Innovative water repellent material to cut waste in the auto industry

October 18, 2024

A groundbreaking project is underway to develop hydrophobic sleeves for painting robots, aimed at extending their lifespan and reducing waste in the automotive sector.

Diana Alves, a researcher at INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, is working in the GreenAuto Agenda, and is working towards the development of super-hydrophobic coatings, specifically tailored for the automotive industry. These coatings possess unique properties that repel water. Instead of spreading, droplets form into spheres and roll off the surface, preventing the accumulation of moisture.

Currently, the sleeves need to be regularly replaced, generating non-reusable waste. However, with the addition of superhydrophobic coatings, paint would be repelled, significantly extending the lifespan of the sleeves. Many current solutions for hydrophobic protection depend on PFAS, a group of fluorinated compounds known for their toxicity and environmental persistence. These chemicals degrade very slowly, remaining in the environment for extended periods. Despite their widespread use, the long-lasting nature of PFAS makes them a growing concern for health and environmental safety.

To address this issue, Diana Alves and Kolen’ko’s research group are developing an alternative solution using nanomaterials that provide the same superhydrophobic benefits without the use of fluorine-based chemicals. The morphological properties of nanomaterials are engineered to control surface wettability through a combination of low surface energy and micro/nanoscale roughness.

Recently, Diana participated in ’90 Segundos de Ciência,’ a series of 90-second science communication episodes with daily broadcasts on Antena 1, Portuguese public radio. Diana explained how she is using nanotechnology in the GreenAuto Agenda, a program dedicated to advancing green innovation in the automotive industry, funded through the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Program (PRR). You can listen to the episode (in Portuguese) here.

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Text and Photography by Catarina Moura, Science Communication Officer
Photography edition by Rui Andrade, CCM officer