Coatings for more durable components
Two coating processes in a single system for reduced contamination
Thin coatings protect components from wear, corrosion and heat. The Swiss company Swiss Cluster combines two processes to produce particularly durable and versatile surfaces – with potential applications in industry, watchmaking, optics and electronics.
Thin coatings protect components from wear, corrosion and heat. The Swiss company Swiss Cluster combines two processes to produce particularly durable and versatile surfaces – with potential applications in industry, watchmaking, optics and electronics.
Physical vapour deposition (PVD) enables the creation of particularly hard coatings. Atomic layer deposition (ALD), on the other hand, produces extremely thin, uniform coatings that protect against corrosion and oxidation, amongst other things.
By combining both processes in a single system, surfaces can be coated without any interim contact with the air. This reduces the risk of contamination. The technology enables coatings that combine hardness with ductility and thermal stability. Other potential applications include batteries, medical implants and microelectronics.
Swiss Cluster emerged from research carried out at Empa. In June 2026, the company received the Swiss Economic Award in the ‘Manufacturing/Industry’ category.
