Our IFB Technology in WOMag

Our Inverted Fireball (IFB) coating and surface treatment technology was featured in the latest issue of WOMag magazine:

G-Labs is collaborating here with fem and 4A-Plasma to advance research in this new area and bring this exciting technology to market. Together, an inverted fireball (IFB) with a magnetron sputter source was successfully ignited for the first time – a world-first success that could potentially revolutionize numerous industries.

This breakthrough is part of the Anode Plasma Ionized Magnetron Sputtering (APiMS) project, which is supported by the InvestBW programme of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism. The aim of the research is to develop coatings with outstanding adhesive strength and hardness by using plasma densities that are significantly higher than conventional magnetron sputtering methods.

Ignited IFB in a magnetron sputtering chamber

The successful ignition of the inverted fireball marks a decisive advance in coating technology. By working closely with leading research institutions such as the fem Research Institute, G-Labs is able to demonstrate its innovative strength and further expand its position as a pioneer in the industry.

Dr. Martin Fenker and David Bäurer, key researchers on this project, emphasize the importance of this discovery for the future of coating technology. The precise coordination of various parameters and the high technological complexity of this process underline G-Labs’ innovative strength and commitment to excellence in the industry.

As a company with many years of experience in consulting and research and development of plasma-based technologies, G-Labs is proud to be involved in this groundbreaking project.

This breakthrough underscores Gruenwald Laboratories’ (G-Labs) innovation and commitment to excellence in plasma technology and demonstrates how successful partnerships can push the boundaries of what is possible.

 

We have a new collaboration!

G-Labs and 4A-Plasma are excited to unveil a groundbreaking collaboration with fem, marking a significant milestone in the realm of surface treatment and coating technologies. This innovative partnership integrates our cutting-edge Inverted Fireball (IFB) technology with magnetron sputtering, propelling us into a realm of endless possibilities.

Our joint research project is dedicated to showcasing the versatile capabilities of IFBs, demonstrating their efficacy in the realm of metal plasmas. We are on a mission to prove that IFBs can revolutionize metal plasma applications, offering a unique approach to enhancing deposition and coating properties. By leveraging the synergy between IFB technology and magnetron sputtering, we aim to unlock novel pathways for the creation of homogeneous, locally well-defined high-density plasmas.

This collaborative effort promises to reshape the landscape of surface treatment and coating methodologies, introducing advancements that will undoubtedly redefine industry standards. As we delve into uncharted territory, stay tuned for more updates on the progress of this exhilarating project. The convergence of G-Labs, 4A-Plasma, and fem is set to propel us into a future where precision, innovation, and excellence converge in the pursuit of unparalleled advancements.

Our DMPS control unit

Our newest development: A custom-made control unit for a differential mobility particle sizer (DMPS) built for the Faculty of Physics at the University of Vienna. It can be coupled with our Plasma Charger or be used as a high-voltage, high frequency source. The control module/ power supply has an integrated mass flow controller, a high voltage/high frequency unit as well as an USB, RS232 and a LAN interface. All voltage, frequency and DMPS data can be automatically acquired and stored. Although a lab computer can be attached, our control unit can also act as a stand-alone device. It took less than six weeks from the first conceptual design to the delivery despite the demanding technical specifications and the individual design of the device.


Our fully computerized, custom made DMPS control module/HV-HF power supply for the Institute of Aerosol Physics at the University of Vienna.

How can we support your research and development projects?

Our new plasma physics journal

G-Labs is proud to announce the launch of a new peer-reviewed fully open access online journal, the Journal of Technological and Space Plasmas (FTSP) in June/July 2018. The online submission system will be fully operational in June 2018. Meanwhile, submissions are possible via email to editor@jtsp.eu. The author guidelines as well as other useful information can be found at www.jtsp.eu.

We look forward to receive your manuscripts!

Talk in Ljubljana (Slovenia)

Our CEO, J. Gruenwald, gave an invited talk today at the Jozef-Stefan Institute in Ljubljana (Slovenia). It was about:

Here is the abstract (english only):

Nanostructured films become more and more important, mostly because of their high surface to volume ratio. This talk will be devoted to the deposition of such films with different plasma sources, namely atmospheric and low pressure plasmas. The first of two examples in this talk will be copper based anti-microbial surface coatings, which offer promising properties concerning medical applications. One of the most auspicious copper based compounds is copper oxide in its different forms. It is a low-cost material with highly disinfecting qualities and, thus, was proposed as a suitable material for self-sterilizing surfaces [1]. However, there are only little data available in the field of atmospheric pressure plasma based deposition of copper oxide layers [2-4]. The second example will be nanostructured, carbon containing films that were deposited at low pressure with plasma enhanced, chemical vapor deposition by inverted fireballs (FBs). Inverted FBs have been demonstrated to be a viable tool for large area coatings and other forms of surface modification. [5,6]. Very recent results regarding this technology are also outlined in this talk.

  1. O. Akhavan and E. Ghaderi, J. Mater. Chem., 21, 12935 (2011)
  2. A. Altaweel, G. Filipič, T. Gries and T. E. Belmonte, J. Chryst. Growth, 407, 17-24 (2014)
  3. J. Gruenwald, K. Fricke, M. Fröhlich and M. Polak, Plas. Process. Polym. 13, 9 (2016)
  4. J. Gruenwald, K. Fricke, M. Fröhlich, J. Kolb and M. Polak, Plas. Process. Polym. 13, 8 (2016)
  5. P. Knoll et al., Diamond & Related Materials 65 (2016) 96–104
  6. M. Mayer et al., Materials Today, Proceedings, 3, 2, S184-S189 (2016)

Partners wanted

G-Labs is looking for strategic research partners from the fields of plasma physics, chemistry and material sciences. We offer long term collaborations for fundamental or applied science projects.

We are looking forward to work with you!