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HUGE FIND IMO LOOK Conclusions
The addition of HNT™ in soy-based polyurethane/E-glass composites improves mechanical performance considerably. Three different loadings were studied for HNT, 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 wt percent. Viscosity of polyurethane was observed at 780 cP for 0.8wt percent HNT, which increased to 1080 cP for 2.4wt percent HNT loading. The VARTM process was used successfully with this low-viscosity resin at room temperature. Low viscosity of nanomodified polyurethane makes it a perfect choice for the low-cost VARTM process. The vacuum planetary centrifugal mixer is an efficient, economical, and a fast method of uniformly dispersing HNT in polyol. For 0.8 wt percent loaded HNT modified composites, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and ILSS were increased by 6 percent, 28 percent, and 82 percent, respectively. ILSS is a measure of fiber/matrix adhesion. This research suggested that fiber/matrix adhesion can be improved by modifying polyurethane with HNT, which in turn improves the mechanical properties. Thus, nanomodified soy-based polyurethane/glass composites manufactured using the VARTM process provide alternatives to traditional glass/polyester and glass/vinyl ester composites. These composites will be more environmental friendly for two reasons: (a) polyurethane doesn’t produce styrene emission thus making workplace safe and (b) the polyol component is made from soybean oil, which is a renewable resource.
Abstract
Polymer matrix composites (PMC), often referred to as fiber reinforced plastics (FRP), consist of fiber reinforcement (E-glass, S2-glass, aramid, carbon, or natural fibers) and polymer matrix/resin (polyester, vinyl ester, polyurethane, phenolic, and epoxies). Eglass/polyester and E-glass/vinyl ester composites are extensively used in the marine, sports, transportation, military, and construction industries. These industries primarily use low-cost open molding processes, such as manual/spray lay-up. Polyester and vinyl ester resin systems produce styrene emissions. Because of the stringent EPA regulations on styrene emissions, composite manufacturers are interested in using low-cost closed molding processes, such as vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) and styrene-free resin systems such as non-foam and full-density polyurethanes (PUR). Polyurethanes are polymers created by addition of polyisocyanates and polyols. The polyol component in polyurethane can be produced from soybean oil. This study demonstrates that with the proper addition of nanoparticles, mechanical properties of soy-based polyurethane can be enhanced. These nanomodified soy-based polyurethane/glass composites manufactured by using the low-cost VARTM process provide alternatives to traditional glass/polyester and glass/vinyl ester composites. These composites will be more environmental friendly for two reasons: (a) Polyurethane does not produce styrene emission, thereby, resulting in a safer work place and (b) Polyol is made from a renewable resource (soybean oil).
Introduction
Composite materials are everywhere in our daily lives. Many products on the market contain composite materials or structures, such as plywood, golf clubs, canoes, and coated knives. Although the term composite is very broad and refers to the combination of two or more materials at the macroscopic level, this article refers to a composite as a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) or polymer matrix composite (PMC). Reinforcement typically is fibers and the matrix is a thermoset resin. Polymer matrix is most commonly referred to as resin. In about 90 percent of these composites fiberglass is used for reinforcement, and either polyester or vinyl ester is used as a matrix. The open molding technique is used for 65 percent of the composites manufactured, whereas the remaining 35 percent of the composites are manufactured through closed molding. In open molding, materials are exposed to the atmosphere during the fabrication, whereas in closed molding, materials are closed in a two-sided mold or in a vacuum bag. Figures 1-4 display popular applications of PMCs. Figure 1 shows a small house built using glass fiber-reinforced phenolic sandwich composites panels. These DURA-SIP™ composite panels are strong, lightweight, fire resistant, UV light resistant, and impervious to water, mold, and insects (DuraSip, 2009). Figure 2 is an illustration of a boat made of glass fiber-reinforced composite (Solemar, Inc., 2009). Figure 3 shows wind turbine blades made of glass reinforced composites (ENERCON GmbH, 2009). PMCs, especially those that are glass reinforced, dominate the wind turbine blade market because of their superior fatigue resistance characteristics, high specific stiffness, and ability to be made into complex shapes. As shown in Figure 4, Boeing uses high performance carbon fiber-reinforced composites for the fuselage section of its new 787 Dreamliner (Boeing, 2009).
The method used in this research, vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is a closed molding process. VARTM uses vacuum pressure to infuse resin into fibers. This method can reduce styrene emissions to the open air. Styrene is a volatile organic compound (VOC), and its emission is restricted by EPA regulations in the composites industry (U.S. Government Printing Office, 2009).
Figure 2. Boat Made of Glass Fiber Reinforced Composite (Solemar, Inc., 2009)
Most of the resins used for composites are petroleum based; however, some of them can be replaced by environmentally friendly materials, such as soy-based polyurethane. In general, such natural materials have inferior properties when compared to traditional petroleum-based materials. Polymer nanocomposites consist of polymeric materials and reinforced nanoscale materials (nanoparticle). The nanoparticle has at least one dimension in a nanometer scale. Polymer nanocomposites show major improvements in mechanical properties, gas barrier properties, thermal stability, and fire retardancy (Koo, 2006).
Figure 3. Wind Turbine Blades (ENERCON GmbH, 2009)
Figure 3. Boeing 787 Fuselage (Boeing, 2009)
Researchers have used different nanoparticles, for example, nanoclays, predispersed nanosilica, nanoalumina, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), carbon nanofibers (CNF), nano SiC particles, and HNT™ (Halloysite Nanotubes), in liquid thermoset resins to enhance mechanical/thermal properties (Akinyede, Kelkar, Mohan, & Sankar, 2009; Chisholm, Jeelani, Mahfuz, Rangari, & Rodgers, 2004; Grimmer & Dharan, 2009; Karapappaset, Kostopoulos, Tsotra, & Valounliotis, 2009; Manjunatha, Kinloch, Sprenger, & Taylor, 2009; Xu & Vas, 2008; Ye, Chen, Wu, & Ye, 2004; Zhou, Pervin, & Jeelani, 2007; Njuguna, Alcock, & Pielichowski, 2007). Some of these nanoparticles such as MWCNT and CNF are expensive, and their use in large-scale composites production is limited. Nanoclays are inexpensive, but their dispersion in liquid thermoset resins is a challenge. A typical method used for nanoclay dispersion in liquid thermoset is high shear mixing. Implementation of such a method on a large scale is expensive and adds processing cost. These researchers propose to use low-cost halloysite nanotubes (HNT) that are naturally available. It can be dispersed uniformly using simple centrifugal mixing (Tate, Adenkunle, Patel, & Massingill, 2009). Researchers have shown remarkable improvement in mechanical performance by adding HNT to composites, as discussed in the section on HNT.
The composites industry is very large, approaching $25 billion per year. America maintains a leading position globally in composites manufacturing and research. Biobased nanocomposites are the future of this industry; therefore, this topic should capture the attention of both professionals and the general public.
Thermoset Polyurethane Resin
Polyurethanes (PUR) are thermoset products with the addition of polyisocyanates and polyols. PUR is a tough polymer useful in coatings, structural foams, and composites. Polyols can be fossil oil based or, vegetable oil based. Through this research, we suggest the feasibility of using a soybean oil-based polyol as a component of PUR composites.
Applications and Properties of PUR Composites
Polyurethanes have been used extensively mainly because they exhibit excellent abrasion resistance, toughness, low temperature flexibility, chemical and corrosion resistance, and a wide range of mechanical strength. Two-component polyurethane (2K-PUR) systems are especially attractive because they offer flexibility in formulation, which enables customization for demanding end-use requirements.
Polyurethane can be used to produce various forms—from flexible to rigid structures—with negligible emission. PUR foam composites have been used primarily for automotive interior and exterior parts, such as pickup truck boxes, load floors, package shelves, and inner door panels. Non-foamed, full-density PUR composite systems are beginning to be used for applications such as window lineal, bathtubs, electric light poles, and large parts for trucks and off-road vehicles (Sherman, 2006). The following are the major advantages of PUR composites.
Composites manufactured from PUR resins have superior tensile strength, impact resistance, and abrasion resistance compared with composites based on unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins (Connolly, King, Shidaker, & Duncan, 2005, 2006).
Cure times are much faster than for polyester spray-up—about 20 minutes versus 2 to 4 hours in non-automotive applications (Sherman, 2006).
They contain no styrene and therefore do not generate large amounts of VOCs.
Soy-based Polyurethane
In recent years, there has been interest in developing materials and products based on bio-based resources. The principal drivers for this include environmental, regulatory, and economical factors. A recent study indicates that soy-based polyols have a 25 percent lower total environmental impact compared to petroleum-based polyols; the use of soy polyols will result in reductions in net CO2 contributions to global warming, smog formation, ecological toxicity, and fossil fuel depletion (Pollock, 2004).
Soy-based polyol has been mainly used in coatings, adhesives, sealants, and foams. Mannari and Massingill (2006) investigated soy-based polyols used in coating applications. However, few attempts have been made to use it in reinforced composites. Dwan'Isa, Misra, and Drzal (2004) have reported that, bio-based polyurethane from soybean oil-derived polyol and diisocyanate on reinforcement with glass fibers adds significantly to the mechanical properties of the base resin. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows the improved thermal stability of the bio-based polyurethane with the reinforcement of glass fiber. Husic, Javni, and Petrovic (2005) illustrated that mechanical properties (such as tensile and flexural strength, tensile and flexural modulus of soypolyol-based composites) were comparable to composites based on a petrochemical polyol. They futher indicated that because soy-based polyurethanes offer better thermal, oxidative, and hydrolytic stability compared to petrochemical-based polyurethanes, they could become a viable alternative to the petrochemical urethane matrix resins for composites. In this research, soybean oil-based polyol was supplied by Arkema, Inc. under trade name Vikol®-1. The aliphatic polyisocynate component was petroleum based, and it was supplied by Bayer Material Science, Inc. under the trade name Desmodur® Z4470BA. The addition of soy-based polyol and polyisocynate in proper proportion will result in thermoset soy-based polyurethane resin.
Nanomodifications of Soy-based Polyurethane
The introduction of inorganic nanoparticles as additives into polymer systems results in polymer nanocomposites (PNC). When such a nanomodified polymer is used to make a reinforced composite, it is called “reinforced polymer nanocomposite.” In this research, soy-based polyurethane was modified using Halloysite nanotubes (HNT).
Halloysite Nanotubes (HNT™)
HNT are naturally formed in the Earth over millions of years by the surface weathering of aluminosilicate materials and are composed of aluminum, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Halloysite nanotubes are ultra-tiny hollow tubes (diameters typically are smaller than 100 nm (10-7 m) and lengths typically range from about 0.5 to 1.2 microns). The functional characteristics desired for specific applications can be controlled through the selection of the diameter and the length of the HNT. These diameters typically range from about 40 nm to 200nm, and they come in a variety of lengths, allowing for a wide range of applications. Halloysite nanotubes can be coated with metallic and other substances to achieve a wide variety of electrical, chemical, and physical properties (NaturalNano, Inc, 2009). HNT technology is abundant and inexpensive; its polar surface can be readily modified. It is a potential alternative to expensive carbon nanotubes for nanocomposites, when mechanical properties are concerned (Ye et al., 2007).
