| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/N510051/1 |
| Title: |
Stain resistant paints from smart hydrophobic surfaces |
| Principal Investigator: |
Carmalt, Professor C |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
UCL |
| Scheme: |
Technology Programme |
| Starts: |
01 February 2016 |
Ends: |
31 January 2019 |
Value (£): |
248,451
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Complex fluids & soft solids |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
The business opportunity that this project addresses is the introduction of universal stain shedding decorative paints to the
premium end of the large volume decorative paint market. To address this business opportunity the project team must
translate the novel surface science recently shown by UCL (Science 6 March 2015) into commercially realistic materials
(Omya) for processing into desirable decorative paints (AkzoNobel) for sale to the end user (UK consumers) at a premium,
but realistic, price. The problem faced by AkzoNobel is that even the most durable of decorative paints have a tendency to
suffer from staining from common household stains (coffee, red wine) which leads to customer dissatisfaction if the stain
cannot easily be removed; even requiring redecoration in the some cases. The intended output of the project will address
this problem as it will deliver universal stain shedding decorative paints from which all stains are automatically released on
the stimulation of the staining process
There are five innovative aspects to this project
a) Delivery of the superhydrophobic surfaces using cost effective minerals, as opposed to the published route based on
expensive titanium dioxide (TiO2), will be innovative.
b) The application and use of mixtures of accurately controlled particle size minerals in main stream decorative paints is not
actually practiced and so this would be innovative.
c) No cost effective decorative paints are available that have the technical ability to self-shed dirt and stains.
d) The concept behind the science of this innovation is practised to some extent in stain resistant fabrics. There would be
innovation in transferring the effects in stain resistant fabrics to decorative paints.
e) Decorative paints where stain shedding is the marketing focus have not been brought to the UK (or EU27) marketplace
so this would be a commercial innovation.
Given the strong current customer needs for delivery and maintenance of perfect colour in the home
(http://www.letscolourproject.com/) the proposed technology from this project would be extremely timely.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
|