MICRO FABRICATION FEATURE
A new versatile process for materials fabrication
By using advanced research and innovative technologies, Sol-Gel Tech Centre offers advanced Sol-Gel solutions for scientific problems that are ready for market. Dr Fanya Ismail Managing Director at Sol-Gel Tech Centre has more
ol-Gel technology has emerged as a distinct new field for many scientific research and medical applications. Sol-gel products have the potential to influence subject areas from chemical synthesis and biological analysis to optics and information technology. This technology can be an incredibly versatile process leading to fabrication of different forms of materials such as thin films, powders, fibres and monoliths. Durable, physically and chemically stable thin films with excellent optical clarity could well be obtained at room temperature using this process. As a result, sol-gel has become a popular choice for today’s high demands for thin and smart films in areas such as: automotive, energy, defence, healthcare, construction, electronics and many other fields. The conventional Sol-gel process involves several time consuming and labour intensive steps including: Method development, Sampling, Sample handling and Sample preparations making this long process unnecessary for many analytical applications - this often means scientists have to spend an enormous amount of time preparing sol gel materials and a lot of extra effort on literature materials. The Sol-gel process is usually controlled by several factors, therefore, consistency can be problematic in developing the right recipe and getting the thin film right. While developing new recipes are always encouraged, confusion may also occur over the choice, validity, and consistency leading to a slower route to commercialisation. Designed by specialists at Sol-Gel Tech
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Centre, these products combine the latest technology of the Sol-Gel manufacturing process at a realistic price. These products are suitable for immediate impregnation, which could be used subsequently as coating for instance on, electronic parts and opto- electronic devices/components, sensors technology/sensor tips/ fibre optical sensors, waveguide structures or simply as a protective coating/thin film to protect several different surfaces). Furthermore, the Sol-Gel Tech Centre, which is a Kent-based company, is
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staff with the appropriate skills or training existing in-house staff, this process can be simplified by turning to the techniques and expertise which can be provided by Sol-Gel Tech Centre "SGTC".
READY TO USE PRODUCTS & SERVICE The company believes, the market currently lacks the availability of instant, readymade sol-gel "solutions" for immediate purchase. In response to this, it has developed a new approach, with the goal of breaking the traditional time consuming habits among scientists to make sol-gel solutions up from scratch in laboratories. The company proposes the ultimate solution to bridge this gap.
MULTI DISCIPLINED Sol-gel has become an integral part of both science and technology; the question is what’s next for Sol-gel? The answer may well lie with SGTC "solutions", as it offers great, perhaps even revolutionary new capabilities for the future of this technology. SGTC has revolutionised the way the sol-
considered the first of its type in the UK and Europe and aims to serve, provide and supply a diverse range of industries and stakeholders in sol-gel technology through a range of ready to use products as well as very high standard bespoke services. Considering the current economic climate and the massive costs involved in recruiting
Figure 2:
Sol-Gel technology has emerged as a distinct new field for many scientific research and medical applications
gel process works and is about to bring about a new era for this particularly important technology. The company has formulated sol-gel solutions suitable for immediate impregnation which could be used subsequently as coatings for instance in electronic parts and opto-electronic devices/components, sensors technology/ sensor tips/ fibre optical sensors, waveguide structures or simply as a protective coating/thin film to protect several different surfaces. A basic range is also available for scientists
who are facing more challenging roles during their projects in which innovation is imperative. In the latter, scientists could add the necessary additives for modification purposes before doping particular molecules. Customised advanced coatings are also available for immediate use on surfaces such as glass, wood and fabrics, the group is expanding the number of materials that can be produced with the improved unique methods. The ultimate aim of the SGTC team is to
provide support and supply new products for different research groups that lack in-depth scientific expertise in sol-gel science and possibly the necessary laboratory facilities.
Sol-Gel Tech Centre
www.sol-gel.co.UK Fanya@sol-gel.co.UK,
www.sol-gel.co.UK
MICROMATTERS | SUMMER 2015 27
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