Innovation Accelerator’s client Primary Dispersions Ltd gave a presentation of their work to The Oil and Colour Chemists Association (OCCA). An audience from major paint and ink manufacturers and suppliers attended.
Dr Stephen Devine gave an excellent presentation entitled “Nanomaterials – the future is smaller than you think.” He initially explained the dramatic changes in properties of materials when reduced below 50nm. The subsequent rise in surface area and forces required to separate nano-particles are calculated to be enormous.
Steve went on to describe the operation of the ConCor mill developed by Primary Dispersions where an inner spinning rod is moved close to the wall of an outer spinning chamber. The gap between the two rapidly spinning elements can be adjusted to micron levels and thus huge energies can be focussed on a very narrow area of dispersion. Particle breakdown is achieved without beads or other abrasive media as most of the interactions are particle to particle.
The shear forces produced are over 10 times more than conventional bead-milling, but as the forces are concentrated in a very precise gap it means less heat build up, less aggressive milling, faster through puts and an overall large saving in energy. The technology is powerful enough to separate TiO2 nano-particles but controllable enough to grind heat sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients.
It was demonstrated this process was able to take dispersions previously heavily bead-milled and quickly further reduce particles to nano-scale with a much improved size distribution range. Impressive results were demonstrated on a range of nano pigments (ZnO, TiO2 etc) and minerals (clays) suitable for surface coatings such as inkjet inks. Intriguingly some discussion of fully stable water in oil emulsions had been achieved in early trials without the need for surfactants, giving potential applications in the food industry.
Dr Devine admitted this was just the start of determining what the technology could do and Primary Dispersions are actively looking for partners to develop products and processes further. He urged any interested parties to contact him. Mailto Steve Devine
