IEEE Nanotechnology Symposium – Session 4 – Nano Materials

Here are the highlights from Session 4 – Nano Materials from day two of the IEEE San Francisco Bay Area Nanotechnology Council 6^th Annual Symposium“Nanotechnology: State of the Art & Applications”

Presentation archive for talks not linked below. Updated as the council receives the presentations.

Eric Granstrom, General Manager and V.P. of R&D, Cima NanoTech – “Self Aligning Nano Technology for Electronics.”

• First product Self Aligning Nano Technology for Transparent Electronics (SANTE) is transparent conductive film produced by self aligning silver nanoparticles.
• For the same transparency, it has 1/10 the resistance of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).  Also doesn’t yellow shift the color.
• Based upon current consumption, it is projected that there is only a 7 year supply of ITO.  China controls 80% of this supply.
• Largest initial market is displays which have one or more (LCDs have two) conductive films.
• Solar is another application since it would:
  • Reduce the area of the solar cell blocked by the conductors.  Up to 10% improvement may be possible.
  • Enable thinner Si wafers since it takes less pressure to attach than the current silkscreen.
  • Process “tons” of silver nanoparticles per year.  Films are produced by the kilometer roll.

Dr. Wenbing Yun, CTO, Xradia, “Nondestructive 3D Visualization of Nanoworld.”

• X-ray computed tomography (CT) based upon technology initially developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.
• Can image down to 25 nm resolution.  Only player in “Nano CT” space with systems that have resolution below 1 um.
• CT avoids issues of artifacts from sample preparation (as seen with SEMs)
• Excellent looking high aspect ratio structures for the Zone Plate lens (450 nm high by 50 nm wide features) & calibration standards (650 nm high by 50 nm line/space).
• Many surprising uses of the technology – including measuring paper coatings and oil porosity.

Dr. Walter Trybula, IEEE Distinguished Lecturer and Director Nanomaterials Application Center – Texas State University, “Safely Handling NanoMaterials.”

• Need systematic approach to nano safety since not all the answers are known and often there are not even clear definitions. Current knowledge provides directions but not absolutes.
• A big challenge is that the behavior – including toxicity – of nanomaterials change with size.  So hard to generally classify.
• Issue with definition – 26 different government agencies involved, each with different rules.
• Proactive work is required, especially in educational institutes