Researchers and engineers have investigated Halloysite as an excellent polymer modifier because of the properties associated with it. Halloysite is a useful constituent of many polymeric composites for the purpose of mechanical and thermal improvement, including those where the polymer is a coating like polyurethane, a film, a molded part, fiber, foam, or even in a copolymer (Li, Liu, Ou, Guo, & Yang, 2008). Monomer is a simple compound that can be joined to form long chain-like structures called polymers. Copolymers are polymers that consist of two or more monomers.
Ye et al. (2007) found that the morphology of the HNT was geometrically similar to multi-walled carbon nanotubes. These researchers blended epoxy with HNT in different loadings of 0.8, 1.6, and 2.3 wt percent. The results demonstrated that blending epoxy with 2.3 wt percent HNT increased the impact strength by four times without scarifying flexural modulus, strength, and thermal stability.
In the last 3-4 years, researchers have reported improvement in mechanical and thermal properties for thermoplastics nanocomposites and elastomeric nanocomposites using HNT (Li et al., 2008; Ye et al., 2007). However, there are very few attempts made to use HNT in reinforced composites. In this research, soy-based polyurethane is modified using HNT with different loadings.
Experimentation
Full-density polyurethane was modified using HNT nanoparticles. This nanomodified polyurethane was used to manufacture E-glass reinforced composites using the low-cost vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The composites were mechanically characterized in compression, flexure, and inter-laminar shear loading.
Material system
Table 1 displays the material system for glass-reinforced composites. E- glass woven roving fabrics (Rovcloth® 1854) was supplied by Fiberglas Industries, Inc. Soy-based polyol (Vikol®-1) was manufactured and supplied by Arkema, Inc. Aliphatic polyisocynate (Desmodur® Z4470BA) was supplied by Bayer, Inc. Aliphatic polyisocynate has better resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. HNT were supplied by NaturalNano, Inc. Soy-based polyol and polyisocynates were mixed in a 1:1 equivalent ratio to produce non-foam and full- density thermoset polyurethane resin. Dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL) was used as a catalyst. . Three different loadings of HNT 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 wt percent were used in making composite panels.
Table 1. Material System of Bio-based Nanocomposites
Material Brand Name, Description
Reinforcement Rovcloth® 1854,
E-glass woven roving
Nanoparticle Untreated HNT
Polyol Vikol®-1, Soybased polyol
Isocynate Desmodur® Z4470BA,
aliphatic polyisocynate
Catalyst Dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL)
Dispersion of Nanoparticles
Uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in liquid polymer is essential for improvement in mechanical/thermal properties. Planetary centrifugal mixers (THINKY® Model ARE-250) had successfully been used by Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) researchers to effectively disperse carbon nanofibers without damage in the liquid polymers for EMI applications (Air Force Reseach Laboratory, 2007). These mixers also can be used to de-gas due to fast centrifugal motion. In this research, the THINKY® Model ARV-310 was used for dispersion and degassing. HNT were dispersed in soy-based polyol using the THINKY mixer for three minutes at 2000 rpm without vacuum. To this nanomodified polyol was added aliphatic polyisocynate in a 1:1 equivalent ratio. This mixture was run through the THINKY mixer maintaining 28.5” vacuum for one minute at 2000 rpm for degassing.
There is always suspicion about the health hazards while handling dry nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can be easily absorbed into the body either through the skin or by inhaling them because of their small size. Special care must be taken when handling and storing dry nanoparticles. According to protocol, dry nanoparticles are not handled in open air. Containers are stored and opened only in a glove box and pre-mixed with liquid resin and then transported for further processing. When nanoparticles are mixed in liquid resin they impose less harm.
VARTM manufacturing process
The VARTM process is an attractive and affordable method of fabricating composite products. It can produce high-quality complex and large-scale components. As shown in Figure 5, a complex structural aerospace part was produced using the VARTM process by V System Composites (V System Composites, 2009). Figure 6 shows a huge and complex boat hull being manufactured using VARTM (Advanced Projects Group, 2009). The major requirement of a resin system for VARTM is that the viscosity should be in the range of 100 to 1000 cP in order for the resin to flow throughout the fabric. Viscosity plays a major role in the VARTM process.
During the VARTM manufacturing process, dry fabric is placed into a tool and vacuum bagged in conjunction with the resin distribution line, the vacuum distribution line, and the distribution media. A low viscosity resin is drawn into the fabric through the aid of a vacuum. Resin distribution media ensures resin infiltration in the thickness direction of composite panels. The key to successful resin infiltration of the fabric is the design and placement of the resin distribution media which allows complete wet-out of the fabric and eliminates voids and dry spots. Properly designed and properly placed resin distribution media eliminate “race tracking” and resin leakage around the fabric (Seemann, 1990, 1994). Figure 7 illustrates how different bagging materials are laid in the VARTM process (Tate, 2004). Figure 8 explains the step-by-step process of laying different bagging materials.
Figure 6. Huge Boat Hull Manufactured Using VARTM (Advanced Projects Group, 2009)
The soy-based polyol had a room temperature viscosity of 780cP. There was no considerable increase in viscosity with 0.8 wt percent loading of HNT. Viscosity increased to 1080 cP with 2.4 wt percent of HNT loading. The composites panels of 300mm _ 200mm size with 8 layers of E-glass woven roving were produced using VARTM at room temperature. The panels were kept in a mold for 24 hours (green cure), followed by post cure at room temperature for seven days and then another cure at 120 ºC for three hours. The overall fiber percentage of VARTM manufactured composites was found to be 53 percent. Water-jet cutting of the composite was used to ensure minimal damage at the edges of the panels.
Figure 8. VARTM Process at Small Scale - from Material Arrangement to Resin Infusion and Demolding
Mechanical Testing
Earlier research indicates that mechanical properties of soy-based polyurethane/E-glass composites are quite comparable to traditional polyester/E-glass and vinyl ester/E-glass composites (Tate, Massingill, Patel, Rikka, & Arabie, 2007; Tate, Massingill, Patel, & Konga, 2008). Table 2 summarizes the results.
Table 2. Properties of E-Glass/Vinyl Ester; E-glass/Biobased PU; and E-Glass/Polyester
Property Rovcloth®1854 Rovcloth® 1854 Rovcloth® 1854
Note: Vf – Fiber Volume Percentage; UTS – Ultimate Tensile Strength; E – Tensile Modulus; vxy in-plane Poisson’s ratio
E-glass woven roving/vinyl ester (Shivakumar, 2006) E-glass woven roving/biobased PU (Tate et al., 2007, 2008) E-glass woven roving/polyester (Fiber Glass Industries, 2009)
Vf 60 40 40
UTS, MPa 512.5 385.4 267.5
E, GPa 29.2 20.82 22.2
vxy 0.16 - 0.17
Inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS) and compressive strength are matrix dominant properties. Flexural properties are also affected by matrix material. The major interest of this study was to evaluate the effect of nanomodifications of matrix on matrix-dominant properties of composites. Therefore, ILSS, compressive strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of nanomodified composites were evaluated.
Five specimens in each category were tested. Compression tests were performed according to ASTM D 6641/D 6641M titled “Standard Test Method for Determining the Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates Using a Combined Loading Compression (CLC) Test Fixture” to evaluate compressive strength. Flexure tests were performed according to ASTM D 790-92 entitled “Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials” to evaluate flexural strength and modulus. Short-Beam tests were performed according to ASTM D 2344/D 2344M entitled “Standard Test Method for Short-Beam strength of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials and their Laminates” to evaluate inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS).
Results and Discussion
Table 3 displays average mechanical properties of HNT-modified PU/E-glass composites. For 0.8 wt percent loaded HNT modified composites, flexural strength and modulus were increased by 6 percent and 28 percent, respectively. ILSS, a measure of fiber/matrix adhesion, improved by 82 percent with this loading. UCS decreased with increases in wt percent loading of HNT. UCS decreased by 8 percent for 0.8 wt percent loading. Overall, 0.8 wt percent loading of HNT showed considerable improvement in overall performance of composites.
Table 3. Mechanical Properties of HNT Modified Polyurethane/E-Glass
Composites
HNT wt % 0 0.8 1.6 2.4
Note: UCS – Ultimate Compressive Strength; Fs – Flexural strength; Ef – Flexural modulus; ILSS – Inter-laminar shear strength
Vf, % 50 52 55 56
UCS (MPa) 82.6 75.7 61.29 81.28
Fs (MPa) 149.13 158.85 138.32 139.53
Ef (GPa) 9.84 12.60 11.33 10.47
ILSS (MPa) 14.28 26.00 14.36 21.86
Conclusions
The addition of HNT™ in soy-based polyurethane/E-glass composites improves mechanical performance considerably. Three different loadings were studied for HNT, 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 wt percent. Viscosity of polyurethane was observed at 780 cP for 0.8wt percent HNT, which increased to 1080 cP for 2.4wt percent HNT loading. The VARTM process was used successfully with this low-viscosity resin at room temperature. Low viscosity of nanomodified polyurethane makes it a perfect choice for the low-cost VARTM process. The vacuum planetary centrifugal mixer is an efficient, economical, and a fast method of uniformly dispersing HNT in polyol. For 0.8 wt percent loaded HNT modified composites, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and ILSS were increased by 6 percent, 28 percent, and 82 percent, respectively. ILSS is a measure of fiber/matrix adhesion. This research suggested that fiber/matrix adhesion can be improved by modifying polyurethane with HNT, which in turn improves the mechanical properties. Thus, nanomodified soy-based polyurethane/glass composites manufactured using the VARTM process provide alternatives to traditional glass/polyester and glass/vinyl ester composites. These composites will be more environmental friendly for two reasons: (a) polyurethane doesn’t produce styrene emission thus making workplace safe and (b) the polyol component is made from soybean oil, which is a renewable resource.
Table 3. Mechanical Properties of HNT Modified Polyurethane/E-Glass
Composites
HNT wt % 0 0.8 1.6 2.4
Note: UCS – Ultimate Compressive Strength; Fs – Flexural strength; Ef – Flexural modulus; ILSS – Inter-laminar shear strength
Vf, % 50 52 55 56
UCS (MPa) 82.6 75.7 61.29 81.28
Fs (MPa) 149.13 158.85 138.32 139.53
Ef (GPa) 9.84 12.60 11.33 10.47
ILSS (MPa) 14.28 26.00 14.36 21.86
Conclusions
The addition of HNT™ in soy-based polyurethane/E-glass composites improves mechanical performance considerably. Three different loadings were studied for HNT, 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 wt percent. Viscosity of polyurethane was observed at 780 cP for 0.8wt percent HNT, which increased to 1080 cP for 2.4wt percent HNT loading. The VARTM process was used successfully with this low-viscosity resin at room temperature. Low viscosity of nanomodified polyurethane makes it a perfect choice for the low-cost VARTM process. The vacuum planetary centrifugal mixer is an efficient, economical, and a fast method of uniformly dispersing HNT in polyol. For 0.8 wt percent loaded HNT modified composites, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and ILSS were increased by 6 percent, 28 percent, and 82 percent, respectively. ILSS is a measure of fiber/matrix adhesion. This research suggested that fiber/matrix adhesion can be improved by modifying polyurethane with HNT, which in turn improves the mechanical properties. Thus, nanomodified soy-based polyurethane/glass composites manufactured using the VARTM process provide alternatives to traditional glass/polyester and glass/vinyl ester composites. These composites will be more environmental friendly for two reasons: (a) polyurethane doesn’t produce styrene emission thus making workplace safe and (b) the polyol component is made from soybean oil, which is a renewable resource.
Holy Crap This what I been looking for BOooooooom GO NNAN, this is what will make NNAN a huge winner IMO....
Bio-based Nanocomposites: An Alternative to Traditional Composites
scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JOTS/v35/v35n1/tate.html?
by JS Tate - ?2009 - ?Cited by 7 - ?Related articles
Oct 4, 2011 - These researchers propose to use low-cost halloysite nanotubes .... liquid polymers for EMI applications (Air Force Reseach Laboratory, 2007).
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JOTS/v35/v35n1/tate.html
HNT USED TO BUILD these Products Holy Crap......
Bio-based Nanocomposites: An Alternative to Traditional Composites
Jitendra S. Tate, Adekunle T. Akinola, and Dmitri Kabakov
Abstract
Polymer matrix composites (PMC), often referred to as fiber reinforced plastics (FRP), consist of fiber reinforcement (E-glass, S2-glass, aramid, carbon, or natural fibers) and polymer matrix/resin (polyester, vinyl ester, polyurethane, phenolic, and epoxies). Eglass/polyester and E-glass/vinyl ester composites are extensively used in the marine, sports, transportation, military, and construction industries. These industries primarily use low-cost open molding processes, such as manual/spray lay-up. Polyester and vinyl ester resin systems produce styrene emissions. Because of the stringent EPA regulations on styrene emissions, composite manufacturers are interested in using low-cost closed molding processes, such as vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) and styrene-free resin systems such as non-foam and full-density polyurethanes (PUR). Polyurethanes are polymers created by addition of polyisocyanates and polyols. The polyol component in polyurethane can be produced from soybean oil. This study demonstrates that with the proper addition of nanoparticles, mechanical properties of soy-based polyurethane can be enhanced. These nanomodified soy-based polyurethane/glass composites manufactured by using the low-cost VARTM process provide alternatives to traditional glass/polyester and glass/vinyl ester composites. These composites will be more environmental friendly for two reasons: (a) Polyurethane does not produce styrene emission, thereby, resulting in a safer work place and (b) Polyol is made from a renewable resource (soybean oil).
Introduction
Composite materials are everywhere in our daily lives. Many products on the market contain composite materials or structures, such as plywood, golf clubs, canoes, and coated knives. Although the term composite is very broad and refers to the combination of two or more materials at the macroscopic level, this article refers to a composite as a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) or polymer matrix composite (PMC). Reinforcement typically is fibers and the matrix is a thermoset resin. Polymer matrix is most commonly referred to as resin. In about 90 percent of these composites fiberglass is used for reinforcement, and either polyester or vinyl ester is used as a matrix. The open molding technique is used for 65 percent of the composites manufactured, whereas the remaining 35 percent of the composites are manufactured through closed molding. In open molding, materials are exposed to the atmosphere during the fabrication, whereas in closed molding, materials are closed in a two-sided mold or in a vacuum bag. Figures 1-4 display popular applications of PMCs. Figure 1 shows a small house built using glass fiber-reinforced phenolic sandwich composites panels. These DURA-SIP™ composite panels are strong, lightweight, fire resistant, UV light resistant, and impervious to water, mold, and insects (DuraSip, 2009). Figure 2 is an illustration of a boat made of glass fiber-reinforced composite (Solemar, Inc., 2009). Figure 3 shows wind turbine blades made of glass reinforced composites (ENERCON GmbH, 2009). PMCs, especially those that are glass reinforced, dominate the wind turbine blade market because of their superior fatigue resistance characteristics, high specific stiffness, and ability to be made into complex shapes. As shown in Figure 4, Boeing uses high performance carbon fiber-reinforced composites for the fuselage section of its new 787 Dreamliner (Boeing, 2009).
Small House Built Using Sandwich Composites (DuraSip, 2009)
Figure 1. Small House Built Using Sandwich Composites (DuraSip, 2009)
The method used in this research, vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) is a closed molding process. VARTM uses vacuum pressure to infuse resin into fibers. This method can reduce styrene emissions to the open air. Styrene is a volatile organic compound (VOC), and its emission is restricted by EPA regulations in the composites industry (U.S. Government Printing Office, 2009).
Boat Made of Glass Fiber Reinforced Composite (Solemar, Inc., 2009)
Figure 2. Boat Made of Glass Fiber Reinforced Composite (Solemar, Inc., 2009)
Most of the resins used for composites are petroleum based; however, some of them can be replaced by environmentally friendly materials, such as soy-based polyurethane. In general, such natural materials have inferior properties when compared to traditional petroleum-based materials. Polymer nanocomposites consist of polymeric materials and reinforced nanoscale materials (nanoparticle). The nanoparticle has at least one dimension in a nanometer scale. Polymer nanocomposites show major improvements in mechanical properties, gas barrier properties, thermal stability, and fire retardancy (Koo, 2006).
Wind Turbine Blades (ENERCON GmbH, 2009)
Figure 3. Wind Turbine Blades (ENERCON GmbH, 2009)
Boeing 787 Fuselage (Boeing, 2009)
Figure 3. Boeing 787 Fuselage (Boeing, 2009)
Researchers have used different nanoparticles, for example, nanoclays, predispersed nanosilica, nanoalumina, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), carbon nanofibers (CNF), nano SiC particles, and HNT™ (Halloysite Nanotubes), in liquid thermoset resins to enhance mechanical/thermal properties (Akinyede, Kelkar, Mohan, & Sankar, 2009; Chisholm, Jeelani, Mahfuz, Rangari, & Rodgers, 2004; Grimmer & Dharan, 2009; Karapappaset, Kostopoulos, Tsotra, & Valounliotis, 2009; Manjunatha, Kinloch, Sprenger, & Taylor, 2009; Xu & Vas, 2008; Ye, Chen, Wu, & Ye, 2004; Zhou, Pervin, & Jeelani, 2007; Njuguna, Alcock, & Pielichowski, 2007). Some of these nanoparticles such as MWCNT and CNF are expensive, and their use in large-scale composites production is limited. Nanoclays are inexpensive, but their dispersion in liquid thermoset resins is a challenge. A typical method used for nanoclay dispersion in liquid thermoset is high shear mixing. Implementation of such a method on a large scale is expensive and adds processing cost. These researchers propose to use low-cost halloysite nanotubes (HNT) that are naturally available. It can be dispersed uniformly using simple centrifugal mixing (Tate, Adenkunle, Patel, & Massingill, 2009). Researchers have shown remarkable improvement in mechanical performance by adding HNT to composites, as discussed in the section on HNT.
The composites industry is very large, approaching $25 billion per year. America maintains a leading position globally in composites manufacturing and research. Biobased nanocomposites are the future of this industry; therefore, this topic should capture the attention of both professionals and the general public.
Thermoset Polyurethane Resin
Polyurethanes (PUR) are thermoset products with the addition of polyisocyanates and polyols. PUR is a tough polymer useful in coatings, structural foams, and composites. Polyols can be fossil oil based or, vegetable oil based. Through this research, we suggest the feasibility of using a soybean oil-based polyol as a component of PUR composites.
Applications and Properties of PUR Composites
Polyurethanes have been used extensively mainly because they exhibit excellent abrasion resistance, toughness, low temperature flexibility, chemical and corrosion resistance, and a wide range of mechanical strength. Two-component polyurethane (2K-PUR) systems are especially attractive because they offer flexibility in formulation, which enables customization for demanding end-use requirements.
Polyurethane can be used to produce various forms—from flexible to rigid structures—with negligible emission. PUR foam composites have been used primarily for automotive interior and exterior parts, such as pickup truck boxes, load floors, package shelves, and inner door panels. Non-foamed, full-density PUR composite systems are beginning to be used for applications such as window lineal, bathtubs, electric light poles, and large parts for trucks and off-road vehicles (Sherman, 2006). The following are the major advantages of PUR composites.
Composites manufactured from PUR resins have superior tensile strength, impact resistance, and abrasion resistance compared with composites based on unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins (Connolly, King, Shidaker, & Duncan, 2005, 2006).
Cure times are much faster than for polyester spray-up—about 20 minutes versus 2 to 4 hours in non-automotive applications (Sherman, 2006).
They contain no styrene and therefore do not generate large amounts of VOCs.
Soy-based Polyurethane
In recent years, there has been interest in developing materials and products based on bio-based resources. The principal drivers for this include environmental, regulatory, and economical factors. A recent study indicates that soy-based polyols have a 25 percent lower total environmental impact compared to petroleum-based polyols; the use of soy polyols will result in reductions in net CO2 contributions to global warming, smog formation, ecological toxicity, and fossil fuel depletion (Pollock, 2004).
Soy-based polyol has been mainly used in coatings, adhesives, sealants, and foams. Mannari and Massingill (2006) investigated soy-based polyols used in coating applications. However, few attempts have been made to use it in reinforced composites. Dwan'Isa, Misra, and Drzal (2004) have reported that, bio-based polyurethane from soybean oil-derived polyol and diisocyanate on reinforcement with glass fibers adds significantly to the mechanical properties of the base resin. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows the improved thermal stability of the bio-based polyurethane with the reinforcement of glass fiber. Husic, Javni, and Petrovic (2005) illustrated that mechanical properties (such as tensile and flexural strength, tensile and flexural modulus of soypolyol-based composites) were comparable to composites based on a petrochemical polyol. They futher indicated that because soy-based polyurethanes offer better thermal, oxidative, and hydrolytic stability compared to petrochemical-based polyurethanes, they could become a viable alternative to the petrochemical urethane matrix resins for composites. In this research, soybean oil-based polyol was supplied by Arkema, Inc. under trade name Vikol®-1. The aliphatic polyisocynate component was petroleum based, and it was supplied by Bayer Material Science, Inc. under the trade name Desmodur® Z4470BA. The addition of soy-based polyol and polyisocynate in proper proportion will result in thermoset soy-based polyurethane resin.
Nanomodifications of Soy-based Polyurethane
The introduction of inorganic nanoparticles as additives into polymer systems results in polymer nanocomposites (PNC). When such a nanomodified polymer is used to make a reinforced composite, it is called “reinforced polymer nanocomposite.” In this research, soy-based polyurethane was modified using Halloysite nanotubes (HNT).
Halloysite Nanotubes (HNT™)
HNT are naturally formed in the Earth over millions of years by the surface weathering of aluminosilicate materials and are composed of aluminum, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Halloysite nanotubes are ultra-tiny hollow tubes (diameters typically are smaller than 100 nm (10-7 m) and lengths typically range from about 0.5 to 1.2 microns). The functional characteristics desired for specific applications can be controlled through the selection of the diameter and the length of the HNT. These diameters typically range from about 40 nm to 200nm, and they come in a variety of lengths, allowing for a wide range of applications. Halloysite nanotubes can be coated with metallic and other substances to achieve a wide variety of electrical, chemical, and physical properties (NaturalNano, Inc, 2009). HNT technology is abundant and inexpensive; its polar surface can be readily modified. It is a potential alternative to expensive carbon nanotubes for nanocomposites, when mechanical properties are concerned (Ye et al., 2007).
Researchers and engineers have investigated Halloysite as an excellent polymer modifier because of the properties associated with it. Halloysite is a useful constituent of many polymeric composites for the purpose of mechanical and thermal improvement, including those where the polymer is a coating like polyurethane, a film, a molded part, fiber, foam, or even in a copolymer (Li, Liu, Ou, Guo, & Yang, 2008). Monomer is a simple compound that can be joined to form long chain-like structures called polymers. Copolymers are polymers that consist of two or more monomers.
Ye et al. (2007) found that the morphology of the HNT was geometrically similar to multi-walled carbon nanotubes. These researchers blended epoxy with HNT in different loadings of 0.8, 1.6, and 2.3 wt percent. The results demonstrated that blending epoxy with 2.3 wt percent HNT increased the impact strength by four times without scarifying flexural modulus, strength, and thermal stability.
In the last 3-4 years, researchers have reported improvement in mechanical and thermal properties for thermoplastics nanocomposites and elastomeric nanocomposites using HNT (Li et al., 2008; Ye et al., 2007). However, there are very few attempts made to use HNT in reinforced composites. In this research, soy-based polyurethane is modified using HNT with different loadings.
Experimentation
Full-density polyurethane was modified using HNT nanoparticles. This nanomodified polyurethane was used to manufacture E-glass reinforced composites using the low-cost vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The composites were mechanically characterized in compression, flexure, and inter-laminar shear loading.
Material system
Table 1 displays the material system for glass-reinforced composites. E- glass woven roving fabrics (Rovcloth® 1854) was supplied by Fiberglas Industries, Inc. Soy-based polyol (Vikol®-1) was manufactured and supplied by Arkema, Inc. Aliphatic polyisocynate (Desmodur® Z4470BA) was supplied by Bayer, Inc. Aliphatic polyisocynate has better resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. HNT were supplied by NaturalNano, Inc. Soy-based polyol and polyisocynates were mixed in a 1:1 equivalent ratio to produce non-foam and full- density thermoset polyurethane resin. Dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL) was used as a catalyst. . Three different loadings of HNT 0.8, 1.6, and 2.4 wt percent were used in making composite panels.
Table 1. Material System of Bio-based Nanocomposites
Material Brand Name, Description
Reinforcement Rovcloth® 1854,
E-glass woven roving
Nanoparticle Untreated HNT
Polyol Vikol®-1, Soybased polyol
Isocynate Desmodur® Z4470BA,
aliphatic polyisocynate
Catalyst Dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL)
Dispersion of Nanoparticles
Uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in liquid polymer is essential for improvement in mechanical/thermal properties. Planetary centrifugal mixers (THINKY® Model ARE-250) had successfully been used by Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) researchers to effectively disperse carbon nanofibers without damage in the liquid polymers for EMI applications (Air Force Reseach Laboratory, 2007). These mixers also can be used to de-gas due to fast centrifugal motion. In this research, the THINKY® Model ARV-310 was used for dispersion and degassing. HNT were dispersed in soy-based polyol using the THINKY mixer for three minutes at 2000 rpm without vacuum. To this nanomodified polyol was added aliphatic polyisocynate in a 1:1 equivalent ratio. This mixture was run through the THINKY mixer maintaining 28.5” vacuum for one minute at 2000 rpm for degassing.
There is always suspicion about the health hazards while handling dry nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can be easily absorbed into the body either through the skin or by inhaling them because of their small size. Special care must be taken when handling and storing dry nanoparticles. According to protocol, dry nanoparticles are not handled in open air. Containers are stored and opened only in a glove box and pre-mixed with liquid resin and then transported for further processing. When nanoparticles are mixed in liquid resin they impose less harm.
VARTM manufacturing process
The VARTM process is an attractive and affordable method of fabricating composite products. It can produce high-quality complex and large-scale components. As shown in Figure 5, a complex structural aerospace part was produced using the VARTM process by V System Composites (V System Composites, 2009). Figure 6 shows a huge and complex boat hull being manufactured using VARTM (Advanced Projects Group, 2009). The major requirement of a resin system for VARTM is that the viscosity should be in the range of 100 to 1000 cP in order for the resin to flow throughout the fabric. Viscosity plays a major role in the VARTM process.
Complex 3D Structural Aerospace Part (V System Composites, 2009)
Figure 5. Complex 3D Structural Aerospace Part (V System Composites, 2009)
During the VARTM manufacturing process, dry fabric is placed into a tool and vacuum bagged in conjunction with the resin distribution line, the vacuum distribution line, and the distribution media. A low viscosity resin is drawn into the fabric through the aid of a vacuum. Resin distribution media ensures resin infiltration in the thickness direction of composite panels. The key to successful resin infiltration of the fabric is the design and placement of the resin distribution media which allows complete wet-out of the fabric and eliminates voids and dry spots. Properly designed and properly placed resin distribution media eliminate “race tracking” and resin leakage around the fabric (Seemann, 1990, 1994). Figure 7 illustrates how different bagging materials are laid in the VARTM process (Tate, 2004). Figure 8 explains the step-by-step process of laying different bagging materials.
Huge Boat Hull Manufactured Using VARTM (Advanced Projects Group, 2009)
Figure 6. Huge Boat Hull Manufactured Using VARTM (Advanced Projects Group, 2009)
The soy-based polyol had a room temperature viscosity of 780cP. There was no considerable increase in viscosity with 0.8 wt percent loading of HNT. Viscosity increased to 1080 cP with 2.4 wt percent of HNT loading. The composites panels of 300mm _ 200mm size with 8 layers of E-glass woven roving were produced using VARTM at room temperature. The panels were kept in a mold for 24 hours (green cure), followed by post cure at room temperature for seven days and then another cure at 120 ºC for three hours. The overall fiber percentage of VARTM manufactured composites was found to be 53 percent. Water-jet cutting of the composite was used to ensure minimal damage at the edges of the panels.
Schematic of the VARTM Process
Figure 7. Schematic of the VARTM Process
VARTM Process at Small Scale - from Material Arrangement to Resin Infusion and Demolding
Figure 8. VARTM Process at Small Scale - from Material Arrangement to Resin Infusion and Demolding
Mechanical Testing
Earlier research indicates that mechanical properties of soy-based polyurethane/E-glass composites are quite comparable to traditional polyester/E-glass and vinyl ester/E-glass composites (Tate, Massingill, Patel, Rikka, & Arabie, 2007; Tate, Massingill, Patel, & Konga, 2008). Table 2 summarizes the results.
Table 2. Properties of E-Glass/Vinyl Ester; E-glass/Biobased PU; and E-Glass/Polyester
Property Rovcloth®1854 Rovcloth® 1854 Rovcloth® 1854
Note: Vf – Fiber Volume Percentage; UTS – Ultimate Tensile Strength; E – Tensile Modulus; vxy in-plane Poisson’s ratio
E-glass woven roving/vinyl ester (Shivakumar, 2006) E-glass woven roving/biobased PU (Tate et al., 2007, 2008) E-glass woven roving/polyester (Fiber Glass Industries, 2009)
Vf 60 40 40
UTS, MPa 512.5 385.4 267.5
E, GPa 29.2 20.82 22.2
vxy 0.16 - 0.17
Inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS) and compressive strength are matrix dominant properties. Flexural properties are also affected by matrix material. The major interest of this study was to evaluate the effect of nanomodifications of matrix on matrix-dominant properties of composites. Therefore, ILSS, compressive strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of nanomodified composites were evaluated.
Five specimens in each category were tested. Compression tests were performed according to ASTM D 6641/D 6641M titled “Standard Test Method for Determining the Compressive Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates Using a Combined Loading Compression (CLC) Test Fixture” to evaluate compressive strength. Flexure tests were performed according to ASTM D 790-92 entitled “Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials” to evaluate flexural strength and modulus. Short-Beam tests were performed according to ASTM D 2344/D 2344M entitled “Standard Test Method for Short-Beam strength of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials and their Laminates” to evaluate inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS).
Silicate Formula Diagram (Si-O)Halloysite Nanotubes form a two-layered aluminosilicate clay composed of hydrated aluminum oxide and silicon oxide that can be used as a component in coatings, electronics, and other high-tech nanocomposites. Halloysite Nanotubes is generally immediately available in most volumes, including bulk orders.. Ultra high purity and high purity compositions improve both optical quality and usefulness as scientific standards. Nanoscale (See also Nanotechnology Information and Quantum Dots) elemental powders and suspensions, as alternative high surface area forms, may be considered. American Elements produces to many standard grades when applicable, including Mil Spec (military grade); ACS, Reagent and Technical Grade; Food, Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Grade; Optical Grade, USP and EP/BP (European Pharmacopoeia/British Pharmacopoeia) and follows applicable ASTM testing standards. Typical and custom packaging is available, as is additional research, technical and safety (MSDS) data. Please contact us for information on lead time and pricing above.
Aluminum (Al) atomic and molecular weight, atomic number and elemental symbolAluminum, also known as Aluminium, (atomic symbol: Al, atomic number: 13) is a Block P, Group 13, Period 3 element with an atomic weight of 26.9815386. It is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust and the most abundant metallic element.Aluminum Bohr ModelAluminum's name is derived from alumina, the mineral from which Sir Humphrey Davy attempted to refine it from in 1812. It wasn't until 1825 that Aluminum was first isolated by Hans Christian Oersted. Aluminum is a silvery gray metallic metal that possesses many desirable characteristics. It is light, nonmagnetic and non-sparking. It stands second among metals in the scale of malleability, and sixth in ductility. It is extensively used in many industrial applications where a strong, light, easily constructed material is needed. Elemental Aluminum Although it has only 60% of the electrical conductivity of copper, it is used in electrical transmission lines because of its light weight. Pure aluminum is soft and lacks strength, but alloyed with small amounts of copper, magnesium, silicon, manganese, or other elements it imparts a variety of useful properties. Aluminum was first predicted by Antoine Lavoisierin 1787 and first isolated by Friedrich Wöhler in 1827. For more information on aluminum, including properties, safety data, research, and American Elements' catalog of aluminum products, visit the Aluminum Information Center.
Silicon (Si) atomic and molecular weight, atomic number and elemental symbolSilicon (atomic symbol: Si, atomic number: 14) is a Block P, Group 14, Period 3 element with an atomic weight of 28.085. Silicon Bohr MoleculeThe number of electrons in each of Silicon's shells is 2, 8, 4 and its electron configuration is [Ne] 3s2 3p2. The silicon atom has a radius of 111 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 210 pm. Silicon was discovered and first isolated by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1823. Silicon makes up 25.7% of the earth's crust, by weight, and is the second most abundant element, exceeded only by oxygen. The metalloid is rarely found in pure crystal form and is usually produced from the iron-silicon alloy Ferrosilicon.Elemental Silicon Silica (or silicon oxide), as sand, is a principal ingredient of glass, one of the most inexpensive of materials with excellent mechanical, optical, thermal, and electrical properties. Ultra high purity silicon can be doped with boron, gallium, phosphorus, or arsenic to produce silicon for use in transistors, solar cells, rectifiers, and other solid-state devices which are used extensively in the electronics industry.The name Silicon originates from the Latin word "silex" which means flint or hard stone. For more information on silicon, including properties, safety data, research, and American Elements' catalog of silicon products, visit the Silicon Information Center.
http://www.americanelements.com/halloysite-nanotubes.html
Characterisation of halloysite for use as a microtubular drug delivery system.
http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/papers/12176301
Dr. Joseph Koo at The University of Texas at Austin
www.me.utexas.edu/~koo/publications.html?
... Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes, Nano-alumina, and Halloysite Nanotubes to .... for Military Applications," Naval Engineers Journal, 104 (3), (1992), 166-177.
http://www.me.utexas.edu/~koo/publications.html
Nanomaterials
Halloysite Nanotubes in Nanomaterials Research
Nanoclay Products | Technical Notes | Related Products
Prof. Yuri Lvov+ and Dr. Ronald Price
+ Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA 71272
Halloysite, a naturally occurring aluminosilicate nanotube, has been undeservedly forgotten. Halloysite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4•2H2O) is a two-layered aluminosilicate, with a predominantly hollow tubular structure in the submicron range and chemically similar to kaolin1,2. The neighboring alumina and silica layers, and their waters of hydration, curve and form multilayer tubes (Figure 1) due to a packing disorder. Halloysite is an economically viable material that can be mined from the corresponding deposit as a raw mineral.2 As for most natural materials, the size of halloysite particles varies within 1-15 microns of length and 10-150 nm of inner diameter, depending on the deposits. In our research, we use halloysite G produced by Applied Minerals, Inc. and available from Sigma-Aldrich (Aldrich Prod. No. 685445). This material has an average tube diameter of 50 nm and inner lumen diameter of 15 nm (Figure 1). Typical specific surface area of this halloysite is 65 m2/g; pore volume of ~ 1.25 mL/g; refractive index 1.54; and specific gravity 2.53 g/cm3.
Halloysite nanotubules imageHalloysite nanotubules image
Figure 1: TEM Image of 50 nm diameter halloysite nanotubules 685445 (a) and tube cross-section (b).
Chemically, the outer surface of the halloysite nanotubes has properties similar to SiO2 while the inner cylinder core is related to Al2O3. The charge (zeta potential) behavior of halloysite particles can be roughly described by superposition of mostly negative (at pH 6-7) surface potential of SiO2, with a small contribution from the positive Al2O3 inner surface.3,4 The positive (below pH 8.5) charge of the inner lumen promotes loading of halloysite nanotubes with negative macromolecules, which are at the same time repelled from the negatively charged outer surfaces. A wide range of active agents, including drugs,5-9 nicotinamide adenine dineculeotide (NAD), and marine biocides,9 can be entrapped within the inner lumen, as well as within void spaces of the multilayered aluminosilicate shells. This entrapment can be followed by retention and release of the agents, making the halloysite a nanomaterial well suited for macromolecular delivery applications.
We studied loading and release of macromolecules from the halloysite nanotubules. Loading was performed as follows: A vial containing the mixture of halloysite and saturated solution of targeted molecules was transferred to a vacuum jar and then repeatedly evacuated using a vacuum pump. Slight fizzing of the suspension indicates the air being removed from the halloysite interior. After the fizzing stopped, the vial was sealed for 30 minutes to reach equilibrium in molecule distribution. The halloysite suspension was centrifuged to remove excess dissolved molecules and washed. The process may be repeated twice to ensure that the halloysite is filled with the maximum amount of the targeted molecules. With this simple loading technique, one can fill nanotubule lumen with any materials, such as drugs, proteins, polyelectrolytes, and nanoparticles of proper diameter using old-fashioned method similar to muzzle loading with bullets.
Both hydrophobic and hydrophilic agents can be entrapped after an appropriate pre-treatment of the halloysite surface.10-11 For example, we recently demonstrated loading of the halloysite with urease for bio-catalytic CaCO3 synthesis in the tubule lumen.11 For hydrophilic molecules (like kellin, NAD, tetracycline) a typical release time was 2-5 hours and for molecules with low solubility in water (like dexamethasone, furosemide, nifedipine) release time 5-20 hours was observed (Figure 2). Macromolecular release profiles from the halloysite are well described by a one-dimensional diffusion model through the nanotube lumen opening.
Release of macromolecules from halloysite nanotubules graph
Release of macromolecules from halloysite nanotubules graph
Figure 2: Release of macromolecules from halloysite nanotubules (NAD, dexamethasone, furosemide, nifedipine). Steep curves show direct dissolution of the molecule microcrystals without tubule loading.
We foresee a great deal of fundamental research and many applications employing halloysite clay nanotubules. Research will include: 1) control of loading and release of macromolecules by making stoppers or narrowing the exits from the nanotubule lumen; and 2) development of the tubule nanoreactor concept by carrying out reactions at the openings of the halloysite nanotubules between loaded molecules and molecules in bulk solution. Possible applications of halloysite nanotubes include: 1) Controlled release of anticorrosion agents; 2) Sustained release of herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and anti-microbials; 3) Sustained release of drugs, food additives, and fragrances; 4) Templating synthesis of rod-like nanoparticles; 5) Uses as catalytic supports and molecular sieves; 6) Specific ion adsorption; 7) Use as plastic fillers for strength reinforcement and scratch protection; 8) Use in advanced ceramic materials, especially biocompatible implants.
I think we bottomed.
Looks like bottom here,should I say bounce time?
NNAN NaturalNano has identified five specific sectors of this fast-growing market that it plans to focus on in the coming year: automotive (lighter parts to allow for increased transportation loads), military (make vehicles lighter, so they will be cheaper to transport), packaging (stronger or thinner, e.g., storage bags, food packaging), aerospace, and electronics. Future opportunities lie in the ability to fill halloysite nanotubes with active ingredients, such as fragrances, colorants, antioxidants, biocides, antifungal agents, pesticides, dyes, UV protectants, additives for cosmetics, and medical and pharmaceutical device additives and coatings. The nanotube structure also makes possible extended release over long periods of time and under harsh conditions
8.5.3. Wound Care
Wound care products promote healing and reduce the
chances of infection and scarring. Using halloysite, as a drug
delivery system in cases of burn care can be very beneficial.
Drugs loaded into halloysite tubes and embedded into the base
layer of a bandage can be released over an extended time
period. This increases the duration of drug effectiveness and
reduces the frequency with which a bandage needs to be
changed.
http://www.sciensage.info/journal/1339603267JASR_2304121.pdf
Which I thought to myself Wound care... Moderate-severe burns annually, 40,000 require hospitalization6 u.S. Wound care market increasing to $2.8B by 2016
Look at this....
Search Results
Patent WO2007011586A1 - Halloysite microtubule processes ...
www.google.com/patents/WO2007011586A1?
Jan 25, 2007 - They differ in the presence or absence of a layer of water molecules between ... The tubules have a preselected release profile to provide a ... or by placing degradable endcaps over some or all of the tubules in the ... "It has been found that halloysite can make a suitable catalyst for use in demetalizing and ...
http://www.google.com/patents/WO2007011586A1
Also published as US20070292459
Inventors Angelica Amara, Sarah M Cooper
Applicant Angelica Amara, Sarah M Cooper, Technology Innovations Llc
Guess who Sarah M Cooper is....
Sarah Cooper
VP Business Development at m2mi Corporation
San Francisco Bay AreaComputer Software
Previous
m2mi, NaturalNano, Inc, National Space Grant at NASA Ames
Education
University of Sydney
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sarah-cooper/0/b3/934
WAIT A MINUTE STOP THE PRESS AGAIN THAT PR WAS PUT FOR THE PUBLIC ON 11-14-2013 CORRECT
NaturalNano has established a strategic relationship to develop an advanced material used in armor that incorporates NNAN's proprietary Halloysite NanoTubes (HNT). Our nano-scale additive is highly reliable and increases the yield strength. As a result of this collaboration, the first product utilizing HNT in the armor market has recently shipped to customers. We are excited to be a part of this kick off and look forward to a long term relationship with the marketer and many future orders for our HNT.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/letter-to-shareholders-of-naturalnano-inc-2013-11-14
DID YOU KNOW THAT NNAN NaturalNano Inc. WAS HERE AT THE NANOTECHNOLOGY for DEFENSE CONFERENCE ON 4-7 NOVEMBER 2013.
http://usasymposium.com/nano/who_attends.htm
Then a Pr a week later saying ,,,,NaturalNano has established a strategic relationship to develop an advanced material used in armor that incorporates NNAN's proprietary Halloysite NanoTubes (HNT).
Halloysite Pcl Composites Scaffold For Sustained Drug Releases Biology Essay
Read more: http://www.ukessays.com/essays/biology/halloysite-pcl-composites-scaffold-for-sustained-drug-releases-biology-essay.php#ixzz2kxClq4p4
Dr. Kroto stated, “There is no doubt in my mind that the field of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is the most exciting frontier science of the 21st century. It has the promise to create advances fully commensurate with those made by chemistry in the 20th century – as groundbreaking as Penicillin, polymers, DNA technology, or computer chips.
Dr. Kroto received the 1996 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, along with colleagues Richard Smalley and Robert Curl, Jr., for the discovery of a new form of carbon, C60, considered one of the most important cornerstones in the development of Nanoscience. Much of today’s Nanotechnology research and commercialization focuses on the tubes and wires derived from these spherical carbon molecules, named “buckyballs” after architect Buckminster Fuller whose geodesic domes they mimic.
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
Global consumption of nanocomposites was an estimated 118,768 metric tons with a value of over $800 million in 2010. In 2011, the market should reach 138,389 metric tons and $920 million. By 2016, the market should amount to 333,043 metric tons and $2.4 billion, a five year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.2% in unit terms and 20.9% in value terms.
Clay nanocomposites accounted for more than 50% of total nanocomposite consumption by value in 2010. Its market share is expected to increase to approximately 58% in 2016.
Carbon nanotube composites accounted for 21% of total nanocomposite consumption in 2010 and this market share is expected to decrease to 16% in 2016.
http://www.bccresearch.com/market-research/nanotechnology/nanocomposites-global-markets-nan021e.html
Your right a huge dump by the company.
Newly emerging applications of halloysite nanotubes: a review
M Du, B Guo, D Jia - Polymer International, 2010 - Wiley Online Library
... Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), a type of natural occurring clay minerals with nanotubular structures,
are increasing ... As described above, HNTs are nanotubes with high L/D ratio and possess a low ...
and it was believed that the large amount of micro-cracking, nanotube bridging/pull ...
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Reinforcing and flame-retardant effects of halloysite nanotubes on LLDPE
Z Jia, Y Luo, B Guo, B Yang, M Du… - … -Plastics Technology and …, 2009 - Taylor & Francis
... S. Preparation and characterization of linear low density polyethylene/carbon nanotube
nanocomposites . ... Shchukin , DG ; Sukhorukov , GB ; Price , RR ; Lvov , YM Halloysite nanotubes
as biomimetic nanoreactors . ... The result indicates that the halloysite used in this work is not ...
Cited by 28 Related articles All 4 versions Cite Save
Manipulation of mechanical compliance of elastomeric PGS by incorporation of halloysite nanotubes for soft tissue engineering applications
QZ Chen, SL Liang, J Wang, GP Simon - Journal of the mechanical …, 2011 - Elsevier
... this work, we have synthesised a new PGS nanocomposite system filled with halloysite nanotubes,
and mechanical ... remaining close to the level of pure PGS which is desired for applications in soft ...
Finally, the in vitro study indicated that the addition of halloysite slowed down the ...
Cited by 12 Related articles All 3 versions Cite Save
[PDF] from thefutureisnear.org
Electrospinning of polymeric nanofibers for tissue engineering applications: a review
QP Pham, U Sharma, AG Mikos - Tissue engineering, 2006 - online.liebertpub.com
... 6: 4225-4232. Hemocompatibility of electrospun halloysite nanotube- and carbon nanotube-doped
composite ... 9: 677-687. Abstract | Full Text PDF or HTML | Reprints | Permissions. Study on the
preparation and properties of aligned carbon nanotubes/polylactide composite ...
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The effect of halloysite nanotubes as a novel nanofiller on curing behaviour, mechanical and microstructural properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) …
H Ismail, P Pasbakhsh, MN Ahmad Fauzi… - Polymer-Plastics …, 2009 - Taylor & Francis
... Figure 4 shows the various morphological shapes of halloysite nanotubes. ... De Souza Santos ,
H. ; Brindley , GW Mineralogical studies of kaolinite-halloysite clays: Part ... Churchman , GJ ; Theng ,
BKG Interactions of halloysites with amides: Mineralogical factors affecting complex ...
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Halloysite clay nanotubes for controlled release of protective agents
E Abdullayev, Y Lvov - Journal of Nanoscience and …, 2011 - ingentaconnect.com
... the process. Halloysites with intermediate levels of hydra- tion contained combinations of 7.2
Å and 10 Å interlayer spacing. ... REVIEW Halloysite Clay Nanotubes for Controlled Release of
Protective Agents ... Figure 16 shows profiles of insulin from halloysite nano- tubes. ...
Cited by 23 Related articles All 4 versions Cite Save
[PDF] from researchgate.net
Poly (vinyl alcohol)/halloysite nanotubes bionanocomposite films: Properties and in vitro osteoblasts and fibroblasts response
WY Zhou, B Guo, M Liu, R Liao… - Journal of Biomedical …, 2010 - Wiley Online Library
... France, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey.24 The size of halloysite nanotubes varies from ... Naturally
occurred inorganic nanotubes, HNTs, were first incorporated to the PVA matrix to ... On
nanotube-dominant surface, cells exhibited a significantly higher level of adhesion than on ...
Cited by 31 Related articles All 7 versions Cite Save
[HTML] from aip.org
Load transfer and deformation mechanisms in carbon nanotube-polystyrene composites
D Qian, EC Dickey, R Andrews, T Rantell - Applied Physics Letters, 2000 - link.aip.org
... based mixed matrix membrane filled with multi walled carbon nano tubes for carbon ... hybridized
nanocomposites based on graphite nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes M Safdari et ... Facile
fabrication of polystyrene/halloysite nanotube microspheres with core–shell structure via ...
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[PDF] from pharosproject.net
[BOOK] Reactive polymers fundamentals and applications: a concise guide to industrial polymers
JK Fink - 2013 - books.google.com
... Oxford, OX5 1GB, UK 225 Wyman Street,Waltham, MA 02451, USA First edition
2005 Second edition 2013 Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. ... 125 3.6 Applications
and Uses ... 129 3.7.9 Electronic Packaging Application ..... ...
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Polymer-modified halloysite composite nanotubes
C Li, J Liu, X Qu, B Guo, Z Yang - Journal of Applied Polymer …, 2008 - Wiley Online Library
... 11(c,d)]. Such nanotube structure was better preserved than other materials by infiltration of
carbon precursors.13, 14, 25. Figure 11. ... After dissolution of halloysite, the corresponding
polymeric and their derivative nanotubes and nanowires were derived. ...
Far from a scam do your DD and you see this is a real company look at my past posts.
HNT and CNT will take over the world but HNT will be the leader since its much cheaper and we have it $$$$
Incorrect this why I post DD for people to do there own reserch which is backed up with 100% facts NNAN does HNT and CNT with its partner SouthWest NanoTechnologies Introduces who's CEO sits on our Scientific Advisory Board David J. Arthur SouthWest NanoTechnologies.
Still waiting please show proof that Sir Harold W. Kroto, Ph.D. Is not on board with NNAN and waiting.
Very interesting AR500 Armor® Carbon Nanotube (CNT) IIIA 6” x 8” Side Plate Soft Body Armor.....
http://www.ar500armor.com/ar500-armor-6-x-8-carbon-nanotube-iiia-soft-body-armor-side-plate.html#.UqY4LfRDt8E
You might be right but still think its the same, but here you go Sparta Armor ....
Basic Black | Personal, Police, and Military Body Armor and Tactical ...
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Please don't avoid the reply I asked you to post, please prove this is fake ....
Nobel Prize Winner Sir Harold W. Kroto Joins NaturalNano’s Scientific Advisory Board
Nobel Laureate’s Discovery Helped Launch the Field of Nanotechnology
December 14, 2006 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NaturalNano, Inc. (OTCBB: NNAN), a materials science company, today announced that Nobel Laureate and famed nanotech pioneer, Sir Harold W. Kroto, Ph.D., has joined its Scientific Advisory Board.
“The NaturalNano Scientific Advisory Board is an outstanding brain trust. I am very excited to be working alongside Dr. Kroto. His co-discovery of fullerenes represented a revolution in materials science and helped to usher in the Nanotechnology age.”
Dr. Kroto received the 1996 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, along with colleagues Richard Smalley and Robert Curl, Jr., for the discovery of a new form of carbon, C60, considered one of the most important cornerstones in the development of Nanoscience. Much of today’s Nanotechnology research and commercialization focuses on the tubes and wires derived from these spherical carbon molecules, named “buckyballs” after architect Buckminster Fuller whose geodesic domes they mimic.
Dr. Kroto stated, “There is no doubt in my mind that the field of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is the most exciting frontier science of the 21st century. It has the promise to create advances fully commensurate with those made by chemistry in the 20th century – as groundbreaking as Penicillin, polymers, DNA technology, or computer chips.
“To make this promise a reality will require a spirit of innovation and pragmatic approach implicit in the strategy that NaturalNano is pioneering in its development of naturally occurring materials. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology represent a tremendous opportunity for advancement and NaturalNano is not only developing products that can be put into use now but also exploring future novel and exciting innovations.”
Before becoming a Francis Eppes Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Florida State University in 2004, Dr. Kroto taught at the University of Sussex in England for 37 years. In 2001, he won the Royal Society's prestigious Michael Faraday Award, given annually to a scientist who has done the most to further public communication of science, engineering, or technology in the United Kingdom. Dr. Kroto has also contributed major research in spectroscopy, liquid-phase interactions, and quantum chemistry.
His exceptional achievements have inspired fellow inventor and NaturalNano Scientific Advisory Board member, Ray Kurzweil, a recipient of the National Medal of Technology, the MIT Lemelson Prize, and an Inventor Hall of Fame inductee. Mr. Kurzweil said, "The NaturalNano Scientific Advisory Board is an outstanding brain trust. I am very excited to be working alongside Dr. Kroto. His co-discovery of fullerenes represented a revolution in materials science and helped to usher in the Nanotechnology age."
Dr. Kroto’s expertise broadens the range of NaturalNano’s Scientific Advisory Board, which now encompasses surface chemistry, polymer nanocomposites, life sciences, and other related disciplines:
Scientific Advisory Board
Robert W. Corkery, Ph.D., Ytkemiska Institute AB (Institute for Surface Chemistry), Stockholm
Globally recognized physical chemistry and materials science expert, former research scientist at Procter and Gamble responsible for development of nanostructure, biomembrane and complex fluid technologies.
Prof. Emmanuel P. Giannelis, Cornell University
Professor of Engineering and Director of Materials Science and Engineering, an internationally recognized pioneer and expert in polymer Nanocomposites. Among top 25 most cited authors on Nanotechnology.
John R. Hickman, Plastech Consulting, Inc. (PCI)
Founder, President, and CEO of PCI, an engineering firm providing solutions to challenges in the plastics industry. Thirty-four years of experience in the plastics industry in engineering, management, and nanocomposites, with over 30 trade secrets and four patents in practice.
Prof. Duncan T. Moore, Univ. of Rochester, Simon School of Business
Professor of Optical Engineering and Business Administration. Served as Associate Director for Technology in the Clinton White House office of Science and Technology Policy.
Ray Kurzweil, Kurzweil Technologies, Inc.
Renowned technology inventor, author and visionary. Inducted into National Inventor’s Hall of Fame. Recipient of MIT-Lemelson Prize, the world’s largest prize for Innovation. Awarded National Medal of Technology, the highest U.S. honor in technology.
About NaturalNano, Inc.
NaturalNano, Inc. (OTCBB: NNAN) (FWB: N3N) is a nanomaterials company developing proprietary technologies and processes for providing novel properties for a wide range of applications. These include industrial polymers, plastics and composites; and additives to cosmetics, agricultural, and household products. NaturalNano holds over twenty issued or pending patents and proprietary know-how for extraction and separation processes, of halloysite and other nanotubes, in combination with other materials for a wide range of applications. For more information, please visit http://www.naturalnano.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and future performance of NaturalNano that involve risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factors disclosure contained in certain of NaturalNano's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The most recent annual reports on Form 10-KSB and quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB filed by NaturalNano provide information about these factors, which may be revised or supplemented in future reports to the SEC on those forms or on Form 8-K. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or other such factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where expressly required by law.
I posted all the DD please look through it.
Same thing.
Nobel Prize Winner Sir Harold W. Kroto Joins NaturalNano’s Scientific Advisory Board
Nobel Laureate’s Discovery Helped Launch the Field of Nanotechnology
December 14, 2006 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NaturalNano, Inc. (OTCBB: NNAN), a materials science company, today announced that Nobel Laureate and famed nanotech pioneer, Sir Harold W. Kroto, Ph.D., has joined its Scientific Advisory Board.
“The NaturalNano Scientific Advisory Board is an outstanding brain trust. I am very excited to be working alongside Dr. Kroto. His co-discovery of fullerenes represented a revolution in materials science and helped to usher in the Nanotechnology age.”
Dr. Kroto received the 1996 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, along with colleagues Richard Smalley and Robert Curl, Jr., for the discovery of a new form of carbon, C60, considered one of the most important cornerstones in the development of Nanoscience. Much of today’s Nanotechnology research and commercialization focuses on the tubes and wires derived from these spherical carbon molecules, named “buckyballs” after architect Buckminster Fuller whose geodesic domes they mimic.
Dr. Kroto stated, “There is no doubt in my mind that the field of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is the most exciting frontier science of the 21st century. It has the promise to create advances fully commensurate with those made by chemistry in the 20th century – as groundbreaking as Penicillin, polymers, DNA technology, or computer chips.
“To make this promise a reality will require a spirit of innovation and pragmatic approach implicit in the strategy that NaturalNano is pioneering in its development of naturally occurring materials. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology represent a tremendous opportunity for advancement and NaturalNano is not only developing products that can be put into use now but also exploring future novel and exciting innovations.”
Before becoming a Francis Eppes Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Florida State University in 2004, Dr. Kroto taught at the University of Sussex in England for 37 years. In 2001, he won the Royal Society's prestigious Michael Faraday Award, given annually to a scientist who has done the most to further public communication of science, engineering, or technology in the United Kingdom. Dr. Kroto has also contributed major research in spectroscopy, liquid-phase interactions, and quantum chemistry.
His exceptional achievements have inspired fellow inventor and NaturalNano Scientific Advisory Board member, Ray Kurzweil, a recipient of the National Medal of Technology, the MIT Lemelson Prize, and an Inventor Hall of Fame inductee. Mr. Kurzweil said, "The NaturalNano Scientific Advisory Board is an outstanding brain trust. I am very excited to be working alongside Dr. Kroto. His co-discovery of fullerenes represented a revolution in materials science and helped to usher in the Nanotechnology age."
