Michelman recently announced it has invested in new digital imaging technology that can allow chemists to view coating and substrate samples at nano-level magnification. The new technology is part of Michelman’s investment in its Michelman Advanced Materials Collaboration Center, which recently opened at the company’s Cincinnati, Ohio, global headquarters.

The new imaging technology, which is reportedly not widely available in the packaging coatings and specialty chemicals industries, can allow Michelman to analyze surface characteristics that are critical to development of successful coating systems for paperboard, corrugated, flexible packaging, wood, metal, plastic, concrete, and other industrial applications. The information gathered includes high-resolution 3D and topographical views using non-destructive sample preparation and roughness measurements. Multiple samples can be quickly recorded and compared using various analysis modes.

“Our new digital imaging technology is allowing us to help customers troubleshoot problem formulations, and bring effective new or reformulated products to market faster than ever before,” said Robert Turnbull, global technology manager for Printing and Packaging. “Analysis that was previously impossible, or that took weeks to perform, can now be done in a fraction of the time compared to scanning electron microscopy or other high-resolution techniques.”

For more information, visit www.michelman.com.