- Email: [email protected]
Infrared scope nanoscale
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9/2/02
4:06 PM
Page 4
NEWS
Nanocor teams up with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Nanocor (AMCOL International) and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical have formed a marketing alliance to manufacture and sell high-barrier nanocomposite plastics for consumer and industrial packaging. ‘Nanocor has a great technology for nanoclayproduction and strong IP covering a variety of nanocomposites,’ said James Otsuka, global business manager, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical. ‘At Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, we will develop innovative technologies that satisfy consumer demand for higher gas-barrier applications.’ High-barrier plastics boost shelf life of food and drink by cutting down gas access to the products. The companies plan to focus on the multilayerbarrier market for films, bottles and thermoformed sheets. The alliance combines Nanocor’s nanocomposite technology with Mitsubishi nylon products, including the high-gas-barrier nylon MXD6. Dispersing nano-sized clay particles within MXD6 nylon creates a more difficult path for the passage of gas, increasing a product’s shelf life. Such technology can also help to maintain package clarity after heat treatment. For more information contact: Nanocor, 1500 W. Shure Drive , Arlington Heights, IL 6003, USA. Email: [email protected] Web: www.nanocor.com
Nanopaint project Nanocomposite formulations for paint coatings are to be worked on by a consortium of ten companies, in an EU project costing 825,000. Prime contractor is Leeds, UK-based Corrocoat. The consortium comprises the Materials Research Institute at Sheffield Hallam University, Nanogate Technologies GmbH, Nanopowders Industries and Alubin from Israel, Poland’s PPT Kielce Transporting Manufacturing Co Ltd, Wildon Maintenance & Repair BV, Dena Systems Ltd, Glassflake Ltd, and Pentagon Plastics NV. For more information contact: Charles Watkinson, R&D, Corrocoat Ltd, Forster Street, Leeds LS10 1PW, UK. Tel: +44 113 276 0760. Email: [email protected]
Infrared scope nanoscale Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany and
4
Smart Materials Bulletin
Ludwig-Maximilians University, Germany, have developed an infrared near-field microscope that can examine the chemical identity of a crystal with nanometre-scale resolution. The microscope uses phonon resonance to study lattice vibrations. Identification of chemical compounds by vibrational infrared spectroscopy is of great value, but the spatial resolution is limited to the wavelength of the infrared light, that is a few microns. To improve the spatial resolution, researchers combined apertureless near-field optical probing with infrared spectroscopy which allows infrared spectroscopy and imaging at the nanometre scale. Now the scientists plan to look at polar materials other than silicon carbide – such as semiconductors and biominerals – and try to apply the effect to investigate nanocomposite materials such as teeth and bones, and apply quantum cascade lasers at different wavelengths to investigate and exploit the phonon resonance of polar materials not accessible by CO2 lasers. For more information contact: LudwigMaximilians-Universität München, Geschwister-SchollPlatz 1, D-80539 München, Germany. Tel: +49 89 2180-0. Or: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften eV, Generalverwaltung, Postfach 10 10 62, D-80084 München, Germany. Tel: +49 89 2108-0.
