University-Industry Collaboration in ZnO Nanotechnology

1. World Innovation Forum, United Nation, 10-11Aug2007, K.L. Malaysia University-Industry Collaboration in ZnO Nanotechnology Shahrom Mahmud and Peter J. Robinson Integrated Resource Management (IRM) (131662900RT0001) Ontario, Canada N1M 2W5 In Collaboration with M.J. Abdullah, Universiti Sains Malaysia M.Z. Zakaria, J. Chong, A.K. Mohamad Approfit ZnO Mfg Sdn Bhd, Seremban Azmi Zakaria, M. Zobir Hussein, Z. Rizwan Universiti Putra Malaysia

2. Brief Introduction to IRM Canada • A world expert in Zinc Wastage Recycling and ZnO Manufacturing • Built half a dozen Zn-ZnO factories in several countries • 7 US patents in zinc recovery from wastages and ZnO manufacturing • 5 US patents in ZnO varistors, surge arresters. • IRM consultants have 10-40 years experience in MNCs • Projects in UK, Europe, India, S. America, Canada & USA. • Newest project is nano ZnO, currently looking for investors. • Principal Consultant is Dr Peter J. Robinson, Phd in ZnO, 40 years experience in industry in 4 continents.

3. The Essence of this talk • Three issues on University-Industry Linkage: How to forge linkage ? • A case study: Novel nanotechnology discovery from university-industry collaboration • Joint-venture proposition on new industrial scale nanotechnology

4. 3 issues on University-Industry Linkage Issue 1: Thinking at the same wavelength Issue 2: Complementary expertise and knowledge Issue 3: Security for insecurity

5. Issue 1: Thinking at the Same Wavelength INDUSTRY Money Good Products Big Profit Margin Low Production Costs RESEARCHER Impact-Factor Papers Research Awards Career Promotion Produce Graduates CALIBRATE MINDSET One Goal One Aspiration Win-Win for All High Commercial Value Big Market NEW PRODUCTS Low Production Cost Satisfy International Standards Big Profit Margin

6. Issue 2: Complementary Expertise One Fact – Most factories make specialized products. Specialized technology Specialized market Specific sets of specifications (UL,FDA,ASTM,CECC,JS,BS, etc) Another Fact – Industry people would be impressed if university researchers possess knowledge that can solve their problems. This kind of knowledge is complementary or relevant to industry needs.

7. How to obtain complementary expertise? 1.Visit Google – study product specifications, product technology and product market. 2. For a particular product, list down several main problems faced by manufacturers, ie. problems that cause huge financial losses. 3. Do research to solve the industry problems – buy factory machineries, not lab equipment; and use factory raw materials, not lab materials 4. Take experienced/retired engineers as advisors 5. Use international specifications to judge research products 6. After several years, visit industry people and say “Hey, I can solve your problems.” exp.1

8. Issue 3: Security for Insecurity One Fact – Most companies are protective over their technology How do companies protect their secrets? 1.Secrecy agreements 2.Special access to critical department 3.During factory visits by the public, critical departments are blocked from view. 4.Anti-employee-hopping agreement among competitor companies. 5.Legal suit for industrial espionage or copyright infringements. 6.Research on core technology only done by employee; other research work can be offered to universities.

9. Some companies feel insecure for the security of core technology thereby feel reluctant to share with others How to attract companies to share core technology? ·1. Researchers must create own core technology that can complement industry core technology. ·2. Secrecy agreements, royalties, generate income.

10. Case Study: University-Industry Success Universiti Sains Malaysia ZnO research group  Approfit ZnO Co. Ltd (factory) Using factory machineries and raw materials, we invented a novel nanofabrication (CFCOM) to synthesize nano-crystals of ZnO.  Discovered 4 new nanostructures of ZnO. Published 4 impact-factor journal papers and 6 papers. Now, making a prototype plant to mass produce with the help of a world expert in ZnO industry from Canada. Need investment USD2-3 million. Universiti Putra Malaysia ZnO research groups Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Canada Dr. Peter J Robinson

11. The new nanofabrication (CFCOM) is developed in a factory, Approfit ZnO Mfg Co. Ltd. Normal ZnO Nano ZnO

12. Nano ZnO has enhanced optical emission, >30 times higher than normal ZnO – can use less ZnO in real application. Nano ZnO can also exhibit multiple colors (blue, green, yellow and red) – promising source of lighting devices.

