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NANOTECHApril-May 2019
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 #57
Ice
GRAPHENEPRODUCTS
IN
CoatingsResistant
Nanotech Magazine is published by Future Markets, the world’s leading publisher of market
information on advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Latest develop,ents and market for anti-icing,
ice-repellant and icephobic coatings. All the latest nanotech product news.
Market focus on what’s happening in
nanotech research, energy, sensors, coatings,
medicine, electronics and graphene.
NANOTECH
LATEST NEWS
PRODUCTS
New products hit the market this
month.
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TABLE OF
THIS MONTH
MARKET FOCUS
CONTENT
The market for ice-resistant coatings
is driven by demand from aviation,
transportation, marine and wind
energy. We look at applications,
technologies and companies.
Nanocoated salt-based energy
storage technology production.
Quantum dots for high resolution,
lower cost camera sensors.
Gra
phen
e/si
licon
com
posi
te a
node
mat
eria
l w
hich
ca
n in
crea
se
the
capa
city
of L
i-Ion
bat
teri
es.
Latest product and production
news in nanocellulose.
Latest investments, commercial
agreements and rounds of finance.
P.04
P.14
P.10
P.20
P.15
P.16
P.10
P.13 Carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires
conductive films to reduce the radio frequency
(RF) energy exposure from smartphones.
New quantum dot products in
displays, medical and solar.
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MARKET FOCUS
FROM EDITORNOTE
Recent company acquisitions in
cellulose nanofibers.
New cellulose nanocrystal
production initiatives and funding.
Graphene product news April-May
2019.
Graphene batteries for electric bikes and
vehicles in China.
P.17
P.17
P.18
P.20
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all the latest monthly news and views on this
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Quantum dots are THE nanomaterials success
story. Quantum-dot enhancement film is widely
used in LEDs for high definition televisions and
displays, and are a multi-billion dollar market.
However, what we have seen so far is the tip of
the iceberg.
The next wave of QD display products will
incorporate quantum dots on glass, quantum
dot colour filters (QDCF) for microLEDS and
displays, perovskite QDs and inkjet printed QDs.
These areas are all under development by major
electronics manufacturers such as Samsung and
LG Display. According to major QD producer
Nanosys, electroluminescent quantum-dot
(ELQD) displays, which could subsume the OLED
market, are also just around the corner. The
proliferation of the consumer electronics market
will continue to drive demand for these materials
and this month also sees product development
initiative in camera sensors and biomedicine.
P.21New silver nanowire-based ink for
conductivity and flexibility in displays.
P.22Nanotech government, regulation
and policy news.
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MARKET
ICE-RESISTANTFOCUS
The market for ice-resis-tant coatings is driven by
demand from aviation, transportation, marine
and wind energy.
COATINGSIce resistant coatings, also know as anti-icing,
ice-repellant and icephobic coatings repel water
droplets, delay ice nucleation and significantly
reduce ice adhesion on surfaces. Ice-resistance is
desirable for a variety of surfaces including aircraft
(fixed and rotary wing), vehicles, ships, camera lenses,
road signs, protective eyewear, buildings, antennae,
power lines, and bridges.
The use of ice-resistant coating systems has several
advantages over existing methods for mitigating the
build-up of ice including:
• no energy required
• can be retrofitted
• enhancement of product value.
• reduction in costs and energy consumption.
• improve performance of technical goods.
• environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to
solve the issue of ice formation and accretion.
• mitigate safety concerns and issues.
Ice formation and accretion on surfaces is a major
problem in various industries from transportation to
energy generation, leading to equipment failure and
high energy loss.1 2
To deal with this problem, surface-coatings
techniques based on thermal, chemical, and
mechanical methods have been implemented to
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ICE-RESISTANTCOATINGS
attain anti-icing properties; however, most of these
rely on complicated processes that require expensive
equipment and labour-intensive procedures with
detrimental environmental consequences. This
has opened opportunities for new nanocoatings
technologies.
Superhydrophobic coatings
Superhydrophobic surfaces possess extraordinary water
repelling properties due to their low surface energy and
specific nanometer- and micrometer-scale roughness.3
A superhydrophobic surface is able to repel water
droplets completely; such surfaces exhibit water droplet
advancing contact angles (CAs) of 150o or higher and
sliding angles (SAs) < 10°. The theoretical limit for CAs is
180o. Researchers at ORNL has developed surfaces with
CAs of >179o.