Long stroke actuator, controlled solenoids A Welsh company has designed a lab prototype of a solenoid actuator with a very long stroke. Made up of a number of small fixed increments, the length is effectively infinite. The device can accommodate axial loads in the range between 8 to 100N, and its probable application is as a linear actuator or means of positioning loads. It is fail-safe designed. The company has also developed a range of low-cost, customised proportional solenoids with controlled strokes of up 6 mm and a wide range of operating loads. A joint venture agreement is sought with the aim of developing the actuator and solenoids to meet specific applications. The customised solenoid and wound coil design manufacturing company’s linear actuator device comprises two sequentially operated solenoid actuators, with each solenoid alternately gripping and advancing a common operating rod when a coil is energised. The gripping action is achieved by the use of a split armature, which closes on the operating rod during the advance cycle. When the split
armature is not energised a gap opens, and the rod can freely pass through the inactive solenoid. The device can be used for conventional actuator applications allowing uni-directional and bi-directional travel and used as an effective brake on small diameter rods. The company has a strong automotive customer portfolio. For more information contact: Dr Robert Walker, Welsh Development Agency, Kingsway, Cardiff CF10 3AH, UK. Tel: +44 2920 828631. Email: [email protected]
Anchoring metals to metal oxides A newly patented way to deposit metal atoms on very thin oxide layers may help future computers boot up instantly, help make less expensive catalysts for chemical reactions, and better devices such as ceramic-metal seals. The process, which anchors ultra thin metallic layers to metal oxides by using a chemical reaction, was discovered at Pacific Northwest National Lab and proved by theoretical scientists at Sandia National Lab in Albuquerque, NM. The development overcomes the hurdle created when metal atoms cluster together into three-dimensional islands when deposited on oxide surfaces. This produces a discontinuous, non-crystalline metal film. The new, smooth interfaces achieve crystallinity by a few atomic layers and should produce greater durability in electronic devices. The discovery should also allow for thinner metal layers and lower currents to switch the direction of magnetic field. PNNL chief scientist Scott Chambers worked in partnership with Tim Droubay, who helped with the experiments, and DOE’s Sandia lab’s Dwight Jennison, ‘The process Scott tested concerns growing cobalt on aluminum oxide. Cobalt interaction with oxide is so weak it would normally ball up when deposited. ‘But if the surface of the oxide is first completely hydroxylated, ie terminated by a layer of hydrogen and oxygen atoms bound together, cobalt atoms, which hit two hydroxyl groups at once, can react to release a hydrogen gas molecule. The cobalt atoms become oxidised and end up in the top layer of the oxide, surrounded by negative ions to which they bind strongly,’ said Jennison. For more information contact: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PO Box 999, 902 Batelle Boulevard, Richland, WA 99352, USA. Tel: +1 509 375 2121. Email: [email protected], Web: www.pnl.gov
September 2002
9/2/02
4:06 PM
Page 4
NEWS
Nanocor teams up with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Nanocor (AMCOL International) and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical have formed a marketing alliance to manufacture and sell high-barrier nanocomposite plastics for consumer and industrial packaging. ‘Nanocor has a great technology for nanoclayproduction and strong IP covering a variety of nanocomposites,’ said James Otsuka, global business manager, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical. ‘At Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, we will develop innovative technologies that satisfy consumer demand for higher gas-barrier applications.’ High-barrier plastics boost shelf life of food and drink by cutting down gas access to the products. The companies plan to focus on the multilayerbarrier market for films, bottles and thermoformed sheets. The alliance combines Nanocor’s nanocomposite technology with Mitsubishi nylon products, including the high-gas-barrier nylon MXD6. Dispersing nano-sized clay particles within MXD6 nylon creates a more difficult path for the passage of gas, increasing a product’s shelf life. Such technology can also help to maintain package clarity after heat treatment. For more information contact: Nanocor, 1500 W. Shure Drive , Arlington Heights, IL 6003, USA. Email: [email protected] Web: www.nanocor.com
Nanopaint project Nanocomposite formulations for paint coatings are to be worked on by a consortium of ten companies, in an EU project costing 825,000. Prime contractor is Leeds, UK-based Corrocoat. The consortium comprises the Materials Research Institute at Sheffield Hallam University, Nanogate Technologies GmbH, Nanopowders Industries and Alubin from Israel, Poland’s PPT Kielce Transporting Manufacturing Co Ltd, Wildon Maintenance & Repair BV, Dena Systems Ltd, Glassflake Ltd, and Pentagon Plastics NV. For more information contact: Charles Watkinson, R&D, Corrocoat Ltd, Forster Street, Leeds LS10 1PW, UK. Tel: +44 113 276 0760. Email: [email protected]
Infrared scope nanoscale Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry in Martinsried, Germany and
4
Smart Materials Bulletin
Ludwig-Maximilians University, Germany, have developed an infrared near-field microscope that can examine the chemical identity of a crystal with nanometre-scale resolution. The microscope uses phonon resonance to study lattice vibrations. Identification of chemical compounds by vibrational infrared spectroscopy is of great value, but the spatial resolution is limited to the wavelength of the infrared light, that is a few microns. To improve the spatial resolution, researchers combined apertureless near-field optical probing with infrared spectroscopy which allows infrared spectroscopy and imaging at the nanometre scale. Now the scientists plan to look at polar materials other than silicon carbide – such as semiconductors and biominerals – and try to apply the effect to investigate nanocomposite materials such as teeth and bones, and apply quantum cascade lasers at different wavelengths to investigate and exploit the phonon resonance of polar materials not accessible by CO2 lasers. For more information contact: LudwigMaximilians-Universität München, Geschwister-SchollPlatz 1, D-80539 München, Germany. Tel: +49 89 2180-0. Or: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften eV, Generalverwaltung, Postfach 10 10 62, D-80084 München, Germany. Tel: +49 89 2108-0.
