1. Surfuzion™
Nano Surface Technology
Adrian Ryder, Bob Stevens
Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
November 2012
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2. How the technique works Surfuzion
Nano Surface Technology
Create a nanometre-thin, conformal coating comprised of nano-particles.
© Copyright Surfuzion 2012. All Rights Reserved.

3. What coating/substrate Surfuzion
Nano Surface Technology
combinations work?
• Most surfaces (metal, semi-conductor, non-conductor), but
coating parameters need to be optimised for each system.
• The particles are carried in a suspension/dispersion – i.e. the
material needs to be compatible with the solvent. Some relevant
coating materials are:
• Polymers
• Precious Metals
• Ceramics
• Bio-Materials & Micro-Organisms
• Pharmaceuticals
• Note: Can also create coatings from a combination of materials
• Can create coatings that are:
• All-over or selective (some areas coated and other uncoated or coated with
a different material)
• Multi-layer
• Mixed mode (amorphous and crystalline portions)
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4. Key Features Surfuzion
Nano Surface Technology
• Non vacuum technique & @ ambient temperature: limiting degradation of
substrate and particles deposited (enabling “live species to be deposited”).
Also creates significant cost savings.
• Ultra-precision coatings (nanometre thickness)
• Highly conformal coating process – implying it retains high precision for
coatings on variable geometries (aspect ratios)
• Particles can be deposited closely packed or spread out to create porous
coatings, alternatively coating can be “peeled” of substrate to create thin
films.
• Multi-functional coatings, where the functionality is enabled by external
stimuli and coatings having a combination of properties (e.g. hard &
conductive, transparent & low-friction, etc. – get creative!).
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5. Addressing the shortfalls of Surfuzion
alternative coating techniques Nano Surface Technology
Vacuum Deposition Spray Painting/Coating Electro-Plating
(Conventional)
Basic representation of vacuum deposition A Spray Painting/Coating Example A Typical Electroplating Line
High precision, but vacuum Very basic precision level; limited Basic precision level. Chemical
chamber and heat – expensive coating possibilities and high health & safety/environmental
(capital intensive and high batch material wastage. Energy & hazards ; energy-intensive
processing costs). Energy & environmental impact together processes (aggressive environment).
environmental impact . with health & safety issues. Capital intensive. Unsuitable for
Unsuitable for delicate deposited delicate deposited materials and/or
materials and/or substrates. substrates.
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6. Addressing the shortfalls of Surfuzion
Nano Surface Technology
alternative coating techniques
Coatings Competition Matrix:
NanoSpray Vacuum Deposition Plating/Painting
Attribute:
Precision Ultra Ultra Basic
Hazardous Low Medium-High High
Temperature Ambient Medium-High Medium-High
Energy Low Medium-High High
Capital-Costs Low-Medium Very-High Medium-High
Running Costs Low High Medium-High
Material Waste Very Low Low High
Characterisation TBD Medium-High Very-High
Novelty & High Medium Low-Medium
Multi-Function
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7. Market & Application Examples Surfuzion
Nano Surface Technology
Biotech:
• Anti-Microbial
• Micro-Organisms & Biofilms
Electronics, Sensors & Photonics: “Living Coatings”
• Ultra-Precision Conformal Coatings
• Sensory Coatings
Advanced Materials Coatings:
• Precious Metals/Materials Coatings & Thin-Films
• Micro-Organisms & Species
• “Smart” NanoComposite / Multi-Functional Coatings “Sensitive materials”
• Nano-Porous Coatings & Thin-Films
• Selective Coatings (Coated/Uncoated Areas, Features & Patterns)
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8. What we’re looking for Surfuzion
Nano Surface Technology
We’re interested in finding new commercial applications which require our
expertise in creating complex, specialised coatings:
• Coating R&D
• New Product Development - products developed by using new and novel
surface coatings and/or thin-films
• Design & development of specialised process equipment
• We’re especially interested in the biotech and electronics sectors
Get creative!
• In what settings could you add a lot of value with ultra-precision, conformal
nano-coatings (especially of high value and/or precious materials and
substances).
• What interesting combinations of surface properties and materials should
try to create to fulfil the needs of specific surface-coating or thin-film
processes?
Remember – just use your marbles 
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9. Surfuzion
Nano Surface Technology
Thanks everyone!
© Copyright Surfuzion 2012. All Rights Reserved.