Strathclyde: ink that detects self-cleaning film

Licensing opportunity

Andrew Mills and team, from the department of Pure and Applied Chemistry at Strathclyde University, in Scotland, UK, are looking to license an indicator ink that changes color upon activation with UV light irradiation for simple and reliable detection of photocatalytic semiconductor film on self-cleaning glass and tiles.

The technology allows fitters to accurately identify which surfaces are coated with self-cleaning films cost-effectively, as well can be used to assess coating effectiveness. It replaces impractical quality assurance processes that require time-consuming and costly analytical equipment and a trained technician to detect photocatalytic semiconductor film on self-cleaning glass and tiles.

The indicator is easy and cheap to manufacture and a faster detector of photocatalytic activity than conventional the stearic acid test that can be used in situ  by simply using an ink pad and stamp to the surface to be tested. It can also measure photocatalytic processes in other environments such as water, air and surface cleansing substances.

http://www.chem.strath.ac.uk/