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Frost & Sullivan recognises Nanopool’s nano refinement.
London, 18 May 2011
The Frost & Sullivan Award for New Product Innovation in Europe in the field of antibacterial nano refinements was presented to Nanopool GmbH in London, in recognition of its innovative Liquid Glass product. According to Frost & Sullivan, the product addresses the industrial demand for an antibacterial layer that can be applied to a wide range of surfaces.
“Additional advantages such as heat resistance, hydrophobicity and flexibility strengthen the appeal,” notes Frost & Sullivan research analyst Ankit Ashokkumar Shukla. “Easy application and the ability to customise the layer to specific applications and industries, depending on the requirements, highlight the potential to replace existing antibacterial refinement products.
The innovative application of silicon dioxide as an antibacterial refinement on a nanometric scale is designed to give Liquid Glass germ-reducing properties such as were previously achieved mainly with silver nano coatings. While the toxicity of silver was a cause for concern, Liquid Glass, the silicon-dioxide-based product, had been tested for biocompatibility according to DIN EN ISO 10993 (parts 1–12); the results apply to the product tested at the time.
“In addition to the antibacterial and safe properties of the nano refinement, the product offers many advantages: it is water- and dirt-repellent, thus helping to keep the refined surfaces easy to clean and maintain,” notes Shukla, “and the transparency of the layer is such that it is almost invisible, thereby restoring the aesthetics of the original surface.”
The refinement is resistant to heat and cold, as it exhibits a wide temperature tolerance (-150 to +450 degrees Celsius). This also allows the layer to be used in areas such as ovens and air-conditioning systems. The layer is designed for high durability: depending on the substrate, application and conditions of use, it can protect the surface for more than 10 years, thereby reducing maintenance costs.
Nanopool’s Liquid Glass can easily be applied to the surface with a cloth or by spray application. This reduces the need for technical support during the refinement process. The possibility of refining small objects by dipping them into the liquid adds to the convenience of the refinement process.
Nanopool’s Liquid Glass can be used for a wide range of applications; from crop protection in agriculture to problem-solving for high-tech fields such as aviation or biomedicine. The product is also used in areas such as building and construction, automotive, manufacturing industries, packaging and transport, retail and the hotel industry.
“Nanopool has formed successful partnerships with supermarkets and restaurant chains to protect surfaces from microbes, which in turn protects food from contamination,” comments Shukla. “In addition to industrial applications, the company works with social institutions such as kindergartens, schools, retirement homes and hospitals to effectively reduce germs.”
The New Product Innovation Award is presented to the company on the basis of exceeding the following criteria: the innovative element of the product, leading-edge technology, value-adding features, customer return on investment and customer and market acquisition potential.
The Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Award is a recognition of outstanding work and superior performance across the diversity of regional and global markets in the following areas: leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify “best practices” within an industry.
About Nanopool GmbH
Nanopool GmbH, headquartered in Schwalbach, Germany, has developed silicon-dioxide-based refinement solutions. The company has been able to develop solutions for a wide variety of application areas and surfaces. The company is self-financed and believes in a timely market launch with a relatively short period for research and development. Through its core competencies, Nanopool can establish itself in various industries by adapting its silicon-dioxide-based nanotechnology products, modifying them on the basis of customer-specific requirements. The company continues to conduct research and development for new applications, as well as for market segments for which conventional methods have so far offered no solution due to high costs or effort.