SCALABLE CORE-SHELL PARTICLE FABRICATION WITH PISTON-CRANK AGITATION
Mass Producing High-Quality Uniform Powder Coatings More Effectively
THE PROBLEM
Core-shell structures have gradually attracted increased attention for their ability to modify and improve the properties and performance of a composite. Because of the shell material coating, properties of the core particle, like thermal stability or reactivity, can be changed to suit the needs of the application. Unfortunately, current methods of dispersing the shell around the core have not been scalable. Attempts at mass production have yielded subpar results of varying coating depths and irregular coverage, driving costs up due to the low supply of high-quality core-shell particles being unable to meet demand.
OUR SOLUTION
Researchers at The University of Alabama have developed a piston-crank design for fluidizing powder in a vacuum to achieve a uniform shell film and minimize exposure to contaminants. This novel system yields an enhanced deposition efficacy compared to current methods, enabling faster synthesis of conformal coatings on powder at a larger scale. The invented method has no geometric limitations and applies coatings at approximately four times the deposition efficacy (volume of coating/energy input) of existing methods. The innovation has wide-reaching applications in aerospace, biomedical, agriculture, energy, and construction.
THE ADVANTAGES
- More energy efficient than current methods
- Yields higher-quality uniform coatings
- Scalable, non-linear agitation
- More cost-effective due to increases in output and decreases in production time
Website:
http://ua.technologypublisher.com/technology/45842
Contact Information:
TTO Home Page: http://ua.technologypublisher.com
Name: Lynnette Scales
Title: Administrative Assistant
Department : Office for Innovation & Commercialization
Email: liscales@aalan.ua.edu
Phone: 348-5433