Created to recognize innovative start-ups and innovators for ultraviolet and electron beam (UV/EB) technologies, RadTech, the UV/EB industry association announced its RadLaunch Class of 2023. RadLaunch award members will be recognized and celebrated at the upcoming BIG IDEAS for UV+EB Technology conference, March 6-8, 2023 in San Diego, California.

Eastern Michigan University, Special University Award

Professor Vijay Mannari, Ph.D., director of the Coating Research Institute (CRI) of Eastern Michigan University has established a rigorous research program with a substantial focus on developing sustainable polymeric materials and processes for advanced coatings. In recent years the CRI has focused on the development of environmentally sustainable polymeric materials and processes for UV-cure coatings. Mannari’s research group has developed sustainable bio-renewable derived UV oligomers, water-based UV-curable polyurethane dispersions with high bio-renewable contents, and dual-cure systems using click chemistry, to name a few. His recent work on UV-initiated Organic-Inorganic Hybrid (OIH) coatings and thin films by sol-gel mechanism have been awarded a U.S. patent 11,414,524. Building on this invention, the Mannari research group is now developing prototype coating systems for exploring applications in automotive, aerospace, additive manufacturing (AM), and in the battery space.

Kinetic Glass, Smart Glass Labs

Kinetic Glass, also known as switchable smart glass, is a form of glass invented by Smart Glass Labs (SGLabs) that allows on-demand opacity (privacy) and light control using minimal energy. As the product enables privacy and light control, it is desirable for use in a variety of applications, such as windows, doors, partitions, and skylights.

According to SGLabs, this novel product meets the demands for sustainability, and the need for providing comfort and lively views to the end-user – and at the same time, will help mitigate some of the effects of climate change due to its ability to act as an IR barrier. Because of the high value add-on of Kinetic Glass, it increases the overall real and perceived value of the property for the real estate investors and building owners.

Axtra3D, Hybrid PhotoSynthesis (HPS)

HPS offers the combined advantages of the two light engines, DLP and laser. HPS brings together the energy from the two light sources and creates a harmonized light engine that unifies every value, including wavelength, power, curing time, and simultaneous operation. The result is that HPS eliminates the tradeoffs between DLP and SLA and offers the combined advantages of DLP and SLA. These advantages include extremely high surface quality, accuracy, print speed, fine resolution, and a scalable print area without loss of resolution or speed. 

Mogassam 3D, Special Emerging Market Award

Mogassam 3D is developing an all-in-one 3D-printing platform that integrates the print, wash, and cure steps into a single automated workstation for dental offices. Through the use of automatic processing and assistive AI design elements, Mogassam 3D has made 3D printing accessible to a larger audience of dental offices with limited DFAM (design for additive manufacturing) know-how. Furthermore, by automating the process, Mogassam’s hardware is able to help minimize user error and has enabled private dental offices to achieve higher rates of success and better financial returns.

For more information, visit: https://radtech.org/.