杏吧APP

Cirrus Materials Science has its roots in the laboratory of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of 杏吧APPProfessor Wei Gao, who among many honours is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The Chemical and Materials Engineering professor, who won the University鈥檚 Commercialisation Medal in 2020, has made major contributions in areas including nanomaterials and nanocomposite materials; thin films and coatings; light alloys; and corrosion prevention.

In 2016, UniServices helped Gao spin out some of his and his lab鈥檚 innovations by licensing them to a start-up, Cirrus Materials Science. With Gao preferring to keep his focus on research, experienced start-up executives Glen Slater and Chris Goode led the formation and running of the company. Slater remains CEO today, while Goode is chair and CTO.

One of the company鈥檚 foundational technologies is Cirrus Dopant, a nanoparticle library of non-toxic additives that can improve electrodeposited coatings in ways including improved wear resistance, reduced friction, increased strength and corrosion resistance.

鈥淚t is well known that particles in coatings can improve their mechanical, electrical or other surface properties. Dopant is a unique way of creating particles in coatings that is environmentally friendly, safe to handle and low cost,鈥� says Goode.

Cirrus has also developed paint-free colour for light metals 鈥� a significant breakthrough because paint processes for products such as cars tend to be energy-intensive, flammable and high in volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

鈥淲e imitated the nanostructures that colour the wing of a butterfly to develop a coating that helps eliminate up to 60% of the energy consumption and 95% of the VOC emissions from typical automotive manufacture,鈥� says a company statement. 鈥淭he result is a full-stack sustainable coating innovation that is as durable and beautiful as paint 鈥� just 90% thinner.鈥�

Paint-free colour is ideal for aerospace applications, where lightness is crucial. In fact, Cirrus is collaborating with the University鈥檚 Te P奴naha 膧tea 鈥� Space Instutitute to evaluate the technology on a space vehicle.