A graphic symbolises soybean oil.
News Production & Lab

Smart epoxy coating by using a vegetable oil

Reserachers describe the development of a smart epoxy coating through by using a vegetable oil. The coating showed excellent corrosion protection abilities.

A beetle in the Namib as a symbolic image.
News Production & Lab

Surface inspired by beetles of the Namib Desert

A superwettable surface inspired by Namib Desert beetles and lichen has provided outstanding ability in controlling droplets and great potential for the development of functional surfaces.

A combination of digital graphics and the sea as a symbolic image.
News Production & Lab

Software based marine biofouling resistance rating

The evaluation standards for the performance of fouling control coatings are based on manual inspections, which unavoidably induce some degree of subjectivity. Scientists have now peoposed a standardised...

A pitcher plant as a symbol image.
News Production & Lab

Drag reduction ability of slippery liquid infused surfaces

Anti-fouling, anti-rust, and slippery features make the LIS a potent drag reducer. A recently published review article gives a comprehensive overview.

A laboratory.
News Production & Lab

Dyeing of polycarbonate resin

Researchers have studied the effects of surface fluorination on the dyeing of polycarbonate resin.

A paint spray gun as a symbolic image.
News Production & Lab

Feasibility study on the overcoatability of UV coatings

In a current paper, approaches are being sought to improve the recoatability of UV coatings. Different approaches are chosen to change the surface properties.

Castor bean fruits on the plant as a symbolic image.
News Production & Lab

Review: Natural polyhydroxy resins in surface coatings

The depletion of fossil fuels, high environmental pollution due to the release of toxic organic compounds, and high cost are some of the challenges regarding the reliance on petroleum-based resins.

A white concrete wall with an embossed arrow.
News Production & Lab

Novel defoamers for concrete

Researchers report the application of branched alkyl polyethers as novel defoamers for concrete.

A wetted aluminium surface as a symbolic image.
News Production & Lab

One step fabrication of a superhydrophobic nanocomposite

Superhydrophobic coatings having a self-cleaning ability and anticorrosion performance are desired in many industrial contexts; however, high costs and complex fabrication methods usually limit their application....

A green leaf lies on a concrete surface.
News Production & Lab

Empa researches carbon dioxide-negative cement

The cement industry emits large quantities of climate-damaging carbon dioxide. The aim of current research is to develop cement whose production binds more carbon dioxide than it releases.

A wheelbarrow in front of a concrete wall as a symbolic image.
News Production & Lab

Effect of polyacrylamide on the carbonation behavior of cement paste

A new work investigates the influence of polyacrylamide on carbonation behaviors of cement pastes by measuring carbonation depth and pH value.

Sean Fowler
News Production & Lab

Weathering technology will continue to evolve with better environmental controls

We spoke to Sean Fowler about the latest developments in weathering chamber technology and his assessment of how the sector will evolve in the future.

A graphic symbolises sustainability with green arrows.
News Production & Lab

Project aims to use biobased aromatics for sustainable alkyd coatings

A consortium of 10 partners has started the Bright Coatings project with the aim to demonstrate the feasibility of the production and use of biobased aromatics for sustainable alkyd coatings.

A picture shows the Laser paint stripping in combination with CO2 snow cleaning for selective decoating and cleaning of ablation products.
News Production & Lab

Fraunhofer IFAM researches digital surface and coating technology

With the newly opened !Center for Networked Surface and Coating Technology", Fraunhofer IFAM combines its expertise in the fields of cleaning, pre-treatment, coating and quality assurance for the automated...