Technology

Change the surface.
Change the world.

A proprietary nano surface modification process combining pressure, plasma, and electrochemical reactions. Transferred from dental implant and rare earth recovery fields, this technology works both ways — to repel and to attract. Two sides of the same principle solve entirely different social challenges.

Core Technology

Nano Surface Modification
via Multi-Process Approach

Combining pressure, plasma, and electrochemical reactions, the process precisely modifies material surfaces at the nanoscale. It selectively modifies the hard silica layer of the surface, creating a "scaffold" where microorganisms, living tissue, and specific substances can adhere.

Lower environmental load compared to conventional high-temperature vacuum processes. The same safety level as dental implants used inside the human body. Compatible with a wide range of substrates including metal, polymer, and ceramics.

— Patent No. 5963133 — "Manufacturing method and storage kit for dental materials"
— Patent No. 6057250 — "Recovery method and device for rare earth metals"
— JP2017-205295 — "Surface modification technology via low-crystallinity anatase titanium oxide film"
Technical Supervisor — Individual capacity
Kensuke Kuroda
Specially Appointed Professor, Nagoya University Institute of Innovation for Future Society (2019–)
Professor, Materials Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering (2022–)
Established a platform technology based on aqueous electrochemical surface modification. After social implementation in dental implants, magnesium alloy corrosion resistance, and rare earth recovery, he is now advancing marine biofouling control as the next application frontier. SeatecHIROSHIMA is the leading edge of social implementation in that marine domain.
Principal investigator, JSPS KAKENHI project "Elucidation of marine organism settlement promotion and inhibition by surface modification of corrosion-resistant materials and marine demonstration evaluation" (2022–2024). Marine demonstration completed on ship propellers, polyethylene, and ceramics.
Patent No. 5963133 (dental materials) Patent No. 6057250 (rare earth recovery) App. 2011-019786 (TiO₂ film)
Total citations 1,483 h-index 23 i10-index 34
STEP 1
Modification
Selectively modify the silica layer of the material surface using a multi-process approach of pressure, plasma, and electrochemical reactions
STEP 2
Structure
Form nano-level micro-cracks and surface irregularities to create a "scaffold" where microorganisms and substances can adhere
STEP 3
Function
Microorganisms, living tissue, and ions adhere to the scaffold, manifesting either adhesion-promoting or adhesion-inhibiting functions
Proof of Concept

The surface was changed.
Here is the proof.

Apply oil-based ink to an antifouling-treated propeller. Wipe it with a finger underwater — only the ink comes off. No chemicals, no solvents. By modifying the interfacial properties of the material, adhesion and non-adhesion can be controlled at will. You can see it with your own eyes.

Applications

One principle. Four applications.

01
Hull Maintenance  —  MVP complete · Field-tested

Integrated antifouling and removal system.

Toxin-free dual-film treatment maintains barnacle-free hulls for 6 months. Remaining barnacles are removed by a magnetically-attached ROV using cavitation water jets — no damage to the hull or coating. Only the force of micro-bubble implosion is used, leaving ship body and paint completely intact.

18–30%
Fuel efficiency improvement
6 months
Antifouling duration
MVP complete · Field-tested / AI-based autonomous operation in development / Provided as RaaS (Robot as a Service)
02
Ocean DX  —  Pilot ongoing

Digitize the ocean. Prevent accidents.

In Hiroshima, 70 aquaculture raft collision accidents have occurred over the past decade — over 70% caused by pleasure boats. A system to detect raft locations from satellite data and notify smartphones via IoT devices on the rafts is being developed in a three-way collaboration with Inet and Marine Craft Kazenoko.

70
Raft collision accidents in Hiroshima (10 years)
70%+
Caused by pleasure boats
Collaboration: Inet Co., Ltd. · Marine Craft Kazenoko · Hiroshima University
Reverse antifouling technology to restore seagrass.
03
Ecosystem Restoration  —  Pilot ongoing

Reverse antifouling technology to restore seagrass.

By inverting the adhesion-inhibiting surface treatment, we developed a biodegradable biocode that promotes root adhesion of eelgrass (Zostera marina). Phosphate ions and other nutrients are immobilized on the surface, providing the nutritional environment needed for seagrass growth and capturing naturally-falling seeds. Participating in the TV New Hiroshima "Hiroshima Ocean Forest Project".

3 zones
Hakodate · Hiroshima · Ariake — proven
70% loss
Seto Inland Sea seagrass meadows since 1960
J-Blue Credit / Hakodate NIT joint research / TV New Hiroshima "Hiroshima Ocean Forest Project"
04
Soil Restoration  —  Commercialization phase

Give microbes a scaffold. The land revives.

Deserts fail to become forests not only because of drought — the soil microbial community is absent, so even if plants take root, nutrient cycling does not occur. Modified rice husk (Nano-Husk) creates a scaffold for microbial colonization, activating an autonomous positive feedback loop in the ecosystem. This mechanism is identical to how seagrass adheres in the ocean.

75%
Reduction in soil preparation time (24 months → 6 months)
World First
Simultaneous colonization of 3 bacteria: photosynthetic, actinomycetes, natto
Zero CO₂ emissions / Non-carbonization process / Joint research with national university

Let's grow the technology together.

Bring your challenge to our demonstration field in Kurashima Island, Kure.

Co-creation / Partnership