Carbon to Metal Coating Institute
at Queen's University
Research
From automobiles, to bridges, to airplanes, to green energy infrastructure, to electrical wiring, to cell phone circuitry and precision therapeutics it is difficult to imagine modern life devoid of metals. However, since most metals are unstable in oxygen rich environments, all metal infrastructure requires costly inspection, repair, and corrosion mitigation efforts. The aim of the C2MCI institute (see figure 1) is to develop coating materials that will enhance the stability of metals used for transportation and energy infrastructure (macro), microelectronics technology (micro) and precision therapeutics (nano). This will reduce construction and maintenance costs, open new avenues for manufacturing and lead to the production of safer precision therapeutics.
Figure 1: A visual overview of our research
Macro
Improve stability of metal infrastructure
Research Impacts
Our innovations will:
-
Reduce costs associated with construction and maintenance of transportation and green energy infrastructure
-
Create high-skilled Canadian jobs in micro-electronics manufacturing
-
Develop safer and more effective precision therapeutics for cancer treatment improving health outcomes
Our research also makes a meaningful contribution to the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDG 9, 11, 12). Specifically, our metal coating solutions will produce more resilient transportation and green energy infrastructure. This will support Canada's move towards green energy and reduce demand for metal extraction processes which will lower greenhouse gas emissions. While more resilient metal infrastructure will reduce the leaching of contaminants into the environment from corroding metals.