Global nanotechnology trends at nano tech 2013

(Nanowerk News) Most leading nanotechnology countries have positioned nanotechnology as their strategic priority area by setting out multi-year plans and basic policies for nanotechnology development in around 2010, which are updated according to progress and changes in the environment.
In recent years, emerging countries such as Russia, countries of Asia and Middle East are becoming increasingly active in this field. Increase in investment from the private sector is accelerating the development of various public- and private-run nanotechnology R&D centers across the world.
Today, we will introduce key technologies that will be featured at some booths of nano tech 2013 by foreign exhibitors (The numbers indicated in [ ] are booth numbers).
Growing nanotech clusters in Italy
In Italy, there are more than 190 organizations engaged in nanotechnology research, of which 55% are public research institutions and the remaining 45% are private companies. The most thriving research fields are structural/functional materials, nano-medicine/-biotechnology, nano-electronics and nano-optics.
This year again, the Italian Trade Commission will participate in nano tech 2013. Representatives of industry associations, regional governments, research institutions and related companies will be at the Italian Pavilion to present their nano-technologies [6P-20].
More and more joint nanotechnology R&D projects are being pursued through public-private partnerships leading to the formation of high-tech clusters dedicated to nanotechnology development. Veneto Nanotech Cluster is located in the Veneto Region in north-east Italy, which used to be Italy’s leading petrochemical industry center. The area has now turned into a cutting-edge nanotech cluster centered around VEGA Science and Technology Park in Porto Marghera. The main activity area of Veneto Nanotech Cluster is the creation of novel materials by leveraging nanotechnology.
Nanto Protective Coating develops innovative anticorrosion coatings, fire retardant paints and other coating products based on its unique nanotechnology. It offers various intelligent coating systems of the highest quality standards designed for applications in a wide range of industries. The company specializes in polymer and coating development using a novel treatment technique that guarantees accurate dispersion of nanoscale size particles.
Other companies exhibiting in the Italian Pavilion include: Atoms Italia, the only manufacturer in Europe that produces high-quality fullerene and fullerene derivatives; Rotas Italia developing RFID tags; and Alia-Mentis specializing in specialty polymer research.
The Czech Republic takes the lead in the nanofiber market
In the Czech Republic, 26 member institutions of the Academy of Sciences, 37 universities and 9 national research institutions are engaged in basic research on nanotechnology. In addition, over 15 R&D companies and 69 manufacturers are conducting nanotechnology application research [6A-17].
Above all, it should be noted that the Czech Republic was the first in the world to start industrial production of nanofibers. A Czech company, Elmarco has built a prototype nanofiber equipment for manufacturing non-woven fabric, based on its unique Nanospider technology developed through industry-academia partnership with the Technical University of Liberec. Technical University of Liberec has an academic exchange agreement with Japan’s Shinshu University.
Pardam is a company that produces inorganic nanofibers at an industrial scale. In 2011, it received a 2.5 million dollar funding from the Government of Czech Republic and the EU Foundation for the commercialization of nanofiber production, and currently operates a nanofiber production facility with a capacity to produce several hundred kilo grams per year.
Spanish Nanoscience and Technological Offer
Phantoms Foundation and the Spanish Institute of Foreign Trade (ICEX) mark its 6th consecutive year to jointly present a Spain Area at nano tech. Eleven Spanish nanotech companies as well as technology research institutions and industry associations will be exhibiting. Under the theme“Spanish Nanoscience and Technological Offer,” the Spain Area will introduce the latest technologies and projects that are being promoted through integrated efforts of the science, technology, business and social communities of Spain [4P-02].
NanoBioMatters Industries is a manufacturer producing such products as BactiBlock, an antimicrobial agent based on organic clay and O2Block oxygen scavengers. It holds various patents on the manufacture of additives for maximizing the beneficial properties of plastics. The company has a production capacity of 2,500 tons of additives and 4,000 tons of masterbatch per year.
Other companies exhibiting in the Spain Area include: graphene manufacturers Granph Nanotech and Graphenea; Neoker, a manufacturer of single crystal alumina fiber; and Nanogap Sub-NM-POWDER , a manufacturer of dispersed metal and metal oxide nanomaterials.
Impressive lineup of German nanotechnology companies and research institutions
The Federal German Government announced the “Action Plan Nanotechnology 2015” in 2010. This was a plan to extend and expand Action Plan 2010, which provided 400 million Euro public funding to the field of nanotechnology, one of the largest public investments ever made in Europe. The main object of the plan is to promote nanotechnology with a view to making important contributions to the 5 priority areas (climate/energy, health/food, mobility and security) of the High Tech Strategy for Germany.
The German Pavilion rightfully has the largest booth space among all overseas exhibitors at nano tech 2013. Its exhibitions are always overwhelming others in terms of variety and scale [6D-17].
Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS focuses on research and development in the field of smart systems integration by using micro and nano technologies.
FutureCarbon is a company specializing in the development and manufacture of carbon nanomaterials and their refinement to create what are called carbon super-composites, as both primary and semi-finished products for further processing by industry. Carbon super-composites are combinations of materials that retain the specific characteristics of carbon nanomaterials found in the microscopic world (such as high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and mechanical strength) and unfolds them in the real-size world of actual applications.
A total of approximately 30 companies and organizations will exhibit in the German Pavilion, including Aixtron, a manufacturer of deposition equipment for the semiconductor industry; Loser Chemie, developing technologies for recycling rare earth metals and luminescent materials found in solar panel waste; Schaeffler Group, a global business group active in various sectors including automobile, industrial machinery and aerospace.
Japans most international technology exhibition
Although we could not introduce them all here, there are many other overseas exhibitors from such countries as Korea, Taiwan, China, Singapore, Thailand, Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, France, Russia, Denmark, Canada, United States, Greece, Iran, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Australia.
As seen above, nano tech attracts numerous exhibits from outside Japan. This year, we are expecting exhibits from 22 different countries and regions making up approximately 40% of all exhibitors. No other technology exhibition held in Japan attracts exhibitors from so many countries. Nano tech provides an excellent opportunity for gathering information and setting up business meetings as a step to expanding your business to international markets or introducing new technologies from overseas.
Japan offers innovative nanotech solutions
On the other hand, nano tech also serves as a great opportunity to call the world’s attention to unique technologies originating in Japan. The pavilion operated by the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN (SMRJ) [5A-01] will gather together 30 Japanese SMEs from across Japan with proven track record and experience in nanotechnology and aspiration to expand business globally. They will exhibit various technologies and products at the core of nanotechnology, including nanomaterials, nano-assessment and nano-measurement technologies/equipment, nano-processing technologies/equipment. English, German and Chinese interpreters will be present at all times. Moreover, the ICS Business Matching System, an innovative online system for promoting new business meetings, can be utilized for efficiently setting up business meetings at the exhibition.
Source: nano tech 2013