AMI Offers Polymers For Seal-Healing Coatings Technologies - Coatings World
7/8/13 10:26 AM
AMI Offers Polymers for Seal-Healing Coatings
Technologies
AMI supplies microencapsulated self-healing additives to
coatings manufacturers for use in their coating products. AMI's
products add self-healing functionality to a wide range of
coating chemistries.
By Kerry Pianoforte, Editor
Autonomic Materials (AMI) offers innovative self-healing technologies that extend coating lifetimes, minimizing
upkeep and repair. AMI supplies microencapsulated self-healing additives to coatings manufacturers for use in
their coating products. AMI's products add self-healing functionality to a wide range of coating chemistries,
including; solvent- and water-based liquid formulations and a variety of powder coatings.
“The company was founded in 2005 by Dr. Scott White and several colleagues at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, the foremost experts in the field of microencapsulated self-healing materials,” said Joe
Giuliani, CEO, Autonomic Materials, Inc. “After founding the company, venture capital was raised to fund AMI's
ongoing operations. This initial funding effort was led by Illinois Ventures in 2008. AMI subsequently completed
multiple rounds of funding, with the latest round completed in September of 2012 with an investment from
Phoenix Venture partners. While AMI holds the exclusive license for microencapsulated self-healing polymers
targeted for the coatings market, it also holds the exclusive license for use in the adhesive and sealant markets.”
AMI provides a solution targeting the more than $700 billion annual cost of worldwide corrosion-related damage.
“AMI's technology adds self-healing protection to critical, high value metal structures which are exposed to harsh
environmental conditions,” said Giuliani. “The microencapsulated self-healing agents deliver an autonomic
healing response precisely when required; immediately at the time and site of damage, and without the need for
human intervention. The systems are designed to lengthen coating lifetimes, thereby reducing maintenance and
substrate replacement costs, while limiting the downtime associated with recoating. By healing potential
corrosion-producing damage before corrosion occurs or progresses, the scope and cost of scheduled
maintenance is significantly reduced and assets remain operational for extended periods.”
AMI has ambitious plans for the future. The company currently has eight employees and is actively recruiting
additional staff at this time. AMI has ongoing product development projects in a number of key markets including
marine, oil and gas, industrial maintenance, automotive, OEM (machinery and equipment), military, infrastructure
and consumer products. AMI's current coatings development projects are split, approximately 65 percent with
coating manufacturers and 35 percent with large end-users.
AMI has successfully developed four self-healing products targeted for use in the coatings market. “We are
currently engaged with our partners in coatings development projects for all four products and have produced
and sold two of the products to date,” said Giuliani. “We are in the process of ramping up production for all four
products to be used in both, advanced field test trials and new commercial coating introductions.”
AMI is focusing its R&D efforts on not only self-healing coatings, but also the adhesives and sealants markets.
“Ongoing R&D efforts are focused on developing and characterizing new self-healing systems for demanding
steel applications, aluminum substrates as well as non-metal adhesive and sealant applications,” added Giuliani.
“AMI will continue to work with our coatings customers to bring a wide variety of self-healing coatings to market.
At the same time, we will begin to ramp up our development and commercialization activities in the adhesives
and sealants markets.”
For more information go to www.autonomicmaterials.com.
http://www.coatingsworld.com/contents/view_online-exclusives/2013-06-26/ami-offers-polymers-for-seal-healing-coatings-technologies/
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