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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

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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


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

4


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.

5


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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- 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.

7


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

8


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

9


(~ 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 $).

10


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.

Vol. 473 N°5-6 (2009) 51 –87.

[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.

Phys. Vol.78 N°9 (1995) 5837.

[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

12


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.

13


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.

14


NANOTECHNEWS

BUSINESS

April-May 2017

15


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.

16


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

17


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.

18


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

19


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

20


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.”

21


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.

22


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.

23


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

24


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

25


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.

26


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.”

27


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.

28


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/

29


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.

30


31


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

32


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.

33


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/

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