Innovation & Emerging Technologies

Nanotechnology— From Electronics to Sunscreen

Phillip Miller & Francisco Gonzalez

How small is small? That depends on the At subsequent conferences we’ve found screen, it is found that certain oxides have reference point. It is generally accepted the same thing: a lot of people interested the capability of absorbing UV radiation that the “nano” world begins somewhere in nano-materials. On the ET Committee without absorbing visible light. They also around 0.1 micron (µm) or 100 nanome- itself, there were several members showing glow at different colors depending on the ters (nm)—that’s 10-7 meters (m), for all a great deal of interest in the fi eld. More grain size. But, this happens only at the you engineers—or 500 times smaller than simply, it was formed because there is nano-material level. the diameter of a human hair. Now, that’s enough going on in a variety of industries So, nanotechnology includes the study small! to justify it. of crystal or grain size, too. When reduced “Nanotechnology” is a broad range term. to a nanometer level, crystals or grains In other words, before you can think about AESF: How should one defi ne have properties that reveal themselves only implementing “nanotechnology,” you need Nanotechnology? at this uniquely small level. And, these to consider the application of interest. properties are often useful and interesting In the April issue, we introduced FG: Actually, that can present somewhat as they can have the ability to solve prob- the AESF Emerging Technology (ET) of a dilemma. There is a complex and lems previously unsolved, or those that Committee. As promised, in subsequent far-reaching array of fi elds in which nano- require very expensive options to solve. articles, we will introduce readers further to materials can have an impact. It can realis- Nano-materials can also be magnetic the happenings of this important venture. tically include anything from electronics to and thermal. Through the use of nanotech- This article is the third in a series that sunscreen to the repair of nuclear reactors. nology we can study fully consolidated includes interviews with the Emerging We all know that, in some areas of tech- materials, such as metals or polymers, in Technologies (ET) Committee, and sub- nology, going small has very clear advan- a way that we previously couldn’t even committee chairs. We will conclude this tages. The electronics industry has been imagine. series by interviewing the current chair of constantly trying to develop smaller and the AESF Research Board to see how some smaller devices and it is only logical that AESF: Do you have a sense of how many of its R&D funds are being directed toward they are heavily involved in nanotechnol- companies are out there studying nano- emerging technologies. ogy. In some other cases, for example in technology and applying its discoveries? This month’s article focuses exclusively sunscreen, decreasing the size of particles on the ET Committee’s sub-committee on makes them more effective. That is why FG: No, we don’t. Although, I do not nanotechnology. We especially thank Dr. nanotechnology has already had an impact have specifi c data on the numbers, there Francisco Gonzalez, vice president of pro- on the semi-conductor industry. In the case are lots of companies and research groups cess and product development at Integran of nanotechnology, we are talking about that are presently involved in the develop- Technologies, Inc. for his help and exper- devices and/or systems that consist of a ment of nano-materials using more than tise on this subject. few clusters of atoms versus the trillions 200 different methods to produce them. of atoms that make up a common familiar Again, we strongly believe that the use of AESF: So far, we’ve asked all the sub- item, such as a coffee cup. nanomaterials is essential to nanotechnol- committee chairs why their committee is Nano-materials are one important aspect ogy, and this is a complex answer, because important and necessary. When was the of nanotechnology. Typically, when we nanotechnology spans so much. I would Nanotechnology Sub-committee formed describe a nano-material, it will have a not be surprised to fi nd out that there is a and what is its purpose? characteristic the dimension of 10(-9) meters. vast amount of nano work being done in The material may be in particulate form, a variety of industries. I should emphasize FG: Our sub-committee was formed and then the particles will have a dimension that there are many different techniques to in Nashville at the 2001 SUR/FIN® of 100 nanometers or less, or alternatively, produce nano-materials. In fact, nanotech- Conference. At that conference, there were the material may be fully dense but with a nology can be divided into six categories: several contributions introducing nano- crystal size of 100 nanometers. (1) electrochemical deposition, (2) vapor materials produced by electrochemical The beauty of nanotechnology is that phase processing, (3) solid state process- deposition. The reason I mention this is it at these seemingly impossible small sizes, ing, (4) liquid phase processing, (5) chemi- proves that there is, behind the subject of characteristics become available that were cal synthesis, and (6) electrochemical nanotechnology materials, a driving force not reachable at larger sizes. For example, synthesis. The electrochemical synthesis is to learn and discover more about this fi eld. when nanotechnology is applied to sun- perhaps the most cost effective one. Other

