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NANOTECHMay 2017
T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y
Issue #47
After
LABORATORYMARKET
TO
floodthe
Nanotech Magazine is published by Future Markets, the world’s leading publisher of market
information on advanced materials and nanotechnology.
The fast-growing market for moisture and
waterproof nanocoatings in consumer
electronics. Tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) coatings
have the potential to outperform all other
carbon coatings.
Market focus on what’s happening in
quantum, dots, graphene, nanocoatings and
nanotech investment.
TA-C
LATEST NEWS!!
COATINGS
Recent products and commercial
developments in nanotech.
2
NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
TABLE OF
THIS MONTH
MARKET FOCUS
CONTENT
The market for tetrahedral amorphous
carbon (ta-C) coatings is a potential multi-
billion opportunity.
Nanotech government policy,
regulation and policy news.
Round-up of the latest investments, deals
and funding initiatives in nanotech.
Latest business news in
nanoelectronics and photonics.
Dai
o P
aper
Cor
p.,
has
lau
nch
ed a
pap
er
toile
t cl
ean
er
mad
e fr
om
cell
luos
e n
anofi
ber
s (C
NF)
.
Nanosys signs agreement with
global electronics giant.
Round-up of the latest nanotech business
and product news.
New nanocellulose product and
production developments in Japan.
P.04
P.18
P.04
P.16
P.12
P.20
P.21
P.14
P.16 Ta-C coatings is potentially a hundred times
larger market than what is presently reported
for carbon coatings like DLC and graphene.
3
NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
MARKET FOCUS
FROM EDITORNOTE
Graphene market news, products
and recent developments.
New graphene oxide mass
production developed in Japan
A round-up of all the latest news in
nanocoatings.
Moisture and waterproofing electronics with
hydrophobic nanocoatings.
P.24
P.27
P.28
P.30
Subscribe to Nanotech Magazine to receive
all the latest monthly news and views on this
fast developing advanced technology market,
for only £150 for 12 issues (electronic). http://
www.nanotechmag.com/subscribe/
The last month has seen a spate of product and
production developments in nanotech. In Japan,
Daio Paper has joined Nippon Paper Industries
in launching sanitary products incorporating
cellulose nanofibers (CNF). Nippon Paper has
also established a new CNF production facility
with a planned production capacity of 500 tons
per annum as Asian countries continue to exploit
the properties of nanomaterials to meet current
and future tech challenges. We also look at
the market for hydrophobic nanocoatings in
consumer electronics, which is being driven by
the demand of electronics giants for moisture
and waterproof devices and also the innovative
activities of a handful of product developers. As
usual, all the latest product, investment, business
and government policy news is covered. Enjoy!
LINDA ERIKSSONCHIEF EDITOR
GRAPHENE MAGAZINE
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
MARKET
TA-C COATINGSFOCUS
Huge market potential for stress-reduced harder and upscaled ta-C coatings. Article by Stephane Neuville.
Ta-C coating materials similar to
amorphous diamond (a-D) is the only
harder carbon material (> 60GPa)
which has the combined outstanding
properties originally erroneously thought Diamond
like Carbon (DLC) would have.
Developments of revised carbon material
fundamentals allow design for corresponding up-
scaled coating equipment’s and understood process
enabling stress to be reduced and adhesion secured
without significant ta-C degrading. Thus explaining
why ta-C is now to be considered for many new
technologic application and often in substitution
to many elder more common less performing
coatings and which will correspond to an important
future market concerning both specific equipment
manufacturing and subcontractor coating.
I. HARDER ta-C COATINGS (AMORPHOUS
DIAMOND)
It has to be emphasized that hard carbon coatings
does not correspond to a single homogeneous
category but to several different species having
much different structure, hardness, optical, electric
chemical and mechanical properties. Harder, stress
reduced, much more performing ta-C coating is a
diamond-like carbon (DLC) [1].
Ta-C coatings will
potentially have a greater
market impact than DLC
or graphene.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
It combines outstanding properties, which no other
known material can simultaneously produce (including
polycrystalline diamond and graphene, whenever
they have some higher specific properties interesting
for some particular applications). Properties of ta-C
correspond actually to what was often claimed for
more common less performing DLC, which in fact
never achieved the predicted combination of better
properties erroneously believed with first superlative
description. Therefore, harder stress reduced ta-C, is
expected to correspond to first elder marketing figures
elaborated at beginning of the nineties) which are
about x100 higher than presently achieved with DLC.
Those properties include highest homogeneity and
atomic packing density (because of low size carbon
atom and highest interatomic bonding energy ~7eV)
providing best diffusion barrier properties and chemical
stability (anticorrosion), surface smoothness and
surface passivation (high antisoiling and hydrophobic
properties), hardness ~ 60 to 80 GPa and high elasticity,
low friction coefficient (<0.1) and anti-wear properties
(down to less than 10-10 mm3/N.m), similar to polished
diamond (last one however, requesting higher coating
thickness in consequence of isolated crystallite
nucleation and high surface roughness.
Image: Friction coatings.
Main hard ta-C coating material properties
- Extreme hardness, close to diamond, over 60 GPa,
with associated surface smoothness - Low friction f = 0,
1 (even in wet environment)
- Wear rates down to less than x1000 (compared to
early DLC generation)
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
- Application with coating thickness down to less than
100 nm (x10 lower than others) - Better mechanical
properties (lower thickness, new function)
- Optical properties. High refraction. Close to diamond.
New possible interference colors - Optoelectronic
properties (adjustable gap from 1 –3 eV)
- Combined electric properties (catalytic residual doping)
- Thermal stability.650°C (instead of 300°C for usual less
hard DLC and a-C:H)
- Thermal conductance similar to degraded diamond
(x10 better than usual DLC)
- Chemical inertness and higher diffusion barrier
properties
- Low electric work function (,1 eV) (6 eV for graphitic DLC)
- Low internal stress (achievable by catalytic atomic
rearrangement effects) and low bias - Depositing
rates,2μm /h, partial 3D geometry (lower cost for coating
thickness~100 nm) - Possible larger reactors (substrate
holder size starting at 1 m2, instead of 0.2 m2).
- Possible adjustments of gradients of mechanical,
optical, electrical properties, etc.
COMPARISON WITH GRAPHENE
- Doped ta-C has better electric and thermal
conductance than hydrogenated /oxidized graphene (so-
called graphane, which is in fact a dielectric hexagonal
diamond)
- ta-C is homogeneous and smooth with stable
optoelectronic and electrochemical properties
(different from graphene containing many defects and
discontinuities)
- ta-C has combined higher wear resistance with low
friction
- Easier preparation, and possibility for stronger and more
stable adhesion
II. CONSIDERING TODAY ta-C FOR LARGER
APPLICATIONS.
Severe limitation to industrial implementation of ta-C
used to exist up to recent past [5] which can now be
overcome.
On one hand these limitations have been owing to poorly
adapted equipment design depositing principle and
limited size, relatively reduced growth rates (~ 0.1 to 1
μm/h) and limited throughput [6-7], and on other hand
to the very important internal stress which dramatically
affect the adhesion [8-9]. This had obliged to make use
of less performing graphitic degraded ta-C which has
lower internal stress, thus, allowing easier and stronger
adhesion. These degraded ta-C used to be obtained with
lower depositing ion flux and higher temperature, and
have significant lower hardness (~30 to 40 GPa) than a-D
and which no longer produces better performing surface
multi-functions (optoelectronic gap ~1 eV, wear rates ~
10-8 mm3/N.m, lower thermal and chemical properties).
Notwithstanding, that arc evaporation - one of the
most performing ta-C depositing devices - can produce
dust particles needing to be filtered in order to avoid
embedded particles in the film (which otherwise will
harm to tribological and optical thin film material
properties). Ion filtering device can then much reduce the
coating growth rates [6-7]. Other means such as laser arc
avoiding either dust particles, will also limit the upscaling
with the laser geometry [3, 9].
Altogether, which explains why it was for long time
not possible in practice to get much profit of ta-C
multifunction (higher hardness, superior smoothness,
better optical properties etc. ) and why ta-C degraded
coating material had been used and only for some
reduced number of applications.
III. RECENT PROGRESS IN CARBON FUNDAMENTALS.
In 1999 hard carbon (diamond-like DLC) coating
technology was erroneously believed to be mature and
would not have new important improvement possibilities
[10]. Note that it is now understood [11] that hardness
corresponds to density of cohesion energy (depending
from atomic interlinking binding strength and atomic
packing density) and that wear rates is ~ f.E/H (f the friction
coefficient, E the elasticity and H the hardness). However,
they are also much depending on adhesion strength and
thermal stability of the considered interfacing materials.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
Therefore, superior antiwear properties will also depends
on internal stress (which affects the adhesion strength)
and on coating surface
roughness. Many common DLC with significant graphitic
content, with lower chemical and thermal stability
have only reduced elasticity and will not have superior
surface smoothness, explaining why common DLC has
relatively reduced wear rates (~10-6 to 10-8 mm3/N.m
in comparison to up to 10-11 mm3/N.m for better
performing ta-C [2]). Last points explain the important
role of surface polishing and running in procedure for
coarse polycristallin diamond coatings [12] and for
more graphitic DLC (which generally have higher surface
rugosity) [9, 13-14], and which can limit the practical
application interest for them.
More performing ta-C used up to now to be exploited
to relatively reduced extent, in consequence of several
practical limitation owing to very high stress [5] for
which was for long not known how to reduce them
more significantly without degrading the material [3-
4]. More performing ta-C could only be produced at
relatively reduced scale with particular more complex
substrate coating interface with which some relative low
and medium strength adhesion could be provided [3, 6,
9] or in form of more graphitic degraded version which
has no longer combined superior properties, but lower
internal stress enabling the coating to be better and
easier adherent [5].
Image: DLC coatings on drill bits.
Some improvements have been achieved with Laser-
laser technology (however with limited throughput) [3]
and with the use of denser plasma and better optimized
plasma surface interaction. This can be achieved with
specific systems (for instance combination of Arc and
different Microwave plasma or DC or RF Magnetron
sputtering etc.) [14-15] and with High Power Impulse
Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS) [16]. Meanwhile,
usual cold plasma, being insufficiently ionized (high
content of neutrals), achieves generally only limited DLC
improvement (hardness ~30 GPa, whenever with higher
depositing rates) [5].
No decisive progress could be achieved before huge
progress recently achieved in carbon material science
(not only for graphene and carbon nanotube) [17]. Those
are also concerning revised and updated fundamentals
on carbon material characterization [18] and growth
mechanisms of diamond and more diamond- like ta-C
carbon material. They correspond to quantum electronic
(QE) activated sp3 atomic rearrangement (in competition
with thermal graphitic degrading) [14] caused by several
effects [19-20] (duly confirmed with any produced former
experimental results). These can now be used for
definition of new coating
equipment and for the engineering of coating process
for more performing ta-C coatings. In contrast to elder
descriptions [5,10] which consider only some few such
as thermal spikes [21-22] and which for instance give
no account for diamond growth without ions or only
reduced ion energy [14, 23-24].
Difficult in the past to master the ta-C coating process
without easy possibility to clearly characterize the
multiple carbon material structures of composite
materials [17]. Elder carbon Raman spectra interpretation
were not satisfactory, because of misfits on basic theory
bringing confusion on disorder effects and substructure
identification and what nowadays can be achieved [18,
25-28].
III. ta-C COATINGS FUTURE MARKETS.
III.1. First estimations. With demonstration of ta-C
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
combined outstanding very low wear rates, diffusion
barrier, chemical, electrochemical, thermal and optical
properties (optoelectronic gap ~3 eV and higher
antireflecting optical property) many new and elder
applications have been identified for them [1]. They
correspond first to applications covered with common
DLC for which better performing and cheaper solutions
are requested. New identified applications correspond
often to combined surface functions which could not be
covered with less performing coating materials or being
too much expensive.
Therefore, much higher future marketing figures have to
be considered for 60 GPa ta-C than presently reported
with common hard carbon coatings, including merely
degraded less homogeneous ta-C coatings (hardness ~
30 to 40GPa with lower optoelectronic gap (~ 0.5 eV up to
1.5 eV). This is not to be confused- as often in the past [5]-
with ta-C:H and a-C:H which have higher optoelectronic
gap however with less performing mechanical and
chemical stability [14, 20].
Diamond coatings (polycrystalline) have to be considered
at more reduced scale [29], considering they corresponds
generally to quite hot depositing processes (not always
compatible with substrate to be coated), lower adhesion
strength depending on difference of thermal dilatation
between diamond coating material and substrate
material. It has also to be considered that relative high
coating thickness is requested in consequence of its
discontinuous structure and coarse rugosity which cannot
secure anticorrosion at reduced coating thickness.
Marketing figures for more performing ta-C (a-D) will
correspond for the first part to exploited common DLC
(hardness 15 to 20 GPa) corresponding to the bulk of
hard carbon coating business, with in addition the part
of degraded ta-C coatings and to some parts of the
diamond coating market. Many applications covered
with DLC can be substituted to the better multifunction
ta-C all the more that those can generally be used at
nearly x10 reduced coating thickness.
Those corresponds to yearly turnover figures ~200 M$
achieved with at least 10 major companies from which
the world leader IHI has produced for DLC nearly 50 M$
turnover in 2016 [30]. These figures appear to be very
small in comparison to what was estimated beginning
of the nineties (~ up to 20 billion $) and which had
been established on originally believed superlative DLC
properties (reproduced in reference [31]) and which in
fact corresponds to the better performing ta-C. Therefore,
a corresponding market which at least can be estimated
to 2 billion $ (~ 10 times more than produced with
common DLC).
