RadLaunch 2024

Connecting Technology Start-Ups to UV+EB Industry Leaders

“RadLaunch serves as critical support to companies working in the UV/EB space as they take their first steps on the long and challenging road to commercialization. Many companies that have an excellent idea and perhaps early positive lab results are missing the contacts and network that will take them past the concept phase. one of the most valuable things that RadLaunch offers is an introduction to member companies such as material and equipment suppliers and end users that can furnish support and guidance.”

Mike Idacavage, Co-Chair, RadLaunch

A Unique Idea Accelerator for UV+EB Start-ups, Students & Innovators

RadTech, the nonprofit trade association for UV+EB technologies (ultraviolet and electron beam), invites your start-up ideas, concepts and prototypes

New materials, optics, design, printing, packaging, 3D printing, inkjet, building products, plastics, medical, electronics. (and more!)

Learn More about our New RadLaunch Competition….

2024 UV+EB DEGRADABILITY CHALLENGE

The RadTech RadLaunch Committee is pleased to announce the 2024 UV+EB Degradability Challenge, sponsored by PepsiCo. We invite applications for UV+EB materials designed to be biodegradable and/or compostable themselves, and/or not substantially reduce substrate degradability. RadLaunch Challenge winners will receive an expenses-paid trip to RadTech 2024 in May in Orlando to present their work, as well as cash prizes.

When a product is discarded, it too often ends up contributing to the accumulation of non-biodegradable waste in landfills and ecosystems. It is crucial for new technologies and products to prioritize product degradability, rather than add to the ongoing pollution crisis.

We invite applications for innovative submissions across the degradability spectrum and product development chain that utilize UV+EB technology. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Degradable raw materials used in the development of UV+EB cure formulations
  • Finished products converted with UV+EB that are degradable, such as 3D printed items, consumer electronics, or food packaging
  • Formulated UV+EB inks, coatings, adhesives, composites, and 3D printing resins. These items must be degradable themselves and/or not substantially reduce degradability of the substrate on which it is printed

K-12 Rising Scientists are encouraged to apply for special recognition of their work with UV or EB.

RadLaunch Class of 2023

Kinetic Glass

Smart Glass Labs

The problem with many current smart glass offerings is that the growth of the market has been anemic and current technologies are neither fully sustainable nor do they adapt to sustainable manufacturing methods. At the same time, many customers, real estate owners and occupants are not satisfied with the comfort nor the features of the current offerings. 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.

UV photopolymerization is one of the core technologies of SGLab’s Kinetic Glass. The UV process is a key and necessary step to ensure the durability of the Kinetic Glass. By testing and adapting the use of various UV materials and UV processes, SGLabs can ensure superior aesthetics, seal protection and structural stability, for the next generation of dynamic glass. The potential customers for the Kinetic Glass are mid-scale window and door manufacturers and early adaptors in the residential and commercial markets located in the United States.

Axtra3D

Hybrid PhotoSynthesis (HPS)

Hybrid PhotoSynthesis (HPS) technology is a potentially transformative hybrid light engine solution for Photopolymer Additive Manufacturing. Laser and DLP are two of the traditional light engines used to cure photopolymers for 3D printing, but each comes with tradeoffs. Lasers offer high accuracy, surface quality and scalability but lack print speed. DLP offers a high print speed but lacks the same accuracy. For the first time, 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. “In our HPS technology, the DLP and Laser operate simultaneously, at the same wavelength, and deliver the same energy density. The result is that the standard DLP and/or Laser printing materials can be used in HPS without the need to develop new materials exclusively for this technology. In short, HPS offers Injection Molding quality using AM. ” The company reports that RadLaunch may best help with technology information and networking–as HPS technology evolves, it is intended to extend applications into areas outside Additive Manufacturing.

Mogassam 3D

Special Emerging Market Award

With offices in Cairo, Egypt, Mogassam 3D is developing an ‘all-in-one’ 3D printing platform which 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. Their initial target markets have been chair-side printing in North Africa and the Middle East, where they have already seen great success. In the coming years, they are looking to expand their technology into the United States.

Eastern Michigan University

Special University Award

Prof. Vijay Mannari, 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. The CRI is dedicated to providing solutions to some of the tough problems facing the coatings industry.

In recent years the CRI has focused on the development of environmentally sustainable polymeric materials and processes for UV-cure coatings. Dr. 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. UV-curing technology offers immense opportunities for reducing the carbon footprint of many industrial coating operations. “Guided by the principles of green chemistry and engineering, our research group is combining strengths of bio-renewable materials, efficient crosslinking chemistries, and novel processing techniques for developing a platform for sustainable materials that will advance UV-cure technology and enhance the sustainability of industrial products,” says Prof. Mannari.

LUMII, EXPERIENCE 3D

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