2014. No.51 Reporting on Today and Tomorrow’s Energy, Environmental and Industrial Technology Featured Article Changing Our Future Society with Nanotechnology and New Materials New Enegy and Industrial Technology Development Organization Toward a Safe, Secure and Prosperous Life Reporting on Today and Tomorrow’s Energy, Environmental, Changing Our Future Society with CONTENTS 2014. No.51 and Industrial Technology Blending Carbon Nanotubes and Existing Raw Materials Creates New Functions Featured Changing Our Future Society with Article Nanotechnology and Japanese-born Carbon Nanotubes .............................................................................. 8 Nanotechnology and New Materials New Materials .................................................................................. 2 Printed Electronics Makes an Eco-Friendly and Convenient Future Life into a Reality Printed Electronics ................................................................................................................. 10 Interview with Takeshi Okada, Director General of NEDO Electronics, NEDO has been promoting research and development in the fields of new materials and nanotechnology for a long Materials Technology and Nanotechnology Department Moving Towards Environmentally-friendly Manufacturing ......................................... time. As a result, many new materials have been developed and innovation is beginning to take place. New materials Development of High Value-added Materials Leads Producing Chemical Materials from Vegetation 12 to Higher Technology Level of the Manufacturing A Search for New Possibilities through Vertical Cooperation will support industries of the future and hold the potential for changing our lives for the better. In this issue we will Industry ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Nanotech Challenge Project ........................................................................................... 14 feature NEDO’s efforts in the areas of materials technology and nanotechnology. An eco-friendly electrical device that does not use gas with large greenhouse effect p.14-15 Through nanotechnology, we are developing a Thin and light Braille device material that can significantly reduce the amount of SF6 gas usage, a gas that is used in the insulator of p.8-9 power devices and has 24,000 times the greenhouse By combining pre-existing materials and carbon effect as carbon dioxide (Research and Development nanotubes, we are developing new, high-performance for Nanotech and Advanced Materials Applications). materials that had not been feasible to make before with existing materials (Development of Innovative Carbon By replacing SF6 gas used in Nanotube Composite Materials for a Low Carbon power devices with compound Emission Society). materials that employ nano- technology, we can deliver electricity to homes in an environmentally-friendly way. Micro electric generation system that can charge by With the development of a lightweght and thin Braille device through the use of compound materials with tree vibration and doesn’t require batteries p.14-15 resin, it has become possible to attach an electric Braille Using nanotechnology, we are developing materials panel on the surface of such devices as an air conditioner that can generate electricity from vibrations around the remote control. body semi-permanently (Research and Development for Nanotech and Advanced Materials Applications). A tire air pressure sensor combined with a micro electric generator can keep the driver informed Making plastic products from plants of the car tire status. such as grasses and trees p.12-13 By switching from oil as a raw material for chemical substances to non-edible plants such as grasses and trees, we can solve the problems of oil depletion and global warming (Development of Manufacturing Processes for Chemical Products Derived from Non- edible Plants). Pressure sensor array entry mat notifies a family member when children have returned home p.10-11 Through a sophisticated combination of material technology and printing technology, we are working to manufacture electronic devices that are lightweight and have a large surface area at low-cost and with low energy usage (Development of Materials and Process Technology for Advanced Printed Electronics). We can change the materials used to make familiar plastic Integrating a large surface area pressure sensor array into products such as shampoo bottles to non-edible plant- a home entry mat can serve many functions, including derived materials. informing a family member away from home when a child has returned or providing useful information for security, medical or nursing care purposes. 2 3 NEDO Interview Examples of Material-related Projects at NEDO (Nearly 40 materials-related projects over the past 10 years) Acceleration Area Nanotechnology 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Development of High Value-added Research and Development for Applications of Advanced Devices and Materials Utilizing Nanotechnology (Nanotech Challenge) (p.14-15) Communication Information and Area Infrastructure Development to Evaluate Next-generation Consortium for Advanced Semiconduct or Materials Leads to Higher Technology Advanced Component Development Materials and Related Technologies Development of Nitride-based semiconductor single Crystal and Epitaxial Growth Technology Level of the Manufacturing Industry Rare Metal Substitute Materials Development Project (p.7) Carbon Nanotube Capacitor Development Project Environment Issues Resource, Energy, It is well-known that “materials” make a significant contribution to the quality and functionality of final products. Development of Innovative Carbon Nanotube Composite Materials for a Low Carbon Emission Society (p.8-9) Currently, NEDO is promoting the technological development with a focus on nanotechnology and seeking new Development of Sustainable Hyper Composite Technology materials that can contribute to high value-added products. Development of Fundamental Technologies for Green-Sustainable Chemical Process Technology Development of Manufacturing Processes for Non-edible Plant-derived Chemicals (p.12-13) Component Material and Area Aiming to expand product share only developing materials technologies, but also supporting Development of Fundamental Evaluation Technology for Next-Generation Chemical Materials collaborative technological development efforts between Development of Materials and Process Technology for Advanced Printed Electronics (p.10-11) First of all, what kind of technology is nanotechnology? a variety of companies including materials companies and Okada: It is a technology that controls matter in a domain device companies, with a focus on the final products that will known as nanometers, that is, 10 to the power of -9 (10-9). In be produced. We believe that NEDO is the only organization were required to have a vertical cooperative mechanism Based on this effort, the arrival of products utilizing single- other words, this is technology that manipulates and controls that can organize a framework that brings different types of linking the upstream organizations that have the innovative walled CNT technology is just around the corner. (see p. 8). matter on a molecular and atomic scale. When changes are industries together for technological development because of nanotechnology seed technology with the downstream Bringing about new materials is challenging and time made to matter at the nano-level, properties of matter change NEDO’s unique identity as a national agency. organizations that would be responsible for commercialization. consuming, and it is not easy for companies to continue on and innovative characteristics that previously could not even This was a new approach. This vertical cooperative mechanism alone. We think that it is NEDO’s role to support technological be considered appear. Nanotechnology can be used to produce Supporting Nanotechnology Until crossing the boundary between different business fields proved development efforts of companies on a mid- to long-term novel materials and holds the ability to spark innovation. Since Commercialization successful. Many of the development projects progressed perspective. 1992, NEDO has been working on research and development Could you tell us what results have been achieved after working rapidly and I know many cases that have advanced very close Technology Seed Matching and in nanotechnology. nearly 20 years in the nanotechnology field? to commercialization. (see p. 14). What is the significance of NEDO’s efforts in the technological Okada: For more than two decades, beginning with the Another case to highlight is “carbon nanotubes (CNT)”. Technological Development for Our development of materials? “Atom Technology Project” in 1992, we have supported key This is a carbon material ordered at the nano-level that Future Society Okada: The “products” that surround us in everyday life are technology developments in this field through various projects. displays amazing properties in electrical conductivity, thermal In terms of nanotechnology development, where does NEDO composed of a myriad of substances. For example, liquid crystal One representative project to highlight from among those conductivity, and strength. In 1991 CNT was discovered by plan to focus? displays use multiple film and glass substrates as component would be the “Research and Development