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Will nanomaterials define our future?. Dr John Robinson Competency Leader. Outline. What are nanomaterials ? Commercialisation case Studies What might the future hold? Conclusions. What are Nanomaterials ?. A Materials Science approach to Nanotechnology
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Will nanomaterials define our future? Dr John Robinson Competency Leader
Outline • What are nanomaterials? • Commercialisation case Studies • What might the future hold? • Conclusions
What are Nanomaterials? • A Materials Science approach to Nanotechnology • ‘Nanomaterial’: at least 1 external or internal dimension at the nanoscale (less than 100 nm) • 1 nanometre = 10-9metre (million times smaller than a millimetre) • eg: Nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanorods, thin films, nanostructured materials. Nanoparticles Nanorods Nanostructured particles
Why are Nanomaterials of interest? • Compared to traditional materials, nanomaterials: • Have increased surface area • Are potentially: • Harder, stronger, more flexible • Often present: • Unique optical, electronic, thermal properties • Nanomaterials are not new: • Carbon black, photographic silvers, Ming Dynasty glazes • ‘Nanohype’ began in 1990’s with advances in electron microscopy
Potential Nanomaterials Applications But products don’t always develop along the lines we expect…
Case Studies • Antaria Limited • Advanced Materials development & manufacturing company • Based in Western Australia • Technology start-up company, established 1997, initially focusing on nanomaterials
Case Studies: Cerium Oxide • Nanoparticulate cerium oxide synthesized by Mechanochemical Processing 10 nm 20 nm 50 nm
Case Studies: Cerium Oxide • Precision polishing of microelectronic components (Chemical Mechanical Planarization: CMP) • Cerium oxide believed to be next generation CMP material • Samsung Corning (SSC) invested $6m in 2000 • Pilot plant constructed to demonstrate scalability of process • Result: • Nano cerium oxide unable to displace lower cost silica based CMP slurries • 2013: cerium oxide based slurries account for <1% CMP market • CMP slurry project dropped…
Case Studies: Cerium Oxide • Antaria approached by Oxonica in 2003: • Dispersion of cerium oxide nanoparticles for diesel fuel additive? • “Envirox”: • Fuel borne cerium oxide nanoparticles act as combustion catalyst • Improves efficiency of combustion of diesel fuel • Assists in burning of carbon deposits • Envirox now marketed by Energenics EU: utilized by Stagecoach Bus Co.
Case Studies: Aluminium Oxide • Micron sized plate-like alumina particulates with nanoscale thickness
Case Studies: Aluminium Oxide • Applications initially pursued: • Hard coatings • Advanced ceramics • Toughening ceramics / glasses • Specialty lubricants • Transparent polymer additive: • Improved strength • Reduced friction • Result: unable to compete on price in comparison with existing materials / additives…
Case Studies: Aluminium Oxide • “Alusion” developed by chance: • Functional cosmetics pigment: • Soft focus effect with enhanced cosmetic ‘feel’ • Technology licensed to Merck KGaA in2009: • Alusion incorporated in cosmetics pigments range • “RonaFlare White Sapphire” • Collaborative R&D aimed at development of pearlescent pigment products for automotive and other applications.
Cosmetics: a surprising market? • Antaria now focus entirely on Aluminium Oxide and Zinc Oxide for cosmetics & sunscreens. • Nanomaterialsin cosmetics estimated at $155.8M end 2012 • Ref: BCC NAN017D • Nano ZnO & TiO2UV absorbers in Personal Care estimated at $280m by 2015. • Ref: BCC NAN031D • Where else can nanotechnology go?
What does the future hold? • Current global nanomaterials market size? • $1.7 Billion in 2010 / growing 23% pa to 2016 • Ref: Global nanomaterials opportunity and emerging trends, Lucintel report, March 2011 • $9.9 Billion in 2010 / growing at 14.7% pa to 19.6 Billion in 2015 • Ref: Nanotechnology: a realistic market assessment, BCC report NAN031D, July 2011 • Depends how the market is defined
What does the future hold? Anticipated global nanotechnology market segmentation 2015 • $1.7 Estimated market size $19.6 billion in 2015: Ref: BCC NAN031D
What does the future hold? Graphene: next generation nanomaterial? • Discovered 2004, University of Manchester (Nobel prize 2010) • Chicken-wire type structure of C-atoms, single layer thick. • Properties: • Hard as diamond • Flexible as rubber • Exceptional electric and thermal conductivity • High surface area • Transparent www.jameshedberg.com/lettera/2010/07/05/graphene-models/ www.sciencenews.org
What does the future hold? Graphene: next generation nanomaterial? Global graphene market tipped to reach ~$520 million by 2020 (BCC AVM075A, Feb 2011)
Conclusions • A bright future for nanomaterials? • Challenges: • Cost competitiveness / performance advantage • Nanomaterials safety: Regulatory hurdles • It seems safe to conclude: • Nanomaterials markets will continue to grow • New nanomaterials will continue to emerge • The 3 E’s will to continue to dominate: • Electronic / Energy / Environmental • $Billion opportunities • Highest growth in healthcare & consumer goods • Antibacterial applications / Cosmetics… • $100M opportunities