BETHESDA, MD - RadTech, the trade association for UV and EB technology, announced the 2016 Emerging Technology Awards in recognition of the use of fast, efficient and environmentally responsible UV and EB technologies. RadTech will celebrate the award winners at the Emerging Technology Awards Dinner taking place on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, IL. The dinner takes place during RadTech's Biennial Trade Show & Conference, May 16-18, 2016. Details on the conference and dinner are available at http://www.radtech2016.com.

PepsiCo

Seeking to lower their carbon footprint, Pepsico is looking to EB-Flexo inks as a replacement for its use of solvent-based materials for snack food packaging. Technological developments around EB ink chemistry and lacquer formulation paired with the right choices of flexographic equipment and substrates are creating stunning advances in print quality and aesthetics. Pepsico reports the use of EB technology reduces VOC emissions as much as 90 percent, with lower energy consumption when compared to conventional thermal drying. EB is considered food friendly, which enables Pepsi to make attractive, environmentally compliant packaging that is cost neutral when compared to incumbent solvent and thermal drying technologies.

Wavefront

Wavefront makes state-of-the-art holographic films using advanced roll-to-roll continuous UV casting lines to manufacture nano/micro-structure embossed films on a variety of film substrates. This capability allows for the manufacture of microstructures from 200 nanometers up to 150 microns. These unique structures can only be achieved using the latest UV curing and formulating technologies.

Continuous Composites (CC3D)

CC3D has developed a new 3D printing process to print continuous fiber with UV curable resin; it is reportedly the only company in the world that is 3D printing continuous fiber with thermoset epoxy and the only company to successfully print continuous fiber into free space. CC3D has demonstrated 16x and 8x multi-material nozzles printing at once as a seamless path utilizing 6K TOW carbon fiber, and 600 TEX fiberglass. With a focus on functional composites additive manufacturing to scale, CC3D is providing an industrial solution to advanced manufacturing techniques of mid- to large-scale.

HRL Laboratories LLC

The HRL team demonstrated the first-ever UV additive manufacturing of polymer-derived ceramics. By formulating pre-ceramic UV curable polymers, the team at HRL demonstrated the first-ever additive manufacturing of fully dense, binder-less ceramics. The accomplishment was published in the January 2016 issue of Science. These unique pre-ceramic photopolymers can be integrated into commercially available UV SLA or DLP equipment to produce flaw-free, high-strength ceramics with up to 1800 °C operating temperatures. Potential applications for this novel technology include turbine engine components, hypersonic vehicle structures, MEMS devices and electronics packaging.

Cleveland Steel Container

Cleveland Steel Container (CSC) has developed the first commercial in-line EB and UV process for rigid steel coil substrates in the manufacture of steel pails. CSC is the largest steel pail manufacturer in North America. CSC applies and cures EB and UV directly to steel coil for five-gallon pail lids and bottoms. This application is also unique in the use of highly pigmented systems to steel for rigid fabrication. Beyond a dramatic reduction in energy requirements, CSC reports that since "EB coatings are 100-percent solids formulations, it means no loss of evaporated solvent from the applied coating. It also means less coating usage and required storage area compared to solvent systems. EB was not only found to be a more efficient technology, it also contributes significantly to a higher level of workplace comfort. Traditional thermal systems are massive, and the company just doesn't have the additional space required for that kind of setup."

NOVAGARD Solutions

Novagard has developed the first industrial UV LED PSA installation on a coating line. Novagard converted a water-based PSA for its 58" wide PVC foam line to a UV LED curable PSA and is now using it in to produce PVC foam rolls (more commonly known as weather stripping). The system consists of two 62"-wide banks of UV LED curing systems. Conventional UV lamps could not be used as they delivered too much heat to the substrate, causing damage. UV LED was the only viable solution. Going to a UV solution resulted in a superior peel strength, which allowed Novagard to pursue new market opportunities.

Carbon 3D

Carbon’s vision is “a future fabricated with light, where traceable, final-quality parts are produced at scale with CLIP technology.” CLIP (continuous liquid interface production) makes this possible by combining engineering grade materials with exceptional resolution and surface finish. By harnessing light and oxygen to produce objects from a pool of resin, CLIP is a photochemical process that eliminates the shortcomings of conventional 3D printing by more rapidly producing objects. “From everyday products like tennis shoes and electronics, to industrial components, to highly customizable medical devices, CLIP makes it possible for creators to design the parts and products of the future.”

City of Cleveland

The City of Cleveland was recognized for projects that included Cleveland’s Progressive Field ballpark, home of the major league Cleveland Indians. Projects utilized exploration and use of UV curable materials as a contribution to environmental sustainability in the city, recognizing UV technology solutions to long-standing issues for protection against corrosion and to provide superior protection for metals, concrete, stones and other substrates in an efficient and fast curing manner.

