Nanoscale additives for optical applications
Nanoscale dispersed particles such as ZrO2 and TiO2 have long been a cornerstone of CeraNovis' technology. In particularly good quality, i.e. monodisperse, monomodal, transparent and low-viscosity, ZrO2 and TiO2 dispersions can be used as additives with a high refractive index for so-called NIL (nanoimprint lithography) resists. These materials are used to apply structures in the nanometer range in a wafer-thin layer using an embossing technique, which can improve the light yield and manipulate light in a targeted manner. Applications include displays for VR glasses, DOE (diffractive optical elements) and anti-reflective coatings for displays. ZrO2 and TiO2 additives increase the refractive index of the coatings to 1.7 and 1.9 respectively.
Under the brand name ZircoDisp, CeraNovis offers customized dispersions (insert image of bottle) that can be used as additives for NIL and as additives in optical 3D printing via 2PP. The additives are specifically tailored to the customer's matrix.
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Ceramic Coatings on Metal
The advantages of ceramic and metallic materials can be combined by coating metallic base bodies with ceramics. The very high firing temperatures (>1000°C) normally used to solidify the ceramics would destroy the metallic base bodies. By using nanoscale ceramics, the solidification temperature can be reduced to such an extent that the metals and their important structural properties remain undamaged. In this special market segment, we are one of the specialists for the ceramic coating of metallic materials. The special know-how has been developed over 20 years and is used in various areas:
- self-cleaning coatings for baking ovens
- long-term stable mold release agents for aluminum production and processing
- long-term stable mold release agents for brass casting as a replacement for the single-use release agent graphite
- ceramic non-stick and/or corrosion-resistant coatings stable up to 600°C for combustion plants and industry (fin walls, superheaters, electrostatic precipitators, etc.), especially in dedusting, ash and lime handling and in the flue gas sector
- UV-resistant, highly reflective white coatings for aerospace applications to protect metallic components, especially those made of titanium. Specifically, coatings are used in the BepiColombo and SolO missions of the European Space Agency ESA. They are currently being tested for use in NASA's MSR mission.
Ceramic Coatings on Ceramics
The ceramic coatings from CeraNovis can also be applied to ceramics. An important field here is the development and production of ceramic filter layers with pore sizes from the nano to microfiltration range.
In general, our materials expertise can be used to give ceramic base bodies new, innovative properties such as
1. oxidation catalytic coating on honeycomb bodies and foam ceramics
2. ceramic filter separation layers with pore sizes ranging from nano- to microfiltration
3. non-stick or tribological properties against glass-like materials or metallic melts (light metals, brass)