Plasma Nanotex

Introduction

Water and air filtration is the largest market for nanofibre products. This is a growing market mainly due to the unfolding situation presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, with an expected annual growth of 36,2%. Design and manufacturing of advanced nanofibre textile filters urgently require new environmentally-friendly and cost-effective surface treatments without the use of organic solvents and caustic solutions.

To address this need, the proposed project will transfer industrially-proven proprietary technology for in-line low-cost plasma surface activation of textile materials. The key enabling technologies (KETs) centre CEPLANT at Masaryk University develops the technology and transfers it to the SME, NAFIGATE, to improve the performance properties of their proprietary water and air nanofibre filters. The project will solve critical challenges such as weak adhesion between the nanofibres and the substrate material, insufficient hydrophilicity, water filter clogging, and will provide the necessary base for the construction of a new high-throughput manufacturing line.

The proposed innovations will greatly enhance NAFIGATE´s competitiveness and build its sustainable business in the nanofibrous filtration textiles field. After the project completion, in line with its KETs technology centre´s mission, CEPLANT will also transfer the project results to many other European SMEs in the textile, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF) sector. Considering the needs for antimicrobial and antiviral filtration textiles, this project will raise the potential of the proposed innovation to a new level with high societal and economic impact.

Objectives

• The transfer and adjustment of the diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) technology according to the specific high-throughput production needs of NAFIGATE.
• To manufacture the innovative and internationally-awarded Ecobrane and Nanocleaner filters with improved performance characteristics.
• To use the new high-throughput manufacturing line designed in line with the proposed project results by NAFIGATE.

Outcome of ELIIT project support

Impact (to date):

The key impact is technological. The project is creating a new generation of nanofibre membrane with plasma treatment to have superior properties (i.e. adhesion). Another outcome relates to market position. The project has a factory for nanofibre production with standard equipment. Plasma Nanotex aims for a unique market position: standard equipment with plasma pre or after treatment. ELLIT's support also impacts the company's support activities as they have a specific workforce and focus in this area.

Partners

SME: NAFIGATE Corporation a.s.

Country: Czech Republic
Year of creation: 2011
Background: NAFIGATE Corporation, a.s. is a Czech high-tech company which deals with breakthrough innovations and technologies for market entry.
More information: company website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Technical provider: Masaryk Univerzity - CEPLANT

Country: Czech Republic
Year of creation: 1919
Background: CEPLANT belongs to the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno and is established within the Department of Physical Electronics (DPE) covering basic and applied physics research and development with an emphasis on plasma physics, plasma diagnostics and follow-up applications.
More information: company website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube