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NanoCon natterings: So, just what are the barriers to nanomanufacturing? |
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Nov 14, 2007 at 09:01 PM |
While some say that nanomanufacturing is already going on in advanced semiconductor and hard-disk-drive production lines, where fabricated structures have plummeted to the low double-digit nanometer range, others believe that "true" nanomanufacturing must involve some sort of self-assembly or "bottom-up" processes.
The latter view was summed up nicely by Brian Lin of Atomate, when he told Chip Shots a few months back, "Unless it's taking advantage of some of the quantum benefits of the nanoscale, it doesn't really count."
Joey Mead, professor at University of Massachusetts--Lowell and deputy director of the NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing (or "CHN" for short), cleaves to the latter, more "nanopurist" or Feynmanesque definition. She has had two chances at this week's Small Times NanoCon event to talk about what the critical barriers to nanomanufacturing are and how to possibly overcome them, first in a workshop presentation and then as part of a keynote panel discussion on nanomaterials manufacturing.
Before describing the "CHN vision" of using "high-rate/high-volume templates for guided self-assembly" of nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, nanopolymers, etc. and detailing the center's focused efforts on developing a "tool box" (combining "conventional tools used in novel ways" with new tools and processes) to fabricate products from flexible electronics to biosensors to nanotube memory chips to designer materials to injection-molded nanostructures, Joey laid out what she called the four "critical barriers to nanomanufacturing."
- How can we assemble different nanoelements without physically picking them up and placing them?
- How can we manufacture nanoscale structures in a continuous or high-rate (economically viable) manner?
- How can we test for reliability? How can we efficiently detect and remove defects?
- Do nanoproducts and processes require new economic, environmental, and ethical/regulatory assessment and new socially accepted values?
The list provides a sound working template for any organization planning to take the leap into the nanomanufacturing fray. If you don't ascertain what the obstacles or challenges to a positive outcome might be, then how can you determine the ultimate success of your efforts, whether they're nano-endeavors or those of a more macro nature?
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