Critical Need
Cost-efficient coatings can be very challenging when targets are both small and complex. Dip coating requires excessive baths and long dry times, and the material can pull away from sharp edges.  On the other end of the spectrum, vapor deposition techniques can apply highly conformal coatings; However, these coatings can be expensive, the process is non-continuous, and the deposition is non-specific, evenly coating everything in the vacuum chamber. A need exists for precise material delivery that can be scaled and automated to reduce waste and accelerate production drastically.

Technology Vision
SLED uses electrostatic forces to coat objects in 3D conformally under ambient conditions. It has shown compatibility with several industrially relevant materials, including polymers, therapeutic molecules (e.g., immunomodulators, DNA vaccines, proteins), and nanoparticles. It is also highly compatible with additive manufacturing parts and small 2D and 3D features. Notably, 100 percent deposition efficiency is possible, meaning expensive materials can become cost-effective. Through equipment scale-up, SLED promises to become a platform technology used across industries that delivers advanced coatings and enables new technologies.

Potential for Impact
The goal of SLED is to create a platform manufacturing technique used across industries. While the beachhead market is still under investigation, one of the most interesting demonstrated accomplishments is the delivery of drug materials to microneedles. Thanks to the high efficiency achieved by SLED, it may one day be possible to deliver precise doses of individualized medicine on-demand to patients. SLED can also coat small 3D objects with high surface area, creating the possibility of cost-effective use of nanoparticle materials in novel devices.