Nanotechnology in Coatings

50 Years of Automotive Coatings Innovation — and What Comes Next

kristin@pcimag.com (Kristin Johansson) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Automotive coatings experts reflected on 50 years of innovation while outlining future challenges in curing, corrosion, sustainability and AI-driven R&D.

Liquid-Like Chromosome Coatings Reveal New Mechanism for Protecting DNA During Cell Division

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

New research shows mitotic chromosomes are coated in a liquid-like layer that absorbs mechanical stress and helps prevent DNA damage during cell division.

Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Sources, Degradation Pathways, Health Risks and Evolving Regulations

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Microplastics and nanoplastics arise from polymer degradation and product use, influencing human exposure, toxicology and emerging regulations tied to sustainability goals.

High-Performance Ceramic Coatings: Nanotechnology, Self-Healing and Sustainable Trends

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A technical look at high-performance ceramic coatings, spotlighting nanotechnology, self-healing systems and sustainable formulations shaping automotive and aerospace applications worldwide.

Are Weather-Responsive Coatings the Future of Architecture?

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Calls for climate-responsive architecture are growing as weather patterns become more extreme and unpredictable. Learn how coatings may be able to play a role.

PPG Examines Coatings That Power Smart Eyewear

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 02:00:00 -0400

Anti-glare, hardcoat and UV-cure advances are pushing AR lenses toward clearer views, lighter builds and lower power needs.

Infrared-Reflective Coating Disrupts Facial Tracking

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 02:00:00 -0400

A new lens coating reduces near-infrared facial recognition while maintaining clarity and durability.

Materials Informatics Platform Accelerates Product Development, Enabling Lean R&D

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 02:00:00 -0400

A plastics manufacturer implemented an AI-driven materials informatics platform to unify data, accelerate R&D and improve sustainability. This case study examines the impact.

Sustainability: A Surge in Non-PFAS Releases

Mon, 12 May 2025 15:00:00 -0400

As PFAS gets phased out, new materials rush in — but do they hold up under pressure?

Graphene Unlocks Sustainable Coatings Potential

Fri, 09 May 2025 02:00:00 -0400

Barrier strength, conductivity and thinner layers? Graphene is helping coatings do more with less.

20 Years of Innovation in Graphene-Enhanced Paint and Coatings

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Over two decades, graphene has revolutionized coatings by enhancing corrosion resistance, durability, conductivity and sustainability, paving the way for next-generation formulations.

Emerging Technology Improves Coating Quality and Eliminates Paint Waste

kristin@pcimag.com (Kristin Johansson) — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A new terahertz robotic solution is revolutionizing automotive and aerospace manufacturing by eliminating paint waste and improving coating quality, with precision measurements down to 1 micron.

Driving Sustainable Innovation

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The coatings industry faces rising sustainability challenges, but innovation is driving solutions — from PFAS-free alternatives to low-carbon raw materials and regulatory-driven advancements.

Escaping the PFAS Ban

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

ATO-based antistatic coatings outperform PEDOT and fluorinated additives, offering PFAS-free protection and superior stability, especially in PSAs for LCD polarizers to prevent static discharge.

Demand for Lagoon Projects Surges

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Demand for man-made lagoons is rising, highlighting the durability of aliphatic polyurea-based linings for long-term waterproofing and structural integrity.

VOC-Free Color Changes for 2-Component Clear Coats

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Dürr's new return system enables VOC-free color changes for two-component clear coats, reducing emissions, cycle times and paint booth costs.

Thermal Additive Conserves, Rejects or Contains Heat

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 13:49:16 -0500

A new thermal additive enhances energy efficiency and fire resistance, reducing heat absorption, improving emissivity, and meeting stringent environmental and building performance standards.

AI Driving New Growth

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 12:11:22 -0500

AI can transform paint formulation, reducing development time, enhancing sustainability and opening new market opportunities with precision and efficiency.

New Understanding of Oobleck-Like Fluids Contributes to Smart Material Design

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Researchers at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering explore using piezoelectric nanoparticles for smart material design. The team discovered a key role for friction between particles in causing the materials to flip from a fluid to a more solid structure. Potential applications are paint that does not clump, liquids that harden into a mold when shaken, and wearable protective gear that stiffens when hit.

Nanotechnology in the Coatings Industry

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:27:55 -0500

Nanotechnology is an emerging field that is enabling breakthroughs of new and effective tools in the coatings industry. The trends and developments mentioned in this article are a few hot bets expected to impact the coatings industry in the coming years.

The ‘Invisible’ Cellulose Coatings that Mitigate Surface Transmission of Pathogens

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 22:24:59 -0400

Research has shown that a thin cellulose film can inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus within minutes, inhibit the growth of bacteria including E.coli, and mitigate contact transfer of pathogens. The coating is invisible to the naked eye, and is abrasion resistant under dry conditions, making it suitable for use on high-traffic objects such as door handles and handrails.

Coval Technologies Moves to New Headquarters Offices

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

The producer of long-lasting, sustainable, nanotechnology coatings for a wide variety of substrates recently moved to a new office space in Singapore.

Three Trending Applications for Nanoparticles in Paints

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 09:57:00 -0400

Nanomaterials can provide paints and coatings with unique characteristics — like antimicrobial, anticorrosive and dust-repellent properties — that can offer benefits to a wide range of industries.

The Protective Nanocoatings Market: Tiny Technology, Massive Growth

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0500

Independent of industry, the protective nanocoatings marketplace growth potential is considerable, as protecting electronics becomes increasingly challenging as devices shrink.

Re-Inventing Primer to Prevent Industrial Facility Corrosion

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -0500

NanoRustX (NRX) NanoPrime works by chemically reacting with iron and iron oxide (rust) to form iron phosphate and creates a nano bond with both metallic and painted surfaces. The chemically bonded layer is insoluble and extremely corrosion resistant.

New Nanocoating Improves Surface Cleaning and Disinfecting

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Nano-clean is a proactive maintenance program that considerers the optimum strategy to control the spread of infectious disease.

New Era of Hard Foul-Release Coatings

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Graphite Innovation and Technologies Inc. has developed an environmentally friendly, hard foul-release coating that can be easily cleaned and does not require the application of primer underlayers.

Nano Primer Helps Combat Rust

Fri, 08 May 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Because of the performance capabilities of the new water-based acrylic polymer primers and their applicability to nearly all substrates, paint manufacturers have an opportunity to consolidate their primer inventory and provide their customers with a solution for the most challenging corrosive environments.

Companies in the Display Industry Benefiting from Century-Old Materials Science Expertise

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 14:55:00 -0500

Successful incorporation of nanomaterials into optical display coatings relies on the core expertise of engineering finely tuned nanoparticles, dispersal in a variety of solvents and scaling these processes to commercial volumes.

Graphene Nanotubes Are on Duty Protecting Storage Tanks

Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:13:00 -0400

Manufacturers of storage tanks and antistatic lining coatings can gain a competitive edge by switching to graphene nanotube-based concentrates for their products. Uniform, permanent and stable resistivity ensures enhanced safety at their clients’ highly hazardous plants and reduces the cost of lining coatings.