International. Since the publication of that patent, the director of the UEM Coatings Research Institute has received inquiries from some industries to customize organic-inorganic hybrid coatings for specific end-use applications.
The research team of Eastern Michigan University students and faculty at the Coatings Research Institute in GameAbove's College of Engineering and Technology received a U.S. patent for the invention of "organic and inorganic hybrid polymer compositions, related articles, and methods."
According to Vijay Mannari, director of UEM's Coatings Research Institute, the invention of the composition can potentially replace hazardous heavy metals used in the metal finishing industry.
The concepts within the patent are also advancing the development of 3D printing materials and solving the challenges of conventional materials and processes.
"This invention demonstrates our contribution to advancing materials science and engineering," Mannari said.
"It's extraordinary because the two co-inventors were students at the time of their invention. This innovation is a striking example of what students can do when they receive the right guidance, encouragement, empowerment and training."
In 2006, with a funding award from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Mannari began exploring organic-inorganic hybrid coatings. Throughout their exploration, his team developed hexagonal chromium-free organic-inorganic hybrid coatings.
EMU alumnus Himanshu Manchanda conducted the first studies on the chemistry and compositions of ultraviolet-curable organic-inorganic hybrids, while EMU alumnus Hamid Asemani completed many investigations on the deposition of OIH coatings and studied the corrosion resistance performance of these OIH coatings.
Hex-chromium-free Organic-Inorganic Hybrid (OIH) coatings showed comparable performance to those based on hex-chromium, a carcinogenic compound. According to Mannari, this success initiated the exploration of other innovative applications of OIH coatings.
"Excited by the success we had in developing hexagonal chromium-free OIH coatings, I began to explore other innovative applications where such coatings can find suitable applications," Mannari continued.
"After several years of work by my graduate students, we invented a novel, efficient and sustainable route for the deposition of OIH coatings using ultraviolet light radiation."
The combined discovery of Mannari, Manchanda and Asemani opened up opportunities to adapt precursors to OIH materials at the molecular scale. These OIH films can be deposited with a thickness of two to five micrometers and up to 50 micrometers. This leaves room for many advanced applications.
"I look forward to the possibilities of licensing our patent to industries for commercial applications that will improve the environmental sustainability of their products," added Mannari.
