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Novel self-cleaning coating that meet the world’s new hygiene standard

Nano-photocatalytic additives for marine facilities, building materials and more.

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Effective Nano-MAP coating to sustainability

Nano-MAP is designed to make yachting enjoyable and the marine environment cleaner.

Innovative Use of Photocatalyst

Innovative Use of Photocatalyst

Nano-MAP adopts solar photocatalysis to prevent unwanted growth of microorganisms and corrosion onto coated surfaces in seawater.

High Efficiency, Low Cost

High Efficiency, Low Cost

Nano-MAP enhances energy efficiency and reduces maintenance work. The payback period is typically shorter than one year.

Saving The Marine

Saving The Marine

Nano-MAP can fully replace toxic heavy metal based anti-fouling paints, protecting the entire marine ecosystem.

100% Safe to Human

100% Safe to Human

The main ingredients of Nano-MAP is photocatalyst additives. It is commonly used in many consumer products thus very safe to use.

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We must shift our thinking away from short-term gain toward
long-term investment and sustainability, and always have the next generations in mind with every decision we make.

 

 — Deb Haaland

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One coating, endless potentials

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Ship Hull

Nano-MAP treatment keeps the hull surface from unwanted growth of microorganisms onto ship hull for 12+ months. Easy maintenance by soft brushing and no repainting needed.

Seawater cooled chiller

Slow down marine fouling at the seawater intake screen with Nano-MAP. In Hong Kong, an annual energy saving of ~130,GWh is anticupated.

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Self-cleaning Surface

Converts indoor pollutants and odors into harmless and odorless compounds by photoactive surfaces. The innovated formula can be applied on a wide range of materials, including metal, fabric and etc.

A Yacht at Sea

Strong network behind CAT Ltd.

Research Partners

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Cooperative Partner

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Hear It from Our Customers

"At first, the biofouling issue on the yacht hull didn't bother me. I was told to wash the hull regularly to prevent damage and maintain performance. It was not until I met Mr. Liang from Aviva Yacht, that he taught me a lot of knowledge about yacht maintenance. The problem of biofouling actually affects the yacht's speed, weight and fuel consumption. I also tried the Nano-MAP coating on ship hull. I can feel the yacht working much better than before. It's like steering a new boat."

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Mr. Chow

Lifespan of the yacht: 3 years

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  • What problems do Nano-MAP address?
    Antifouling paints are commonly used to maintain the performance and durability of ships. For decades, antifouling paints have mainly adopted copper or zinc as a major biocide to reduce marine organism adhesion, yet, it is highly toxic to marine ecosystems and foodchain. Our recent measurements show that the concentration of heavy metal in the sediment exceeds the international permissible limit by 60 times. With this in mind, Nano-MAP is designed to fully replace heavy metal-based antifouling paints.
  • How does Nano-MAP differ from conventional anti-fouling coating?
    Nano-MAP is 100% safe to use and does not adversely affect the marine ecosystem. The superior performance of the Nano-MAP can save fuel by 30-40% and reduce maintenance workload significantly. With the presence of Nano-MAP, any biofoulant attached can be easily removed with gentle brushing. The payback period is typically one year or shorter.
  • How does Nano-MAP work?
    Nano-MAP contains anion-doped semiconductor metal oxide. Upon activation by the solar radiation in seawater, Nano-MAP induces photocatalytic oxidation and superhydrophobicity. These effects can deter unwanted growth of barnacles, tubeworms and mussels on the hull. In addition, the nanomaterials are modified by co-doping to achieve solar photocathodic effect. As a result, a single protective coating possesses bifunctional properties for antifouling and anticorrosion protection.
  • Reduce fuel consumption by 30-40%
    Hull fouling increases frictional resistance, result in additional weight and poor fuel efficiency. The excellent performance of Nano-MAP can save cost in fuel consumption and subsequent maintenance. You don't need to reapply the Nano-MAP coating every year.
  • Working mechanism
    Nano-MAP contains carbon co-doped Titania and composite. We take into account the intensity of solar radiation in seawater, to produce photocatalytic oxidation and super hydrophobicity to perform anti-fouling and anti-corrosion onto the ship hull.
  • Prevent growth of barnacle and microorganisms
    Hard fouling organisms include barnacles, encrusting bryozoans, mollusks, polychaete and other tube worms, and zebra mussels. Examples of soft fouling organisms are seaweed, hydroids, algae and biofilm "slime".
  • Follow up cleaning every 12 months to maintain performance
    Since the photocatalyst catalyzes the generation of reactive oxide species for disinfection, it won't be exhausted. The anti-fouling effect can last much longer to 1 year and even longer. The biofoulant layer can be easily removed by soft brushing.
  • Protection from corrosive seawater
    Nano-MAP can effectively perform anticorrosion by photocathodic protection. Upon the formation of electron-hole pairs, the electrons can be transferred to the metal substrate and thus decrease the electrode potential, resulting in anticorrosion effect. Another anticorrosion mechanism is that the nanostructured material can act as a filler to impede the transport of Cl- and Na+ ions for corrosion resistance.
  • How do they work under surface?
    Sunlight can penetrate through seawater up to a depth of 200m. At a few meters below the seawater surface, 40-70% solar radiation is still available. Therefore, solar photocatalysis for marine antifouling makes sense. Immobilized photocatalyst performs antifouling effect on the hull surface and does not release any chemicals into the seawater. Therefore, it is safe with many other potential applications in the marine industries.
  • What is photocatalyst?
    In principle, when a photocatalyst, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), is irradiated by activating light with the presence of water, strong oxidizing hydroxyl radical can be produced. Such photocatalytic oxidation has various functional uses. Nano-MAP contains anion doped TiO2 for enhanced solar photocatalysis. We further modified the material by anion/metal co-doping to enhance the antifouling effect with additional anticorrosion function.
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