Superhydrophobic coatings enhance anti-icing
properties by:
• delaying ice formation.4
• enhancing the dynamic anti-icing behaviour of water
droplets impacting the SHP surface.5
• reducing the ice adhesion strength.6
Figure 1: Superhydrophobic coatings on glass.
Image: ORNL.
However, a large number of investigations have shown
that frost can build up within the micro/nanostructured
features of superhydrophobic surfaces under sub-zero
conditions, leading to the anchoring of ice, which in
turn results in the increase of ice adhesion during icing/
deicing cycles. Frost can build up within the micro/
nanostructured features of superhydrophobic surfaces
under sub-zero conditions, leading to the anchoring of
ice, which in turn results in the increase of ice adhesion
during icing/de-icing cycle.7 8 9
Also, with regular exposure to weather such as freezing
rain, the icephobicity of the coatings decreases to a
significant extent after a few thawing freezing/thawing
cycles.10 11 12 However, other researchers have since
demonstrated that superhydrophobic nanocoatings
display high stability against periodic crystallisation of
water contacting the coatings.13 14
Omniphobic coatings
Among all the attributes of superhydrophobic coatings,
the most challenging is to achieve multi-functionality
that includes super-omniphobicity (completely repels
both water and oil), high transparency with minimal
haze, and mechanical durability. Over the past few years,
researchers have proposed oleophobic and omniphobic
surfaces that repel most organic liquids, therefore
negating the problems faced by superhydrophobic
coatings (e.g. coatings are usually fragile, surfaces can be
fouled by contaminants, and condensation can induce
intrusion).
Surfaces that are capable of supporting non-wetting
interfaces for both high and low surface tension liquid
droplets are considered to be omniphobic. Most
fabricated superhydrophobic micro/nano-structured
surfaces are not suitable to support non-wetting states
for low surface tension liquids, such as oils and alcohols.
To overcome this limitation, researchers have engineered
surfaces with topographic features having specialized
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reentrant geometries, such as:
• inverse trapezoidal.15
• serif-T. 16 17
• mushroom.18 19 20
• micro-hoodoo.21 22
• micro-nail structures. 23
On such surfaces, deposited droplets remain pinned at
the sharp edge of the reentrant structures, where the
meniscus generates an upward force that resists droplet
collapse into the surface cavities, even for low surface
tension liquids.
Figure 2: SLIPS technology coating.
Image: Adaptive Surface Technologies, Inc.
One strategy for creating omniphobic surfaces is slippery
liquid-infused porous surfaces (SLIPSs) that are “liquid-
like” developed at the University of Harvard. Inspired
by the Nepenthes pitcher plant. SLIPSs do not require
pressure-dependent metastable states but involve
dynamic liquid/liquid/vapor contact line motion.24 25 26
Advantages of this approach include functioning under
extreme high-pressure conditions, self-healing and anti-
icing properties. 27
Phase switching materials
Novel ice-phobic coatings have been developed that
employ organophosphorous phase change materials
(PCMs). PCMs exist in a passive or dormant state under
most environmental conditions, but PCMs undergo solid-
solid phase changes over a narrow temperature range
slightly below at which ice formation occurs. As ice forms
on the surface, some of the latent heat of freezing passes
to PCMs. This heat is absorbed by the PCMs and causes
local strain on the coating surface and results in removal
of the ice. Minimal force (<1psi) is required to remove ice
from test surfaces treated with PCM ice-phobic coating
technology.
Graphene coatings
Graphene-based de-icing composites and anti-icing
coatings are of great interest due to exceptional thermal,
electrical and mechanical properties of graphene.
Advantages of the use of graphene include:
• Delays ice formation
• Lowers the temperature of the freezing onset
• Prevents fogging
• Transparent
• Extremely lightweight
• Strong and durable
• An efficient conductor.
The use of graphene coatings can accelerate the internal
heat transfer of the composite materials, improving the
anti-icing and de-icing efficiency of aerospace and wind
turbine components.
Figure 3: Graphon Coating for use in conductive
heating coatings for de-icing.
Image: CSIRO.
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Currently, fibre reinforced polymer composites are
increasingly popular in aerospace, automobile and civil
engineering industries due to their higher strength and
lower weight. However, ice accumulation reduces the
advantages that the composite brings to the structure.
The electro-thermal system is identified as one of the most
promising de-icing systems for polymer composites, as it
does not cause delamination and damage to composite
structure. However, the application of the electro-
thermal system within composites is limited by the
poor thermal conductivity and high thermal sensitivity
of polymeric materials. Many studies have reported uses
of conductive polymers, metals, CNT and carbon black
to make conductive polymer composites; however, they
still suffer from poor thermal and electrical conductivity,
and higher energy consumption. Therefore, it is desirable
to use a conductive material that can provide excellent
electro-thermal properties as well as can achieve desired
temperature without compromising existing mechanical
and thermal properties of composites.
