: Shawn Carson

Problem

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Problem
Biofouling: Adds 330 lbs/meter2 in just 6 months $70,000 cost to clean a ship hull 40 50% increased fuel cost $2.1 billion annual cost to US Navy

Managed by UT-Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy

Problem
Pipe Corrosion and Fouling: $6 8 billion transmission pipelines $276 billion residential plumbing costs Bridge Corrosion: Annual cost of US Bridges: $7 billion

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Problem
Aircraft Deicing: $5,000 per aircraft

Power Lines : One winter storm $5 billion

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Solution

Superhydrophobic contact angle with a drop of water that exceeds 150 degrees

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Solution

Droplet on a normal hydrophobic surface

Droplet on a superhydrophobic surface

Roughening a hydrophobic surface increases the effective contact angle

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Technology

Dry etch silicon process

SEM image of cones > 1 million spikes per cm2

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Phased-Separated Spinodal Superhydrophobic Glass Powder

Phase Separating Glass Phase-Separated Spinodal Structure

Heat Treatment Crushed Glass Powder Acid Etched Powder

Apply Self -Assembled Monolayer (SAM)

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Superhydrophobic Glass Powder

SEM Image of Superhydrophobic Glass Powder

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The Moses Effect

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Technology
Three individual material technologies
Spinodal Glass dependent upon ability to manufacture glass Silica Nanoparticles manufacturing process needs scaling Diatomaceous Earth fossilized freshwater organisms and marine life
1% of the cost of other methods Plentiful raw material Non-toxic process

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Product(s)
Coatings

Applications
Anti-fouling Anti-condensation Anti-friction Anti-ice Anti-clotting Anti-corrosion Mildew and mold resistance

Fabrics Sealants Electronics

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Evaporative Desalination
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Markets
Coatings
Range of pricing $10 - $90/gal Protective coatings global market - $1.13 billion with 3.4% CAGR Global marine coatings - $4.7 billion

Corrosion Loss in US - $7 billion High performance fabrics US - $392 million by 2012

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Tested Applications: Anti-Icing

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Tested Applications: Anti - Icing

Coated Cables

Uncoated Cables

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Tested Applications: Anti - Icing

Lightly Washed Navy Radome Samples

Modified SH Coating
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Uncoated Reference Sample (with Barnacles)

Tested Applications: Anti - Corrosion

Steel Plate at day 1

Steel Plate at day 60

Two images of a 4 square steel plate; the right side of the plate is uncoated, while the left side was treated with a modified SH coating.
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Tested Applications: Anti - Salination

Aluminum Pan with Super Hydrophobic Coating

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Uncoated Pan

Competition:
Product Name Superhydrophobic Coating Nanotechnologies Superhydrophobic Antifouling Coating Fluorothane Manufacturer Sandia National Laboratory - USA Ross Technologies Gelwell Biotech Corporation - TAIWAN Cytonix Corporation - USA Relevance $10/gal, 172o contact angle Sol-gel chemistry $60/gal. Consumer products Drag reduction, Antifouling Polymer substrates 140o Contact angle 5 20 year lifetime Aerosol coatings High temperature, anticorrosion coating Glass microsheres

Thermablock

Microphase coatings, Inc. USA

ORNL Technology exceeds these products in performance and a fraction of the cost
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Business Model
Value Proposition: Manufacture coatings at 1% of the cost of current methods Enabling technology material producer GOAL: supplier of superhydrophobic coatings Key Development Partner Distributor Key resources Chemical Engineer, Research collaboration Market Entry Strategy
Niche Development partnership with major customer

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Strategic Timeline
Secure Manufacturing Partnership Year 2 Launch Next Market Year 3

Company Start

Beta Product Development Year 1

R&D Funding And License 6 Months

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Scale Up Funding Year 1.5

First Exit Opportunity Year 2.5

Summary
Continuing research to improve bonding techniques ORNL is available to collaborate on specific end uses Broad application IP position available for license Application for lining of pipes has been licensed Diatomaceous Earth (DE) has little demonstrated competition and represents a significant cost breakthrough

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For more information about licensing this technology please contact:

Alex DeTrana,
865-576-9682

Commercialization Manager detranaag@ornl.gov

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