Ceramisphere

Ceramisphere’s technology is ideal for the development of Smart Coatings. The size and characteristics of the Ceramisphere particles is similar to that of the pigment particles used in paint and, as a result, very compatible with most coating formulations. With active chemicals trapped inside the particles and with the particles incorporated into the coating, the chemicals can be readily released (in response to a stimulus such as water) to provide protection for sustained periods of time.

Ceramisphere is accessing this market with a corrosion-inhibiting additive encapsulated inside micro-particles (Inhibispheres™) that are incorporated into coatings. These corrosion inhibitors can then be released to the metal surface when required (triggered by the presence of moisture) to prevent corrosion.

The development of this market is being driven by the need to eliminate Chromium based products for corrosion inhibition in the aircraft industry due to major safety concerns. Currently, Chromium-based products are widely used to provide protection from corrosion.

To date, Ceramisphere has demonstrated that it can:

• Encapsulate Corrosion inhibitors in silica particles and show them to be compatible with the chemistry of the coatings, and
• Show that trial formulations of these anti-corrosion coatings produce positive results in independent field tests.

Ceramisphere has shown that its technology can help protect sensitive cosmetic ingredients such as Retinol (Vitamin A) from oxidation. Encapsulation inside Ceramisphere particles resulted in the Retinol retaining activity for much longer, compared with currently available commercial formulations.

Both flavours and sweeteners have been successfully encapsulated inside silica particles using Ceramisphere technology. For such applications, the silica micro-spheres can be made using only food-approved (GRAS) ingredients.

Ceramisphere is currently expanding its collaborative arrangements with a number of European companies to develop Anti-Corrosion Coatings for use in the aerospace industry and other industries that need to move toward environmentally-acceptable corrosion treatments for metal.

The Ceramisphere technology has the potential to provide unique, and IP protected, product innovation. New collaborative opportunities in industrial applications would be considered, including those in the Cosmetics and Food industries.