Molecular Waterproofing for Mobile Phones Gets Investment Funding

A company which has developed a novel technique which could protect mobile phones from low level moisture damage has just recieved "substantial" investment from Unilever Ventures. The company, P2i  says that the additional funding will allow it to accelerate the introduction of its ion-mask technology across its chosen market segments and expand its operations to maximise market penetration.

"The past few months have seen some amazing developments for us, not only signing our first high street customer for ion- mask but winning a prestigious Innovation award at the ISPO Show in Germany," said P2iĆ's Business Development Director, Dr Ian Robins. "The benefits of ion-mask enhancement are well-known in performance textiles and laboratory disposables but with this additional investment we will now be able to take ion-mask to a far wider audience."

The small size of the components inside mobile phones means that conventional means of waterproofing such as gaskets or O-rings are not viable. ion-mask modifies the surface of virtually any material, applying a protective enhancement, just nanometres thick, over the entire surface of the object by means of an ionised gas or "plasma". From mobile phones to PDAs, the treatment not only coats the external surfaces but also the inside without damaging precision electronics.

Ion-mask is not a "barrier technology" that can alter the performance of delicate items such as microphones or is susceptible to pin-holes or make re-work almost impossible.

"True technical innovation is a rarity these days but having tracked P2iĆ's progress over the past several months we spotted something pretty revolutionary in ion-mask," added Director of Unilever Ventures, Mark Muth. "Having assessed the technology for both performance textiles and technical market segments, thereĆ's no doubt this is a world class process and we are looking forward to working with P2i to accelerate its commercial roll-out into some exciting new sectors."

Posted to the site on 14th April 2008