Nano-structure based glass applications, EFONGA

Nano-structure based glass applications

(This topic includes: coatings made by sol-gel and chemical nanotechnologies; waveguides, optical amplifiers and lasers; coatings on glasses).

Several important issues have to be addressed to improve knowledge of the properties of Ormocer and Nanomer coatings. Among them:

The characterisation of the substrate/coating interphase and of the surface properties which will be developed by Round Robin Tests.
A data-base on industrial sol-gel coatings on glass and their physical-chemical structural, biological properties will be set up and published.
The key goals for waveguides, optical amplifiers and lasers will be the optimisation of materials for 1.55 µm operation, the identification of optimal glass matrices and corresponding optimal rare–earth doping concentration.

An increasing percentage of produced glass is nowadays being functionalised by coatings: low emissivity windows, self-cleaning windows, smart windows, displays, solar cells. At present each glass company is performing its own quality insurance by its own test methods. There is a need for standardised test methods and standards for the European market. With reference to the above need there will be the following actions:

set up of standards for self-cleaning glass products through Round-Robin Tests on commercially available products;
benchmarking of Transparent Conducting Oxide (TCO) coatings on glass by measuring and comparing optical and electrical properties of TCO coatings produced by European Company; - setting up of a coated glass internet portal.