SBIR Phase I: Interface Functionalization of Commercial Substrates to Promote Adhesion of Solventless Inks

Information

  • NSF Award
  • 9860109
Owner
  • Award Id
    9860109
  • Award Effective Date
    1/1/1999 - 26 years ago
  • Award Expiration Date
    6/30/1999 - 26 years ago
  • Award Amount
    $ 100,000.00
  • Award Instrument
    Standard Grant

SBIR Phase I: Interface Functionalization of Commercial Substrates to Promote Adhesion of Solventless Inks

9860109<br/> This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project proposes the use of in-line treatment for <br/>functionalization of commercial substrate surfaces. The treatment will consist of an appropriate combination of plasma treatment and acrylate coating, and is expected to functionalize the surface of commercial substrates, particularly packaging films, to readily accept and bond with solventless printing inks, thus reducing the need for solvent-based inks. Use of solvent-based inks resulted in a recent annual release of 36 1/2 million pounds of printing ink solvents (primarily toluene) to the atmosphere over the USA. Regulatory and community pressure to reduce the use of solvent-based inks as a pollution prevention measure is already a significant driving force and will only intensify in the future. Upon successful proof-of-concept in Phase I, Sigma Technologies has the necessary full scale production equipment in place to immediately proceed to the Phase II and Phase III follow-on efforts wherein the successful surface functionalization process can be applied to a commercial packaging film for subsequent lamination and market testing by a major packaging film producer who is a current client of Sigma Technologies.<br/> An inexpensive, in-line process to promote adhesion of solventless ink to commercial substrates is anticipated which will result in significant pollution prevention by reducing the dependence of the packaging industry on solvent-based inks.

  • Program Officer
    Cynthia J. Ekstein
  • Min Amd Letter Date
    11/9/1998 - 26 years ago
  • Max Amd Letter Date
    11/9/1998 - 26 years ago
  • ARRA Amount

Institutions

  • Name
    SIGMA TECHNOLOGIES INTL., INC.
  • City
    TUCSON
  • State
    AZ
  • Country
    United States
  • Address
    10960 N STALLARD PL
  • Postal Code
    857379527
  • Phone Number
    5205758013

Investigators

  • First Name
    Richard
  • Last Name
    Ellwanger
  • Email Address
    ree@sigmalabs.com
  • Start Date
    11/9/1998 12:00:00 AM