Flexible Electronics
We are developing high performance, flexible electronics to be used in
a variety of application areas including large area and portable
displays, low cost radio frequency identification tags and
electronically steerable antenna arrays for wireless communications.
Our thin film electronics technology may allow us to achieve the
electronic performance of silicon wafers, over large areas on a
lightweight, flexible substrate. This technology is expected to be
compatible with traditional thin film manufacturing equipment, as well
as advanced printable electronics technologies.
To develop our nanotechnology-enabled thin film electronics products,
we are collaborating with Sharp Corporation, in the area of flat panel
displays, and with several United States government agencies in the
area of wireless communications.
Non-Volatile Memory
We are developing nanostructures for non-volatile memory products for
anticipated use in applications such as digital cameras, MP3 players
and mobile phones.
To develop non-volatile memory products, we are collaborating with
Intel.
Life Sciences Consumables
We are developing nano-enabled surfaces that have a wide variety of
potential applications in life sciences research. For example, we are
developing a disposable plate, or substrate, enabled by our
nanotechnology for use in existing time of flight mass spectrometry
instruments. Time of flight mass spectrometry is widely used in the
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to analyze large molecules.
To develop our nanotechnology-enabled life sciences consumables we are
collaborating with several United States government agencies.
Fuel Cells
We are utilizing our nanostructure technology to help develop high
performance fuel cells for use in portable consumer electronics such as
laptop computers, cell phones and digital cameras. A fuel cell is an
energy conversion device and alternative to batteries that converts
energy from a chemical reaction into electricity and heat. Fuel cells
combine fuels such as hydrogen or methanol along with air and water to
produce electrical power. Fuel cells are environmentally friendly
because their by-products are heat and water, and are viewed by many as
a potential successor to less efficient and less environmentally
friendly portable power such as lithium-ion and other batteries used in
portable electronics devices. The tremendous growth in unit sales of
portable electronic devices, coupled with an increasing burden on
battery life as applications become ever more complex, has created a
serious concern amongst device manufacturers about power requirements.
The inherent higher energy density of small fuel cells in comparison to
batteries has the potential to lead to both longer operational time and
serve the power demands of next generation portable electronics.
To develop our nanotechnology-enabled fuel cell products, we are
collaborating with Sharp Corporation, a leading developer of innovative
electronic products. Sharp offers one of the broadest and most advanced
lines of consumer electronics.
Solar Cells
One potential product is a new type of solar cell that performs like a
traditional solar cell, but can be configured like a light weight,
flexible plastic. In particular, this technology has the potential to
provide low cost solar power through currently available, high volume
and inexpensive manufacturing techniques based on conventional film
based processes such as roll to roll manufacturing.
To develop our nanotechnology-enabled solar cells we are collaborating
with several United States government agencies.
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