By Michael Lauzon
CORRESPONDENT
Published: January 15, 2014 8:53 am ET
Updated: January 15, 2014 8:54 am ET
Nantotechnology is exploited in a new barrier plastic film developed by Tera-Barrier Films Pte. Ltd. of Singapore.
An encapsulated nanoparticle layer provides oxygen and moisture barrier ten times that of plastic films with transparent oxide for barrier properties, according to the company. Tera-Barrier claims its new film also outperforms multilayer plastic films. Unlike aluminum foil, which also has high barrier properties, Tera-Barrier’s new film is stretchable, simplying packaging operations, according to the firm.
Tera-Barrier is targeting pharmaceuticals, food and electronics packaging to enhance shelf life.
The nanolayer is 700 nanometers thick, thinner than a strand of human hair. Dense packing of the nanoparticles in the film resists penetration by oxygen and water, the firm states.
“The secret behind [Tera-Barrier’s] film lies in our patented encapsulated nanoparticle layer that consists of nanoparticles in polymer shells,” explains Senthil Ramadas, Tera-Barrier’s director and chief technology officer. | 
