Emerging Trends

Commercialization of nanotechnology is incredibly broad-based, but can generally be divided into four basic groups or categories:

o Nanomaterials are the basic building blocks usually employed to make other more complex structures. "Nanotubes," for example, are specialized nanoparticles now used in the manufacture of flat-screen TV and computer screens.
o Nanointermediates are larger, more complex products that usually contain nanoscale features. Examples include coatings, optical components, orthopedic materials, super-conductors, memory and logic chips for computers and contrasting agents for CAT scans. The biomedical field is manufacturing artificial bone composites utilizing nanomaterials made from the same mineral as natural bone, yet they have strength equal to that of stainless steel. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are now being used in sunscreen,and other nanoparticles are being used in soaps, bandages, plastics and textiles.
o Nano-enabled products are finished goods incorporating nanotechnology. These products are now in cars, airplanes, computers, consumer devices, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, appliances and the like. Next generation Lithium-ion batteries will utilize several different kinds of nanoparticles.
o And, finally, nanotools are capital equipment and software used to manipulate, visualize and model basic materials at the nanoscale level. Atomic-force microscopes, scanning tunnelling microscopes and molecular modelling software are examples of nanotools.

About Nano-Characterization

Materials characterization at increasingly small dimensions is a critical part of many manufacturing industries, including semiconductors, optoelectronics, automotive and aerospace. All of these industries are increasingly using small scales and more tightly controlled processes as part of the traditional evolution of manufacturing towards smaller, lighter, faster or stronger characteristics, depending on the application. On top of the evolutionary aspect of dimensional shrinkage is the use of 'new' materials or 'new' processes that may carry their own novel properties or design issues not previously encountered.
Growth in the micro- and Nano- engineering industry has led to increased demand for analytical and characterization methods for these materials and systems. We know that Nano-products with high surface area-to-volume ratios are more sensitive to impurities and micro contamination during processing than larger geometry products, resulting in defects and yield loss in production.
We have achieved expertise in surface analytical methods and the contributions these methods can make towards problem solving during the manufacture and reliability characterization of new materials. These techniques include: SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope), XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction).
The focus of our service is on the different types of scanning probe microscope, their applications in nanotechnology and comparison of different type of microscopy. We plan to provide support for characterization of Carbon Nanotubes and other important Nano materials and thin films with different type of techniques and can make the customers aware with their advantages and disadvantages.
The starting point for assessing nanotech ventures is usually the ability to generate revenue. We know that investors are primarily interested in seeing real nanoproduct, MEMS and CNT device revenue streams beyond R&D contracts, lab equipment and nano-powders shipped in sample volumes. So it is important it is important to depict and make the investors aware of when and how much money will be generated through the sale of products.
The nanotech industry is growing by more than 40 percent a year, but multi-walled carbon nanotubes have been the primary technology used. Single-walled technology just hasn't taken off because of the cost. Our work has been to bring the cost down; we can be a step ahead and make higher quality nanotechnology more affordable.