StreamCoat

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Spray-on-Screen is a novel deposition platform capable of producing homogeneous ultra-thin functional coatings through a solution-based process. By combining ultrasonic microdroplet generation with a structured screen and controlled wetting dynamics, the technology overcomes common challenges such as coffee-ring formation, poor thickness control and material waste.

The technology enables the deposition of polymers, nanoparticles and hybrid materials with coating thicknesses in the nanometre range and offers a future pathway towards scalable roll-to-roll manufacturing.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

StreamCoat originates from the doctoral research of Dr. Rachith Shanivarasanthe Nithyananda Kumar at UHasselt, where he was investigating methods for depositing ultra-thin functional films for next-generation electronic devices. Inspired during the COVID-19 pandemic while baking bread, he observed how rolling dough into a uniform layer between surfaces could translate to liquid coatings. While solid plates trap solvents and prevent proper film formation, he discovered that a screen or mesh could prevent this problem: containing thousands of microscopic openings, allowing solvent to evaporate while simultaneously controlling the spreading of the liquid. This breakthrough became the patented Spray-on-Screen (SOS) technique (European patent EP4184601B1), capable of depositing high-performance PEDOT:PSS films, ZnO nanoparticle layers and functional OLEDs.

Under the long-term vision of Prof. Wim Deferme the technique transitioned from a manual, operator-dependent process into an advanced, automated technology platform. A series of engineering students drove this evolution: Nathan Deveux built the first prototype machine, while Vic Heirman and Emre Ahmet Dag engineered the robust electronic architecture and control systems. Vera Kim and Renz Maes subsequently validated its use in solar-cell architectures, and Brent Verdonck and Niels Evens developed the latest generation supporting full solar-cell fabrication workflows. Today, the StreamCoat project representsthe combined effort of Dr. Rachith S. N. Kumar, Prof. Wim Deferme and Dr. Ing. Pieter Verding, transforming a simple observation into a scalable deposition technology for printed electronics, photovoltaics, sensors, and energy devices.

TIMELINE

01 December 2025 - 31 January 2027

TEAM

Prof. Dr. ir. Wim Deferme
ir. Pieter Verding
Dieter Reenaers