When I've often heard about nanocoating, the first idea that came to my mind was "surreal technology." Nowadays, the same idea keeps popping up!
Nanocoating is a technology researched and developed by some of the most prestigious and renowned universities around the world, and it’s part of the nanotechnology.
The term nanotechnology was firstly used in 1974 in a conference by the Japanese scientist Norio Taniguchi to describe semiconductor processes. However the American physicist Richard Feynman provided the inspiration for the field of nanotechnology in a lecture at an American Physical Society meeting at Caltech on December 29, 1959. Later on and not until the decade of the 80's, the idea of nanotechnology was conceptually explored in depth by K. Eric Drexler, who promoted the technological significance of nanoscale phenomena and devices through speeches and two influential books. K. Eric Drexler not only developed and popularized the concept of nanotechnology but also founded the field of molecular nanotechnology.
Scientists from the MIT with the support of Venture Capital decided to invest in Research & Development to go further in the experimental advancements until that time, which lead to the birth of HzO, a company that began with the vision to create emergency response communications equipment that could function in maritime environments.
The original development team was driven to create electronic equipment that could operate even when wet. Their hope was that equipment, costs, and human lives would all be saved if electronic devices never failed from water damage. From this idea was born the passion for developing and commercializing advanced technology that protects electronics from the devastating effects of water—the enemy of all electronic devices. And in 2009, the vision of protecting electronics and helped commercialize the technology into the HzO solution was born.
After four years, the world was introduced to Waterblock technology—an advanced nanocoating that is impervious to the fatal effects of water, humidity, sweat and a host of other moist environments—even after prolonged exposure.
Nowadays the range of application goes from Wearable Technology, passing through Consumer Electronics to Military and Defense. "In the same way, HzO provides the nanocoating solution for the manufacturers from beginning to end in their factories. A solution that it's been implemented especially in China in companies such as Samsung, Dell, Motorola, and other Chinese LED Display companies based in Shenzhen" - as Sergio Leveratto, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer stated on a short interview made on January 11th this year.
At this moment, the LED Display industry counts with basic solutions on waterproof offering protection levels of IP41 for indoor installations or IP65 for outdoor installations, which protects the equipment in different levels against dust, low-pressure jets of water, and limited ingress. However, there are existing companies which provide nanocoating with Parylene Coating C and N.
Parylene is the generic name for members of a unique polymer series. The basic member of the series, called Parylene N, is poly-para-xylylene, a completely linear, highly crystalline material.
This chemical is the trade name for a variety of chemical vapor deposited poly (p-xylylene) polymers. They are used as moisture and dielectric barriers and are mainly used for nanocoating processes in LED Displays. "Parylene C for Indoor and Parylene N for Outdoor installations" - as Cliff Rickman CTO of Artixium Display Ltd stated. He also explained that "the parylene goes on the LED screen PCB in between the plate and the LED lamp at a 0.1mm gap, deposited from the vapor phase by a process which in some respects resembles vacuum metallizing."
With the particular example of companies like HzO, we can see nanocoating will be the next step on high-end waterproof solutions that the LED Display Industry will pursue to counteract exigent weather environments where the screens can be potentially exposed, and to provide outstanding solutions for the most challenging projects.
Will the LED Display industry fully provide this solution soon?
Ana Karina Lázaro Vega is a Sales Manager at ARTIXIUM, Shenzhen-based LED video display manufacturing company that is owned and managed by European directors.