RadTech Accelerator Award - Poly6 Technologies

In recognition of the increasing interest by young people in the development of sustainable new materials and processes, RadTech now offers an Accelerator award to recognize innovative ideas and start-ups. The goal of RadTech is to recognize and publicize the work of new ventures and provide mentoring and expertise from among the volunteer leadership of our group. The first winner of the RadTech Accelerator Award is Poly6 Technologies.

Poly6 Technologies turns citrus rinds into bio-based materials, which the company calls Citrene™. This start-up is introducing clean and sustainable materials for use in performance applications. Environmental stewardship is one of the most prevailing and urgent global initiatives, and Poly6 is reinforcing the notion that sustainable business is competitive business. Citrene has gained traction in various industries due to its unique combination of performance, process ability and sustainability advantages, offering enhanced performance, natural materials, throughput benefits, and low GHG emissions, all enabled by UV and EB technology.

MicroTau Pty Ltd

An Australian start-up, MicroTau, has been offered $200,000 with follow on potential of up to $1 million from the Australian Government to commercialize its innovative contactless microfabrication technology being developed with the US Air Force Research Laboratory. MicroTau-printed “shark-skin” surfaces have already demonstrated drag reduction that can reduce aircraft fuel consumption by two per cent or more. Potential savings could run to hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO2, annually. The MicroTau technology provides a practical, low cost method of printing microstructures out of UV curable coatings onto surfaces, producing not only drag-reducing properties but potentially anti-fouling, self-cleaning and anti-bacterial properties as well. Potential applications include: improving the efficiency or speed of trains, trucks, cars and other vehicles; increasing energy output of wind turbines; biocide-free antifouling coatings for marine vessels; antibacterial surfaces in hospitals and aircraft tray tables; self-cleaning paints and microfluidic devices.

Lumii Inc.

Lumii's Inc’s mission is to deliver captivating hologram-like imagery using standard presses, media and inks for security and brand protection. This is achieved by applying sophisticated tera-scale computation and Lumii's patented Light Field Engine to model billions to trillions of light rays as they interact with high-resolution printed material. The Lumii process disrupts many of the conventions associated with traditional security devices. In their search for a press technology that can provide best-in-class contrast, detail, and alignment at the print volumes and price points customers demand, they have discovered one clear technology choice: UV offset web presses. According to Lumii, it's clear that the future of holographic printing relies on the precision of UV process technology.

LiTeProducts LLC

By combining multi wavelengths of UV LEDs with Visible LEDs and then multi-tasking them, LiTeProducts creates multi functionality solutions with broader appeal to a wider range of users. Practical examples of combining wavelengths that produce both germicidal and curing functionality include potential products like: Food utensil or Leafy Green Sanitation that also includes a UV curable seal of packaging to lock in freshness benefits; and the Sanitation of water, air, or the surface of object with an added UV printed verification that communicates that sanitation has indeed occurred.

DENTSPLY Sirona

DENTSPLY Sirona has patented highly effective photopolymerizable antimicrobial/antibacterial resins or ABR. Such ABR resins could be readily formulated in a variety of radiation-cure compositions, such as composites, adhesives, sealants, coatings to provide high performance non-leaching active surface to effectively kill a wide range bacterium with very low loading dose in the compositions without adverse impact on mechanical integrity and to inhibit the formation of such bacteria-based biofilms. Furthermore, it could lead to dramatically ease biofilm removal. This innovation promises to find wide range applications in biomedical and other industries; and has recently been published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.

Eastern Michigan “Collegiate Emerging Technology Award.”

“’Green’ UV-LED Curable Nail Gel Polishes from Bio-Renewable Materials,” are novel polymers that have been synthesized from bio-renewable materials such as plant oils (such as soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil), itaconic acid, gum rosin, and bio-based succinic acid. These bio-based polymers have been suitably functionalized with unsaturated functional groups such that they can polymerize and form a crosslinked network when exposed to UV-LEDs. From Eastern Michigan’s research, bio-based nail products have not been sufficiently explored. And considering the increasing consumption of nail polishes; and the need to keep pace with the bio-based regulations and consumer preferences, they are meeting an unmet opportunity to develop novel sustainable nail gel polishes with considerable bio-renewable content.

Learn more about recent UV+EB Innovations:

• 2016 Emerging Technology Winners 
• RadLaunch 2018
• UV+EB Application News

Australian inventor Henry Bilinsky has used Shark Skin as a basis for a new drag reduction surface for planes. Currently under test by the US Air Force, this nature based design is looking to save millions of dollars for Military and Commercial Airlines by reducing drag.

