#Japan #Tokyo #Biomaterials #Gel Coat #Silicone Surface

Introducing Gel Coat Biomaterials' Revolutionary Technology

Overview
Gel Coat Biomaterials Co., Ltd., headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has achieved a significant breakthrough in maintaining hydrophilic surfaces on silicone materials for long durations. The company's new surface modification technology promises to stabilize the hydrophilic properties that typically diminish in a matter of hours or days. This development holds immense potential for a variety of applications including microfluidic devices, diagnostic chips, and medical devices.

Challenges with Silicone Materials
Silicone, particularly Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), is renowned for its transparency, flexibility, durability, and biocompatibility, making it ideal for numerous applications, such as microfluidic and diagnostic devices, cell culture devices, and medical equipment. However, its hydrophobic nature can lead to problems such as bubble adhesion and protein adsorption, adversely affecting fluid control and measurement accuracy. Traditionally, surface modification via plasma treatment has been used to increase hydrophilicity, but this effect typically wanes quickly, reverting back to its original hydrophobic state.

Achieving Long-lasting Hydrophilicity with Gel Coat™
GCB has leveraged its proprietary zwitterionic special coating technology, known as Gel Coat™, to develop a sustained hydrophilicity treatment for silicone surfaces. Working in collaboration with Samco, a manufacturer of plasma processing equipment, GCB has tested this new technology by using the Aqua Plasma cleaner (AQ-500) to plasma-treat silicone surfaces prior to applying Gel Coat™. The results showed that neither the plasma treatment nor Gel Coat™ alone were effective at achieving sufficient hydrophilic properties. However, when both techniques were combined, super-hydrophilicity with a water contact angle below 10° was attained, and this state was confirmed to be stable for more than 31 days.

Expected Applications
The technology opens avenues for numerous applications, including:

• - Stabilization of fluid delivery in microfluidic devices
• - Reduction of bubble formation and enhancement of measurement reproducibility in diagnostic chips
• - Improvement of performance in cell culture devices and Organ-on-a-Chip (OoC) systems
• - Reduction of friction and enhancement of biocompatibility in medical devices
• - Anti-fogging properties for optical components
• - Improved visibility for underwater sensors
• - Enhanced printability for flexible electronics

In particular, the use of PDMS in microfluidic devices is widespread across global research institutions, and this new technology is expected to facilitate the transition from research to practical application and mass production of these devices.

Future Development
GCB aims to promote the social implementation of this technology through various avenues including material supply, contracted surface treatment services, joint research and development, and licensing. The company is committed to supporting new device development in medical, diagnostic, and life sciences sectors, thereby contributing to the practical application of research outcomes and the expansion of industrial applications through surface modification technology.

About Gel Coat™
Gel Coat™ is a unique zwitterionic special coating technology developed by GCB that effectively forms a stable hydration layer on surfaces, reducing protein adsorption and microbial adherence while providing superior hydrophilicity and biocompatibility. This technology is being applied in various fields, including life sciences, diagnostics, medical devices, and industrial applications.

About Gel Coat Biomaterials Co., Ltd.
As a startup emerging from the University of Tokyo, GCB is at the forefront of research and development in unique biomaterial technologies and the surface functionalization technology, Gel Coat™. The company is dedicated to offering innovative solutions aimed at achieving a sustainable society and solving industrial challenges.

Company Profile

• - Established: January 16, 2024
• - CEO/Co-founder: Shin Yoshida
• - Co-founder: Professor Madoka Takai, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo
• - E-mail: [email protected]
• - Website: Gel Coat Biomaterials