Kettering University

Exatec, LLC

Shin-etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

Mary Gilliam

Koichi Higuchi

Susan Farhat

Masaaki Yamaya

Ali Zand

Graham Garner

Michael Magyar

In general, coated fibers, methods of bonding a coating to fibers, and composite materials prepared from coated fibers are provided. The coated fiber is created with a surface that is compatible with and bonds to the polymer resin used in composite materials. In another aspect, the coating may exhibit additional functionality, such as water repellency, fire resistance, or odor control. More specifically an atmospheric pressure plasma process is applied to the fibers to bond coating materials to the fiber surface and to cure the coating surrounding the fiber surface. Optionally, radiation is used in the process to cure the coating. Finally, composite materials and parts may be made from the coated fibers that exhibit high strength and improved mechanical properties over composites made with uncoated fibers. Alternatively, a natural fiber reinforced composite material is made from coated natural fibers that has improved mechanical properties and decreased water absorption.

Coated fibers, methods of making, and composite materials reinforced with coated fibers

A method of forming a biocompatible or biologically inert article for use in an application in which the article will make contact with at least one tissue, organ, or fluid within a human or animal body is provided. The method generally comprises providing an article having an external surface; selecting chemical precursors; using a means to direct one or more chemical precursors towards or to apply such chemical precursors to the external surface; activating the chemical precursors by exposing said precursors to atmospheric pressure plasma; and grafting and/or cross-linking the chemical precursors to form a solid coating adjacent to the external surface of the article.

Wear resistant and biocompatible coatings for medical devices and method of fabrication

A method and apparatus is provided for the modification of the surface chemistry of solid nano- and micro-particles in order to tailor the properties and functions of these particles. The method generally involves the generation of an atmospheric plasma glow discharge and energetic species that undergo chemical reaction with the surface of the primary particles. The process includes the generation of energetic species to initiate reaction, optional delivery of a precursor fluid, optional delivery of chemical species for grafting, and delivery of separated and de-agglomerated particles into the plasma discharge exiting the plasma generation chamber.

Method and apparatus for surface chemical functionalization of powders and nanoparticles

An organic resin laminate comprising an organic resin substrate and a multilayer coating system thereon has weather resistance and mar resistance. The multilayer coating system includes an outermost layer (I) which is a hard film resulting from plasma polymerization of an organosilicon compound and an intermediate layer (II) which is a cured film of a composite coating composition (2) comprising inorganic oxide nanoparticle and vinyl copolymer.

Organic resin laminate, methods of making and using the same, and articles comprising the same

An organic resin laminate comprising an organic resin substrate and a multilayer coating system thereon has UV-shielding property and high mar resistance. The multilayer coating system includes an outermost layer (I) resulting from plasma polymerization of an organosilicon compound, a lower layer (II) of a silicone coating composition comprising composite oxide nanoparticle dispersion, silicone resin, curing catalyst, and solvent, and optionally a bottom layer (III) of acrylic resin.

Growing community of inventors

Brighton, MI, United States of America

Mary Gilliam