Ice and Rust Prevention with Laser Technology | Flite Material Sciences

A Novel Approach to Surface Treatment: Flite Material Sciences

Dan Cohen initially sought a coating solution to prevent ice, snow, and frost accumulation on solar panels. This search unexpectedly led him to a groundbreaking technology with the potential to significantly lower expenses and lessen the environmental impact across numerous sectors.

From Solar Panels to a Broad Range of Applications

The discovery spurred Cohen to establish Flite Material Sciences, a startup that was initially showcased at the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield event. His original goal, finding an ideal coating for solar panels, proved challenging.

Existing coatings presented drawbacks, including altering the panel’s color, requiring annual reapplication, or incorporating hazardous substances. A different solution emerged from research conducted at the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics.

Laser Surface Functionalization: A Coating-Free Solution

A professor proposed a method to prevent ice, rain, snow, and frost buildup without the use of any coating whatsoever. Cohen investigated this seemingly paradoxical claim.

He was introduced to laser surface functionalization, a process that alters the material’s texture using a laser. This retexturing enables the material to naturally repel water, eliminating the need for a coating.

This technique isn’t limited to water repellency; it also effectively prevents rust, inhibits ice formation, and repels oil on diverse materials. These include semiconductors, and even biological tissues like human bone and teeth.

Commercialization and Growth

Cohen inquired about existing commercial licenses for this technology, but discovered it remained unutilized by any company across any industry.

The University of Rochester granted a license, and Flite Materials Science was founded in 2018 to bring this innovation to market. The first year was dedicated to in-depth technology understanding, intellectual property research, and identifying suitable market applications.

The company also participated in several accelerator programs, including TechStars and Centech in Montreal, to refine its business strategy.

Future Expansion and Industry Focus

Cohen’s current focus is scaling the technology for commercial deployment, targeting applications within the aerospace, life sciences, and other key industries.

The potential impact of this coating-free surface treatment is substantial, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.

Understanding the Technology

The method of creating self-cleaning surfaces draws inspiration from natural phenomena. Consider the lotus leaf as an example, which remains dry even when submerged in water, as Cohen points out.

Upon microscopic examination, it's revealed that the leaf's surface isn't smooth, but possesses extremely fine, sharp projections. This observation led to investigations into why liquids struggle to adhere to such textured surfaces.

Initial attempts to replicate these textures involved utilizing various chemical compounds and gaseous mixtures. However, Professor Chunlei Guo of the University of Rochester pioneered a different approach, employing lasers operating at exceptionally high pulse rates – reaching quadrillions of pulses each second – to alter the material's structure without significant thermal buildup.

Cohen describes this process as akin to sculpting rather than ablation. The laser energy facilitates the rearrangement or redeposition of material, avoiding destructive burning.

This is a crucial aspect of the technology. The technique licensed by Flite doesn't diminish or compromise the integrity of the surface. Instead, it modifies the texture to impart properties of water, oil, and ice repellency to metals and plastics.

Future Development and Expansion

According to Cohen, the organization is presently prioritizing numerous customer validation projects. These initiatives aim to demonstrate the practical application of their technology across diverse products and sectors.

Flite Material Science has already successfully completed initial projects, with further collaborations scheduled.

Approximately sixteen companies have conveyed substantial interest in undertaking these validation tests within the coming year. Furthermore, around one hundred and fifty additional companies are awaiting the opportunity to participate, contingent upon the company’s expanding capacity.

Currently, Flite Material Sciences operates with a team of under ten employees. Cohen anticipates growth in personnel following the completion of a funding round anticipated in either the third or fourth quarter of the current year.

Target Industries

The company’s investigations have focused particularly on the aerospace and defense industries. Significant efforts are also being directed towards serving the oil and gas, and semiconductor sectors.

Demand is also being observed from the automotive and packaging industries, though Cohen suggests that widespread adoption in these areas may be dependent on achieving improved unit economics.

• Aerospace and Defense: Primary focus of current research.
• Oil and Gas & Semiconductors: Currently receiving substantial attention.
• Automotive & Packaging: Potential future markets, contingent on cost reductions.