Dr. Kroto’s expertise broadens the range of NaturalNano’s Scientific Advisory Board, which now encompasses surface chemistry, polymer nanocomposites, life sciences, and other related disciplines:
Scientific Advisory Board
Robert W. Corkery, Ph.D., Ytkemiska Institute AB (Institute for Surface Chemistry), Stockholm
Globally recognized physical chemistry and materials science expert, former research scientist at Procter and Gamble responsible for development of nanostructure, biomembrane and complex fluid technologies.
Prof. Emmanuel P. Giannelis, Cornell University
Professor of Engineering and Director of Materials Science and Engineering, an internationally recognized pioneer and expert in polymer Nanocomposites. Among top 25 most cited authors on Nanotechnology.
John R. Hickman, Plastech Consulting, Inc. (PCI)
Founder, President, and CEO of PCI, an engineering firm providing solutions to challenges in the plastics industry. Thirty-four years of experience in the plastics industry in engineering, management, and nanocomposites, with over 30 trade secrets and four patents in practice.
Prof. Duncan T. Moore, Univ. of Rochester, Simon School of Business
Professor of Optical Engineering and Business Administration. Served as Associate Director for Technology in the Clinton White House office of Science and Technology Policy.
Ray Kurzweil, Kurzweil Technologies, Inc.
Renowned technology inventor, author and visionary. Inducted into National Inventor’s Hall of Fame. Recipient of MIT-Lemelson Prize, the world’s largest prize for Innovation. Awarded National Medal of Technology, the highest U.S. honor in technology.
About NaturalNano, Inc.
NaturalNano, Inc. (OTCBB: NNAN) (FWB: N3N) is a nanomaterials company developing proprietary technologies and processes for providing novel properties for a wide range of applications. These include industrial polymers, plastics and composites; and additives to cosmetics, agricultural, and household products. NaturalNano holds over twenty issued or pending patents and proprietary know-how for extraction and separation processes, of halloysite and other nanotubes, in combination with other materials for a wide range of applications. For more information, please visit http://www.naturalnano.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and future performance of NaturalNano that involve risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factors disclosure contained in certain of NaturalNano's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The most recent annual reports on Form 10-KSB and quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB filed by NaturalNano provide information about these factors, which may be revised or supplemented in future reports to the SEC on those forms or on Form 8-K. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or other such factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where expressly required by law.
Do you have a link emails phone calls anything to back that post up ?
Like I said prove it ?????
Here you go all the DD you need backed up with FACTS 100% truth
(NNAN) List of DD, this alot more to much to list,IMO the patents alone that NNAN hold are worth BIllion of dollars , NANO Tec is about to be the hottest sector for Jan 2014 .
Scientific Advisory Board (NNAN)
David J. Arthur
SouthWest NanoTechnologies
Mr. Arthur has more than 25 years experience commercializing products utilizing advanced materials, working at Rogers Corporation, AT Cross Company, TPI Composites, Helix Technology Corporation and Eikos, Inc. He is co-founder of Chasm Technologies, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in helping start-up companies commercialize nanotechnology. He is also CEO of SouthWest NanoTechnologies, Inc., a manufacturer of single wall carbon nanotubes. Mr. Arthur has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University, a MS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Connecticut, and an MBA from Northeastern University. He is a member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Materials Research Society, Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering, and Society for Information Display. Mr. Arthur is an inventor on more than 25 patents.
Okay let's start with some DD on SouthWest NanoTechnologies that's partners with (NNAN) and CEO sits on the Scientific Advisory Board.
http://www.swentnano.com/index.php
Investors and Sponsers for SouthWest NanoTechnologies
NASA,US DEPARTMENT of ENERGY, i2E, CONOCO PHILLIPS ETC...
http://www.swentnano.com/about/investors.php
Also SouthWest NanoTechnologies has many contracts out there , just type in SouthWest NanoTechnologies contracts or navy , or military you will find alot. To many to post.
Robert Corkery, Ph.D.
YKI, Ytkemiska Institute AB-Institute for Surface Chemistry, Stockholm, Sweden
Dr. Corkery is globally recognized as a key physical chemistry and materials science problem solver. He has been granted patents in nanozeolite chemical technology and porous materials technology with four patents pending in materials science technology. Dr. Corkery is the Area Manager for Nanostructured Materials at the YKI, Institute for Surface Chemistry in Stockholm, Sweden, one of the leading surface chemistry institutes in the world. Dr. Corkery’s research is aimed at technical understanding and breakthrough, new materials discovery and industrial innovation in the areas of nano- and bio-nanotechnologies. He was formerly a research scientist with The Procter & Gamble Company and was leader of the company’s corporate colloid laboratory. He was responsible for developing nanostructure, biomembrane and complex fluid technologies. Dr. Corkery received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Geophysics from the Australian National University as well as his Ph.D. in Physical and Materials Science where he was devoted entirely to nanotech and included extensive experimental and theoretical work on nanostructured clays, including halloysite. Dr. Corkery carried out postdoctoral research at the Australian National University as well as at the University of Lund in Sweden.
1. Robert Corkery - Zero Gravity Solutions Inc
www.zerogsi.com/corporate/scientific-advisory.../511-robert-corkery?
o
o
Robert Corkery, Ph.D. Robert Corkery, Ph.D. Dr. Corkery is a pioneer in industrial innovation in the areas of nano- and bio-nanotechnologies with particular ...
http://www.zerogsi.com/corporate/scientific-advisory-board/511-robert-corkery
ZERO GRAVITY is a publicy traded company $3.00 a share
http://www.zerogsi.com/
John R. Hickman
Plastech Consulting, Inc.
John R. Hickman is founder, president and chief executive officer of Ohio-based Plastech Consulting, Inc. (PCI). Founded in 1988, PCI is a full service productivity-based engineering firm providing state-of-the-art solutions to the challenges of today’s plastic products. Mr. Hickman has over 34 years in the polymer industry in management, engineering, and consultation. He has held key engineering and management positions with Weatherchem Corporation, Scott & Fetzer, Carlisle and ITT before founding PCI. Mr. Hickman has over 30 trade secrets and four polymer component patents currently in practice, with several pending. He has been involved in multiple turn-around situations, most involving polymer-based companies. One such company under his management, Weatherchem Corporation, was recognized by Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management as being one of the 100 fastest growing companies in Northeast Ohio. Mr. Hickman has significant hands-on experience with nanocomposites, productivity programs, product design/development, concurrent engineering, team building, labor partnerships, engineering value assessments, market analysis, management evaluations and advanced manufacturing and total business evaluations. Mr. Hickman has a background in chemical engineering from Ohio State University and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, with management courses beyond the Master's program. A significant portion of Mr. Hickman's experience in the polymer industry was obtained on the manufacturing floor, directing a problem-solving environment. In addition, Mr. Hickman completed several assignments as an executive advisor to students in the nationally recognized MBA program at Case Western and served as the Co-Chairman of the Technology Committee on the PolymerOhio, Inc. board; currently a trustee on the board. Mr. Hickman participates on various boards of directors for privately held companies and teaches several plastic-related courses for the Akron Polymer Training Center as well as other clients. Recently, the Akron Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers inducted Mr. Hickman into the Plastics Hall of Honor located at the University of Akron.
http://pc-plastics.com/
And now the big GUN
WON THE NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY AND WE HAVE HIM ON BOARD WITH NNAN HUGE.
Sir Harold W. Kroto, Ph.D.
Professor Sir Harold W. Kroto was a co-recipient of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and the Francis Eppes Professor of Chemistry at Florida State University. Dr. Kroto was born in England and received his BSc and PhD degrees from the University of Sheffield in 1964. He joined the faculty of the University of Sussex in 1967 and became a professor of chemistry there in 1985. Along with Dr. Richard Smalley and Dr. Robert Curl, Dr. Kroto received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry based on their co-discovery of buckminsterfullerene, a form of pure carbon better known as "buckyballs." The extraordinary molecule consists of 60 carbon atoms arranged as a spheroid, in a pattern exactly matching the stitching on soccer balls. The geodesic domes designed by the late inventor/architect Buckminster Fuller were a clue to the likely structure at the time the molecule was discovered and so Kroto called it "buckminsterfullerene." The discovery of the “Fullerenes” as this class of hollow carbon cage compounds is now called, opened up an entirely new branch of chemistry. An ardent advocate for science education, Kroto devotes part of his time and energy to promoting careers in science among young people. Through a new GEO (Global Educational Outreach) Internet broadcasting initiative at FSU and the Vega Trust website, which Dr. Kroto founded, he is creating effective new broadcast platforms for the science, engineering and technology (SET) communities, to communicate directly on all aspects of their fields of expertise using the powerful new Internet and TV opportunities.
http://www.naturalnano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=42
With this link below its enough said IMO....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Harold_W._Kroto
DID YOU KNOW THAT NNAN NaturalNano Inc. WAS HERE AT THE NANOTECHNOLOGY for DEFENSE CONFERENCE ON 4-7 NOVEMBER 2013.
http://usasymposium.com/nano/who_attends.htm
Then a Pr a week later saying ,,,,NaturalNano has established a strategic relationship to develop an advanced material used in armor that incorporates NNAN's proprietary Halloysite NanoTubes (HNT).
Carbon nanotubes, a type of fullerene, have potential in fields such as nanotechnology, electronics, optics, materials science, and architecture. Over the years new applications have taken advantage of their unique electrical properties, extraordinary strength, and efficiency in heat conduction.
Carbon nanotubes have valuable qualities as structural materials. Potential uses include:
• Textiles—CNT can make waterproof and/or tear-resistant fabrics
• Body armor—MIT is working on combat jackets that use CNT fibers to stop bullets and to monitor the condition of the wearer.[1] Cambridge University developed the fibres and licensed a company to make them.[2]
• Concrete—CNT in concrete increases the tensile strength, and halts crack propagation.[3]
• Polyethylene—Adding CNT to polyethylene can increase the polymer's elastic modulus by 30%.
• Sports equipment—Stronger and lighter tennis rackets, bicycle parts, golf balls, golf clubs, and baseball bats.
• Space elevator—CNT is under investigation as possible components of the tether up which a space elevator can climb. This requires tensile strengths of more than about 70 GPa.
• synthetic muscles: Due to their high contraction/extension ratio given an electric current, CNTs are ideal for synthetic muscle.[4]
• High tensile strength fibers—Fibers produced with polyvinyl alcohol break at 600 J/g [5] In comparison, the bullet-resistant fiber Kevlar fails at 27–33 J/g.
• Bridges—CNT may be able to replace steel in suspension and other bridges.
• Flywheels—The high strength/weight ratio enables very high rotational speeds.
• Carbon nanotube springs—Single-walled carbon nanotubes aligned in parallel can be elastically stretched for an energy density 10 times greater than that of current lithium-ion batteries, with the additional advantages of long cycling durability, temperature insensitivity, no spontaneous discharge, and arbitrary discharge rate.
• Fire protection—Thin layers of buckypaper can significantly improve fire resistance due to the efficient reflection of heat by the dense, compact layer of CNT or carbon fibers.[6]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potential_applications_of_carbon_nanotubes
Company Patents
Polymeric Adhesive Including Nanoparticle Filler
Polymeric composite including nanoparticle filler
Hydrogen storage apparatus comprised of halloysite
Ultracapacitors comprised of Mineral Microtubules
Nanocomposite master batch composition and method of manufacture
http://www.naturalnano.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=37&Itemid=210
David J. Arthur sits on the Scientific Advisory Board for NNAN owns SouthWest NanoTechnologies.
