Super Hard nCoating for Multiple Substrates

Overview

NAMI has developed flexible, transparent super hard inorganic/organic hybrid coating materials – nCoating – for the application on flexible and rigid substrates, as well as in printing ink to improve surface hardness and scratch resistance.

  • Super Hard nCoating for Multiple Substrates 0
  • Super Hard nCoating for Multiple Substrates 1
  • Super Hard nCoating for Multiple Substrates 2
Commercialisation opportunities
Non-exclusive licensing
Problem addressed

Currently, screen substrate materials used for flexible display are either plastic film, which is easily scratched, or ultra-thin glass which is easily broken. NAMI’s transparent nCoating is tough, yet flexible and highly adhesive, suitable for use in different areas including foldable screen, anti-smudge film, high hardness ink and anti-scratch wood.

Innovation
  • NAMI's nCoating is a combination of organic-inorganic network structures with nano-size inorganic “glass” core surrounded by reactive organic “plastic” tails. Uniform dispersion of nano-size hard core and highly crosslinked plastic tails provides excellent anti-scratch hard surface and durable folding flexibility.
  • By optimizing the structural design and hence formulation, NAMI’s nCoating can be customized to super hard coating for various substrates. The glass-like hardness and plastic-like flexibility make it possible for foldable touch screen with super-hard anti-scratch surface and robust bending durability.
Key impact
  • High flexibility
  • Super surface hardness
  • Scratch resistance
  • High transparency
Award
  • Winner of 2021 R&D100 Awards 
  • Gold Medal at the “2022 Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions”
Application
  • Flexible electronics
  • Goggle and face shield
  • Scratch-resistance ink
  • Protection film for rollable display
Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI)

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) is founded in 2000 by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As Hong Kong’s largest government-funded research and development centre, ASTRI is a key force and super connector driving innovation and technology advancement in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and the global innovation ecosystem. This role is strengthened through its merger with Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI).

Committed to bringing high impact research from lab to market, ASTRI advances interdisciplinary, market driven R&D that delivers practical innovations for industry and meaningful benefits for society.

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