Thin film coatings for enhanced probiotic stability in acidic environments
Forge Nano Inc. offers a technology using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to apply thin film coatings on probiotics, enhancing their stability in low pH environments and prolonging shelf life. The coatings can be optimized for thickness and composition, with potential industrial scalability.
Overview
Forge Nano Inc. presents a cutting-edge solution using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to apply thin film coatings on probiotic powders. This technology enhances the stability of probiotics in low pH environments, preventing degradation and extending their shelf life. The thin film coatings are nanometer-thick, providing a tunable barrier that can be optimized for both thickness and composition. This innovation is particularly critical for the bio/pharma industry, where the stability of probiotics is essential. The technology promises scalability, with potential industrial applications.
Technical specifications
- Technology: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)
- Coating Materials: Metal oxides such as Al2O3 and TiO2
- Coating Thickness: 1-20 nm
- Scalability: Equipment supports commercial scale processing (tons/day)
- Compatibility: Tailored for powder sizes from sub-micron to millimeters, at temperatures suitable for probiotics
- Benefits: Enhanced corrosion resistance through multilayer barrier films
- Validation: Initial testing involves coating batches of 10-100 g, with future expansion to kilogram scale
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at TRL 4, indicating that it has been validated in a lab environment. Future plans include scaling up the most promising processes to kilogram-scale batches, under real-world conditions with industry partners.
About Forge Nano Inc.
Forge Nano is a technology company based in Thornton, Colorado, that specializes in atomic-scale material engineering. The company developed a proprietary platform technology known as Atomic Armor, which utilizes Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) to apply protective, uniform nano-scale coatings to materials. By executing a precise sequence of gas pulses and purges, the process forms thin, pinhole-free layers at the atomic level, effectively enhancing properties such as conductivity, thermal stability, and durability without adding significant weight or complexity to the underlying systems. Forge Nano operates as a vertically integrated manufacturer, producing both the ALD equipment and the end-product materials, such as lithium-ion batteries, using a predominantly U.S.-based supply chain.
The company's technology is critical for high-value industries, including defense, energy storage, and semiconductor manufacturing. By applying Atomic Armor, Forge Nano helps customers mitigate production yield losses in AI-era chips, increase the life and safety of battery cells, and improve the reliability of aerospace and defense hardware. The company serves as a strategic provider of domestic infrastructure for these sectors, with a portfolio of over 200 patents supporting its commercial operations. Through its specialized equipment and material solutions, Forge Nano works to solve performance limits that traditional chemical approaches cannot address, enabling advancements in data centers, quantum computing, and advanced communications infrastructure.
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