Smartphones get nanocoating for extra protection

1st April 2020

P2i Limited

Mick Elliott

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P2i has sealed a partnership agreement with Samsung that will see its Barrier nanocoating technology deployed across several smartphone designs from 2019, extending water and liquid protection to the internal components of selected Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

P2i’s Barrier will be deployed across other smartphone models in due course. The new agreement builds on an existing relationship between Samsung and P2i, dating back to 2014.

A next-generation waterproofing technology, P2i’s Barrier provides higher levels of liquid protection and enables manufacturers to protect the components, even after water gets into the device.

By using this approach, companies can protect the components on the Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) in the event of a spill or accidental short immersion into water.

Inkang Song, Vice President, Head of Technology Strategy Group at Mobile Communications, Samsung Electronics said: “Samsung is at the forefront of smartphone innovation and this not only extends to the performance and the aesthetics, but to ensuring our smartphones are reliable. Water protection is a key part of this, with P2i providing an advanced and trusted nanotechnology solution.”

Ady Moores, CEO of P2i said: “P2i is delighted to announce that Barrier is now a part of Samsung’s design on selected smartphones. P2i’s Barrier increases the reliability of smartphones and other electronic devices by creating a nanoscale electrically insulating plasma coating on the PCBA. This provides liquid protection against corrosion from direct and prolonged exposure to liquids.”

Barrier uses a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process that provides an electrically-insulated coating on the PCBA and critical components in the handset. Coating thickness / protection level can be adapted to suit the needs of the component and the technology uses a non-degrading thin nano film that lasts for the life of the device. The coating allows re-application if a repair is made or modular component replaced.

It is one of three classes of water protection offerings from P2i which provide up to and exceeding IPX8 liquid protection. The company also offers Splash-proof and Dunkable® coatings to firms seeking to protect electronic equipment from liquid damage.