At CES 2024, HZO, a North Carolina-based company specializing in thin film coatings for electronic devices, showcased a groundbreaking water vapor coating technology that allows computers, specifically a Raspberry Pi 4 single-board computer, to be completely immersed in water while maintaining normal functionality.
HZO emphasizes that the key to this technology is the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process
The primary innovation in HZO’s coating technology lies in the use of xylene, a substance that forms a molecular-level thin film through a vacuum deposition process. This allows the coating to be exceptionally thin and evenly distributed on the surface of electronic equipment, such as bare circuit boards. During the demonstration, a Raspberry Pi 4 was fully submerged in water, illustrating the effectiveness of the coating in protecting electronic components from water damage.
HZO emphasizes that the key to this technology is the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. In this process, the precursor material is heated until it transforms into a gas. Subsequently, the gas is further heated to create active monomers. Within a constant-temperature deposition chamber near room temperature, these monomers are deposited on all surfaces in the chamber. The active monomers connect to form a polymer coating with a thickness ranging between 2 and 25 microns.
HZO’s coating is particularly versatile, as it can operate at room temperature, making it suitable for various electronic components. The company stresses that the parylene coating resulting from the CVD process is highly reliable and does not release harmful chemical by-products during the polymerization process. This feature enhances the safety and environmental friendliness of the coating technology.
The potential applications of HZO’s water vapor coating technology extend across various industries, including automotive electronics and sensors especially in electric vehicles, smart home devices, consumer electronics, and biosensors. This breakthrough holds promise for creating water-resistant and even waterproof electronic devices, offering a new level of protection against liquid-related damage.
With the successful demonstration at CES 2024, HZO’s innovative coating technology represents a significant step forward in the development of electronics capable of functioning seamlessly even when fully immersed in water, opening up possibilities for enhanced durability and reliability in a wide range of electronic applications.
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