Register for free to
view the full innovation profile.
The technique is able to produce stable suspensions of initially hydrophobic powders without the use of suspending agents (surfactants).
About
Professor Bormashenko and his team have developed a novel method for changing the wettability of hydrophobic food substances, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. The method relies on room temperature radiofrequency plasma in air. The technique is able to produce stable suspensions of initially hydrophobic powders without the use of suspending agents (surfactants). This technology addresses the issue of toxicity and high costs caused by use of surfactants in commercially prepared food manufacturing and other fields. MARKET OPPORTUNITY Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid and may be used to cause hydrophobic particles to mix in aqueous solutions. However, many industrial surfactants are ecologically and medically hazardous chemicals. Despite this need, there are currently no alternatives to the use of surfactants for this purpose and the global market demand for surfactants in convenience food manufacturing is increasing.
Key Benefits
TECHNOLOGY Novel technology, developed in the lab of Prof. Edward Bormashenko of Ariel University, allows hydrophilization of strongly hydrophobic powders. The process is based on cold (near-room-temperature) radiofrequency plasma treatment. The irradiation of powder by the ionized gas (e.g., air, oxygen, etc.) is rapid (several seconds), ecologically friendly, cheap and a scalable process. It affects only the top surface layer of the material (a few angstroms depth), making no change to the chemical structure or other physical properties of the material.
Applications
Surfactant-free manufacturing of stable suspensions composed of various strongly hydrophobic powders in various industries, most notably cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals.