Related Pages NANOTECHNOLOGIES

Subject :          Nanotechnologie et Industrie
Date & place : 13 / 06 / 2000 - Paris (F)
From :              J-P Dan

1. General information

The goal of the meeting was

• to listen to the industry point of view concerning "Nanotechnology",
• to acknowledge what kind of support was given by the French administration,
• to present APTE to the board of "club nanotechnology" which is a French network

Roughly 100 representatives of different companies were attending, mostly industrial companies.

Presentations and discussions were most of the time technical
Strong emphasis made on surface engineering, materials and on microfluidics

2. Presentations

2.1 "Actions dans le domaine des microsystèmes"
"Actions dans le domaine des Nanotechnologies"
Reminder concerning the actions supported by the French ministry of finances concerning Micro and Nano Technologies. 75% of the projects are targeted to SME's. Mean total budget for a project is 1.6 Mio SFr
Since 18.02.2000 a network called Micro-Nanotech has been launched
A study concerning "key technologies for 2005" has been started, it concerns the following fields: Health, Environment, Communications, Materials, Energy, Process Organisation, Production Instrumentation and Measures
A program called "Performances" has been stated beginning of 1999. The applications conditions are very closed to those used in the Swiss CTI projects

More informations can be found on
www.industrie.gouv.fr 
www.rmnt.org 
www.cordis.org 
www.euro-innovation.org 
http://eurimus.cea.fr 

2.2 Gemplus "De la carte mémoire à l'objet portable intelligent"
Gemplus S.A. is the world's leading provider of plastic and smart card-based solutions. Gemplus sells magnetic stripe cards, memory and microprocessor-based smart cards, smart contactless cards, electronic tags and smart objects.
Gemplus designs and markets software, development tools and readers. The company also provides consulting, training and personalization services to deliver the industry's most comprehensive and flexible card-based solutions to its developers, distributors, partners, and customers.

The trends which are driving the developments are :

• Biometric applications (voice, fingerprint...)
• Communications
• Calculations / Services

Solutions must be found at the level of

• microprocessors (32 bits)
• card thickness (250mm)
• 900 MHz ; 2.56 GHz
• Interconnections
• Security

2.4 Osmooze "Composants microfluidiques commandés par des champs électriques"
Star-up active in micro-fluidic components. Basic principles used are linked to electrostatic displacement of micro or nano drops and electro-osmosis.
Partnership with CEA-LETI
Targeted applications micro-analytic
Basic material galss and Silicon with some test on polymers

2.5 l'Oréal "Microcapsulation et cosmétique"
Cosmetological and dermatological research is the focal point of L'Oréal's development strategy, and is one of the keys to its success. L'Oréal is one of the worlwide leader in cosmetology.
Presentation focused on the bio-disponibility of the active molecule (protection and skin penetration, uniformity of the distribution) and the elaboration of new structures (nanocapsules and manufacturing process)

2.6 BioMérieux "Diagnostique médical : apport et contraintes des nanotechnologies"
As a major in vitro diagnostics player, focusing on infectious diseases, bioMérieux develops, manufactures and markets reagents and automated systems designed for medical analysis and product quality control in the agri-food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
With over FRF 3.2 billion in sales in 1998, more than 75% outside France, bioMérieux ranks among the ten largest biological diagnostics companies in the world.
The Company invests about 12% of sales in research and development of new tools aimed at improving disease detection, monitoring and treatment. Trends towards nanotechnologies is driven byØ precisionØ reduced quantities availableØ reduced time of analysisØ cost of reagentØ parallel analysisRequest for:Ø detection at the molecule level (AFM, electrical measurement, optical measurement)Ø microfluidic handling (valves, mixing, precise control, reproducibility, ...)Ø non contaminating processØ true lab-on-chipLimitations:Ø concentration requiredØ ratio area/volume is critical. Surface engineering a key pointØ bubbles formation (loss of liquid, loss of precision...)Ø Integration in the customer environment
bioMérieux has developped a technology close to ink-jet methods

2.7 Institut Textile de France "Les nouvelles fibres sont des nanomatériaux"
Center of Competence for the French Textile Industry, contributes to new textiles manufacturing for applications not only dedicated to fashion but also to technical use.