13. Nanoproducts Materials Special Properties Sunscreen & Cosmetics Nano ZnO and TiO2 Better UV absorption, higher SPF, less risk to skin cancer. Tyre Composite Carbon Black Increase strength of tyres, better durability Anti static packaging Plastic Carbon Nanotubes in Polymer Enhance conductivity of polymers making it anti static and stronger. Car Bumpers Nano Clay Lighter and stronger Window Coatings Nano TiO2 Self-cleaning, anti-scratch Nano Textiles Nano ZnO Anti-microbial, self-cleaning, anti-wrinkle, water repellent Cutting Tools SiC, TiC Wear resistant, last longer Current Nanoproducts, about USD1 billion (2005)

14. Future Nano ZnO Applications

15. What Nano? Nanotechnology = the applied science dealing with dimensions less than 100 nm; electron microscope is required. USD 10.5 billion= world’s investment on nano research in 2005. 90% of it came from USA, Europe & Japan[Ref 1] USD 2.6 trillion= expected revenue from nano products by 2014[Ref 2] Nanomaterialsresearch dominates development and future markets of nanotechnology. [Ref 1] P. Harrison, “Nanotechnology and the Environment” Geo Year Book 2007, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), pp 61-70, 2007 [Ref 2] Lux Research, “Revenue from nanotechnology-enabled products to equal IT and telecom by 2014”, press release 25 October 2004

16. Nanotechnology Facts • From a survey done by European Commission[Ref 3], • 74% of nanomaterials enterprises are SMEs • Main success factors are superior material properties (78%) and quality improvement (47%). • Most nano companies carry out research activities on their own. • Four most important obstacles for the application of nanomaterials by SMEs are • imperfect production process tech (41%) Agglomeration problem • high production costs (37%) Results in expensive nano powder • lack of knowledge transfer from scientific centers to SMEs (33%) • small market volume (18%) Reluctant to use nanomaterial [Ref 3]European Commission, “European survey on success factors, barriers and needs for the industrial uptake of nanomaterials in SMEs”, Nanomaterial Roadmap 2015 project, 6th framework programme, press release January 2006

17. Why do industries reluctant to use nano ZnO? Expensive >USD50 per kg

18. How to make nano ZnO cheap? • IRM Canada, we are developing a new ZnO prototype plant that can mass produce CHEAP nano ZnO below USD30 per kg. • 1. Project: Nano ZnO prototype plant • 2. Product: Nanoscale ZnO 10-50 nm • 3. Capacity: 2-5 kg per hour, 17-43 tons per year • 4. Designed by IRM Canada, to be built in Germany and Canada, and assembled in investor’s premise. • Joint-patent. • Investment: USD 2-3 million • 7. Future Project: Full Size Factory with capacity of 300 tons per year and income of USD 9 million per year. • 8.

19. 1. Costing Estimates: Material Cost = USD 4 per kg Manpower Cost = USD 3 per kg Utilities/Other Cost = USD 3 per kg Royalties = USD 2 per kg Profit Margin = HUGE How can we make it cheap? • 1. Simple process • Simple machineries • Innovative ideas

20. IRM Canada offers these services IRM Canada offers technology for these factory set-ups Zinc recycling plants from galvanized dross/wastages Zinc Oxide manufacturing foundries Energy Regenerative Systems Nano Zinc Oxide plant We can market your products internationally We also offer consultation for research projects on ZnO, Nanomaterials, Electronic Materials, Ferrites, Varistors. Capacitors, Solid-state Devices. We help in paper publication in impact-factor journals. “We transform toxic zinc into biosafe zinc oxide for sustainable growth and cleaner environment.”

21. Our Websitehttp://uk.geocities.com/shahromx/irm.html THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION