Researchers working on the project BIOCOPAC (“Development of bio-based coating from tomato processing wastes intended for metal packaging”) have devised a new range of alternative bio-based lacquers for application on the outside and inside of tinplate cans using tomato by-product waste. This innovative, eco-friendly packaging will decrease waste, improve metal can quality and reduce use… »
In our previous articles, we often mentioned air quality since it affects our health and quality of life. Despite the fact you might pay attention to the materials, finishes and proper ventilation inside your home, people living in urban areas still suffer from high levels of pollution from automotive traffic. Fraunhofer Institute researchers plan to… »
If a ship is anchored for longer periods of time, local algae, shells and barnacles colonize its hull and cause biofouling. Biofouling causes large economic losses since its growth on water vehicle hulls causes corrosion as well as higher fuel consumption. While some research groups develop surfaces which deny the initial formation, a group of… »
Attempts to replace chromate coatings with non-toxic coatings have been underway since the 1980s. The awareness on effects of chromates was brought to the forefront in 1993 by the real-life incident involving Erin Brokovich and depicted in the movie released in 2000 of the same name. A research team at the University of Nevada, Reno… »
As we previously mentioned in many of our articles about architecture, abundance of daylight is very important since it influences our mood and efficiency since it stimulates the brain. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute have worked with industry partners to develop a coating for panes of glass that lets through more light at wavelengths which… »
Unlike Alcoa EcoClean coating for panels which was developed to clean the air around us, the researchers from the Fraunhofer Photocatalysis Alliance, which includes researchers from ten Fraunhofer institutes, have decided to combine their expertise in this field to use titanium dioxide particles in a coating which could be used to destroy bacteria, fungi and… »
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) researchers developed a sustainable flame retardant technology for polyurethane foam. Based on clay, the new flame retardant coating can easily be applied onto home furnishings made of polyurethane foam – a material widely used for furniture cushions, carpet padding, children’s car seats, and other items – without affecting… »
Numerous chemical methods today already enable addition of durable antibacterial properties on surfaces, however, only a few prove to be useful on an industrial scale. Researchers from the University of Liege (ULg), Belgium, recently presented their latest results in a project related to the development of a sustainable way to apply wide spectrum antibacterial properties… »
