Projects resulting from ECOPLATE

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Past Projects

SCHOOLPLATE

Exploration of technical and vocational education and training measures for electroplating in Thailand - Exploration Phase

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At present, there are no suitable technical and vocational education and training programs in Thailand capable of covering the industry’s requirements.

The project therefore aims at supporting the Thai electroplating industry to help upskill the workforce.

STI support for ECOPLATE cooperation

The overarching aim of all partners is to further develop the IPA research station @ Chulalongkorn University under the ECOPLATE umbrella. Our strategy here involves entering into a long-term cooperation for the benefit of all partners.
The cooperation is also supported by funding from Thailand. The National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI) has proven to be a reliable backer, offering substantial support to the team in the form of funding, feedback and constructive dialogue.

Improving electroplating process reliability and expertise for high-quality manufacturing in S-Curve industries

A lack of knowledge on electroplating process reliability can in part lead to high discard rates and as a result, energy and material is wasted. The aim is to increase process knowledge related to special cases of blistering. Here, the electrogalvanizing process for corrosion protection that is used in the automotive industry has been chosen as a case study for electroplating process reliability research. -Project partners: MMRI, IPA, MTEC - Funding agency: TRF, under the funding scheme of the International Research Network (IRN).

Electroplating processes for thermoplastic materials obtained from renewable biological resources BIOPLATE

The aim of the project is to develop environmentally friendly, energy-efficient platable thermoplastic materials and establish the electroplating process chain for such materials. Bio-based materials offer the possibility of reducing carbon emissions produced in the process chain, while a negative carbon footprint may even be possible in the lab. MMRI, IPA and the University of Sion applied for this project under the Southeast Asia - Europe Joint Funding Scheme for Research and Innovation – Joint Call 2018.

Co-Development of Green Anodizing Technology for Automotive and Aerospace Applications

The Thai funding agency PMU-C supports the cooperation with a project in which the cooling energy required for anodizing processes is to be reduced in a targeted manner. It is an adaptation of a procedure developed by the Fraunhofer IPA for the climatic conditions in Thailand.

Study of iBDS Model for Supporting Industry: Case Study of the Thai Electroplating Industry

The Thai funding agency NXPO finances the further development of the innovation business development service (iBDS) under the name NEXURF, which emerged from the cooperation under ECOPLATE.

Electroplating Technologies of Highly Durable Coatings for Sustainable Manufacturing and High Temperature Applications

PMU-C funds a project in which highly corrosion- and wear-resistant coatings and associated application processes are being developed for the energy industry.

Current Projects

Business and Technology Development Unit Model for Driving and Advancing Materials Surface Innovation

Chulalongkorn University supports the cooperation with its own funds, in this specific case to support the establishment of a start-up for application-oriented support of the Thai electroplating industry with questions from production

Development of Flexible Conductive Substrates for Energy and Sensor Applications

Supported by the funding agency PMU-B, a team from the MMRI, Cornell University and the IPA is working on the development of conductive, plaitable textiles and the associated plating processes.

Development and Investigation of Copper Alloy Surfaces and their Antimicrobial Efficacy against Bacteria and Virus

Funded by PMU-C, metallic layers that are active against bacteria and viruses are being developed together with microbiologists from Chulalongkorn University.

IDE Assessment & Transformation Systems for Thailand Electroplating Industry

In this interdisciplinary project, PMU-C promotes the transfer of the innovation readiness principle to the small and medium-sized electroplating industry in Thailand.

In Preparation

Nickel alloys: potential replacement for energy intensive electroplating technologies ECOLOY

The objective here is to attain a basic understanding of layer materials based on nickel alloys for use in environments subject to high levels of tribocorrosion . MMRI, IPA in co-operation with Institute of Industrial Manufacturing and Management (IFF) of the University of Stuttgart and MTEC are preparing this joint project under the funding scheme of the international programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Corrosion mechanisms and microstructural characterization of zinc-based corrosion protection layers on steels (CorrMech)

The aim of the project is to enhance the understanding of the basic material and corrosion mechanisms of cathodic corrosion protection layers under specific circumstances for protection and greater efficiency with regard to materials and energy. - Project partners: MMRI, IPA, Institute of Industrial Manufacturing and Management (IFF) of the Universitiy of Stuttgart, MTEC. - Funding agency: German Research Foundation (DFG).

Heat management concepts in electroplating plants

Electroplating plants and factories operate on the basis of entirely different processes; some must be heated, some must be cooled, and all to differing temperatures. Specific projects with individual companies have been successfully carried out, enhancing the energy efficiency of the plants and factories in the process. The idea is now to develop concepts to extend this to electroplating processes in SMEs as well.