Voices from industry
TOP NANO 21 from the viewpoint of:
Agie SA
Ilford Imaging Switzerland GmbH
Institut Straumann AG
Nanosurf AG
Omicron Microscopy GmbH
Swiss Optic AG
Zeptosens AG
TOP NANO 21 from the viewpoint of:
Dr. David J. Tune, Director of Technology & Innovation
Ilford Imaging Switzerland GmbH
The potential in the nanometer for Ilford?
Ilford’s traditional business in silver halide photography has always been based on sub-micron technology and "bottom-up" processes, i.e. building crystals to have the required size, distribution, form and properties as light captors within a photographic film. Halide distribution of the crystals is an essential tool for improving photo-efficiency. The enclosed imaging SIMS picture shows nanometer dimensioned iodide rings (yellow) and chloride growths (white) on a silver bromide (orange/red) microcrystal.
The information written into a silver halide microcrystal by exposure to light is stored within a silver cluster containing only about 10 silver atoms at the crystal surface, still the smallest man-made unit of information storage. The natural blue sensitivity of the crystals has to be extended to the whole visible range by self-assembly of dye molecules into exciton conducting cooperative dye aggregates at the crystal surface. As the photographic process is based on photoelectrons injected into the conduction band of silver halide, we are familiar with concepts like electron and hole traps, recombination centers etc.
With this multidisciplinary background plus our evolution into digital imaging and ink jet we started our first true nanometer product development, funded by the CTI in conjunction with the EPFL LTP laboratory to create rapid drying waterfast photo-like ink jet papers. The core technology involves monosized nanoporous metal oxide particles in the 20nm range that are coated on papers or films at high speeds. This new highly competitive product is now commercialized. It is a vital element that helped us gain an import co-development contract with a major ink jet OEM corporation. We also hold a number of key patents in this area.
Our expectations from the nanocrystalline battery project
The work carried out in the development of nanoporous ink jet materials required considerable resource to understand how to apply the nano metal oxide particles in our high speed coating process. However, the success in making layers with over 90% metal oxide rapidly led us to be chosen as the coating partner for nanocristalline batteries, a TOP NANO 21 project. Ilford expects that this will be the first step to expand the company out of the imaging business area into a new field where our unique expertise will help industrialize such an invention.
The consequences of the nanometer on technology development and innovation within Ilford Imaging Switzerland
We are already being approached as potential partners for further hi-tech product developments that require metal oxide coatings as an essential element. To evaluate these opportunities a small "ILFORD TECHNOLOGIES" department has been formed within our company. This already looks too small for the potential business that is coming to us, financing and personnel will be the next hurdles to cross.
However, it is clear that our involvement with nanotechnology has presented us with major unexpected business opportunities that may eventually totally reshape our company. It is a general problem for industry to keep pace with globalisation and move outside its core competences in a sensible way. The path we have chosen: access expertise through collaboration with the EPFL, partnership with new companies, financing by the CTI and TOP NANO 21 funds, is already moving the company into new technological and commercial arenas that seemed absolutely impossible to us even a few years ago, all with modest investment, a good chance of success and calculated risk.
 | June 2001
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TOP NANO 21 from the viewpoint of:
Dr. Lukas Howald, Member of the board
Nanosurf AG
What potential do you see for using the nanometer in your company?
As a supplier of measuring instruments for surface characterization, Nanosurf AG stands at the center of the nanometer stage. It is our company's goal to provide the easiest possible access to the nanometer, not just in extremely clean laboratory environments, but also in the field, on surfaces in engineering. The inquiries we receive every day from industry tell us that many companies are having to place higher and higher demands on specific properties of surfaces. Although those involved do not usually want to be concerned with a nanometer, reliable indications of the causes of observed problems only appear at the sub-micrometre or nanometer scale. Most of the surface measurement techniques that are presently established in industry fail, however, in the sub-micrometre range. We see a great potential for our company in this problem area with the need for higher measurement sensitivity and the absence of suitable measuring techniques.
What do you expect from TOP NANO 21 projects for the future?
The TOP NANO 21 program provides us with access to academic research that we cannot carry out ourselves, given our infrastructure. It should help to improve the role of our sensors as a link between the nano-world and the macroscopic world.
What effect will the nanometer have on technological development at Nanosurf AG?
The nanometer is really the mainspring of our development efforts. At the same time, however, we also use high precision key components in our measuring instruments, and these have to be manufactured with nano-precision. University research in Switzerland is very strong in this sector, and the suppliers to the watch industry, with their remarkable production techniques, are located immediately nearby. With this favorable background, we can make a real contribution to innovation.
| June 2001
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TOP NANO 21 from the viewpoint of:
Dr. Alain Denzler, Research
Institut Straumann AG
What potential do you see for using the nanometer in your company?
The Institut Straumann AG develops, manufactures and markets implants, prosthetic items and instruments for oral and extra-oral implantation. Titanium tooth implants, however, are the company's core business. These are surgically implanted into the bone, where, after a certain period of healing, they become entirely integrated into the bone. Because molecular and cellular interactions take place between the surface of the implant and the surrounding tissues, the role of both the chemical and topographic properties of the implant surface is of great significance. For the Institut Straumann AG, the development of new kinds of implant surface is promised by research into the molecular processes taking place at the surface of the implant on the nanometer scale, and by the technology for manufacturing nano-structured surfaces.
What are your expectations from the project mentioned above for the future?
