Diamond Research
A major area of expertise for Vista is in the research and development of new materials and processes. At the forefront of materials science, the engineers and scientist of Vista have proficient knowledge and credibility to develop new products in metals, ceramics, plastics, and coatings. Our clients in leading-edge research include the Defense Department and the National Science Foundation for whom we develop new materials such as diamond coating and computer simulations of new processes such as forging of jet engine components.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Awards Vista $500,000 for Nano-Diamond Research – following successful completion of two previous $100,000 grants.
What is Nano-diamond coating?
Nano-diamond is a highly advanced technology that allows Vista to deposit crystals of diamond, smaller than a millionth of an inch (nano), on the surface of metals in a continuous coating.
Why is Nano-diamond important?
Since the dawn of time, man has sought harder and tougher materials to use as tools; wood – stone – metal – ceramics. Diamond is the hardest material known to man. Methods have recently been developed that allow diamond to be grown from gas mixtures in controlled shapes such as rods, balls and smooth surfaces.
The product objective of Nano-Diamond Coatings is to produce the hardest, smoothest diamond coating for applications in cutting tools and wear surfaces. Cutting tools include drills, end mills, inserts, etc. The cutting tool industry has specific applications that require a super smooth and extremely hard surface on the cutting edge. The current market for cutting tools for aluminum-based metals is approximately $780,000,000. Smooth and hard diamond coatings increase tool life up to 100 times over uncoated cutting tools and creates a $50,000,000 annual profit for the diamond coating industry.
How is Vista Involved?
Vista’s Nano-Diamond Coatings will take advantage of our current patent position and expand our patent protection so that we own the intellectual property rights to the most advanced, lowest cost coating technology for smooth and hard coatings on tungsten-carbide and steel cutting tools.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) Awards Vista funding for Nano-Diamond Coated Temporomandibular Implant Research
Vista Engineering in collaboration University of Alabama at Birmingham have been awarded a grant from NIH to study how the Temporomandibular implant could benefit through the application of diamond coatings. The mechanical properties and chemical inertness of diamond coatings could resolve concerns related to lifespan and compatibility. If successful, this technology could expand and include multiple implant devices.
Tin Whisker Research
Vista Engineering is actively involved in tin whisker research. Recent projects have included the study of surface oxide chemistry as well as conformal coatings. Vista maintains an in-house climate chamber for whisker growth studies. Vista technicians are well trained at counting and characterizing whiskers using our scanning electron microscope. Vista attends many of the tin whisker symposiums including those sponsored by CALCE to stay abreast of recent developments.