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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PRISTINE (Improved production of low cost silver nanowires)

Teaser

Summary

The PRISTINE business innovation project focuses on the enhancement of the production process to enable larger scale manufacture of silver nanowires to supply large scale application areas including IoT, smart packaging, printed lighting, touch panels, photovoltaics and heating
The project objectives are to: (i). Prepare robust business case for commercialisation of PRISTINE technology. (ii) Develop Sales & Marketing strategy in order to reach untapped markets and new customers outside the touch panel markets. (iii) Obtain further investment (Phase II funding or private investment) to develop product performance to levels required by industry (i.e. lower sheet resistance, higher light transmission, lower haze and lower costs). (iv) Grow the application areas & customer base significantly increasing revenues. (v) Investigate options to optimise synthesis reaction and yield using real-time monitoring and post synthesis purification methods using cross flow filtration techniques.(vi) Develop future in-line quality control procedures specifically for production of a 20-40nm product.
In this project a number of issues are being addressed which are important for societal issues including energy efficiency and the Internet of Things. A major opportunity has been identified in IoT where silver nanowires can be used as part of a low cost system to provide connectivity to everyday items. This connectivity can be used, for example, to provide information to consumers or to provide product authentication, in the battle against counterfeit goods. Silver nanowires can also be used in low cost, energy efficient printed lighting, as well as more energy efficient photovoltaics and displays. More recently, energy efficient, room heating systems are being investigated.

Work performed

From a business perspective, the main purpose of this task was to identify new opportunities for silver nanowires. This was achieved through internet searching, Technology and product promotion including exhibiting at the Printed Electronics Europe show, and most importantly speaking to customers and potential customers. In the proposal, a number of potential opportunities were listed including photovoltaics, OLEDS, smart windows, smart packaging, EMI shielding, antistatic coatings, and thermal transfer. From our market study, a key opportunity that has been identified is in The Internet of Things and smart packaging. From a technical perspective, various technologies have been identified for potential improvements to the nanowire production method. These include in-line monitoring of reaction conditions as well as new processes for product purification.

Final results

NANOGAP has made a number of technical advances during the duration of applying for and completing phase 1 of this project. This includes increase in overall process yield values, and reduction in final product cost, and an increase in capacity achieved with existing process facilities. Product performance has also increased with the overall effect that we believe that we have the leading cost and price position of any nanowire producer and the lowest in-use cost of any nanowire product on the market. This has allowed us to form partnerships with leading companies in order to commercially exploit a number of opportunities. Wider societal implications include providing connectivity to everyday items, which for example can be used to provide information to consumers, as well as authenticating products in the fight against counterfeit goods, particularly important in areas such as pharmaceuticals.