Jun 18 2008
Ecology Coatings, Inc., a leader in the discovery and development of nanotechnology-enabled, ultra-violet curable advanced materials, today announced that it has entered into a research agreement with the Department of Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Imaging at Western Michigan University (WMU). The principal investigator for the research project will be Professor Margaret Joyce.
Under the terms of the Agreement, the research team will review the basic chemistry and properties of a selected number of Ecology Coatings' EcoQuik paper products to ascertain their applicability with certain paper and printing applications. The materials also may be used in conjunction with generic paper and board coating formulations or ink formulations, to test their performance and suitability for specific applications. A report outlining the scope and success of the initial phase of the work, which is expected to take approximately two to three months, will be provided to Ecology Coatings' management.
"Our founder and Vice President of New Product Development, Sally Ramsey, is the inventor of our waterproof, nano-enabled paper coatings, an application with far reaching uses, including the ability to inhibit the growth of the toxic black mold, stachybotrys chartarum, on wallboard and other materials," noted Ecology Coatings CEO Richard D. Stromback. "On the surface there are numerous uses for our EcoQuik paper coatings, including advanced packaging and printed electronics applications, and we believe it is best to leverage the renowned research capabilities of WMU to further develop and enhance the commercial value of these products."
Stromback continued, "Our EcoQuik coatings' competitive edge lies in its cleantechnology development paradigm and the use of nanomaterials in its formulation. Our proprietary technology is solvent-free, produces no VOCs or HAPs and cures under UV light without the use of heat -- reducing energy consumption in the manufacturing process by upwards of seventy percent. The use of nanomaterials in the formulation allows our coatings to adhere to a wide variety of substrates, including metals, plastics, paper and glass, providing for superior wear, scratch, chemical and water resistance as well as hardness with a single application."