Must be added all considered applications which
originally have been thought to be covered with believed
superlative properties of DLC (and which in reality can
only be covered with ta-C) and all identified applications
for which surface multifunction and different specific
better properties need to be used and which can be
estimated to ~ 20 billion $ and expected to grow to ~ 200
billion $.
III.2. Example of applications.
- Medical prosthesis antiwear, gliding and biocompatible
(~20M$).
- Roll and gliding bearings (~ 500 M$).
- Engine friction parts for any transportation system (~
200M$).
- Anti-scratch, antisoiling glass sheets (~ 50 M$).
- Optical lenses hydrophobic properties with antierosion
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
(~ 50M$).
- Anti-icing coatings (aircraft) (~ 70M€).
- Dry friction (~300M$) (weapons, ammunitions, space
and nuclear energy seeking for combined low friction,
anticorrosion and gliding function.
- Application to energy storage and energy conversion
(300M$).
To be adapted as specific modified material for interlayers
of existing fuel cell design in order to increase efficiency
and life time. Carbon coatings to be used in different
porosity, work function and appropriate specific electric
conductivity.
- Packaging and anti-moisture encapsulating (~ 30M€)
(power LED, transparent foils)
- Anti-wear and combined tribological properties
(~ 400 M$). for drills, wood cutting tools, razor blades,
threading taps.
- Water treatment. Depollution, and drinkability (~ 6
billion$).
It is known for long that low gap semiconducting material
can generate transient electric transversal electric field
with physisorbtion of organic material and which can
have antibacterial effect. Low physisorbtion energy and
stable chemical stability can insure reversibility and self-
cleaning effect.
- Heat exchangers and sea water desalinization (~4
billion $). Ta-C has high chemical stability, high thermal
conductivity and hydrophobic properties.
- Solar energy (~ 10 billion $ expected to grow to ~100
billion $).
*Antireflecting ta-C encapsulating. (~ 2 billion $) To be
compared with well-known less performing optical
property of TiOx and SiNx coatings which are more
expensive and less erosion and corrosion resistant.
Ta-C can be deposited on glass with strong and
stable adhesion, or directly on transparent conductive
electrodes, which can then have lower thickness (less
expensive). Considering 100 million m2 of solar cells to
be encapsulated per year (among 200 million new one to
be installed). Coating business to be achieved with ~100
specific large coaters.
Additional cost per m2 for antireflection with combined
other properties corresponds approx. to additional
harvested solar energy gain and of same order of
magnitude than unit cost per m2 thin glass sheet.
*Carbon PV materials (~8 billion $). Already been
reported with ~ 12% efficiency, with a-C:H and which
can be improved with appropriate diode design which
by principle is much superior than with Si in combining
higher electric conductivity, gradient gap and higher
front side optical transparency and stronger work-
function differences. Observing that PV application can
be combined with antireflective encapsulating.
* Photocatalytic for hydrogen production. (~ 3 billion $).
Considering that doped ta-C can be degraded to higher
electric conductivity and to the requested optimized 1.8
eV gap. Same order of magnitude business than with
carbon PV diodes.
- Solar reflectors ( ~ 2 billion $).
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
References
[1] S. Neuville New application perspective for tetrahedral
amorphous carbon coatings. QScience Connect
N°8 (2014). http://dx.doi.org/10.5339/connect.2014.8.
[2] L. Haubold, M. Becker, T. Schuelke, S.H. Kleemann,
C. Hinueber, R. Friedrichs, E. Hoefing, M. Baumann.
Diamond-like carbon coatings for biomedical implants.
51st Annual Technical Conference Proceedings, Society
of Vacuum Coaters (2008).
[3] S. Weissmantel, G. Reisse, D. Rost. Preparation of super
hard amorphous carbon films with low internal stress.
Surf.Coat.Technol.Vol.188-189 (2004) 268–273.
[4] S. Neuville, A. Tagliaferro, Y. Bounouh, S. Vallon, R.
Etemadi, J. Perrin. Dehydrogenation and Enhancement
of sp3 in PECVD a-C:H by catalytic selective etching of
H. Journal of the Proceedings of CIP 95. Antibes Le Vide:
Science, Techniques et Applications. Société Francaise du
Vide, Paris, France. Vol.64 (1995)275
[5]J. Vetter. 60 years of DLC coatings: Historical highlights
and technical review of cathodic arc processes to
synthesize various DLC types, and their evolution for
industrial applications, Surface and Coating Technology
Vol.257 (2014) 213-240
[6] X. Shi X, B.K. Tay, S.P. Lau. The double bend filtered
cathodic arc technology and its applications. J Mod Phys
B. Vol. 14 N°2-3 (2000) 136–153
[7] D.R. McKenzie, E. Muller, E. Kravtchinskaia, D. Segal,
D.J.H. Cockayne, G. Amaratunga, R. Silva. Synthesis,
structure and applications of amorphous diamond. Thin
Solid Films. Vol. 206 N°1-2 (1991) 198– 203.
[8] S. Anders, J.W. Ager Ph III, T.Y. Tsui, I.G. Brown. Heat
treatment of cathodic arc deposited amorphous hard
carbon films. Thin Solid Films. Vol. 308-309 (1997) 186–
190.
[9] H.J. Scheibe, D. Klaffke. Tribological characterization
of hard carbon films prepared by Laser-Arc evaporation.
Surf. Coat Tech. Vol.57 N°2-3 (1993) 111–115.
[10] Y. Lifshitz. Diamond-like carbon present status
Diamond and Related Materials 8 (1999) 1659–1676 [11]
S. Neuville. Antiwear material criteria. JPJ Solids Struct.
Vol. 3, N°1 (2009) 33–42
[12] D. Rats, L. Vandenbulcke, C. Boher, G. Farges, Surf.
Coat. Technol. 94–95 (1997) 555
[13] C. Donnet, A. Erdemir, Tribology of DLC, Springer,
New York, 2008.
[14] S. Neuville and A. Matthews. A perspective on the
optimization of hard carbon and related coatings for
engineering applications. Thin Solid Films, Vol. 515 N°17
(2007) 6619–6653
[15] J. Vetter, A. J. Perry. Advances in cathodic arc
technology using electrons extracted from the Vacuum
arc. Surface and Coatings Technology 61 (1993) 305-309.
[16] A. Hurkmans, D.B. Lewis, W.D. Münz. Runner-Up
Magnetron Sputtered CrNx Coatings as Alternative
to Electroplated Hard Chromium. Surf Eng. Vol 19
N°3(2003)205–210.
[17] L.M. Mallard, M.A. Pimenta, G. Dresselhaus, M.S.
Dresselhaus. Raman spectroscopy in graphene. Phys Rep.
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[18] S. Neuville Carbon Structure Analysis with
Differentiated Raman Spectroscopy Lambert Academic
Press (Eds) (2014) ISBN 978-3-659-48909-9.
