Nano-Coatings for Lab Tools

A new range of super-repellent nano-coatings will be launched at the ComPaMed conference in Dusseldorf (Germany), to be held November 16-18, 2005.

Initially developed for use on pipette tips, the coatings will be available for other consumables such as plates and filters, according to P2i (Porton Down, UK), which developed the cold plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process for applying the coatings on pipette tips. The coatings dramatically enhance performance, virtually eliminating liquid retention. P2i reports that those pipette tips produce more accurate and reliable results and can reduce reagent costs by up to 10%.

"With sample volumes getting smaller all the time in both research and routine medical applications, avoiding precious sample loss through surface retention becomes even more critical,” observed Quentin Compton-Bishop, CEO of P2i. "We are now looking to follow our success with pipette tips by applying nano-coatings to microplates, filters, textiles, and other medical consumables.”

Using plasma or "ionized gas,” proprietary chemicals can be deposited in layers only molecules thick over any surface. The polymerized compounds bind at the molecular level, creating an invisible layer that does not leach. The super liquid-repellent coating, for example, has three times lower surface energy than the benchmark Teflon. Unlike other hydrophobic treatments, it is also able to repel 100% isopropylalcohol (IPA) and oils.

The specialized plasma chambers used for the treatments are robust and can be scaled to fit the process. P2i's onsite facilities include 40, 300, and 2,000 l chambers, supported by the expertise of the team of plasma process chemists. "Our range of chambers can process single-use disposable products as small as frits and pipette tips in their thousands to larger items such as whole medical devices and protective apparel,” added Mr. Bishop.




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