Conference Program

Monday, March 6
Tuesday, March 7
Wednesday, March 8
TIME

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2023

7:00 - 8:00 AM

Light Breakfast

 BIG IDEAS FOR UV+EB TECHNOLOGY
8:00 - 8:25 AM
8:25 - 8:50 AM
8:50 - 9:15 AM
9:15 - 9:30

Break

BIG IDEAS TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE
9:30 - 9:55 AM
9:55 - 10:20 AM
10:20 - 10:45 AM
10:45 - 11:10 AM
11:10 - 11:30 AM
Decarbonizing the US Industrial Sector - Pillars and Pathways to Net-Zero Emissions by 2050
Joe Cresko, US Department of Energy
11:30 - 12:00 PM
RadLaunch Class of 2023 Awards Presentation
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(240) 497-1242
uveb@radtech.org

RadTech International North America
The Association for Ultraviolet and Electron Beam Technologies
6935 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 207
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Inherently Reactive Acrylic Polymers

Donald Herr, Arkema

A family of inherently reactive acrylic oligomers has been developed. These resins do not require an additional added photoinitiator in order to cure and/or initiate radical photopolymerization. These oligomers have been developed for use in coatings and adhesives, including 100% solids room temperature liquid UVPSA. These oligomers feature Type II polymer-bound photoinitiator functionality, which allows for the formulation of 100% acrylic polymer based materials with potentially no extractables based on photoinitiator chemistry. Examples of formulations and performance data in the areas of syrup UVPSA and acrylic clearcoats will be featured as representative potential uses.

UV-Enabled moisture-curing systems: Novel family of versatile Oligomers for expanding application space

Neda (Tahereh) Hayeri, Eastern Michigan University

Conventional free-radical type UV-cure coating systems based on acrylate functional oligomers/reactive diluents are among the most popular and commonly used systems. Some inherent limitations of these systems, such as inferior surface cure, volume-shrinkage, poor adhesion to substrates, applicability only on flat surfaces, odor, and skin irritancy of reactive diluents used, are among the factors limiting their application space.

We have developed a family of new-generation oligomers that do not rely on the free-radical initiated chain-polymerization mechanism for curing but instead follow the UV-initiated moisture-curing mechanism. The meticulously designed oligomers containing varying backbone structures, optionally composed of bio-based carbon content and alkoxysilane functional groups, have been synthesized and used as primary oligomers of UV-cure coating systems. Coating compositions containing these oligomers, Photo Acid Generator (PAG), (optionally solvents), and additives, when applied (up to 3mil thickness) and exposed to conventional UV-source, trigger generation of a strong acid that catalyzes sol-gel reaction utilizing ambient moisture resulting into rapid formation of the crosslinked network. Such films, by virtue of their moisture-curing mechanism, can also undergo “dark curing” (shadow area curing), are unaffected by surface oxygen, show minimal shrinkage, and have outstanding chemical adhesion on various surfaces thanks to their silane functionality. Besides UV-curing capability, these versatile silane-functional oligomers can also be used for curing at ambient temperature as well as at higher temperatures using different catalysts. These cure processes can also be combined with UV-curing to afford dual-cure capabilities. This game-changing Big Idea has the potential to emerge as a sustainable alternative for industrial coatings and expand the application space of UV-cure coatings. This presentation will discuss the key outcomes of the UV-cure coatings study and its comparison with ambient and thermal cure systems.

Beyond Carbon Capture and Storage: Transforming CO2 into Valuable Products via Electron Beam

Sage Schissel, PCT Ebeam and Integration

The foundational principle of electron beam technology is that accelerated electrons break chemical bonds, thus initiating chemical reactions. Often, this principle is applied to EB applications using solids and liquids, but in recent years, the exploration of how EB can alter gases has become more prominent as scientists search for sustainable ways to transform greenhouse gases into valuable and less harmful products. Learn how electron beam is being studied as a possible solution and how it compares to existing methods of utilizing captured carbon.