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Emerg June 7 6/2/04, 2:28:18 PM production methods such as vapor phase dictable, while in other cases it has come presentations at upcoming events. It will be processing, solid state processing, liquid as a complete surprise, such as the appli- the job of our sub-committee to continue phase processing and chemical synthesis cation of nano-materials in the nuclear to pass information on to members and are not as effective, or they require the use power industry. advertise the concept of nano-materials of high cost equipment. The beauty of nano-materials is that, at in the hopes of attracting more and more Ironically, there are only a few compa- these seemingly impossibly small sizes, presenters. nies that are involved in the use of elec- characteristics become available, or are The two most important roles we trodeposition to produce nano-materials. enhanced, that are not so obvious at larger will play are in education and organiza- There is, however, an increasing number of sizes. For example, when nanoparticles are tion. Last year we published the article academic and research organizations that applied to sunscreen, it is found that certain “Nanotechnology Opportunities for the are becoming active in this line of research, oxides have the capability of absorbing UV Electroplating Industries,” a sort of “Nano- which will ultimately lead to the industrial radiation without absorbing visible light, Materials 101” in AESF’s Plating and implementation. and they do this much more effectively Surface Finishing Journal. This article. There has been a tremendous boost than when using larger partlcles. kindly put together by Professor Uwe Erb given to nanotechnology by the relatively Also, when reduced to a nanometer and Integran’s workers, described the pos- recent approval by the U.S. Congress of level, particles have properties that reveal sibilities of the electroplating industry and a multibillion ($3.7b) appropriation to be themselves only at this uniquely small community in the fi eld of nano-materials. divided among eight government agencies. level. For example, the color of certain We are considering preparing a course for Experts predict that by 2015 the worldwide oxides will change depending on their size. next year’s AESF Week entitled “Micro- market for nanotechnology products and These properties are often useful and inter- Structural Properties of Nano-Materials.” services may reach one trillion dollars, and esting as they can have the ability to solve Several presentations have been given to materials will be a very important compo- problems previously unsolved or solved local AESF chapters. One in Montreal nent of it. with very expensive options. recently was well attended and counted Another example of “smaller being with the presence of AESF President, AESF: How has nanotechnology evolved better” is the strengthening of metals when Doug Lay, CEF-2. This helped to promote in recent years? the grain size of the metal is reduced. When the event even further. We would like to the reduction is to the nano size the metal continue this type of promotion to enhance FG: As I mentioned before, in some becomes very strong, but it can still deform the awareness of our members to the poten- cases, such as the electronic industry, the without breaking, which makes it very tial of nano-materitals for the industry. move to nanotechnology seems fairly pre- attractive for engineering applications. Also, we hope to play a key role in This property was used to develop an in- impacting education at the university situ structural repair technology for nuclear level. Unfortunately, as we all know, elec- steam generators. This repair, called trochemical engineering is not as popular Electrosleeve, is already being used and as it once was among students choosing is perhaps one of the fi rst ever large-scale careers. Electroplating is not being seen as industrial applications for nanostructured a high-tech choice. Among other things, I materials. think part of the problem is that many of Nano-materials also have interesting these technology science-minded students magnetic and thermal properties. For may simply not be aware of how promising example, when the grain size of some and exciting opportunities are in this fi eld iron-nickel alloys is reduced by using elec- (such as the production of nano-materials) trodeposition techniques in their synthesis, is and will continue to be. It is critical that the material becomes more effi cient as a we promote these emerging technologies soft magnet and could be used to construct within the fi elds of science and engineering transformers with reduced power losses. so students can learn how nanotechnol- In the area of industrial coatings, the ogy is exploding. Perhaps we should even wear and corrosion properties of nanoma- consider offering scholarships for students terials have created interesting applications who want to be involved in studying nano- and alternatives to existing coatings. The materials research or other emerging tech- aerospace industry is in the process of nologies. assessing nano-material coatings for spe- cial applications. AESF: Do you think there are any obsta- cles that the proponents of nanotechnology AESF: What will the sub-committee do to are currently facing? help those exploring nanotechnology? FG: Ironically, it’s the popularity of nano- FG: We have seen an increasing interest in technology that could become an obstacle. nanomaterials at the AESF conferences and Everyone wants a part of the action. That a steady increase in the amount of papers is human nature. We are going to have to that have been presented on this topic. The sort out which nanotechnology efforts are sub-committee has promoted the concept more worthy of study and funding. I am and has tried to encourage researchers optimistic about the future, but also aware to present their work at AESF meetings. of potential pitfalls. We will continue to do more of the same, In the coming years, a lot of funding will allowing plenty of time and space for more be available for the study of nanotechnol-

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Emerg June 8 6/2/04, 2:28:21 PM ogy and I sincerely hope that the develop- About Dr. Gonzalez About Phillip Miller ment of nano-materials will have its fair Dr. Francisco Phillip Miller is the share. But, nanotechnology is becoming Gonzalez received marketing direc- a widely used term, a fancy word that is his MA Sc and tor at Faraday used to gain attention. Some researchers PhD in Chemical Technology, Inc., have just added the label of nanotechnol- Engineering at 315 Huls Drive, ogy to what they have been doing for years. the University of Clayton, OH 45315. Others are just getting into the fi eld because Toronto. His pro- He coordinates the it’s fashionable. It is important that we do fessional career technical market- not have a repetition of the .com fi asco and spans more than ing and business we develop and commercialize nano-mate- 35 years in both development activi- rials with a sound business approach. academia and ties in support of Faraday’s technology Also, we have to make sure we do not industrial research and development. He platform. Prior to joining the company, consider electronics as synonymous with has been involved in all aspects of chemi- he worked as an independent business nanotechnology. There are many additional cal technology development, intellectual consultant and a senior business ana- possibilities that deserve as much attention property protection and technology com- lyst for a Manufacturing Small Business and focus as electronics. mercialization. His main areas of exper- Development Center sponsored by the U.S. As the sub-committee continues to inter- tise include water chemistry, corrosion Small Business Administration. act with other societies that are involved in and electrochemical processes in nuclear Miller has received honors as a nanotechnology, and specifi cally the study power reactors. Dr. Gonzalez has several Business Counselor of the Year by the and development of nano-materials since it U.S. patents and has written more than 60 Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and is very important to take a holistic approach scientifi c publications. the Ohio Department of Development. He in this activity, I strongly believe that the currently teaches college-level small busi- fi eld of nanomaterials development will ness management and planning classes. continue to advance in the coming years At Faraday, Miller is responsible for new and will overcome all the obstacles. But, as business development, technical market- the adage goes, “talk is cheap.” We plan to ing, and program management. offer action and a holistic approach.

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Emerg June 9 6/2/04, 2:28:25 PM