Trends towards nanotechnologies is driven by

• increase of the textile surface (80 m2/g to 1'500 m2/g
• request for improved thermal interface
• request for new materials (i.e stainless steel)
• request for antiseptic textiles

Applications to

• nanocapsules on fibres (perfume, cosmetics... )
• nanorelief on fibres
• inclusion of active products (medical,..

2.8 Photonetics
Photonetics hi-tech company is serving the global market of photonics-based instruments and components. Photonetics manufacture products of their own design and serves as a European distributor for other industry leaders.
Photonetics responds to the fast growing demand of test equipment and key components generated by the development of optical communications.

• Tunable laser sources
• 8-channel modular optical sources
• Multi-wavelength analyzers
• Modular portable instruments
• Fiber test instruments
• Fiber amplifiers
• Broadband sources
• D-WDM multiplexers/demultiplexers
  

Relation with nano was made at the level of the path light control.

2.9 Alcatel "Les technologies de réseaux pour laser D-WDM"
Alcatel Alsthom S.A. provides telecommunications equipment and systems. The Networking segment produces fixed and mobile switching systems and switch-based networking solutions for fixed and mobile telephony, data communication and multimedia applications. The Transport and Access segment produces systems for the transport of voice, data and multimedia communications, products and solutions. The Enterprise and Consumer Segment produces, supplies and implements business and consumer products, including private branch exchange switches, data communication equipment and end user terminals for business and residential use. The Telecom Components segment produces cables and sub-systems covering all telecommunications needs. The Energy Cables segment manufactures special cables and metallurgy products, industrial cables, high voltage cables for power transmission, medium and low voltage cables.

Presentation was focused on laser fabrication

Trends towards nanotechnologies is driven by

• control of the laser source precision
• increase of power
• monolithic integration

2.10 Angenieux SA " Usinage d'ultra-précision pour la mécanique et l'optique"
Company specialized in high performance optics in visible, near IR, and IR. The products are used in professional films and TV applications as well as in space. Since July 1993, ANGENIEUX is a subsidiary of Thomson-CSF.

Présentation concerning a method able to produce aspherical lenses with a roughness ranging from 6 to 8 nm, by direct machining of the lens (diameter of the lens 150 mm).

Limitations:

• few companies able to produce a machine
• metrology has to be improved
• cutting tools have to be improved
• handling of the basic material

2.11 PCI-SCEMM "usinage moderne à grande vitesse"
PCI, manufacturer of capital equipment, works on a worldwide scale.
PCI meets the requirement of the market through its three commercial divisions :
- Bodywork systems
- Assembly systems
- Machining systems
P CI Machining Systems Division designs and manufactures automated production lines dedicated to the machining of mechanical components. Interface between the raw material (castings / forgings / pressed parts / welded sub-assemblies...) and the assembly line, the Machining Systems Division includes the use of a variety of techniques: metal cutting, splitting, honing or laser operations such as laser cutting, resurfacing or structuring.

Presentation focused on a new high speed cutting machine.

Limitations for the application to nanoscale :

• Cutting tools development
• management of the evolution and lifetime of the cutting tool
• monitoring and control of the machine

2.12 Picogiga "Semi-conducteurs, de la couche mince aux systèmes à zéro dimensions"
PICOGIGA was established in 1985 to produce and market new Gallium Arsenide semiconductor materials used in advanced electronic devices particularly the High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMT).

This transistor is the key electronic device used in:

• digital TV
• mobile communications
• satellite communications

Presentation dealing mainly with III-V MBE Epitaxy. According to the presentation the toolbox for realizing materials for nanostructure is already existing, but must be carefully adapted (which might take time and money)

Presentation focused on a new high speed cutting machine.

