G. Cossio
Nanoscale Labs,
United States
Keywords: nanotechnology, nanopattern, self-assembly, colloids, lithography, scalable, photonics
Summary:
The ability to engineer matter at the nanometer and submicron scale has become increasingly important for developing next-generation nanophotonic, biomedical, renewable energy, and semiconductor technologies. While various nanotechnologies offer massive benefits to society and public health (e.g., light-trapping structures for high power PV, rapid response single molecule biosensors, etc.), there are currently zero pathways for their successful commercialization. This is due to prohibitively expensive commercial nanomanufacturing options, often requiring tens of millions of dollars in capital investments. A new low-cost and high-throughput nanomanufacturing system is needed to help usher in the next generation of nanotechnology-enabled technologies. Nanoscale Labs’ technology offers two breakthroughs relative to conventional nanolithography methods. First, the company’s nanopatterning systems leverage self-assembled processes, where nanostructures and nanopatterns are created via a highly parallelized process in which nanoparticles self-coordinate into the shapes, structures, and patterns of interest. Second, by leveraging colloidal synthesis systems costs, material costs, and carbon emissions can be dramatically reduced. Nanoscale Labs' is estimating roughly $1/square-meter patterning costs and virtually zero VOC emissions from manufacturing processes. Nanoscales new manufacturing paradigm may help pioneer markets for nanotechnology in emerging industries and unlock opportunities across scientific disciplines and commercial needs. For the first time, functionally superior nanodevices may become cost-competitive with less sophisticated technologies and help usher in the next technological revolution that could improve society as well as public and environmental health.