At SALD, we understand the crucial role of gas barriers in device encapsulation and packaging. To name a few examples: in perovskite solar cells, lithium-ion battery pouch cells and printed electronics as well as in packaging of food, medicine and health technology adequate gas barrier layers are of vital importance. Key benefits of the SALD technology are the excellent barrier quality combined with the proprietary high throughput deposition capability. The water vapour transmission rates (WVTR) of two different optical grade polymers, PET Melinex 401 and PEN Teonex Q65, is presented without Al2O3 (pristine) and with a 14 and 38 nm single Al2O3 coating. The best barrier material is achieved on PEN having a WVTR=1.8×10-5 gram of water vapour per square metre per day. Thanks to FHG-IVV for performing the WVTR measurements. By applying an ultra-thin barrier coating, SALD can significantly reduce moisture and oxygen permeability of almost any flexible substrate. From high performance polymers to cellulose and paper-based materials, a barrier improvement factor (BIF) of 100 to more than 10,000 times can be achieved. (The BIF is defined as the ratio of the permeability of the initial support divided by the permeability of the coated support.) Hence, the lifetime of a perovskite or organic solar cell can be largely extended, either by direct encapsulation or by lamination of a dedicated moisture barrier foil on the device. Moreover, low-cost packaging foils (like coated base paper) have been processed by spatial ALD demonstrating significantly improved gas barrier properties, suitable for considerably extending the shelf life of the packaged (food) products. SALD is the only spatial ALD technology provider that can offer high throughput production solutions for gas barrier coatings. Due to the low deposition temperature, even bio-based and compostable polymers can be processed to realize excellent barriers! Extended product shelf life allows food producers and super-markets to save costs by reducing the volume of waste and minimising returns due to spoiled products. Moreover, owing to the high conformality of Spatial ALD much thinner layers with good barrier performance will lead to lower material costs, reduced waste, and easier recycling. An important bottleneck in commercializing perovskite solar cell technology is the sensitivity to moisture and, robust encapsulation methods must be developed. Spatial ALD can provide direct and conformal encapsulation of the device to ensure the best possible protection. Common or traditional packaging can limit the shelf life of products by providing insufficient protection against external influences such as oxygen and moisture. With Spatial ALD coatings, packaging can be made airtight with an ultra-thin coating layer, extending the shelf life of products and reducing the volume of waste. Roll-to-roll Spatial ALD is compatible with the production means in the packaging industry. The main advantages of our Spatial ALD technology are the scalability to wide web width, the low temperature atmospheric pressure operation and the very modest footprint of the machine. In addition, we are able to deal with the high throughput demands of the packaging industry as we have already demonstrated excellent moisture barrier layers at speeds of 180 metres per minute (and there is more to come). For more results contact us about “Our novel S2R tool”. At SALD, we strive to collaborate with producers and manufacturers to develop innovative packaging solutions that meet the highest standards of performance, sustainability, and cost efficiency. In doing so, we work with many partners, including Coatema GmbH, to accelerate our Roll-to-Roll development. Curious how Spatial Atomic Layer Deposition technology can improve the barrier properties of your product? Contact us today and discover opportunities for collaboration and innovation. SALD offers customised solutions for various applications in the packaging industry. Whether packaging food, pharmaceuticals or electronic devices, our technology can be adapted to meet specific needs. Only together we can shape the future with advanced and sustainable barriers and packaging. Barrier improvement factor of 35.000x achievable
SALD Markets
Barriers and Packaging
Barrier qualities
Cost savings
Improved device lifetime/ shelf life
Higher speed Roll-to-Roll deposition
Collaboration for innovation
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The differences
Temporal ALD vs Spatial ALD
Temporal ALD
Spatial ALD
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