"MicroTau is developing a novel method of applying drag-reducing microstructures – called ‘riblets’ – onto the surface of aircraft to reduce fuel consumption. Riblets are microscopic ridges spaced a fraction of the width of a human hair apart. As a rule a smoother surface is more aerodynamic, however these ridges – designed over millions of years of evolution – actually decrease drag when compared to a perfectly smooth surface." MicroTau

This may be able to be used in the marine environment with similar results.

Contact: Mickey Fortune, 240-643-0517, mickey@radtech.org

Sharkskin Surfaces; hologram-like security; antimicrobial, bio materials honored

Chevy Chase, MD (May 16, 2018) With a focus on high tech manufacturing, efficiency, energy savings and sustainability, the RadTech 2018 Conference and Exhibition in May, recognized several contributions to the development of emerging and novel ultraviolet and electron beam technologies.

Emerging Technology Award Winners

• MicroTau Pty Ltd, New South Wales, Australia, was presented with one of the event’s Emerging Technology Awards for their low cost, printed “shark-skin” surface, demonstrated to reduce drag and improve efficiency for airplanes, cars, other vehicles and wind turbines; and provide biocide-free antifouling materials for marine vessels; antibacterial surfaces in hospitals and aircraft tray tables; and self-cleaning paints and microfluidic devices.
• Lumii Inc. for enabling captivating hologram-like imagery using standard presses, media and inks for security and brand protection. This is achieved by applying sophisticated tera-scale computation to model billions to trillions of light rays as they interact with high-resolution printed material. The Lumii process disrupts many of the conventions associated with traditional security devices.
• DENTSPLY Sirona, has patented highly effective antimicrobial/antibacterial resins. Such resins can be readily formulated in a variety of compositions, such as composites, adhesives, sealants, and coatings to provide high performance non-leaching active surfaces to effectively kill a wide range bacterium; it could also be used to potentially dramatically ease biofilm removal.
• LiTeProducts LLC has developed Adaptive Lighting, mixing Multi Wavelength–Multi Tasked UV LEDs with visible light LEDs for novel Germicidal and 3D curing applications. Potential applications for these unique solutions include leafy green vegetable sanitation that includes a UV cure seal of packaging to lock in freshness benefits; and sanitation of water, air, and the surface of objects with an added UV printed verification that communicates that sanitation has indeed occurred.
• A special “Collegiate Emerging Technology Award,” went to a team from the Coatings Research Institute at Eastern Michigan University for the development of “’Green’ UV-LED Curable Nail Gel Polishes from Bio-Renewable Materials.” In this innovation, novel polymers are synthesized from bio-renewable materials such as plant oils (soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil), itaconic acid, gum rosin, and bio-based succinic acid.

The event also featured lively cutting edge topical panel discussions and a technical Conference with well over 100 presentations. The best paper award for the event went to Natasha Banke, INX International Ink Company for: “Residual building block chemicals in raw materials and finished printing inks - A risk assessment approach to manufacturing and detection limits; ” and best student paper to Forough Zareanshahraki, From the Coatings Research Institute, Eastern Michigan University, and her advisor Prof. Vijay Mannari for “’Green’ UV-LED Gel Nail Polishes from Bio-Based Materials.”

In a partnership with the Technical Association of the Arts Graphics (TAGA) the event also holds a student poster competition, asking students to develop a well-designed, impactful poster touting UV+EB Technology. First place went to Olivia Blandford, from High Point University; and second place winner to Ryan Hutson from California Polytechnic State University. RadTech will feature these posters in our UV+EB Technology magazine and website (http://www.uvebtech.com/).

Finally RadTech formally introduced their class of 2018 RadLaunch Accelerator, at RadTech 2018 including:

• Trio Labs—for Rapid UV 3D printing to create metal and ceramic parts with the same characteristics achieved through standard powder injection molding (PIM) processes.
• Reboot Medical, Inc.—for PhotoCast Casting Tape, light-cured composite tape that hardens on-demand, producing a rigid splint or cast.
• Team from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem—for Nanocrystal photocatalysts which fill an unmet need for efficient water-soluble photoinitiators for coatings and 2&3D printing.
• moi composites—for a new, patented process that merges the performances of thermosetting composite materials with the potentialities of Additive Manufacturing opening the world of advance composites to features today unimaginable.
• The Foam Printing Project—for Lightweight parts from resin that is foamed using a patent-pending process and solidified using a UV DLP 3D printer, parts have up to 75% gas fractions, are lighter weight and less expensive to produce.
• Dynamic Matter LLC—for UV curable thermosetting polymer that can be remolded, relax stress, or repurposed following polymerization for use in optical applications and composites to reduce shrinkage and environmental stresses.
• Team from the University of Iowa—for Transferrable Shadow Cure (TSC) decouples initiation and propagation mechanisms in cationic photopolymerization to address light penetration problems, thus providing full cure regardless of geometry, pigment and filler content, and sensitivity of material to light and heat.