Nanotechnology

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Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the science of the “tiny.” It involves manipulating materials at one billionth of the size they are usually handled – all the way down to individual molecules and in some cases even single atoms. Nanotechnology has far-reaching applications in such disparate industries as medicine, defense, cosmetics, energy and computers. The National Science Foundation forecasts the potential market for nanotech at $1 trillion by 2015.

Image courtesy of Accelrys, www.accelrys.com

Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Metrology, Purification and Separation
ADA is developing a novel metrology system for measurement of the fundamental parameters of carbon nanotubes for industrial and research environments.

This project will develop the world’s first quantitative, low cost, reproducible, and rapid means to characterize single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) for the parameters critical to the nanotechnology community.

Only a few metrology techniques on the market today offer the ability to measure the main carbon nanotube properties – i.e., species, impurities, and structural properties - for process improvement in production and routine quality validation in research. However, no instrument presently on the market offers the desirable metrology characteristics of low cost, low complexity, and reproducibility. ADA is working to develop the metrology tool which will solve this market need. The result of this effort will offer the nanotechnology community significant advantages compared to existing systems.

Image courtesy of Accelrys, www.accelrys.com

Vision: In addition to the metrology project, it is ADA’s vision to develop post-synthesis processes capable of purifying CNTs to a high level; enabling their use in a wide range of promising CNT applications. Current CNT synthesis techniques produce only limited yields of highly pure CNTs (i.e., >>95% CNT content). ADA is currently working with an outside partner to develop a tool which will substantially improve this yield. ADA is also working to extend the technology into separation by chirality and SWNT diameter.

For more information, please contact:
Sayan Naha
303-913-5212

Or
Nick Knowlton
303-874-7377

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