CSIRO has created a new form of graphitic material
that’s conductive, easy to apply and offers greater control
over performance than graphene. GraphON can also be
manufactured cheaper and easier, with more flexibility
and less hazardous waste than comparable products.
The materials can be used in applications in electrical
heating (de-icing) for aerospace applications. It can
be mixed into polymers or paints to create a surface
coating that conducts heat or electricity. GraphON can
be manufactured with flow chemistry, guaranteeing a
product that’s safe, efficient, cost-effective and consistent.
SAAB has filed a patent for the development of de-icing
coatings. The graphene additive could strengthen the
acrylics and shield against EMI interference.28 Lockheed
Martin is working with Rice University on graphene de-
icing coatings.29
Companies
Adaptive Surface Technologies, Inc.
USA
https://adaptivesurface.tech/
Adaptive Surface Technologies (formerly SLIPS
Technologies) is a spin-out from Harvard University. The
company launched in October 2014 with a $3 million
Series A financing led by BASF Venture Capital. SLIPS
(Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces) changes the
surface of a solid material into a microscopically thin
and ultra-smooth (friction-free) immobilized “sea” of
lubricant.
SLIPS creates a stable and immobilized liquid lubricant
overlayer (LOL) and this "liquid surface" provides extremely
slippery (low contact angle hysteresis) and non-sticky
surfaces against a wide range of viscous contaminants,
biofouling, ice and frost.
Alchemy Nano
Canada
https://alchemynano.com/
Alchemy is a spin-out from the University of Waterloo.
The company’s Exoshield films use multi-layer nano
composites to protect a vehicle's windows and
windshields from natural and seasonal elements, such as
insulating against summer heat, preventing frost during
winters, and avoiding stone chips. It caters to autonomous
vehicles, windshield protection, and defense and security
applications.
The company's products are available through a global
network of distributors. Alchemy was formerly known as
Neverfrost, Inc.
AF220 Anti-frost nanocoating is designed to prevent
formation of overnight frost on any desired substrate such
as glass or polycarbonate for automotive applications.
The coatings enable multi-climate reliability for AVs by
providing impact/scratch resistance, frost prevention,
de-icing to combat snow/freezing rain, and water/dirt
shedding. It is an easily applicable, transparent, infrared-
reflective and anti-frost film.
Agiltron, Inc.
USA
www.agiltron.com
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Agiltron has developed robust and affordable anti-
icing and ice-phobic surfaces that are also transparent
(>%80) in visible spectrum for superstructures of surface
ships in Arctic and cold region operation. Leveraging
Agiltron"s previous experiences in mechanically durable
superhydrophibic nanocomposite coatings and optically
transparent fluoropolymer resins, in collaboration with
the Ice Research Laboratory at Dartmouth College,
they have produced nanotextured superhydrophobic
nanocomposite coatings of hard nanoparticles
embedded into a fluorinated polyurethane resin matrix,
both are optically transparent in the visible spectrum.
This nanocomposite coating is highly transparent, easy
to apply via spray coating over large areas and containing
no volatile organic compounds.
Battelle Memorial Institute, Inc.
USA
www.battelle.org
The company produces the HeatCoatTM ice protection
technology that utilizes a carbon nanotube coating that
can be sprayed onto an aircraft.
Figure 4: Carbon nanotube de-icing coating.
Image: Battelle Memorial Institute, Inc.
Helicity Technologies, Inc.
USA
www.helicitytech.com
IceShield coating formulations are UV weathering
and corrosion resistant, environmentally friendly, and
feature extremely low ice adhesion strength (shear stress
averaging less than 0.04 MPa at -20° C). They can be easily
applied across very large or irregular surface areas using
conventional spray coating and painting methods.
For applications that require optical clarity, Helicity
offers a transparent formulation that can be sprayed
onto virtually any surface, requires no curing, and lasts
over 30 icing/de-icing cycles. For industrial applications
requiring rain-erosion resistance and durability, Helicity
offers an opaque, two-component coating with anti-
icing properties that can last for approximately one year.
Any ice, snow, or frost that accumulates on treated
surfaces can be easily wiped away, thus reducing
or eliminating the need for thermal, mechanical, or
chemical de-icing methods.
