NDB, Inc., a startup that focuses on green energy, recently finished testing their self-charging nano diamond battery that could potentially last for 28,000 years. In two separate tests, researchers found that the battery maintained 40% of its charge, greatly improving the 15% charge retention of a regular diamond battery. NDB has developed the diamond in an effort to have a battery more efficiently extract charge and is looking to make it available commercially. The battery will only need exposure to open air and does not give off any carbon emissions.
HPQ Nano Silicon Powders Inc. has received a request for Spherical Nano Silicon powders to be produced by the their PUREVAPTM Nano Silicon Reactor (“NSiR”) from a major automobile manufacturer which, when concluded, will represent the first order for these powders. The PUREVAPTM Nano Silicon Reactor (NSiR) is a new proprietary process that can use different purities of silicon (Si) as feedstock, to make spherical silicon nanopowders and nanowires. HPQ believes it can also become the lowest cost manufacturer of spherical Si nanopowders and silicon-based composites needed by manufacturers of next-generation lithium-ion batteries. During the coming months, spherical Si nanopowders and nanowires silicon-based composite samples requested by industry participants and research institutions’ will be produced using PUREVAPTM SiNR.
Researchers from the University of Houston have developed a nanotech coating designed to allow air filters to capture airborne or aerosolized droplets of the virus that causes COVID-19.The coating works by capturing liquids which encase the virus particles while still allowing air to flow through unimpeded. That allows ventilation systems to remove the virus during normal operation, without retrofitting or limiting the system’s ability to draw fresh air, according to Seamus Curran, a physics professor. The coated filters are currently installed in one public building in New York City. Curran is commercializing the coating via Curran Biotech, a company he founded to focus on hydrophobic fabric coatings and other products. A second company, Integricote, manufactures coatings for concrete, masonry and wood in a lab at the UH Technology Bridge.
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. group company SDC Technologies, Inc. has acquired Cotec GmbH. Engaged in the manufacture, sale and research of hydrophobic and anti-reflective coatings, Cotec officially became a wholly owned subsidiary of SDC on October 1, 2020. Mitsui Chemicals Group is looking to enhance its offering of coating solutions for the ophthalmic lens market. “Together we can provide coating materials for all layers of a complete eyewear lens coating stack,” said Antonios Grigoriou, CEO and President of SDC. “From Mitsui Chemicals’ innovative MR series of high refractive index optical lens materials, to SDC’s CrystalCoat top layer best-in-class abrasion resistant hard coats, to Cotec’s anti-reflective coating materials and DURALON brand family of nanocoatings offering easy-to-clean finger-print, and anti-smudge and oil/ water repellency.”
Nanosys and Shoei Chemical have entered into a Quantum Dot materials supply and service agreement. Under the agreement, Shoei Chemical will manufacture Nanosys’ proprietary Quantum Dot materials exclusively for Nanosys.
Canadian listed mining company Rio2, which is developing the Fenix gold project in Chile, has agreed to trial a gold extraction polymer developed by nanotechnology company Sixth Wave. Sixth Wave will perform a combination of leaching and recovery tests on ore samples from Fenix Gold using its IXOS purification polymer technology.
French energy storage specialist NAWA Technologies has unveiled a carbon nanotube-based battery electrode that is said to be the fastest of its kind in the world. The Ultra Fast Electrode could, it is claimed, improve power by a factor of 10, energy storage by up to three, lifecycle by up to five and reduce charging time down to minutes instead of hours.
Nanoseen develops innovative nanomaterials obtained through recycling metal wafers to build a NanoseenX water filter. They are currently working on creating a solution to break down micro and nano-plastics in harbours and marinas.
The mass production of the Nanoseen water filter, known as the NanoseenX, will begin in early 2021. This will be available to industrial commercial partners and individuals. The water filter could become an essential item for disaster relief teams who respond to devastating natural phenomena such as earthquakes, floods, tornados, hurricanes and manmade disasters such as war.
Nanotech Security Corp., a developer of nano-optic security features used in the government and banknote and brand protection markets, has been selected as the exclusive supplier of authentication labels to protect licensed merchandise for the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf). Concacaf is one of FIFA’s six continental confederations, serving 41 Member Associations. Secured with Nanotech’s LiveOptik™ technology, the labels will be used for Concacaf events and competitions. The Concacaf Gold Cup is held every two years and is Concacaf’s largest event. Identification markers including serialization, covert elements, and a suite of other unique identifiers coupled with Nanotech’s technology will be employed to fight counterfeit merchandise and report royalties from licensees to Concacaf for the Gold Cup in July 2021. Only verified Concacaf licensees will be permitted to purchase the labels supplied by Nanotech.
Enhance Track Sdn Bhd and NanoMalaysia Bhd will commercialise Malaysia’s first nanotech wireless mobile phone charger known as METT (Malaysia Energy Transmission Technology) with a sales target of RM1.9 billion in five years. METT is capable of contactless charging at a distance of several meters for 5V power-based mobile devices and can be used for all types of mobile phones and tablets, METT is expected to enter the market by mid-2021.
The growing demand for high-capacity, long-life batteries is forcing manufacturers to look for new technologies that improve efficiency and increase the longevity of Li-ion batteries. One of these new technologies is NanoPow’s crystalline silicon nanopowder which enhances battery capacity and charge-discharge cycle index. The silicon nanopowder can be used in batteries for electric vehicles, electric bicycles, drones, cell phones, laptops and tablets. The NanoPow production has zero emissions of any toxic or hazardous gases and is environment friendly. When crystalline nano silicon powder is used effectively, it increases the Li-ion battery capacity without cycle degradation. Further information at http://www.nanopow.eu/
UbiQD, Inc., a quantum dots producer, and the Solvay Group, have agreed to partner on the development of next-generation luminescent greenhouse technology under UbiQD’s UbiGro family of specialty agricultural products. UbiGro is a layer of light that helps plants get more from the sun. Powered by UbiQD’s quantum dots, UbiGro uses fluorescence to create a more optimal light spectrum for crops. UbiQD’s dots convert underutilized colors of light from the sun, such as blue and UV, to more photosynthetically active colors of light. UbiQD has demonstrated plants grow faster under the orange UbiGro product; consistently producing up to 20% larger harvests for farmers.
Indian tech startup Muse Nanobots has launched a nanotech coating for textiles that it claims can inactivate Coronavirus within five minutes of contact. The company said Muse nanocoated textiles can offer enhanced protection for people to travel and will provide great safety to frontline healthcare, hospital, hotels and restaurant workers.
Muse Nanobots conducted a study with the U.S.-based Situ Biosciences, an independent product test laboratory in Chicago, to understand the effectiveness of Muse Nanobots antiviral coating on coronavirus 229E, showed that it inactivated 99.99 per cent of the coronavirus 229E within five minutes of contact time.
Promethean Particles has joined a consortium of organisations to research and develop new safe and sustainable water repellent fabrics. Today, the highest level of water and oil repellency is achieved by using highly fluorinated chemical substances. However, increased concern and heightened regulation of perfluorocarbons and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFCs and PFASs) is leading the textile industry to seek alternative chemistries that are more sustainable.
The other four other partners involved in the Innovate UK project, REPETEX, are North West Textiles Network, Manchester Manufacturing Group, Mexar, an independent inkjet ink manufacturer specialising in water-based inkjet technologies, and The Welding Institute (TWI).