The toolbox consists of :

• selective epitaxy,
• microstructured surfaces
• etching in-situ
• in-situ masking

Limitations for the application to nanoscale structures :

• masking technology
• characterization

2.13 Corning SA "travaux sur les puces ADN"
Corning Incorporated is a global, technology-based corporation which operates in three broadly based business segments: Telecommunications, Advanced Materials and Information Display. The Telecommunications Segment produces optical fiber and cable, optical hardware and equipment and photonic modules and components for the worldwide telecommunications industry. The Advanced Materials Segment manufactures specialized products with unique properties for customer applications utilizing glass, glass ceramic and polymer technologies. Businesses within this segment include environmental products, science products, semiconductor materials and optical and lighting products. The Information Display Segment manufactures glass panels and funnels for televisions and CRTs, liquid crystal display glass for flat panel displays and projection video lens assemblies. Corning and its subsidiaries manufacture products at approximately 40 plants in 20 countries

Trends towards nanotechnologies is driven by

• Biochips
• parallel analysis

Solution presented by Corning

• ADN chip
• parallel printing using a "flex" procedure
• microscope slide adaptable to any recognition mean
• non contaminating process
• 10'000 micro-dots (100 pl) on a printed board
• hybridysation chamber allowing short time process
• fluorescence marking

Technical competition

• Photolithography (Affymetrix...)
• Micropipeting (limitation is said to be speed)

Corning claimed advantages

• mass production
• reproducibility
• low-cost
• high performance
• Open system, easy integration in the customer environment
  
  
  

3. Discussion with representatives of "Club Nanotechnologie"

3.1 Mutual presentation of "Club Nanotechnologies" and "APTE"
The goals for these two groups are very similar, although the "Club Nanotechnologie" is strongly baked by the french ministry of finances and industry and very much linked to the european DG XII. Very few venture capitalists are involved, and most of the participants are directly linked to industrial research. The panel of the network seems to be less extended than the one presented by APTE. The "Club Nanotechnologie" has 5 regional groups which are more or less separately promoting events. Mr C.Puech, actual president, is also technical director of Angénieux

2.5 Propositions
Mr Masson (former president) and Mr Puech (actual president) were very open minded. They made suggestion to accept APTE, CSEM and a poster presentation of nano works in Switzerland during the next general meeting which will be held in Paris on november 7-8 / 2000 (to be confirmed). They can organise the meeting in such a way that:

• APTE presents itself (approx 20 min)
• CSEM would have approximately the same period of time for a more dedicated presentation
• A poster session would be organized for promoting the works done by research groups in switzerland
  

See the Registration Form for this event

French
Paris, France: le 13 juin 2000, Conférence " Nanotechnologie et Industrie " organisé par le Ministère de l'Economie, des Finances et de l'Industrie. Notre membre Jean-Pierre Dan représentera le réseau APTE. Pour plus d'informations sur cette journée de haut niveau avec orientation sur les applications, adressez-vous au Secrétariat du Club Nanotechnologie, 5, Parc du Bellay, FR-91540 Echarcon, tél./fax +33 1 64 57 2717

English
Paris, France: June 13 2000, the Economy, Finance and Industry Ministry presents a one-day Nanotechnology conference. Our member Jean-Pierre Dan will represent the APTE network. For more information on this high-level and application-oriented conference, please contact: Secrétariat du Club Nanotechnologie, 5, Parc du Bellay, FR-91540 Echarcon, tel./fax +33 1 64 57 2717

German
Paris, Frankreich: 13. Juni 2000, Wirtschafts- Finanz- und Industrieministerium - Tag der Nanotechnologie. Unser Mitglied Jean-Pierre Dan wird das APTE-Netzwerk vertreten. Mehr Informa- tionen über diese hochkarätige und sehr industrieorientierte Konferenz finden Sie bei: Secrétariat du Club Nanotechnologie, 5, Parc du Bellay, FR-91540 Echarcon, Tel./Fax +33 1 64 57 2717

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