Unilever Ventures, London, Uk, is investing in plasma-based technology that helps to create waterproof surfaces. The venture capital firmwill invest in the ion-mask~(TM) treatment developed by P2i Ltd of Oxford, UK, providing funding to accelerate the commercial adoption of the technology. The ion-mask treatment works by applying a protective layer, just nanometres thick, over the entire surface of a product by means of a plasma. This layer is molecularly bound to the surface and will not leach away. This transforms the surface of the product to display ultra low surface energy values down to one third that of polytetrafluoroeth-ylene (PTFE) and leading brands of water repellent treatments.
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