Delft IMP

Delft IMP (Intensified Materials Production) commercializes nanostructuring of particles using atomic and molecular layer deposition (ALD and MLD), based on the patented and publicized IP and know-how developed within the Product & Process Engineering (PPE) group at Delft University of Technology. Following various feasibility projects between industry and university, Delft IMP was initiated end 2014 to truly commercialize the technology.

Our unique capabilities
Delft IMP has a unique approach that ensures carrying through implementation of production intensification all the way through full-scale installations:

Use of fluidized beds at ambient pressures, enabling use of standard industry equipment, and no need for expensive vacuum equipment as used with traditional ALD techniques
Continuous production of coated particles
Based on a dry process, no additional separation processes required
Close collaboration with Delft University of Technology, allowing scientific challenges to be easily overcome
Joint development project approach, allowing input from both customer and Delft IMP to come to a successful product
Markets
We have identified several markets that can greatly benefit from Delft IMP technology:

Catalysis
The catalyst industry is continuing to drive for a greener method of operation. In order to reduce energy demand and improve product yield, radical changes are needed to intensify both the production process and the functionality of catalysts. Using the Delft IMP atomic layer deposition process, catalyst can be produced with a tailorable, and uniform size distribution of active sites, ensuring an optimal exposure of the catalytic material. This provides higher conversion efficiency, minimized energy use and less use of valuable precursor. This technology is truly scalable because of the patented continuous production method, ensuring large volume production with controlled quality.

When compared to existing industrial methods such as inefficient wet chemistry production, Delft IMP technology is a sustainability game-changer for both the catalyst itself, as for the processes which the catalysts is used, by allowing intensified material production.

Energy storage
In recent years, energy storage has become increasingly important, for example for use in electric cars and home appliances. The predominant development within the battery world is improving the capacity and charging rate of lithium-ion batteries, which suffer from degradation of battery material by interaction with the electrolyte. By encapsulating the battery material with an extremely thin layer deposited ALD, the cathode can be protected from degradation, ensuring longer lifetimes while maintaining high charging rates.

Encapsulation
Delft IMP technology has several key characteristics that makes it a game-changer for encapsulation of various materials:

Extremely thin coating allows for > 99 % actives in encapsulated particles
Optically transparent coatings
Wide range of coatings possible, from materials with a high barrier property such as silica, to biodegradable polymers allowing controlled release
Controlled release possible by tailoring coating thickness and composition
Tailorable coating hydrophilicity by careful selection of coating material
Technology can be applied to a wide range of particles, including temperature sensitive organics and nanopowders.
Examples of encapsulation include encapsulated pharmaceuticals for controlled release, encapsulated colorants for increased shelf life, encapsulated cosmetics for tailored hydrophilicity, and encapsulated phosphors for LED's with increased lifetime.