How the global energy crisis is making UV LED curing the go-to manufacturing solution

Jennifer Heathcote, GEW, Inc.

Corporate net zero pledges, disproportionate investments in renewable power generation at the expense of hydrocarbon and nuclear power generation, and growing electricity demand that outpaces planned increases in supply are stressing an already strained electrical grid. Over the next decade, the resulting impact on manufacturers will be steadily rising electricity costs and more frequent rolling blackouts. To better prepare the industry, this paper provides a brief introduction to the electrical grid and the challenges associated with an over-reliance on renewable energy sources. It also explains how UV LED curing technology drives sustainability, alleviates stress on the grid, and lowers electricity costs by reducing

  1. installed power
  2. peak demand
  3. electricity consumption during operation
  4. carbon footprint.

Improving Sustainability of UV Solutions with Lower Hazard Raw Materials, LED Activity and Reduced Migration

Donald Herr, Arkema

Radiation curing is often thought to be a more sustainable technology due to the reduced energy usage and carbon footprint during cure with further reductions as the industry moved from mercury lamp cure to modern LED technology. However, improving sustainability in UV technology also encompasses; hazard classifications of raw materials, ensuring safety of users; migration of components, to safeguard consumers of packaged goods and the environmental impact of manufacturing processes and products. This presentation highlights innovations using novel photoactive materials suitable for LED curing with reduced hazard and migration.

UV-initiated deposition of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid films and coatings for advanced and sustainable applications

Vijay Mannari, Eastern Michigan University

Organic-Inorganic Hybrid (OIH) films are increasingly used as advanced materials for optical coatings, photonics, sensors, corrosion-resistant pretreatments, and additive manufacturing, among many others. Currently, the process for the deposition of OIH coatings uses an aqueous sol-gel process. The aqueous sol-gel process, while effective, suffers from many limitations such as limited application bath stability, VOC and generation of hazardous waste, and limited film-thickness, besides other substrate-specific restrictions. Responding to this important need for advanced and sustainable manufacturing, we have developed a novel process that enables the deposition of OIH films from 5 to 50 mm onto a variety of substrates from wood to glass, to metals and alloys. This UV-initiated and sustainable process eliminates the use of any heavy metals or the formation of hazardous waste while providing incredible versatility in the deposition process in the manufacturing environment. The meticulously designed silane-functional oligomers allow for OIH films with tunable micro/nanostructure, morphology, functionality, performance properties, and hence myriads of applications. This presentation will highlight key results demonstrating the benefits of this novel process and their benefits in selected end-use applications.

Powering UV sources in the most sustainable way

Tonnie Telgenhof, Nedap

Ultra Violet medium pressure lamps and LED’s are well known and widely accepted UV sources for curing applications. Improving efficiency of UV lamps has reached physical limits and UV LED’s are gaining more and more market share. Unfortunately the overall efficiency of the energy supply systems for the UV sources are in most cases not getting the right amount of attention and short term costs for initial investment are prevailing over the total cost of ownership.

Most lamp and LED drivers act as non-linear loads on power grids, drawing a distorted waveform that contains harmonics and results in electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) problems, including Power Quality issues. When electronic lamp/LED drivers consume power in a pulsed manner, it leads to a lower Power Factor (PF). Remember that our “conventional” power grid was designed for linear loads. And with increasing electric car charging applications, regulations will become more strict.

Repeating peak currents at the mains input will contain harmonics and the summation of all harmonics is known as total harmonic distortion (THD) of the current and mains voltage, depending on the power line impedance.
The impacts of lower Power Factor, harmonic currents and voltage distortion are increased losses in transformers and power lines, causing overheating and degradation of conductors and insulating material. Last but not least, it could reduce the lifetime of components.

In this presentation we show the impact of Power Factor and THD in UV systems and compare several driver technologies with regard to overall efficiency, reliability, EMC, Power Quality, costs and CO2 footprint impact and can lead to more sustainable UV curing systems.