SAMP Technology

Aculon’s proprietary “Self-Assembled Monolayer of Phosphonates” (SAMP) methodology can coat surfaces to impart hydrophobicity, adhesion, or corrosion inhibition. A monolayer is a nanoscale coating that is one molecule thick or 1-4 nanometers in thickness (1nm = 1x10^-9 meters). A phosphonate is a phosphorous acid that combines a reactive phosphonic acid or “reactive head group” and a carbon based tail group connected through a stable phosphorous carbon bond (P-C). The reactive “heads” react with the surface through strong and stable metal phosphorous bonds, and the tails stick out from the surface and are chosen for their chemical functionality (non-stick, pro-stick, etc.).

SAMPs can coat metals, metal oxides, glass, ceramics, particles, semiconductors, and even some polymer surfaces by drawing on its library of structurally tailored phosphonic acids. The SAMP is covalently bound to the substrate surface. This permanent chemical bond is highly stable under ambient conditions.

                          
Optical Lens Treated with Ultra-Hydrophobic SAMP

Organometallics (OM)

Aculon’s proprietary coatings also utilize Organometallics to prime or activate a surface. Broadly speaking, Organometallics are a class of chemical compounds containing a metal center and organic groups coordinated to the metal center. Aculon discovered a unique set of OMs that than react and insert into substrates such as polymers and metals. The reaction of OMs with surfaces allows for tailoring with non-stick or pro-adhesion coatings.

OMs can coat metals, metal oxides, glass, ceramics, particles, semiconductors, and polymer surfaces. The OM is covalently bound to the substrate surface. This permanent chemical bond is highly stable under ambient conditions, and serves as a chemical anchor for the attachment of other coatings.

The coating can be conveniently applied by wiping on, spraying, ink-jet printing, through a felt-tip marker, dip coating, and using many existing industrial coating processes. TMCs can coat metals, metal oxides, glass, ceramics, particles, semiconductors, and polymer surfaces. The TMCs are chemically bound to the substrate surface and can be designed to be a permanent or temporary coating.

Processes

Aculon has formulated coating solutions and processes for numerous markets including optical, display, electronics, consumer products and industrial coatings. These coatings can be classified into three functional areas including:

• Non-Stick Coatings
• Pro-Stick/Adhesion Coatings
• Anti-Corrosion Coatings

How is the technology applied? 

• Solution based (either aqueous or solvent), *vacuum deposition can be used in some cases, if required.
• Easy-to apply using existing industrial processes and by the consumer 
  • Sprayed
  • Dipped
  • Ink-jet printing
  • Roll coating/gravure rod
  • Stamping