Self-cleaning superhydrophobic coating for ceramic fixtures
Introducing a robust self-cleaning superhydrophobic coating designed for ceramic surfaces like bathware. This technology utilizes environmentally friendly polymer blends and nanoparticles to achieve high urine repellency, durability, and optical clarity.
Overview
This innovative technology offers a self-cleaning superhydrophobic coating specifically designed for application on ceramic surfaces, including bathware and fixtures. The coating utilizes novel polymer blends combined with nanoparticles to achieve superior superhydrophobic properties, ensuring high urine repellency, durability, and optical clarity. By reducing the use of fluorinated polymers, the solution also emphasizes environmental sustainability while maintaining mechanical robustness.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Utilizes novel polymer blends and nanoparticles for enhanced superhydrophobic properties
- Achieves high contact angles for superior urine repellency and self-cleaning capabilities
- Maintains optical clarity and mechanical durability, ideal for bathware and ceramic fixtures
- Incorporates environmentally sustainable practices by minimizing fluorinated polymers
Synthesis techniques:
- Solution blending and in-situ polymerization to optimize nanoparticle dispersion within the polymer matrix
- Dip coating and spray coating techniques for applying the optimized formulations onto ceramic surfaces
Technology readiness level
This technology is at TRL 4, having undergone initial material synthesis and characterization. It is currently in the phase of testing and optimizing coating formulations, with plans for validating performance in bathware applications.
About University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is a comprehensive public research university in the state’s largest metro, pairing broad academic breadth with an applied, urban mission. Industry engages through an innovation campus and research park that co-locate university labs with startups and corporate teams, plus shared-use core facilities. Its location puts partners near a major regional medical center and within a leading freshwater and advanced manufacturing cluster, enabling pilots, internships, and joint development. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NSF, NIH, and DOE. A dedicated technology transfer office and affiliated foundation manage IP, licensing, corporate agreements, and seed funding to accelerate commercialization.
delivered to your inbox.