Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/297333
looking to expand the applications for these thermochro- mic coatings to have a major impact on the sustainable energy industry. Melbourne-based Mesdi Systems has developed an innovative spray nozzle that uses electricity to apply very thin coatings to glass and other materials. One day, it could allow for coatings on the windows of skyscrapers, enabling them to tint themselves to provide significant cost and energy sav- ings. The technology was developed by Brandon Lojewski and his thesis advisor Dr. Weiwei Deng while Lojewski was a graduate engineering student at UCF. "Our innovative spray nozzle can quickly and easily apply a thin, protective coating to everything from glass to microbatteries," said Lojewski, who after graduating from UCF licensed his technology and went on to establish Mesdi Systems as a university spinoff. "The nozzle applies coatings with incredible precision under a process that is more afford- able and scalable than previous systems." The coating process using Mesdi Systems' spray nozzle technology is so affordable that researchers are now able to cost-effectively coat larger areas, expanding the applications of the technology. "In the past, the industry standard has been to create these thin films using a vacuum chamber, but our spray is so fine it doesn't need the additional pressure provided by a vacuum," said Deng, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UCF. "This allows us to eliminate the very expensive vacuum equipment, making the process cost-effective and the footprint much smaller." Lojewski hopes to eventually partner with a large manu- facturer of glass panels and envisions future applications for his technology that could have a major impact on sustain- able energy. In addition to self-tinting windows, potential applications include improving touch screen displays and developing advanced components for lithium-ion batteries. "The renewable energy space is a real passion of mine and has been a big focus of my research and now my com- pany," said Lojewski. "If we can improve solar cells and bat- teries to the extent that they're more attractive and cost competitive over fossil fuels, it's a no-brainer for the world to switch over." Lojewski credits the Florida High Tech Corridor Council's Matching Grants Research Program for helping his research team further their applied research goals. "The grant we received has just been incredible," said Lojewski. "There was very low effort in terms of the application process and the ability to expand the research effort through the matching funds was very beneficial." IF WE CAN IMPROVE SOLAR CELLS AND BATTERIES TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY'RE MORE ATTRACTIVE AND COST COMPETITIVE OVER FOSSIL FUELS, IT'S A NO-BRAINER FOR THE WORLD TO SWITCH OVER. florida.HIGH.TECH 2014 21