[19] S. Neuville. Extension of fundamentals on sp3
growth mechanisms, and stress optimization in hard
carbon coating engineering.JPJ Solids Struct. Vol. 3 N°3.
(2009117–212.
[20] S. Neuville. Quantum electronic mechanisms of
atomic rearrangements during growth of hard carbon
films. Surf.Coat.Technol. Vol. 206 N°4 (2011) 703–726.
[21] J. Robertson. The deposition mechanism of
diamond-like a-C and a-C: H. Diamond Relat Mater. Vol. 3
N°4-6 (1994) 361–368.
[22] I. Kopponen, M. Hakorvrta, R. Lappalainen, J. Appl.
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[23] P.K. Bachmann. W. van Enckevort. Diamond
deposition technologies. Diamond Relat Mater.
Vol.1N°10-11 (1992) 1021 –1034.
[24] Buckley-Golder IM, Collins AT. Active electronic
applications for diamond. Diamond Relat Mater. Vol. 1
N°10-11(1992) 1083–1101
[25] A. Varade, K. N. Reddy, A. Krishna. M. Chellamalai. P.V.
Shashikumar. Detailed Raman Study of DLC Coating on
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Si (100) Made by RF-PECVD. Procedia Engineering. Vol.
97 (2014) p.1452-1456.
[26] A.C. Ferrari, J. Robertson .Raman spectroscopy of
amorphous nanostructured, diamond-like carbon, and
nano-diamond, Phil Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A. Vol. 362 (2004)
pp. 2477-2512.
[27] M.S. Dresselhaus, A. Jorio, A.G. Souza-Filho and R.
Saito, Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. A 368 (2010) 5355– 5377
[28] S. Neuville. J. Condensed Matter Nucl. Sci. 22 (2017)
1–26
[29] J.V. Busch and J.P. Dismukes. Trends and market for
CVD diamond. Diamond and Related Materials Vol. 3
N°4-6 (1994) 295-302.
[30] Absolute Reports. Global Hydrogen free Diamond-
Like Coatings (DLC) Market Research 2017;
[31] S.J. Bull and A.Matthews, Diamond for wear and
corrosion applications. Diamond and Related Materials
Vol.1 N°10-11 (1992) 1049-1064.
[32] G. Dearnaley, J. H. Arps. Biomedical applications of
diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings: A review. Surface
and Coatings Technology Vol. 200, N°7 (2005), p. 2518–
2524
[33] S. Neuville. Advanced ta-C coatings with updated
Fundamentals for Energy Production Efficiency Increase.
AEM 2016 conference Guildford (UK). Materials to day
Proceedings (in Press).
[34] H. Zhu, J. Wei, K. Wang, D. Wu. Application of carbon
materials in photovoltaic solar cells. Solar Energy Materials
and Solar cells Vol.93 (2009) 1461-1470
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BusinessFinance&
Nanocoatings company P2i has secured £10m funding from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank. Ady Moores, P2i,
stated: “As an internationally-focused business we are particularly looking to expand our presence in Asia, where
we already have facilities in Shenzhen and Taipei. Today, nine out of the top ten handset manufacturers come
from this part of the world, so it is particularly important that we are able to service this market properly and take
advantage of the business opportunities opening up there right now.”
Graphene producer Directa Plus has announced its full year results for the year ended 31 December 2016. Revenue
from graphene sales increased by 89% to €0.74 million (2015 revenues excluding MDU – Mobile
Round-up of the latest investments, deals and funding
initiatives in nanotech. April-May 2017.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
Decontamination Units: €0.39 million) (2015 revenues including MDU:
€1.39 million). EBITDA* loss for the year increased to €3.7 million (2015:
€2.7 million). The company delivered 3.1 tonnes of Graphene Plus (G+)
materials (2015: 1.3 tonnes). The company has over 16 active customers
(2015: 7 active customers), 8 of which are global players.
Haydale Graphene Industries has entered a memorandum of
understanding with Nanospan India to collaborate on developing
advanced nano composites for the Indian market.
Nanospan, a graphene application development firm based in India,
will work with Haydale to develop composites focused on the defence,
aerospace and energy sectors in India.
“We are delighted to have entered into this collaboration. Nanospan
have several immediate opportunities in their market sectors and are
well positioned to be our partner for joint R&D and promoting Haydale’s
products and services in India. If our collaboration with them is successful
we anticipate Nanospan developing our Indian centre of excellence,”
said Haydale’s CEO Ray Gibbs in a statement.
The MIT Energy Initiative has awarded 10 seed fund grants for early-stage energy research; 10 projects
were awarded $150,000 each, for a total of $1.5 million, including “Computational design and synthesis of
graphene based fuel forming catalysts.” by Troy Van Voorhis and Yogesh Surendranath from the Department of
Chemistry. Graphene producer Saint Jean Carbon has announced that it intends to raise $2.5 million in two
private placements. The company already closed the first tranche of the common unit offering with a gross
proceeds of $327,500.
The Basel-based pharmaceutical company Novartis has entered into a collaboration with the Canadian
biopharmaceutical company Parvus Therapeutics. The agreement will give Novartis exclusive worldwide
rights to a lead nanomedicine for type 1 diabetes. Parvus Therapeutics developed the Navacim technology. It
is based on nanoparticles coated with disease-relevant peptide-major histocompatibility complexes that alter
the behavior of disease-causing T lymphocyte cells.
Plastic packaging waste is one of the largest problems worldwide. The Indian government reacted to this
problem by banning certain types of plastic packaging. However, a suitable alternative is not yet available
on the Indian market. This offers an opportunity for Bio-Lutions, a company in Hamburg, who just realized
an investment of 500,000 Euros from DEG, the German development and investment association. These investments
are available as a part of the Up-Scaling program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
Development. Bio-Lutions produces biodegradable packaging and disposable tableware from plant waste, for instance
bananas, pineapples or tomatoes. First the plants are dried and then mechanically pulped into micro- or nanofibers.
When these fibers are mixed with water, it can be processed in various forms without the need for additional chemical
binders. It can be shaped into packaging and disposables.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
NANOTECHNEWS
BUSINESS
April-May 2017
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
LABPRODUCTTO
Low-cost, high volume production and ease of integration is crucial for the development of widespread
application of nanotech-enabled products. This month we look at recent developments and breakthroughs.
BASF and Landa Labs have signed strategic long-term partnership to
develop nano-pigments for coatings. Under this exclusive agreement,
BASF will employ Landa’s revolutionary nano-pigment technology in
a new portfolio of easy dispersible ultra-high transparency pigments
marketed under the Colors & Effects brand. This groundbreaking
development will offer unprecedented color depth while significantly
simplifying the production of automotive coatings.
“We are very excited to partner with Landa in this cutting-edge
venture,” said Alexander Haunschild, senior vice president, pigments,
BASF. “We see the remarkable impact that Benny Landa and his
company are having in the printing industry and are proud to bring
this amazing technology to our customers in the automotive coatings
market. This long-term collaboration demonstrates our commitment
to differentiate our customers’ business by bringing new technology
to demanding markets.”
