P2i Offers Liquid Repellant Nano-Coatings

P2i is the global leader in liquid repellent nano-coatings, helping companies around the world give their products life-span enhancing protection against damaging elements such as water, oil, sweat and mud. Using a patented cold plasma process, P2i’s technology coats objects with an invisible protective coating 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair. Objects P2i has coated include a wide range of high-value products from mobile phones to clothing, footwear, hearing aids, medical devices, filtration systems and the nose cones of Formula 1 cars.

P2i was founded by the CTO, Dr. Stephen Coulson, in 2004, as a spin out from the MoD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL). The company was born from a research project set up to create clothing for soldiers that would effectively repel chemical warefare agents while allowing normal freedom of movement. From this project, P2i was created.

Coatings World spoke to Dr. Stephen Coulson, CTO, P2i, to find out more about the new technologies and coatings P2i has on the market.  P2i has customers in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia and provides technology solutions. They are currently focused on three main markets of electronics, filtration and technical textiles.

“As a technology solutions provider, P2i works directly with OEMs and brands to apply the liquid repellent technology during the manufacturing process,” Coulson said. “From small delicate hearing devices to high volume smartphone processing, P2i has a validated commercial solution.  We have two coatings in the Electronics sector: splash-proof and Dunkable.”
Coulson also explained that P2i’s splash proof nano-coating technology increases the reliability of electronic devices, protecting them from everyday splashes as well as spills.

“The hydrophobic layer ensures superior liquid repellency, by protecting the entire device in just one process – leaving no weak points to attract moisture and corrosion” Coulson said. “The nano-coating does not affect the performance of finely-tuned acoustic components, nor the conductivity of electrical mechanisms, and is invisible to the naked eye. With the splash-proof technology, users can confidently go about their day without having to worry about accidental water damage.”
P2i’s long-term strategy is to increase market share within mobile phones, Bluetooth devices and hearing aids. They are continuing to invest in R&D to maintain the lead they have technologically. They also plan to continue to collaborate with universities to ensure they are on the forefront of technologies.

In terms of R&D, Coulson explained that P2i’s team is focused on extending the functionality of the pulsed plasma coatings.
“Currently the two main products – Splashproof and Dunkable – are technologies aimed at liquid-repellency,” he explained. “However the unique process can act as a platform to provide other functional effects such as protection against bacteria, scratches, fingerprints and other potentially harmful environmental factors.  In the medium term we are looking at expanding our offering in technical textiles and then in the longer term we are looking at packaging, implants and construction materials.”

Today P2i is the global leader in liquid repellent nano-coatings, helping companies around the world give their products life-span enhancing protection against damaging elements such as water, oil, sweat, and mud. Using a patented cold plasma process, P2i’s technology coats objects with an invisible protective coating 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair. Objects P2i has coated include a wide range of high-value products from mobile phones to clothing, footwear, hearing aids, medical devices, filtration systems and the nose cones of Formula 1 cars.