Phazebreak Coatings LLC
USA
http://phazebreak.com
Phazebreak Coatings has developed a Patented
Icephobic Transparent Coating, NEINICE, that minimizes
ice accumulation and provides protection. The coating
contains novel silicone-based phase change materials
(PCMs).
SurfEllent, Inc.
USA
https://surfellent.com/
SurfEllent produces anti-icing coatings from various
polymers with extremely low ice adhesion and good
durability under severe environmental conditions. The
product is either applied via paint or spray.
Synavax
USA
www.synavax.com
Energy Protect™ and Hydrophobic coatings are utilized
for ice prevention. Energy Protect™ coating applied to
bridge soffits and tunnel structures provides resistance to
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icicle formation, thus reducing the cost for icicle removal
and increasing rail safety
X-Therma Inc.
USA
http://x-therma.com/our-science/future-applications/
X-Therma Inc. is a biomimetic nanotech company with
the mission to develop safe & effective antifreeze solutions
to enable long term bio-banking of Regenerative
Medicine and enhance mechanical performance at
extreme temperatures for greener industrial applications.
The company has developed a bioinspired, non-toxic and
anti-ice nanomaterial via biomimetic nanoscience.
References
1. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms1630
2. Petrie, E. M. Strategies for combating ice adhesion:
Evaluating application-specific methods that help ensure
smooth function of the world’s infrastructure Met. Finish.
2009, 107, 56– 59 DOI: 10.1016/S0026-0576(09)80033-0
3. http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2009/
SM/b818940d#!divAbstract
4. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2013/
CC/C3CC40592C#!divAbstract
5. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/nn102557p
6 .ht tps : / / l ink inghub .e l sev ie r . com/ret r ieve /p i i /
S0257897209000553
7 . h t t p : / / a i p . s c i t a t i o n . o r g / d o i /
abs/10.1063/1.3524513?journalCode=apl
8 .h t tp : / / on l ine l ib ra r y .w i l ey . com/do i /10 .1002 /
admi.201500330/abstract
9 . h t t p : / / a i p . s c i t a t i o n . o r g / d o i /
abs/10.1063/1.4752436?journalCode=apl
10. S. Farhadi, M. Farzaneh and S. A. Kulinich, Appl. Surf.
Sci., 2011, 257, 6264.
11. S. A. Kulinich and M. Farzaneh, Cold Reg. Sci. Technol.,
2011, 65, 60.
12. S. A. Kulinich, S. Farhadi, K. Nose and X. W. Du,
Langmuir, 2011, 27, 25.
13. Superhydrophobic nanocoatings: from materials to
fabrications and to applications, http://pubs.rsc.org/en/
content/articlelanding/2015/nr/c4nr07554d#!divAbstract
14. Designing durable icephobic surfaces, http://advances.
sciencemag.org/content/2/3/e1501496
15. http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2010/
SM/b925970h#!divAbstract
16. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23278566
17. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25430765
18. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2014JMiMi..24i5020W
19. http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2012/
SM/C2SM25879J#!divAbstract
20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23701230
21. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18063796
22. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19001270
23. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22812454
24. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21938066
25. http://wyss.harvard.edu/viewpage/316
26. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v477/n7365/
full/nature10447.html
27. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.6b00194
28.http://www.innovativesurfaces.ch/vio/images/
NordinPart4.pdf
29 .http : / /news . r ice .edu/2013/12/13/graphene-
nanoribbons-an-ice-melting-coat-for-radar/
Further information
The Global Market for Ice-Resistant Coatings and
Surfaces
Published April 2019
https://www.futuremarketsinc.com/the-global-market-
for-ice-resistant-coatings-and-surfaces/
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BusinessFinance&
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Maine will establish a $20 million nanocellulose-based
3D printing manufacturing partnership. The centre will produce new nanocellulose bio-based materials that will
be conducive to 3D printing a variety of products, such as boat hull molds, shelters, building components, tooling
for composites and wind blades.
ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. has been awarded a $1,000,000 grant that will accelerate ZEN’s graphene-
enhanced concrete research and development project. The grant will potentially help the Company achieve its
goal to provide innovative cement-based composite products to the Ontario market by possibly early 2020. The
grantor will reimburse 50% up to a maximum of $1,000,000 spent by ZEN on relevant expenses directly related
to graphite purification, graphene production research, concrete additive research and large-scale grapheme-
Latest nanotech investments, commercial agreements
and rounds of finance. April-May 2019
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enhanced concrete testing.
ZEN is currently developing a graphene-enhanced concrete additive in
collaboration with the University of Toronto and the University of British
Columbia-Okanogan campus that has the potential to increase the
strength of concrete by 40%.
