By Jennifer Groth
There have been some questions about how ReSound’s iSolate Nanotech compares to competing products. Other hearing instrument manufacturers make a point of emphasizing that their technology is “oleophobic” as well as “superhydrophobic”, thereby implying that others are not oleophobic. First of all, be assured that iSolate Nanotech also results in a highly oleophobic (oil-resistant) as well as hydrophobic (water resistant) surface.
So what is the difference between iSolate Nanotech and other competing products? Other manufacturers use a process called Chemical Vapor Deposition. The hydrophobic/oleophobic properties are achieved by the fact that the coating has a “roughened” surface microstructure of 100 nanometers or more. According to the vendor of this technology, it “has minimal resistance to abrasion.” This might be a nice way of saying that it can be rubbed off, but it at least indicates that one can expect degraded protection over time due to anything rubbing against it regularly.
The iSolate Nanotech process results in a thinner coating – only 60 – 80 nanometers – that essentially changes the surface properties by forming a chemical bond between the coating and the surface material. This change in surface properties shows good resistance to mechanical wear and tear. The coating is applied using a Plasma Vapor Depositing method done under vacuum conditions. By using this approach, it is possible to achieve a permanent coating of all interior as well as exterior surfaces and cavities, in one single operation. It is in the true sense of the word, a “global” protection.
More information on iSolate Nanotech.