A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) and partner companies of its Industrial Consortium On Nanoimprint (ICON) have teamed up in a pilot manufacturing project for mass production of two kinds of patterned nanoimprinted plastic films using roll-to-roll nanoimprint technology.
These patterned nanoimprinted plastic films have high durability, scratch resistance, self-cleaning surfaces, better viewing angles and low reflectivity. Roll-to-roll nanoimprint technology is cost effective when compared to traditional batch production as it facilitates a continuous large-scale production of these materials with high productivity. These anti-reflective films find use in the markets for tablets and mobile devices, while the self-cleaning plastics can be coated over surfaces such as building walls.
IMRE will join forces with Solves Innovative Technology, SABIC Innovative Plastics, NTT Advanced Technology, Micro Resist Technology, and Innox Higa Singapore to create the materials and scale up the film production. Nanoimprinting technology involves the creation of arrays of nanoscale surfaces to make innovative patterns that lend the surfaces exotic properties such as anti-bacteria qualities, non-sticky adhesiveness, super-hydrophobicity and low reflectivity.
In this project, the partners will produce tougher resins to create the nanostructures, which will be then imprinted onto the plastics using IMRE’s unique nanopatterning processes. Scaling up of the process can then be done easily utilizing ultraviolet roll-to-roll nanoimprinters, enabling the films to be utilized in prototyping on devices and surfaces.
Dr Low Hong Yee, a scientist at IMRE, commented that the collaboration with industries to scale up the technology will help realize the industrial adoption of nanoimprinting technology. Micro Resist Technology’s Business Unit Manager for Nanoimprint Materials and Hybrid Polymers, Dr Marko Vogler commented that the company will deliver customized polymer materials to develop nanostructured functional films.
SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Technology Director for Specialty Film & Sheet, Dr Mahari Tjahjadi stated that IMRE provides a special platform to the company to access cutting-edge nanoimprint technology and improve its core competencies to offer advanced solutions to its customers.
Solves Innovative Technology’s Managing Director, Koh Teng Hwee stated that the company is all set to promote the mass production utilizing nanoimprint technology. Solves co-developed the ultraviolet roll-to-roll nanoimprinters with the IMRE team.
The pilot manufacturing project will run for a year after which ICON can further advance and commercialize the technology.
Source: http://www.a-star.edu.sg