AeonClad Coatings, LLC has obtained an exclusive license from The University of Texas at Arlington for a plasma coating technology for medical and industrial applications. AeonClad’s advanced plasma deposition technology is a new method for coating nanoparticles and devices, with the ability to custom-design the molecular surface to suit the environment in which it will be used. Applications of the technology include improved biocompatibility of medical implants and enhanced functionality of coated particles for laboratory and industrial purification processes.

“The plasma deposition process starts with a monomer gas and then efficiently deposits thin polymeric films to any nearby surface,” Dr. Timmons commented. “The variable duty cycle pulsed plasma we have developed provides excellent compositional control of the coatings.”

AeonClad’s proprietary pulsing algorithm reportedly is a significant improvement over existing plasma deposition methods because it maximizes surface deposition rates and minimizes surface ablation. “This new method is a breakthrough in nanotechnology coatings since it allows for ultra-thin, highly controllable, functional surfaces with no ‘pin-holes’ that inhibit a device’s intended function,” added Timmons.

Key market needs for this new technology include the biocompatibility of nanotechnology materials, prevention of bacterial attachment to medical devices and controlled release coatings for drug-eluting stents.

The company’s website is at www.aeonclad.com.