The Landa nano-pigment technology – originally developed for the
printing industry – allows BASF to introduce a new generation of
Colors & Effects pigments with the highest quality consistency for
the final automotive coating. The smaller size and narrower particle
distribution leads to a thinner, higher chroma coating.
BioDirection, a privately held medical
device company developing novel
and rapid point-of-care products for
the diagnosis and management of
concussions and other acquired traumatic
brain injuries, announced that the
company has closed a $2 million interim
Nanotechnology biosensors can rapidly detect and ac-
curately measure protein biomarkers for application in
medical diagnostics.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
CNF TOILET WIPESJapan paper manufacturing giant Daio Paper Corp., has launched a paper toilet cleaner made from cellluose
nanofibers (CNF).
Cellluose nanofibers (CNF) have already found their
way into sanitary products in Japan, with Nippon
Paper Industries’ launching diapers for adults,
comprising CNF in 2015. . Daio Paper Corp., has
also brought a product to the market utilizing the
remarkable properties of CNF. The company says
CNF’s ultrafine fiber composition means that the
product has the capacity to eliminate bacteria and
dirt around toilets that cannot be seen by the naked
eye. The product is also said to be much harder to tear
than conventional paper cleaners for toilets.
financing to support clinical development of the Tbit™ System, the
first technology positioned to deliver a rapid and objective point-of-
care blood test for concussion diagnosis.
The Tbit System uses a patented nanotechnology biosensor to rapidly
detect and accurately measure protein biomarkers that are released
from the brain immediately following a head trauma. The portable
system allows for testing to be performed at the initial stages of
medical diagnosis and intervention. Earlier diagnosis of a concussion
can support more appropriate treatment decisions while reducing
unnecessary head CT scans.
Nippon Paper Industries has established Japan’s largest cellulose
nanofiber (CNF) production line at its plant in the city of Ishinomaki.
“We’re going to grow CNF into a new pillar of our business. This year
is going to be an extremely important one for us,” President Fumio
Manoshiro said at the opening ceremony.
The new, 1.6 billion yen ($14.4 million) production line was set up
inside its Ishinomaki mill, which mainly produces printing paper. The
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
NANOCELLULOSE THERMOPLASTICS
company is targeting annual production of 500 tons. The company
also plans to launch CNF production lines at plants in Shizuoka and
Shimane prefectures.
Quantum Materials Corp and Freschfield PLC have announced the
execution of a funded collaboration agreement by which Quantum will
work with Freschfield to integrate Quantum Materials Corp advanced
Nanomaterials including quantum dot-based solar photovoltaics
into Freschfield’s SmartSkinz. Freschfield has synthesized solar and
hydrogen fuel cell technologies into an outer layer building skin –
SmartSkinz – which creates a perpetual carbon-free energy source,
under any weather condition, time of day and location. Quantum
Materials’ development will focus on developing and deploying
advanced nanomaterials to optimize system performance on
several levels including the building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV)
component of SmartSkinz.
American Process Inc., Will & Co B.V. (Badhoevedorp, the
Netherlands), and P.R.G. B.V. (Gemert, the Netherlands) have
signed a Joint Development Agreement to develop, produce and
supply ready-to-use thermoplastic compounds reinforced with
nanocellulose. While conventional cellulose-based fibers are currently
used in plastic compounding for commercial products, high aspect
ratio, crystalline nanocellulose can offer unique features including
enhanced mechanical properties.
BioCurrent Technologies, a microbe-
based, sustainable nanomaterials company,
was named “Best in Show” by the audience
and “Most Fundable” by the investor panel
at MABA’s 1st Pitch Life Science New Jersey
event held on April 18, 2017 at Rutgers
University in Piscataway, N.J. The company
is developing natural biowire technologies
to replace environmentally harmful, finite
and expensive nanotubes and other
nanotechnologies.
Nanocellulose is a novel, renew-
able performance material.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
announced it will delay the effective date of its new Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) reporting and record-
keeping requirements for nanoscale materials until
August 14, 2017.
Initially set to take effect on May 12, the new TSCA rule
requires manufacturers, importers, and processors of
nanoscale materials to submit a one-time electronic
report to EPA. Submission requirements include specific
chemical identity, production volume, method of
manufacture and processing, use data, exposure and
release information, and available health and safety data
for the nanomaterial.
The Rule includes new regulatory definitions for the terms
“nanomaterials” and “unique and novel properties.” It also
exempts certain materials—including certain biological
materials like DNA and RNA—from the new reporting
requirements. The extension follows repeated requests
for increased guidance on several aspects of the rule.
Government, regulation & policy news
EPA DELAYS DATE OF NANOMATERIALS RULE
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
NRC funds carbon nano-tube mesh for oil spills
Natural Resources Canada (NRC) is providing $1.7m to the University
of Alberta-based nanotechnology accelerator Ingenuity Lab to fund
the ongoing development of carbon nanotube mesh to clean-up oil
spills. Using a carbon nanotube mesh combined with other minerals
and polymers, Ingenuity Lab’s system acts as a sponge that attracts and
absorbs oil underwater. When it is fully saturated with oil, the mesh
is then removed from the water and exposed to heat, electricity or
ultraviolet light, causing it to expel the collected oil. The technology is
far more advanced than current methods of containing a spill, which
usually involve floating booms and skimming oil from the water’s surface.
Ingenuity Lab’s system would make a substantial difference should the
world see another event on the scale of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon
disaster, or the Exxon Valdez spill of 1989.
The European Commission (EC) has issued checklists for
applicants submitting dossiers on cosmetic ingredients
to be evaluated by its Scientific Committee on Consumer
Safety (SCCS).
Nanomaterials are included in the checklists there is a
requirement for EC to be notified six months prior to
marketing of a cosmetic product containing nanomaterials
and that nanoscale ingredients be labelled. Read the
checklist at https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01517682/
document
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has created
a web page for the Nanomaterials Expert Group
(NMEP), . NMEP aims to seek common ground among
experts on scientific and technical issues regarding
the implementation of the Registration, Evaluation,
Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
regulation, the Classification, Labeling, and Packaging (CLP)
regulation, and the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)
for nanomaterials. Read more at https://echa.europa.eu/
regulations/nanomaterials/nanomaterials-expert-group
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PHOTONICS&ELECTRONICS
Rice University researchers have received
$1 million from the Department
of Energy (DoE) to develop carbon
nanofibers for application in electric
motor components. The fibers boast high strength
and conductivity and far better flexibility than
metal wires. They have been investigated for use as
conductive links in damaged hearts, as brain implants
and for data and low-power applications. “Our
carbon nanotube fiber technology is already at the
leading edge for such new applications as medical
electronics, wearables and electronic textiles,” Rice
University chemist Matteo Pasquali stated. “With
conductivity improvements of 20 to 30 percent, we
can greatly expand the application range to include
metal wire replacement for mobile applications.”
