Molecular “assembly", a way of structuring smart materials at the molecular level, is the key to creating functional surfaces for a very wide range of products. The technology of molecular engineering (e.g., via layer-by-layer - that means molecule by molecule), makes it possible to transform nanometric structures into color, to implement special catalytic properties or to implement targeted electronic microstructures. By changing surface properties such as microstructure or hydrophobicity, the visibility of fingerprints can be reduced. By combining structural coatings with a variety of chemical and physical reactions that specifically change the nanostructure, a wide range of sensors, smart labels and active materials can be developed. The addition of nanoparticles or even the in-situ development of nanostructures in the polymerization layer can improve the mechanical properties (hardness, abrasion resistance, abrasion profile) without affecting color, gloss or light transmission. Applications in diagnostics and food safety, product safety, monitoring of hygiene status, measurements deep underground, in buildings but also the deformation of steel girders in the construction industry up to laser-reactive coatings are possible. In the field of smart surfaces, these can detect, transmit and, if desired, quantify and visualize optical, electrical, magnetic, mechanical, thermal, and chemical signals. Major advances in printable smart materials through the use of electronic screen-printing technology open up further possibilities for the production of flexible electronics (e.g. gas flow sensors, electrodes for batteries and fuel cells) or low-cost sensors.

For the structuring of surfaces by chemical or electrochemical or physical means, Attophotonics' team has many different technologies at its disposal to make products either cost-effective and/or possible in the first place. Selected examples with high relevance for industrial applications will be presented at the EUROMAT 2023 event.