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Our practical know-how stems from our long-term, in-depth experience in surface science. The goal of all our activities is to optimally combine innovative and established processes in order to offer you industrially relevant applications.
Our unique, proprietary and patented coatings are the result of many years of research, reflected in the numerous publications of our team members and partners.
The main features of each coating are, on the one hand, its functionality and, on the other hand, its adhesion to a substrate. The functionality is defined by the specific needs of our customers, given the potential application. Good adhesion is dependent on the substrate material. It is sometimes impossible to choose a substrate material freely, for a variety of reasons. Our research is therefore focused on developing new functionalities, as well as on novel adhesion technologies that allow effective binding to various substrates. Within this process, we constantly bear in mind the industrial suitability of each application and process.
The functionality of our polymers can be divided into four areas.
Bio-functional coatings: We offer various coating solutions for the selective binding of macromolecules, proteins or cells. Such coatings are applied in diagnostics and bioanalysis. With our polymer coatings, the biological components that are to be measured are bound onto the detection device. Simultaneously, the adsorption of unwanted components can be prevented, leading to a better signal-to-noise ratio. On implants, these films can be used to support and enhance the healing process, while avoiding the unspecific adhesion of bacteria.
Non-fouling coatings: Within the EU Marie Curie “Seacoat” project, we tracked mechanisms of biofilm formation on surfaces. Following the resulting insights, we developed a “non-fouling” coating that prevents the adhesion of unwanted organic or inorganic contaminants (particles, living matter, etc.) on any surface.
Highly lubricious coatings: In order to achieve high lubricity under both dry and wet conditions, we created a number of novel coating solutions, including some products that are silicone-free and Teflon-free, and therefore especially suitable for applications in the medical field. One of our newest innovations is an ecologically compatible lubricant that was inspired by nature. With this polymer, we are able to successfully imitate mechanisms that take place in human joints.
Adhesion promoters and primers: Whether it's a case of plastic, metal, glass or ceramics, where other adhesives fail, SuSoS' solutions will significantly improve adhesion, with no unnecessary plasma or corona pretreatment. You can choose between two types of molecularly thin coatings that differ in their application process and in their composition: adhesion promoter and hydrophilic primer solution (HPS).
With the adhesion promoter, a strong, direct chemical bond between the substrate and the functional layer (polymer, paint, glue or adhesive) can be achieved. With HPS, the substrate is treated with a layer that contains various molecules (including the adhesion promoter). In this way, the chemical affinity of the substrate to the functional layer is permanently improved.
As our polymer coatings are deposited from the liquid phase, the possibilities of deposition processes onto a substrate are manifold. Dipping, spraying or jetting are just a few alternatives. With our robot-supported coating service, many of these processes can be automated. This facility also provides printing, dosing, suction, vacuum suction, drying and blow-drying. In addition, the generation of specific surface patterns is possible, as well as the handling of complex 3-D structures.
We always strive to offer our customers cutting-edge surface analysis technologies and service.
We support you with troubleshooting, contamination analysis and quality control. We use X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy not only for elemental composition analysis, but also to analyze the nano-morphology or topography of surfaces. Our Area Manager of Analytics was able to learn this analysis principle directly from Prof. Sven Tougaard, the pioneer who first described this method. Our clients are thus able to profit from our team’s extensive knowledge and extract much more from one XPS analysis than just the elemental composition.
One of our special strengths lies in the way we combine a host of analytical methods. Integrating data that is derived from various techniques provides information not only on single aspects of a material, but also on the interactions of these characteristics. For example, from a combination of XPS depth profiling and ellipsometry measurements one can derive the correct layer sequence, as well as the layer thicknesses of a multilayer structure. Ellipsometry models can subsequently be developed from these results, and these models can in turn be used within non-destructive quality-control protocols for samples of the same line of products.
Contact us and learn more about possible applications of SuSoS' know-how and technologies for your products!