Nanopowders, Thin Films, and Devices

nGimat developed the NanoSpraySM Combustion Processing technology to produce nanoEngineered MaterialsTM, including nanopowder and thin films at costs enabling wide-scale commercialization. At the heart of the technology is the proprietary Nanomiser® device, which is an innovative liquid atomizer that can produce an aerosol of controlled size down to sub-micron range from 0.002 to 4 L/min flow rates without any atomizing gas. In the technology, liquid solutions of soluble precursors, which are the metal-bearing chemicals used to form the end material, are atomized to form microscopic droplets with the Nanomiser device. This aerosol is then ignited to form a flame from which thin films can be deposited onto a substrate via Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) or nanopowder condensed in a bag house via Combustion Chemical Vapor Condensation (CCVC). Possible materials include numerous ceramics of one or more cations and certain metals. On the other hand, if combustion is not desired, the finely atomized spray (NanoSpray Process) can be used to make polymer thin films or nanopowder, to convert pharmaceuticals to submicon- and nano-size particles, or to atomize a combustible fuel for cleaner burn. The key advantages of this technology include: Open-atmosphere processing; Use of inexpensive, environmentally friendly, soluble chemical reagents; Production of tailored and complex material solutions; and Continuous manufacturing capability. nGimat's intellectual property covers over 35 issued or allowed U.S. patents and multiple patent applications including raw materials, processes, equipment, composition of matter, intermediate products, and final products. nGimat's facilities and equipment include high-end instrumentation and cleanrooms to perform cutting edge product research, development, and manufacturing. nGimat believes its NanoSpray Combustion Processing technology and its Nanomiser device can be adapted to a wide variety of manufacturing environments, such as continuous web, wafer fabrication, and high volume individual parts. nGimat's view of the advantages of its technologies relative to competing coating, nanopowder, and spray technologies are highlighted in the following chart: nGimat's NanoSpray Combustion Processing Versus Traditional Techniques   Coating Process Atomization   CVD PVD Sol-Gel CCVD Ultrasonic & Electrostatic NanoSpray Process Tailored Performance - O O ++ + ++ Cost - O O + O + Substrate or Nanopowders O O - + O ++ Flexibility - - - + O + Environmental O + + + O + - = Less than Standard; O = Standard; + = Better than Standard nGimat Home