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
Nanosys has received
the 2017 Display Industry
Awards (DIA) Display
Component of the Year
award for its Hyperion
Quantum Dot technology
from the Society for
Quantum Dot films do not require an exemption
to the European Union’s Restriction on Hazardous
Substances (RoHS) Directive.
Hyperion Quantum Dots are made using a
novel manufacturing technique that combines
a cadmium-free red emitter with an ultra-low
cadmium green emitter.
Information Display (SID).
Presented by the SID, the 2017 DIAs recognize innovative
display products, components, and applications that hold
the most promise for shaping the future of the global
display industry.
Nanosys has selected global electronic materials
manufacturer Hitachi Chemical as the lead manufacturing
partner for Hyperion QDEF. Hitachi Chemical will begin
sampling quantum dot film using Nanosys Hyperion
Quantum Dot Technology. Mass production volumes will be
available to display makers during the second half of 2017.
Hyperion Quantum Dots match the color performance
of the industry’s best cadmium-based quantum dot
materials with over 90% BT.2020 color gamut coverage.
However, unlike cadmium-based materials, Hyperion
NANOCO SIGNS OLED AGREEMENTQuantum Dots producer Nanoco Group plc
and Kyulux Inc., a company developing next
generation of organic light emitting diode (OLED)
technology have announced the signing of a
collaboration and joint development agreement.
Under the agreement, Nanoco’s heavy metal
free quantum dots (CFQD quantum dots) will
be combined with Kyulux’s Hyperflourescent
‘thermally activated delayed fluorescence’
(“TADF”) technology to create hybrid OLED / QLED
for the display market. Under the terms of the
agreement, Nanoco and Kyulux will jointly develop
and market this future display technology.
Quantum Materials Corp. has announced that the
United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted
Quantum Materials CorpPatent # 9577149 for the
continuous synthesis of high quantum yield InP/ZnS
nanocrystals.
“This is an important milestone in consolidating and
particular quantum dots (QD) - conducted in a micro-reaction system comprising at least one mixing chamber
connected to one reaction chamber. “We have begun continuous-flow volume production of high-efficiency blue
quantum dots that we believe will play an important role in the future of quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-
LEDs). Prior to this point, blue quantum dots exhibited unfavorable energy levels in comparison to red and green
quantum dots with respect to device efficiency,” Mr. Squire concluded.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
protecting our intellectual property
for large scale volume synthesis
of non-cadmium quantum dots,”
Quantum Materials founder and CEO
Stephen Squires stated. “Continuous
synthesis micro-reaction technology
is the solution for synthesis of high-
quality nanoparticles due to the many
advantages our patented process
provides, including precise temperature
control, mixing efficiencies, fast reaction
speed and parallel operation for scalable
volume production.”
United States Patent # 9577149 covers
the continuous-flow synthesis process
for the preparation of high quality
indium phosphide/zinc sulfide core/
shell semiconducting nanocrystals - in
QD GAMING MONITORSAcer has unveiled two new 27-
inch Predator gaming monitors
that incorporate Quantum Dot
(QD) technology, The use of
QDS offers a wider color range
with higher brightness, deeper
saturation and better accuracy
to offer dramatically more vivid
visuals with the Predator X27
supporting 99% of the Adobe RGB
color space, and Predator Z271UV
covering 130% of the sRGB color
space. With a Quantum Dot film
that is coated with nano-sized
dots of various types that emit very
specific colored lights, the new
displays can produce a wider color
gamut compared to standard
monitors, increasing color purity
and efficiency.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
NEW EXOCOAT COATINGS
At the booth at the ECS the presentation of the brand new range of products has turned out
to be a big success! For three days, without interruption, the team from France and Singapore
has been talking to interested formulators, applicators and distributors, some representing
the big players. It’s been an exhaustive experience and it has been grateful to see that the
choice of technologies and the way in which these were presented gave so much positive
feedback from the market. The EXOCOAT line of products is responding to real needs of
professional coating formulators in search of advanced and smarter functions. Our next
challenge is to follow up with all new contacts made and expand the number of partnerships.
Also technology-wise developments continue, with the help of feedback from the market.
Axcentive have developed state of the art technologies responding to professional needs. The
EXOCOAT technology empowers formulators to address these needs.
Further information on EXOCOAT by Axcentive can be obtained from www.axcentive.com.
It was Axcentive’s first participation to the
European Coating Show in Nuremberg and
it immediately made an impressive splash in
the coating market.
Already globally present for years with its
Ketjenflex® additives, Axcentive has taken
a Smart direction by presenting its new
EXOCOAT technologies.
EXOCOAT products add functionalities like
easy to clean, self-cleaning, anti-fogging
and superhydrophobicity to coatings. The
products offered are based on different
technologies:
- Organometallic polymers
- Doped photocatalytic nano-
titanium oxide
- Sol-gel-technology
- Superhydrophylic polymers and
- Nano-spheres capable of creating
a superhydrophobic surface with contact
angles of more than 140°
Axcentive presents new EXOCOAT COATINGS at the 2017 European
Coatings Show in Nurnberg
ADVERTORIAL
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
GRAPHENENEWSBUSINESS
Zenyatta Ventures
Ltd. has completed
successful testing
of the Company’s
graphene oxide material by a
leading U.S. based advanced
materials company (‘U.S. Co.’)
developing silicon-graphene
anodes for the next generation of
lithium-ion batteries. Preliminary
results show ease of processing
with Zenyatta’s graphene oxide
and similar electrochemical
performance compared to the
control material that is currently
being used by U.S. Co. The superior
dispersion qualities and good
electrochemical performance
of the Company’s graphene
oxide are desirable properties
for this silicon-graphene battery
application. Zenyatta’s high-purity
graphite was recently converted
to graphene oxide by Dr. Aicheng
Chen, Professor at Lakehead
University, and then sent to the
U.S. Co. for testing as an advanced
nanomaterial in a new Lithium-
ion battery.
Lithium-ion batteries are
widely used globally
for portable electronic
devices and electric
vehicles. Unfortunately, lithium-
ion batteries still lack the
required level of energy storage
to completely meet the demands
of such applications as electric
vehicles. A new silicon-graphene
composite anode enables higher
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
GRAPHENE MEMBRANEUniversity of Arkansas researchers have
discovered a simple and scalable method
for turning graphene oxide into a non-
flammable and paper-like graphene
membrane that can be used in large-scale
production.
“Due to their mechanical strength and
excellent charge and heat conductivities,
graphene-based materials have generated
enormous excitement,” said Ryan Tian,
associate professor of inorganic chemistry
in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts
and Sciences. “But high flammability
jeopardizes the material’s promise for
large-scale manufacturing and wide
applications.”
Graphene’s extremely high flammability
has been an obstacle to further
development and commercialization.
However, this new discovery makes it
possible to mass-produce graphene and
graphene membranes to improve a host
of products, from fuel cells to solar cells
to supercapacitors and sensors. Tian has a
provisional patent for this new discovery.