Canadian company Nicoya is receiving a $2.57 million investment from
FedDev Ontario, which the government said will help scale up Nicoya’s
operations and accelerate its growth into new markets. Established in
2012 as a spin-off company from the University of Waterloo, Nicoya has
developed nano-structured sensor surface uses localized SPR (LSPR)
to deliver repeatable, highly sensitive kinetic data in nanoparticle
characterization.
Less than six months after securing €1 million through its previous
Crowdcube round, Spanish nanotechnology company Nanusens has
returned to the equity crowdfunding platform and has surpassed
its £200,000 initial funding target. The funding round is now nearing
£350,000 from more than 400 investors.
UCLA spin-off Nammi Therapeutics Inc. has raised $8.2
million from 17 investors during a January seed round
and expects to raise $20 million more during a Series A
later this year. The company has developed a nanoparticle
drug delivery system designed to fight cancer without
the serious side effects associated with chemotherapy.
By early 2020, Nammi expects to launch a clinical trial
for what it claims will be the first nanoparticle to ferry a
combined chemoimmunotherapy payload to kill breast
cancer tumors.
Cardea Bio Inc., a commercial manufacturer of the
biology-enabled transistor technology made from
graphene-based biosensors, has raised $7.8m Series A-1
financing. Its ultra-sensitive graphene-based biosensors
directly measure and instantly digitize binding interactions in biological systems. Unlike silicon, graphene is stable in
water and air, so its use in electronic circuitry allows for direct contact with biomolecules such as proteins, RNA and
DNA.
Skeleton Technologies, who produce graphene-based ultracapacitors and energy storage systems, is to invest €25
million in its plant located in the German state of Saxony. With the investment in Saxony, Skeleton aims to expand its
research and development as well as scale its production.
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NANOTECHNEWS
PRODUCT
April-May 2019
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LABPRODUCTTO
Low-cost, high volume production and ease of integration is crucial for the development of widespread
application of graphene-enabled products. This month we look at recent developments and breakthroughs.
CHASM Advanced Materials, Inc. has launched the AgeNT RF
Shielding Film, which can reduce the radio frequency (RF) energy
exposure from smartphones by up to 95%. The company has also
entered into an agreement with Venti Group, LLC to license its
patented Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) technology, a key
component of its AgeNT RF Shielding Film solution. CHASM’s
transparent, flexible printed electronic (FPE) film is made from a
combination of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and silver nanowires (AgNW).
Commonly referred to as a CNT hybrid, the novel combination
of strong, conductive, and environmentally stable CNT inks with a
transparent and conductive AgNW layer creates a new category of
transparent FPE that is both superior in performance and more cost-
effective to manufacture.
Quantum Materials Corp has produced a 100% cadmium-free
55 inch QDX™ quantum dot display technology that achieves an
industry-leading 95% Rec. 2020 colour gamut coverage. The company
is working with display manufacturers, film manufacturers and
chemical companies to bring this technology to market as a superior
and lower cost QD-based display solution. In addition, incorporating
QDX quantum dot infused films into LCD displays can materially
increase colour gamut levels over the
current standard of phosphor driven
technology and significantly improve
overall viewer experience.
2Ctech, Inc., a privately-held
development stage company focused
on the application of nanoparticle
technologies for the treatment of retinal
diseases, has initiated a first-known clinical
Quantum dots are finding there way to into products including treatment of retinal disease as several QD
companies announce new developments.
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NANOCOATED SALTVATTENFALL, a leading European energy company, and Swedish company SaltX Technology have commissioned an
industrial-scale pilot plant to test SaltX’s innovative nanocoated-salt based energy storage technology
SaltX 's patented technology, based on nanocoated
salt enables thermal energy to be stored chemically
and provides a long-term, cost-effective solution. The
salt acts as a battery which can be charged thousands
of times without losing performance, and energy can
be stored for months without losses.
Vattenfall is to use SaltX’s nanocoated materials to
test how renewable wind and solar power can be
stored in salt. The pilot plant, located at Vattenfall’s
Reuter thermal power plant in Spandau, Berlin, has
a total storage capacity of 10 MWh and an output of
0.5 MW.
The nanocoating prevents the salt from becoming
“sticky” so it retains its single crystal form. In addition,
the nanocoating makes the salt noncorrosive, unlike
ordinary salt, and it is non-toxic and recyclable.
program to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of Quantum
Dots (QDs) to achieve photovoltaic stimulation of the neural retina
for preservation or enhancement of vision in patients with retinal
degenerative diseases and, in particular, Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).
