Report on the Nanotechnology for the Surface Coatings Industry Workshop

11th December, 2003, PRA Teddington, UK

1. Introduction

A group of 30 individuals, drawn mainly from PRA member companies, attended a Workshop on Nanotechnology for the surface coatings industry at the PRA in Teddington on 11th December, 2003. The Workshop had two objectives:

2. Workshop Papers

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Eight papers were presented at the Workshop as follows:

In addition, Richard Holman (PRA) gave an overview of the DTI's Micro and Nanotechnology initiative, and Prof. John Davison (Davison Chemographics) closed the session with a discussion on the potential challenges posed by MNT in ink and coating formulations. A number of general points made during the presentations are summarised as follows:

3. Potential applications for nanotechnology in surface coatings

Topics mentioned included:

4. Issues needing further consideration

5. The DTI Micro and Nanotechnology Initiative

The UK Government has announced a budget of £90 million to be used over the next six years to assist industry to harness the commercial opportunities offered by nanotechnology. Within this initiative, the DTI has allocated £50 million for an applied research programme. The PRA has already submitted an "Expression of Interest", based on a short poll of members in September 2003. A DTI launch meeting will be at the Business Design Centre in London on 28th January, 2004, after which a first call for proposals will be issued.

Based on previous experience, we expect companies with foreign ownership may be partners in collaborative projects, provided they have a UK presence in terms of a manufacturing plant or laboratory.

£40 million is to be assigned to the development of Micro-Nano Networks (MNN) of interest. Only two attendees had heard about this element of the initiative, of which one academic had active involvement.

There is some confusion as to the role of RDA's (Regional Development Authorities) in this process, which needs to be clarified.

6. Suggested Topics for Research Projects Proposals

Six possible projects were proposed, under the headings:

  1. Nano-reinforcement - using nano-materials as fillers to form composites, to enhance mechanical properties
  2. Nano-stabilisation - using nanoparticles as pigment stabilisers
  3. Nano-dispersion - gaining an understanding of the principles involved to avoid agglomeration, flocculation, sedimentation
  4. Nano-TiO2 - photocatalytic resistant binder selection
  5. Nanotechnology to deliver remote interrogation capability
  6. Nanotechnology to deliver self-healing capability

Attendees at the meeting, together with other interested organisations, will be circulated with a list of projects, and asked to indicate their support in terms of priorities and possible contributions.

Responses are required by January 18, to enable a summary to be prepared in advance of the DTI meeting on January 28.

The role anticipated for the PRA includes overall project management and integration of the research effort across the supply chain, formulation, validation of efficacy and the development of test methodology.

7. Miscellaneous

For further information or an update on progress, please contact either Richard Holman.