Using metal ions with three or more positive
charges, researchers in Tian’s laboratory
bonded graphene-oxide flakes into a
transparent membrane. This new form of
carbon-polymer sheet is flexible, nontoxic
and mechanically strong, in addition to
being non-flammable.
The adaption of
silicon-graphene
based anode
batteries could
further
accelerate the
fast growing
market for ener-
gy storage.
capacity and faster charging batteries
that could meet consumer demand
for increasing power and range.
Aubrey Eveleigh, President
and CEO of Zenyatta,
commented, “Given
the present limitations
on the existing lithium-ion battery,
the World needs to develop a super‐
battery. Silicon-graphene is the next
generation anode being developed for
batteries by many advanced material
companies. Zenyatta’s graphene oxide
has properties that make it a suitable
material to be used with silicon in
these next generation Lithium-ion
batteries. While silicon has many times
the capacity of graphite, it cannot be
used alone due to rapid degradation.
A significant amount of research has
been carried out to encapsulate silicon
in a graphene material to enhance the
cycle life while also increasing charge
capacity and durability for advanced
lithium-ion batteries.”
U.S. Co. will continue
to carry out advanced
testing on Zenyatta’s
graphene oxide for use
in Lithium-ion anode composite
material.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
Chinese company
Shandong Longju New
Materials Technology
Co., which is backed
by Shandong Longlive
Bio-Technology Co., has
completed the installation
development, exploitation and commercial
production of a range of graphene- ‐enhanced
products. The proposed joint venture would
leverage high purity LGR- produced vein graphite.
Haydale Graphene Industries PLC (LON:HAYD)
has raised £470,000, the final tranche of a £3.6mln
arrangement with New York based technology
and commissioning of a pilot biomass graphene
production line and has put it into operation
The facility uses corncob waste generated by Shandong
Longlive to make few-layer biomass graphene, the
statement said, citing Ningbo Institute of Materials
Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences test
results. The production line’s annual capacity is five tons
and is expected to increase to 300 tons.
A new UK-China collaborative project is developing a
sensor to provide an easy, low-cost method of diagnosing
hepatitis on the spot using graphene. The sensor will be
the first to simultaneously test for three types of hepatitis
– A, B and C – out of the five types that exist. The multi-
partner project, supported by the UK’s Newton Fund and
led by BIOVICI, will bring together the National Physical
Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s National Measurement
Institute; the University of Chongqing; Swansea
University; and industry partner CTN, to develop this new
diagnostic technology.
Graphene NanoChem has received two purchase orders
worth US$589,680 for its ‘smart’ fluid, PlatDrill R. The orders,
from a leading oil and gas company, are for deployment in
the near term in Myanmar. Jespal Deol, Graphene’s chief
executive officer: “We are pleased to announce our latest
commercial orders from Myanmar and see huge potential
market opportunity from the resumption of drilling activity.
“These orders are a continuing validation of our products
value proposition and is another milestone for Graphene
NanoChem and its ongoing partnership with Scomi Oil.”
Lanka Graphite has entered into a Heads of Agreement
(HOA) with Global Graphene Group (G3), for the purpose
of advancing toward a formation of a joint venture for
TALGA CEMENT TRIALS PROVE A SUCCESS
Outstanding concrete strength test results
using Talga graphene.
Australian technology minerals company, Talga
Resources Ltd. has achieved outstanding initial
concrete prototype strength results from trials
undertaken at the commercial concrete/cement
laboratory of Betotech Baustofflabor GmbH in
Germany. Graphene and graphite enhanced
cement and concrete are key priority product
targets within Talga’s four prime industry
sectors, being; construction materials, coatings,
composites and energy storage. Concrete test
prototypes were formulated with Talga graphene
and graphite additives combined with a European
industry cement and aggregate mixture. Results
from the trial showed significant increases, circa
26% in flexural strength and 14% in compressive
strength, using Talga materials over reference
concrete at 28 days cure time.
investor Everpower.
Haydale CEO Ray Gibbs said: “We are delighted that
the subscription agreement has now completed and
we can now commence negotiations on the exclusive
binding collaboration agreement with Everpower to
manufacture, supply and market existing Haydale
respiratory disease can wear around their neck or on their wrist and blow into it periodically to predict the onset of an
asthma attack or other problems,” said Mehdi Javanmard, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and
Computer Engineering. “It advances the field of personalized and precision medicine.”
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
products and develop nanomaterials
and new graphene products for the
Chinese market.”
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
scientists have created a graphene-
based sensor that could lead to earlier
detection of looming asthma attacks
and improve the management of
asthma and other respiratory diseases,
preventing hospitalizations and deaths.
The sensor paves the way for the
development of devices - possibly
resembling fitness trackers like the Fitbit
- which people could wear and then
know when and at what dosage to take
their medication.
“Our vision is to develop a device that
someone with asthma or another
GRAPHENE PRODUCTIONThe synthesis of graphene oxide
involves the oxidation of graphite
under severe conditions (requiring
a strong oxidizing reagent and
an acidic solvent),-therefore mass
production has been hindered by
significant challenges.
Japanese company Nippon
Shokubai Co. claims to have
resolved various problems
associated with the oxidation
reaction, making it possible to
scale up production far in excess
of laboratory scale production.
The method was developed in
collaboration with Okayama
University and the company can
now supply commercial quantities
of graphene oxide.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
NANONEWSCOATINGS
The first graphene-infused paints commercially available
in the UK are now on sale from The Graphene Company .
Graphene’s inclusion in paints, coatings and other building
materials exponentially enhances hardness, durability,
compression, tensile strength, elasticity and coverage. It reduces
the weight of materials and delivers significant savings in materials
consumption, maintenance, manpower and costs. The paints are
designed to improve the sustainable and healthy environment
credentials of buildings. It is the only paint in the world to have
achieved the Cradle-To-Cradle Gold Standard for the manufacturer’s
commitment to sustainability. Read more at http://www.thegraphene.
co.uk
Tesla Nanocoatings is currently seeking to raise $5 million in capital.
According to CEO Todd Hawkins “The capital will support our growth,
and it will also support some new product opportunities we need to
pursue.” The company is targetting anti-corrosion nanocoatings in the
oil and gas sector. Read more at http://www.teslanano.com/
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Duralar Technologies has introduced a new
ArmorLube™ coating. Providing both dry lubrication
and exceptional hardness, the coating is designed
to enhance the performance of a range of metal
products and parts in firearms, automotive, oil &
gas and many other industries. Read more at http://
duralar.com/company/
NBD Nanotechnologies has established
a partnership agreement with Mendener
Präzisionsrohr GmbH (MPG), a leading international
condenser tube manufacturer. Under the terms
of the agreement, MPG will incorporate NBD’s
RepelShell coating on the condenser tubes it sells to
its power plants customers. This coating helps plants
run more efficiently and reduce their overall carbon
footprint.