NanoPhotonica has secured a $3.5M investment from Samsung
Ventures and DeepWork Capital (formerly the FAN Fund). The
investment, led by Samsung Ventures, will help the company further
develop and commercialize its world-class quantum dot and related
nanomaterial technology.
Indian company Amtronics CC has paid cadmium-free quantum
dot producer Quantum Materials Corp an initial $500,000 as part
of an agreement securing the right to manufacture quantum dots
and thin-film quantum dot solar cells based on QMC technology for
commercial supply in India. Construction has already started on a
manufacturing facility in the state of Assam.
Amtronics will develop, manufacture and commercialize quantum
dots through joint venture Qamronics India, formed by Amtronics
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GRAPHENE QUANTUM DOTS
and the state-owned Assam Electronics Development Corp Ltd
(AMTRON). Construction has started on a 120,000 sq ft facility for
large-scale, low-cost quantum dot production in Assam. The factory
will also develop thin-film quantum dot solar cells, solid-state LED
lighting and displays.
A shortwave infrared camera developed using quantum dot sensor
technology has been launched by US firm SWIR Vision Systems.
The company says the camera will compete directly with InGaAs
SWIR cameras by delivering higher resolution, lower cost, and global
exportability to the vision industry. It uses a 400nm to 1,700nm
broadband image sensor with colloidal quantum dot (CQD) thin
film photodiodes fabricated monolithically on silicon readout wafers.
Colloidal quantum dot sensors have lower quantum efficiency than
InGaAs sensors. However, when paired with relatively inexpensive
active illumination, the camera can give near-InGaAs equivalent
performance with a reduction in overall system cost.
Dotz Nano has received a US$100,000 commercial sale of its
ValiDotz security-markers and InSpec detectors from a Swiss anti-
counterfeiting company offering integrated packaging solutions
aimed at governing organizations. The sale follows extensive migration
testing of Dotz’s anti-counterfeiting markers by the customer, which
demonstrated ValiDotz’s accuracy and stability.
The Swiss company will integrate Dotz’s polymer-markers into
the manufacturing of its safety-plastic solutions, and will use the
company’s detectors.
Nawa Technologies is developing
nanostructured electrode material for their
Ultra Fast Carbon Battery. The company
has raised 9M€ from new investors to fund
industrialization and mass production. By
the end of 2019, the first manufacturing
equipment will be installed and operational,
allowing NAWA to steadily build up to over
100,000 ultracapacitor cells a month when
at full capacity.
Pascal Boulanger, COO, said: “Having
completed our development phase
with highly successful results, we will be
operational with the first phase of our
production by the end of this year."
Use of nanotech in wearable electronics is growing.
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NANOCELLULOSENEWSBUSINESS
Fuji Pigment subsidiary
Green Science
Alliance Co., Ltd. has
created nanocellulose /
biodegradable plastic composites
made from starch, paper, recycle
paper, wood, bamboo and
plants. Some products are 100 %
nature derived material with no
petroleum origin.
By combining the nanocellulose/
biodegradable plastic composite
technology and long-term colour
research technology of its mother
company, Fuji Pigment Co.,
Ltd., created a nanocellulose /
biodegradable plastic composite
colour masterbatch. They had
also succeeded in making color
masterbatch to with superior
mechanical strength, compared
to without nano cellulose.
White, black, red, blue,
green, yellow, brown colored
nanocellulose / poly lactic acid
(PLA) composite masterbatch
have been prepared. They can
also make nano cellulose /
biodegradable plastic composite
with other biodegradable plastic
such as poly butylene succinate
(PBS).
The company has started small
sample production for these
colour masterbatch products. In
addition, they will make cutlery
with these new colour products,
which would give them more
color variety to molded products,
with their company own brand
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CNC INVESTMENTSThe Canadian federal and Quebec
governments have announced a combined
$6.4-million investment in the upgrade of
CelluForce's cellulose nanocrystal facility
to become the world's first full commercial
demonstration-scale plant of its kind.
The funding will allow the state-of-the-
art facility in Windsor, Que., to double
its annual production to produce 300
tonnes of nanocrystals a year. Extracted
from wood fibre, the nanocrystals can be
used in everything from papers to paints,
electronics to adhesives and cement to
cosmetics.
“CelluForce has been working hand in
hand with industrial partners, helping
them develop high-performance and
sustainable products using cellulose
nanocrystals,” CelluForce CEO Sébastien
Corbeil said. “This investment will allow
us to maintain our leadership in the field
and expand the development of improved
products with our customers. It will further
enable our continued growth.” The plant
reopened in February 2019.
Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) producer
Melodea is in the final stages of the
establishment of a 35 ton per annum
CNC plant in Ornskoldsvil, Sweden under
its strategic partnership with Holmen AB.
A 200 ton per annum flagship plant is
planned in Israel by 2022.
Nanocapsules can be absorbed by the body four times faster than
their counter-parts.
Nano Sakura.
Finnish company Valmet has entered
into an agreement to acquire North
American-based GL&V, a company
that has developed a process to
manufacture Cellulose Nano-Fibrils
(CNF) using only mechanical energy
at a total cost of less than $2500. The
enterprise value of the acquisition is
approximately EUR 113 million on a
cash and debt free basis.
GranBio has completed the
acquisition of 100% equity in cellulose
nanofiber producer American Process
Inc. and affiliate companies. The
acquired assets include the Alpena
Biorefinery in Alpena Michigan,
the Thomaston Biorefinery and
R&D center in Thomaston, Georgia,
operations, research, and business
development staff and an extensive
intellectual property portfolio in the
biorefinery, biofuels, biochemicals,
and nanocellulose fields with over 200
granted and pending patents.
“Acquiring the GreenPower+®,
GreenBox+®, and AVAP® biorefinery
technologies and the BioPlus®
Nanocellulose Technology and their
associated world-class demonstration
plants and operations and R&D staff is
part of GranBio’s mission to become a
global leader in the bioeconomy." said
GranBio’s president, Bernardo Gradin.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2019
GRAPHENENEWS
PRODUCT
April-May 2019
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2019
LABPRODUCTTO
Low-cost, high volume production and ease of integration is crucial for the development of widespread
application of graphene-enabled products. This month we look at recent developments and breakthroughs.
Thomas Swan has established a collaboration with manufacturer
Graphene Composites (GC) to incorporate graphene in their GC
Shield Armour products.
The product is the result of a lengthy development collaboration
between the companies together with the Centre for Process
Innovation (CPI) using GNP-M grade graphene from Thomas Swan in
the final application.
Australian graphene producer First Graphene Limited has raised $3.5
million in equity investment. Funds raised will be used for general
working capital purposes and to advance the Company’s facility at
the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre at the University of
Manchester. Additionally, there will be an increasing effort to expand
the sales and marketing functions of the Company.
2D fab, a Sweden-based producer of graphene, has secured SEK
$650k in capital investment. The money funding was provided by a
range of of Swedish investors, including E14 Invest and ALMI Invest
Mitt. The capital will be used to expand the production facility in
order to enable large delivery volumes at a competitive price. 2D
Fab, founded in 2013 as a spin-off from Mid Sweden University in
Sundsvall, produces graphene flakes using graphite from the Swedish
Woxna Graphite.
Archer Exploration Ltd. has successfully printed and patterned ink
formulations of human antibodies on graphene-based biosensor
components derived from the company’s Campoona graphite.
Ink formulations comprised primarily
of human antibody immunoglobulin
G (IgG) as the active constituent were
successfully prepared and printed using
proprietary methods. The IgG inks were
printed on resin-coated paper and a
number of graphene-based electrodes
and were able to withstand the chemical
and physical processes in the formulation,
printing, and post-printing steps.
Grolltex has shipped the first version of
its patented graphene sensor to a large
European sensor maker partner. “Our
strain sensor is very versatile because it is
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2019
GRAPHENE BIKESInefficient charging and a limited battery life has been the main problems which have restricted the development
of e-bikes as well as other e-vehicles. Jiangsu NESC Science and Technology Company has found a solution.
The Graphene-Polymer battery is able to handle
fast charging in less than 15 minutes (800 seconds).
Company president, Yao Xiaoqing stated “They improved
all of the five performance parameters. These include
energy density, power density, temperature, cycle
life and safety. Our 6Ah battery based on Grapheme-
Polymer technology, highlights a breakthrough in
electric capacity, performance and life cycle. The ability
to fully charge electric vehicles at regular speed in 10-
15 minutes and to do so over 1,500 times will help solve
fundamental problems for new energy vehicles.”
The company is currently testing the Graphene battery
and has already installed some 100,000 battery cells in
electric delivery bicycles.
small, flexible, robust and with a gauge factor of up to 1300, it is
incredibly sensitive. This means it can be used in a wide variety of
applications,” said Jeff Draa, Grolltex CEO. “For example, it can be
layered into the skins of airplanes to sense micro stress in the fuselage
or be used as a wearable blood pressure monitor in a skin patch
configuration. The prototype we delivered to our European partner
was designed to measure any environmental pressure or strain that
a silicon microchip might experience while sitting in its packaging.
