UK start-up Datum Developments has developed a coating technology for protecting conductive surfaces in plastic electronics, thin film and other miniaturised electronic devices.
The company, based in Devon, is commercialising a coating process for the deposition of fine polyimide films.
As most conductors will oxidise if left unprotected, impairing performance, a polyimide sheet film is usually applied to the surface. But as products move down the micro-scale and become thinner these conventional thick sheet films have hindered miniaturisation.
Datum's Polcoat provides a conformal coating of polyimide, according to business development director Mark Thompson, who spoke to +Plastic Electronics at the UK Plastic Electronics Show 2011. The Polcoat process is similar to electroforming; a widely used process for coating metal substrates with protective metal coatings. The process is based on a finely controllable deposition technique, to tailor polyimide films in thinness and uniformity to meet precision requirements.
Encapsulation
Target markets include advanced precision engineering products for energy generation, plastic electronics, aerospace, medical and composites. According to Thompson the company is also focusing on supplying the technology as a barrier solution for plastic electronics encapsulation.
Polcoat is attracting strong interest in the field of composites for fine coating conductive carbon materials, and is suitable for durable lightweight carbon composites for aerospace and military use. The Polcoat Coating Ready Solution is now available to pre-order for organisations that have the technical ability to do their own electroplating or electro-forming.
Datum Developments is in the process of scaling up the Polcoat process and will be announcing progress in the coming months. The company recently exhibited at the Advanced Engineering UK 2011 show in Birmingham on 9-10 November. The two-day event included the UK Plastic Electronics Show 2011, co-organised by +Plastic Electronics.
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Datum Developments
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