Proteins play the key role in the integration of the tooth implant into the bone. Certain proteins such as the BMPs (bone morphogenetic proteins) control bone growth. Through our participation in the TOP NANO 21 project "Conformation and Molecular Interaction of Proteins at Nanoscale Patterned Interfaces of Biomaterials and Biosensors", we hope to obtain insight into the molecular mechanisms through which proteins interact with nanostructured surfaces. We hope, of course, that this knowledge will assist us in developing implant surfaces which have an optimal effect on the healing process and which could, for example, reduce the healing time for the implant to a minimum.
What effect do you expect the nanometer to have on technological development and innovation at the Institut Straumann AG?
Even today, there are areas where the Institut Straumann AG could no longer do without the application of nanotechnology. There can be no doubt that this trend will continue and will extend to further areas of our work.
| June 2001
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TOP NANO 21 from the viewpoint of:
Dr. Ivano Beltrami, Head of Research
Agie SA
Where do you see the potential for use of the NANOMETER for your company?
The potential of an electroerosion machine (EDM) with improved precision in the <1µm range encompasses several market segments:
- Lead Frames
- Small precision dies for follow-die cutting
- Medical engineering applications
- Sensor technology + optics
- Watch-making industry
What do you expect from the recently started project "Nanofactory" for the future?
In technical terms the limits of the EDM process should be investigated in the range below the micron. Very small movements without friction should improve not only the precision but also the final roughness of the workpiece. To what extent is up to us to discover.
Involvement in such a project also allows us to sound out the market requirements in advance.
What impact is the NANOMETER likely to have on technological development and innovation at Agie Charmilles?
In the medium term (in 3-5 years) we want to be able to offer a microerosion machine (no-one is talking about a nanoerosion machine at present) in the precision range under 1µm. A market potential of 50-100 machines per year should be feasible.
| June 2000
 |
TOP NANO 21 from the viewpoint of:
Dr. Norbert Nold, CEO
Omicron Microscopy GmbH
Where do you see the potential for use of the NANOMETER for your company?
Omicron develops, produces and markets equipment for surface analysis. In particular this includes atomic force microscopes which can be used to display the surface of a specimen with atomic resolution. It is also possible to change the surface on the nanometer scale with atomic force microscopes so that they can also be used as tools for nanotechnology.
The further development of nanotechnology offers our company enormous potential for growth.
What do you expect from the TOP NANO 21 projects for the future?
Cooperation with universities allows us to remain at the cutting edge of research. As a medium-sized company we are not able to carry out such complex research projects ourselves.
At present OMICRON offers not only equipment for the display of topology with maximum resolution but also systems for the chemical analysis of the specimen surface. In the two TOP NANO 21 projects one technology is being developed for the combination of both. It is our goal to be the first commercial supplier of such equipment.
What impact is the NANOMETER likely to have on technological development and innovation at Omicron Microscopy?
Omicron is a very innovative company which already has close links to nanotechnology. The "Nanometer" will also play a highly influential role for the future development of new equipment and technologies. Nanotechnology is a very fast-moving sector, which means that only companies who can offer rapid and successful technological development and high levels of innovation will be able to survive in the market.
| June 2000
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TOP NANO 21 from the viewpoint of:
Dr. Michael Pfeffer, R&D Engineer
SwissOptic AG
We see the potential for use of the NANOMETER for SwissOptic AG in the
- production of optical components with specific (innovative, unique) optical, mechanical and chemical properties
- use of nanostructured optical components in the high-end optics sector (space, semiconductor, surveying)
For the future we expect the following from the recently started projects
- a qualitative improvement and innovation for existing products
- a technological advantage over our competitors in international markets
- to be able to remain in touch with today's developments and be involved in technological progress
- to safeguard and extend the market for precision optics.
What impact is the NANOMETER likely to have on technological development and innovation at SwissOptic AG?
The NANOMETER might have the following impact on technological development and innovation at SwissOptic AG:
- development of "nano know-how"
- contact with research institutions
- replacement for conventional production processes
- preservation and creation of highly qualified jobs (engineers/physicists).
| June 2000
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TOP NANO 21 from the viewpoint of:
Dr. Markus Ehrat, CEO
Zeptosens AG
The relevance of Nano-technology for Zeptosens
Zeptosens is developing, manufacturing and commercializing bioanalytical systems and chips, which give far more information of higher quality, from only microliters of sample solution, than current standard systems.
Zeptosens' technology allows to detect extremely low concentrations of fluorescent molecules. Light propagating in the waveguide "extends" up to 400 nm above the waveguide surface and thus "illuminates" a few hundred nL of sample volume. This allow the detection of biochemical interactions, when the binding partners are arranged as a monolayer on the micro array surface.
This description shows, why know-how and skill on the nano level in chemistry, physics and engineering is of importance for the development of state of the art bioanalytical technologies and their applications.
The relevance of Top Nano 21 Projects for Zeptosens
In a competitive high technology area, such as micro array systems, the development of potential successor technologies is of crucial relevance for the success of a company. To achieve a worldwide leading position, a high degree of specialization and sophistication in many areas is a prerequisite and small Start-up companies, such as Zeptosens, cannot afford to set-up their own, a collaboration with research institutes is necessary. Top Nano 21 offers a platform, where companies can collaborate with leading academic institutes in Switzerland, and thus could play an important role in the international concert of Nano-technology.
| June 2000
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