The steam-electric generation power industry has
long been seeking ways to improve the efficiency of
converting steam back into water. Today condenser
cooling tubes are used to facilitate the steam-water
conversion cycle.
NBD Nano’s RepelShell coating is specifically
designed to increase the rate of dropwise
condensation on metal surfaces. When this coating is
applied to MPG’s tube, the nucleation of the droplets
is greatly enhanced. The result is a greater efficiency
of heat transfer and direct fuel savings of the system.
NBD has successfully piloted this technology in a
coal-fired power plant, and it will integrate seamlessly
into MPG’s existing manufacturing processes. Read
more at http://nbdnano.com/
Intertec has launched an antistatic surface coating
treatment for its GRP (glassfiber reinforced polyester)
outdoor enclosures.
Developed specially for Intertec by the chemical
specialist BÜFA, the new nanotubes-based coating
also boosts protection against damage from
ultraviolet radiation- helping to achieve extended
maintenance-free lifecycles of field-based control and
instrumentation equipment in processing industries
such as oil, gas, chemicals and petrochemicals.
Dubbed GO-Antistatic, the new treatment is based
on an advanced carbon nanotube material that
is applied as part of a surface gelcoat. BÜFA chose
single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)
to provide the required conductivity and
has developed proprietary techniques
to disperse the SWCNTs in the coating
material. This approach provides
numerous benefits largely because
SWCNTs are incredibly small - around
1-2 nanometres in diameter - which
increases smoothness at the surface
level of the coating. The gloss retention
(smoothness) after accelerated
weathering tests is about 50% better
than the previous formulation, and
is on the same level as non-antistatic
gelcoats. This significantly improves UV
resistance, and additionally virtually
eliminates any effect on the use of any
decorative colourings. Read more at
www.intertec.info and www.buefa.de
Researchers from Cornell University
have developed a new nanocoating for
clothes that makes them resistant to oil.
The researchers have submitted a patent
disclosure to the Center for Technology
Licensing (CTL) - that could help change
the way oleophobicity is developed. A
provisional patent for the material has
been filed by CTL.
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WATERPROOFING ELECTRONICS
Most major handheld electronics
manufacturers have made their devices
water resistant in the last two years, with
Apple, Samsung and Sony joining Nokia,
Motorola and Huawei in waterproofing
smartphones.
There are several innovative application
developers now producing protective
hydrophobic, superhydrophobic and
oleophobic (HSHO) nanocoatings to treat
electronic devices, including: cellular
phones, smart phones, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), music players, cameras,
video recorders, computers, tablet
computers, batteries, e-readers, radio
devices and gaming devices. Electronics
is the main current market for HSHO
nanocoatings at present and the market
will witness increased growth in the next
few years.
Figure 1: PowerSkin protected by
DryWired’s 101X Liquid Nanocoating
submerged in water (DryWired).
These coatings provide electronic
components with water protection from
humidity to full water immersion. can be
use.
As well as providing a direct barrier
to moisture, these coatings can also
incorporate anti-icing, anti-corrosion, anti-
fouling, and anti-microbial functionalities.
Synthesis and applications techniques
vary between application developers.
Act Nano
ACTnano’s Advanced nanoGUARD (ANG)
100 series are used to moisture proof
electronics. Read more at http://actnano.
com/Applications.html
Aculon
The company develops NanoProof®
hydrophobic and oleophobic range of
coatings and also produces hydrophilic
and adhesion promoting coatings. Main
target markets are electronics and oil
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2017
and gas. Read more at http://www.aculon.com/
nanoproofpcbrepellency.php
Drywired
The company’s 101X Liquid Nanocoating, technology
is effective on all types of assembled devices and
electronic components. Read more at https://drywired.
com/101x-hydrophobic-electronics-nanocoating/
Europlasma
The Nanofics fluoropolymer coatings are hydrophobic,
oleophobic, resistant to sweat, acid and salt and
resistant to elevated temperatures. Read more at http://
www.europlasma.be/
HZO
The company produces WaterBlock™ technology for
consumer and industrial electronic assemblies. The
company deposits its nanocoating formulation using
proprietary vacuum application methods that they
have scaled-up. Read more at http://www.hzo.com/
Integrated Surface Technologies, Inc.
The company produces Repellix™, a ceramic
nanocomposite coating for Printed Circuit Boards
(PCBs). The coatings are used to watersafe electronic
devices. Read more at http://insurftech.com/
Liquipel LLC
The company produces the AGUAGUARD™ range of
waterproof coatings for smartphones. Read more at
http://www.liquipel.com/
Lotus Lead Coatings
The company manufactures and distributes proprietary
superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic coatings.
The superhydrophobic coating, HydroFoe™ has been
applied to consumer electronics applications. Read
more at http://lotusleafcoatings.com/
Nelum Sciences LLC
The company is developing low-cost, consumer friendly,
superhydrophobic coating materials that can be
Company Synthesis method/coatings technique Product
Aculon Proprietary Transition Metal Complexate
technology (TMC) and fluorinated acrylic
polymers.
NanoProof®
Drywired Low-pressure vacuum plasma. 101X Liquid Nanocoating
Europlasma Plasma. Nanofics
HZO Proprietary vacuum application. WaterBlock™
Liquipel Plasma. AQUAGUARD™
P2i Pulsed Plasma Deposition Process. P2i Splash-proof
Semblant Plasma. MobileShield™
Source: Future Markets.
Table 1: Main hydrophobic, superhydrophobic nanocoatings product developers in waterproofing
electronics and coatings techniques.
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applied to a wide range of surfaces (e.g. plastics, Si, glass
and fabrics) while maintaining the substrate optical
properties. The company is also developing tunable,
superhydrophilic and superoleophobic coatings and
adhesives. http://nelumsciences.com/about-us/
P2i
The company’s hydrophobic nanocoatings are used
by Nokia, Motorola and Huawei. The company recently
secured £10 million investment deal with Clydesdale
and Yorkshire Bank. Read more at www.p2i.com
Semblant
The company produces a patented MobileShield™
smartphone waterproofing technology. According
to the company over 1 million units/day are currently
in production. Semblant’s technology uses nontoxic
precursor materials to create complex and unique
nanopolymer shield layers that protect mobile devices
against multiple elements.
In March 2017 the company signed production
qualification agreements with three leading China
smartphone manufacturers related to its technology.
Read more at http://www.semblant.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13xSfxrCw74
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R6WX9B2-O8
Waterfi
The company’s Dual Layer waterproofing technology
is a patent pending, two-step comprehensive process
that completely waterproofs and corrosion proofs
electronics on the inside. Read more at http://waterfi.
com/
REFERENCES
The Global Market for Hydrophobic,
Superhydrophobic and Oleophobic Coatings and
Surfaces, Published May 2017, Future Markets, Inc.
Read more at http://www.futuremarketsinc.com/the-
global-market-for-hydrophobic-superhydrophobic-
and-oleophobic-coatings-and-surfaces/