This can be important information for many defense or autonomous
vehicle related device designs.”
Global Graphene Group, and its subsidiary Angstron Energy (AEC)
has developed a new graphene/silicon composite anode material
(GCA-II-N) which can increase the capacity of Li-Ion batteries while
reducing the battery's size and weight. AEC current market focus is
on electronic bikes and consumer electronics, but is also working
with Tier-1 electric cars and trucks makers.
The use of carbon nano-based
ultracapacitors in lithium-ion
batteries can create a dual
energy source for high volume
electric vehicles.
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2019
SILVERNANOWIRES
FLEXIBLE
New silver nanowire-based ink from C3Nano improves clarity, conductivity and flexibility for application in
flexible display devices, the next big thing in consumer electronics.
C3Nano has developed ActiveGrid
Gen7 ink, which improves on clarity,
conductivity and flexibility. The company
is a producer of silver nanowire-based
transparent conductive inks and films for flexible
displays The new ink delivers ~50 percent lower haze
compared to the previous ink generation, provides
conductivity from 30-100 ohm/sq and delivers the
flexibility to withstand more than a million bend
cycles.
To obtain less dense films without junction resistance,
C3Nano uses its patented NanoGlue technology
to fuse the junctions of silver nanowires, creating
a more transparent grid that yields superior clarity
and conductivity while supporting the necessary
flexibility. C3Nano’s ActiveGrid is already in mass
production for two of the world’s initial flexible
display devices.
The company currently holds more than 20 core
patents with an additional 45 pending, covering its
breakthrough NanoGlue technology, nanomaterial
synthesis, ink formulations, conductive films, and the
use of conductive and patterned conductive films in
a variety of devices and applications
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2019
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
(BfR) announced InnoMat.Life, a joint research project
to establish criteria for an efficient assessment of the
human health and environmental risks of novel (nano)
materials. The Federal Ministry of Education and
Research is providing 2.22 million euro to fund the
project, which will be coordinated by BfR and includes
ten partners from public authorities, academia, and
industry. BfR states that until now, nanosafety research
focused mainly on first generation nanomaterials,
i.e., mainly round particles of pure substances such as
nanosilver, titanium oxide, and zinc oxide. In real life,
far more materials are used, however. Hybrid materials,
consisting of two or more substances, are often applied,
and nanoparticles can have many different shapes. Many
industrially used materials cover a broad size distribution
from nanometers to micrometers. Moreover, according
to BfR, many industrial applications are based on material
systems that alter their structure during manufacturing
or use, such as the layer-by-layer assembly of products
manufactured with 3D printers.
Government, regulation & policy news
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR NANOMATERIALS
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NANOTECH MAGAZINE 2019
ECHA includes CNTs for evaluationA European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Community Rolling Action
Plan (CoRAP) has stated that carbon nanotubes are to be evaluated
by Germany in 2019, due to initial grounds of concerns as suspected
carcinogen, other hazard based concern, wide dispersive use, consumer
use, exposure of environment, cumulative exposure’
The CoRAP is updated yearly, and the latest update lists 100 substances
that are to be evaluated by Member States under 2019 to 2021. The
substance evaluation is based on Articles 44-48 of the REACH Regulation.
Further information at
https://echa.europa.eu/information-on-chemicals/evaluation/
c o m m u n i t y - r o l l i n g - a c t i o n - p l a n / c o r a p - t a b l e / - / d i s l i s t /
details/0b0236e1807ee629
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development’s (OECD) April 2019 issue of its Chemical
Safety and Biosafety Progress Report includes an update
on OECD’s work to determine the safety of manufactured
nanomaterials. The Report notes that the applicability
of OECD Test Guidelines for nanomaterials continues to
be a major concern of the work of the Working Party on
Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN). View the report
at http://www.oecd.org/env/ehs/progress-report-on-
chemical-safety-and-biosafety-april-2019.pdf
The French government has announced a ban on titanium
dioxide in foods from 1 January 2020. The decision, from
the Ministry of Environment and from the Ministry of
Economy, will be published shortly as a ministerial decree.
E171 is used in foods e.g. mainly as whitener agent.
The French Agency for Food, Environmental and
Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) published 12
April an opinion on the ingestion of TiO2, E171, based
on an assessment of 25 additional studies not previously
assessed by ANSES, or by EFSA in their 2018 opinion.