Long stroke actuator, controlled solenoids A Welsh company has designed a lab prototype of a solenoid actuator with a very long stroke. Made up of a number of small fixed increments, the length is effectively infinite. The device can accommodate axial loads in the range between 8 to 100N, and its probable application is as a linear actuator or means of positioning loads. It is fail-safe designed. The company has also developed a range of low-cost, customised proportional solenoids with controlled strokes of up 6 mm and a wide range of operating loads. A joint venture agreement is sought with the aim of developing the actuator and solenoids to meet specific applications. The customised solenoid and wound coil design manufacturing company’s linear actuator device comprises two sequentially operated solenoid actuators, with each solenoid alternately gripping and advancing a common operating rod when a coil is energised. The gripping action is achieved by the use of a split armature, which closes on the operating rod during the advance cycle. When the split
armature is not energised a gap opens, and the rod can freely pass through the inactive solenoid. The device can be used for conventional actuator applications allowing uni-directional and bi-directional travel and used as an effective brake on small diameter rods. The company has a strong automotive customer portfolio. For more information contact: Dr Robert Walker, Welsh Development Agency, Kingsway, Cardiff CF10 3AH, UK. Tel: +44 2920 828631. Email: [email protected]
Anchoring metals to metal oxides A newly patented way to deposit metal atoms on very thin oxide layers may help future computers boot up instantly, help make less expensive catalysts for chemical reactions, and better devices such as ceramic-metal seals. The process, which anchors ultra thin metallic layers to metal oxides by using a chemical reaction, was discovered at Pacific Northwest National Lab and proved by theoretical scientists at Sandia National Lab in Albuquerque, NM. The development overcomes the hurdle created when metal atoms cluster together into three-dimensional islands when deposited on oxide surfaces. This produces a discontinuous, non-crystalline metal film. The new, smooth interfaces achieve crystallinity by a few atomic layers and should produce greater durability in electronic devices. The discovery should also allow for thinner metal layers and lower currents to switch the direction of magnetic field. PNNL chief scientist Scott Chambers worked in partnership with Tim Droubay, who helped with the experiments, and DOE’s Sandia lab’s Dwight Jennison, ‘The process Scott tested concerns growing cobalt on aluminum oxide. Cobalt interaction with oxide is so weak it would normally ball up when deposited. ‘But if the surface of the oxide is first completely hydroxylated, ie terminated by a layer of hydrogen and oxygen atoms bound together, cobalt atoms, which hit two hydroxyl groups at once, can react to release a hydrogen gas molecule. The cobalt atoms become oxidised and end up in the top layer of the oxide, surrounded by negative ions to which they bind strongly,’ said Jennison. For more information contact: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PO Box 999, 902 Batelle Boulevard, Richland, WA 99352, USA. Tel: +1 509 375 2121. Email: [email protected], Web: www.pnl.gov
September 2002