Jul 7 2010
Irilliant, Inc., a developer of high-throughput manufacturing processes for nanomaterials, has further enhanced and protected its CAFS (Chemical Aerosol-Flow Synthesis) process with a soon-to-be-issued U.S. patent.
The patent, "Controlled synthesis of nanoparticles using continuous liquid-flow aerosol method," will include claims for large-scale production of high-quality nanoparticles from aerosol. Earlier patented processes were not suitable for large-scale production, nor did they result in products of equally high quality.
In Irilliant's CAFS process, liquid containing the precursors for the synthesis flows continuously through a sprayer, which in turn generates micron-sized droplets. These droplets serve as microreactors, and facilitate the creation of narrow-size distributed nanoparticles. Spraying large amounts of liquid in the reactor, facilitates manufacture of high-quality, surface-stabilized nanoparticles in large quantities. Ultrasonic or large scale industrial sprayers can be used to further enhance throughput. This configuration permits production of a higher quality product with a greater yield compared to previous methods.
Nanomaterials are used in a variety of emerging technologies including next generation photovoltaics, electronic displays, and lighting. "To sustain the explosive growth in these arenas, reliable, high volume production of nanomaterials at the proper pricing points will be needed," said Stephanos Papademetriou, Irilliant's President and CEO. "This addition to our IP portfolio gives us a tremendous competitive advantage. It also moves us closer to our goal of becoming a global leader in the production of a diverse array of quality nanomaterials at price points that are orders of magnitude lower than any other method of nanomaterial synthesis."
Source: Irilliant, Inc.