Chile.
Generating self-cleaning nanotechnological coatings, which allow to increase energy efficiency and reduce water consumption, are some of the characteristics of the solutions developed by Adrox, the company incubated at the International Institute for Business Innovation (3IE) of the Federico Santa María Technical University and that can be applied in cars, fabrics, solar panels and glass.
According to Felipe Pacheco, CEO & Founder of Adrox, "when applying this type of nanocoating, invisible shields are generated that provide any surface with a protection that can remain for up to six months, and that prevents substances such as water, dust, microorganisms of different types or oils from adhering; also protecting them from scratches and corrosion."
These nanotechnological solutions of organic origin, whose basic composition is silicon dioxide and titanium, as well as copper salts, among others, have superhydrophobic properties that manage to repel water, the main means of transport of different compounds on a certain surface, and non-stick that prevent water-based products from coming into contact with the material.
"Importantly, these nanocoatings work in two phases. The first layer absorbs small amounts of invisible water and the second repels it, generating a difference that translates into superhydrophobicity and that manages to maximize the contact angle of the surface protecting it against a polluting liquid, "he explains.
These solutions generated by ADROX, adds Pacheco, have been successfully applied in solar panels and for this case contemplate a non-stick of dirt and a waterproofing of water and bird excrement. "To this is also added the analysis of the same panel, which allows to prepare a solution specially designed according to the requirements of the company. This alternative allows to reduce by 80% the use of water and by 50% the labor for cleaning and industrial maintenance".
Other applications are in vehicles, with a solution that includes dirt non-stick and waterproofing of water, oil and mud, and in glass, which adds to the previous characteristics, UV protection and anticorrosives. It also allows to protect fabrics such as cotton, polyester, silks, suedes and leathers, without changing the original texture and increasing its useful life.
Also, to these nanotechnological solutions, antibacterial properties can be added through copper, and whose minimum duration is six months, unlike other detergents that last a maximum of 48 weeks.
Also participating in the development of Adrox are Patricio Haberle, Academic of the Department of Physics of the USM, Miguel Acevedo Müller, Industrial Civil Engineer of the USM and José Rehbein, Chief Sustanability Officer of Adrox.
With information from www.noticias.usm.cl