Recent PR....NNAN
NaturalNano has established a strategic relationship to develop an advanced material used in armor that incorporates NNAN’s proprietary Halloysite NanoTubes (HNT). Our nano-scale additive is highly reliable and increases the yield strength. As a result of this collaboration, the first product utilizing HNT in the armor market has recently shipped to customers. We are excited to be a part of this kick off and look forward to a long term relationship with the marketer and many future orders for our HNT.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/letter-shareholders-naturalnano-inc-133000405.html
Read Below This new hybrid armour, which will be manufactured by NanoRidge customer Riley Solutions Inc., (RSI) has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Program Agency (DARPA)
Look what was found HUGE....
SouthWest NanoTechnologies Carbon Nanotubes Being Used in Enhanced Body Armour
SouthWest NanoTechnologies, Inc. (SWeNT) the leading manufacturer of single-wall and Specialty Multi-Wall (SMW™) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is manufacturing specialty multi-wall carbon nanotubes for NanoRidge Materials, Inc. These CNTs are being incorporated into enhanced body armour to improve protection of soldiers and law enforcement officers from small arms fire.
SWeNT's SMW100 will be used in a highly advanced nanotechnology application to create stronger, lighter armour that fundamentally improves its resistance to impact and reduces the penetration depth of a bullet.
This new hybrid armour, which will be manufactured by NanoRidge customer Riley Solutions Inc., (RSI) has been selected by the[n] Defense Advanced Research Program Agency (DARPA)[/n] to undergo rigorous testing and evaluation against the most destructive small arms fire.
"Once it has passed testing, the armour will provide U.S. military and law enforcement personnel better, lighter and less costly armour than has been available before," explains Kyle Kissell Ph.D, and RSI's Technical Advisor. "NanoRidge selected SWeNT's SMW100 after evaluating many different products and believes that its characteristics and commercial scalability will meet the needs of our nation's protectors while saving lives."
"SouthWest NanoTechnologies is proud to be providing NanoRidge and Riley Solutions with SMW100 for use in these groundbreaking, nano-enhanced armor products," explains SWeNT CEO Dave Arthur. "Our patented CoMoCAT® process enables us to produce the desired quality and at a cost and in quantities needed to meet the sizable demand that is expected."
"SWeNT SMW100 is an excellent choice for this armour application because it is affordable, easy to disperse in polymers, and forms extremely robust networks that enhance the structural performance of the composites," says NanoRidge CEO Chris Lundberg. "Additionally, SWeNT's domestic production and proven ability to deliver consistent quality are critical for the Department of Defense."
About NanoRidge Materials, Inc.
NanoRidge Materials, Inc. is a manufacturer of high-performance nanocomposite materials and composite components. Their materials and composite structures incorporate carbon nanotubes for dramatically improved properties that are of significant value to customers in aerospace, military, oil & gas, chemical, and construction markets. NanoRidge Materials, Inc. is a graduate company of the Houston Technology Center, a business accelerator that assists Houston-based emerging technology companies by providing in-depth business guidance, access to capital, professional services and entrepreneurial education.
About SWeNT
SouthWest NanoTechnologies, Inc. (SWeNT) is a privately-held specialty chemical company that manufactures high quality single-wall and specialty multi-wall carbon nanotubes, printable inks and CNT-coated fabrics for a range of products and applications including energy-efficient lighting, affordable photovoltaics, improved energy storage and printed electronics. SWeNT was created in 2001 to spin off nanotube research developed at the University of Oklahoma.
http://www.nanomagazine.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=992%3Asouthwest-nanotechnologies-carbon-nanotubes-being-used-in-enhanced-body-armour&Itemid=87
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) was established in 1958 to prevent strategic surprise from negatively impacting U.S. national security and create strategic surprise for U.S. adversaries by maintaining the technological superiority of the U.S. military.
To fulfill its mission, the Agency relies on diverse performers to apply multi-disciplinary approaches to both advance knowledge through basic research and create innovative technologies that address current practical problems through applied research. DARPA’s scientific investigations span the gamut from laboratory efforts to the creation of full-scale technology demonstrations in the fields of biology, medicine, computer science, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, material sciences, social sciences, neurosciences and more. As the DoD’s primary innovation engine, DARPA undertakes projects that are finite in duration but that create lasting revolutionary change.
http://www.darpa.mil/
"HAS DEVELOPED A STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP"
NaturalNano has established a strategic relationship to develop an advanced material used in armor that incorporates NNAN's proprietary Halloysite NanoTubes (HNT). Our nano-scale additive is highly reliable and increases the yield strength. As a result of this collaboration, the first product utilizing HNT in the armor market has recently shipped to customers. We are excited to be a part of this kick off and look forward to a long term relationship with the marketer and many future orders for our HNT.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/letter-to-shareholders-of-naturalnano-inc-2013-11-14
Makes me think there is really something big going on here
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=94078577
"would utilize advanced robotics and nanomaterials technology to prevent injury and improve stamina on the battlefield"
http://www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=3704
I only hope that one of my other plays allows me to top off at 10,000,000 shares of NNAN early this week for that hold, should have got them when I had the chance
Considering all this
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=94149636
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=94076917
SEVERAL NEW PRODUCTS to COME ??
"introduce several new products for current and potential customers"
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/letter-to-shareholders-of-naturalnano-inc-2013-11-14
11.15 Patient-Specific Drug Efficacy Analysis on Circulating Tumor Cells Captured from Peripheral Blood
The metastatic adhesion cascade of CTCs – mimicking leukocyte trafficking
Rapid isolation of viable CTCs using e-selectin and halloysite nanotubes
An easy-to-adopt CTC isolation protocol
Therapeutic targeting of CTCs to prevent metastasis
Andrew Hughes, Weill Cornell Medical College
http://ctc-summit.com/agenda/day-two
I wonder how it went today ?
"Study on Separation of CTC’s from Blood using NaturalNano's Halloysite Nanotubes Featured in Presentation by Cornell's Lab ..."
http://ih.advfn.com/p.php?pid=nmona&article=59984046
"To accelerate the project, the army recently requested white papers from industry, academia, individuals, and public labs to speculate on how such a suit (Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit or TALOS) might be built."
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=94149762
Potential applications of carbon nanotubes
This one example I pulled too much to list and the numbers are endless how much going be spent on carbon nanotubes. This gives NNAN a huge edge along with other companies to get a piece of the pie which is worth trillions Etc.
• Textiles—CNT can make waterproof and/or tear-resistant fabrics.
• 1. The world clothing and textile industry (clothing, textiles, footwear and luxury goods) reached almost $2,560 trillion in 2010. http://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-fashion/25-shocking-fashion-industry-statistics.html
• Body armor—MIT is working on combat jackets that use CNT fibers to stop bullets and to monitor the condition of the wearer.[1] Cambridge University developed the fibres and licensed a company to make them.[2]
• Concrete—CNT in concrete increases the tensile strength, and halts crack propagation.[3]
• Polyethylene—Adding CNT to polyethylene can increase the polymer's elastic modulus by 30%.
• Sports equipment—Stronger and lighter tennis rackets, bicycle parts, golf balls, golf clubs, and baseball bats.
• Space elevator—CNT is under investigation as possible components of the tether up which a space elevator can climb. This requires tensile strengths of more than about 70 GPa.
• synthetic muscles: Due to their high contraction/extension ratio given an electric current, CNTs are ideal for synthetic muscle.[4]
• High tensile strength fibers—Fibers produced with polyvinyl alcohol break at 600 J/g [5] In comparison, the bullet-resistant fiber Kevlar fails at 27–33 J/g.
• Bridges—CNT may be able to replace steel in suspension and other bridges.
• Flywheels—The high strength/weight ratio enables very high rotational speeds.
• Carbon nanotube springs—Single-walled carbon nanotubes aligned in parallel can be elastically stretched for an energy density 10 times greater than that of current lithium-ion batteries, with the additional advantages of long cycling durability, temperature insensitivity, no spontaneous discharge, and arbitrary discharge rate.
• Fire protection—Thin layers of buckypaper can significantly improve fire resistance due to the efficient reflection of heat by the dense, compact layer of CNT or carbon fibers.[6]
Electromagnetic
CNT can be fabricated as electrical conductors, insulators, and semiconductors. Applications include:
• Artificial muscles—CNT's have sufficient contractility to make them candidates to replace muscle tissue.[7]
• Buckypaper—Thin nanotube sheets are 250 times stronger than steel and 10 times lighter and could be used as a heat sink for chipboards, a backlight for LCD screens or as a faraday cage to protect electrical devices/aeroplanes.
• Chemical nanowires—CNTs can be used to produce nanowires of other elements/molecules, such as gold or zinc oxide. These nanowires in turn can be used to cast nanotubes of other chemicals, such as gallium nitride. These can have very different properties from CNTs—for example, gallium nitride nanotubes are hydrophilic, while CNTs are hydrophobic, giving them possible uses in organic chemistry.
• Conductive films— Canatu [8] of Helsinki, Finland, Eikos Inc of Franklin, Massachusetts and Unidym Inc.[9] of Silicon Valley are developing transparent, electrically conductive CNT films and NanoBuds to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) in LCDs, touch screens, and photovoltaic devices. Nanotube films show promise for use in displays for computers, cell phones, Personal digital assistants, and automated teller machines.
• Electric motor brushes—Conductive CNTs are used in brushes for commercial electric motors. They replace traditional carbon black. The nanotubes improve electrical and thermal conductivity because they stretch through the plastic matrix of the brush. This permits the carbon filler to be reduced from 30% down to 3.6%, so that more matrix is present in the brush. Nanotube composite motor brushes are better-lubricated (from the matrix), cooler-running (both from better lubrication and superior thermal conductivity), less brittle (more matrix, and fiber reinforcement), stronger and more accurately moldable (more matrix). Since brushes are a critical failure point in electric motors, and also don't need much material, they became economical before almost any other application.
• Light bulb filament: alternative to tungsten filaments in incandescent lamps.
• Magnets—Multi-walled nanotubes (MWNT coated with magnetite) can generate strong magnetic fields. Recent advances show that MWNT decorated with maghemite nanoparticles can be oriented in a magnetic field [10] and enhance the electrical properties of the composite material in the direction of the field.[11]
• Optical ignition—A layer of 29% iron enriched single-walled nanotubes (SWNT) is placed on top of a layer of explosive material such as PETN, and can be ignited with a regular camera flash.[12]
• Solar cells—GE's CNT diode exploits a photovoltaic effect. Nanotubes can replace ITO in some solar cells to act as a transparent conductive film in solar cells to allow light to pass to the active layers and generate photocurrent.
• Superconductor—Nanotubes have been shown to be superconducting at low temperatures.[13]
• Ultracapacitors—MIT is researching the use of nanotubes bound to the charge plates of capacitors in order to dramatically increase the surface area and therefore energy storage ability.[14]
• Displays—CNTs can be used as extremely fine electron guns, which could be used as miniature cathode ray tubes in thin high-brightness, low-energy, low-weight displays. This type of display would consist of a group of many tiny CRTs, each providing the electrons to hit the phosphor of one pixel, instead of having one giant CRT whose electrons are aimed using electric and magnetic fields. These displays are known as field emission displays (FEDs).
• Transistor—CNT transistors have been developed at Delft, IBM, and NEC.
• Electromagnetic antenna—CNTs can act as antennas for radios and other electromagnetic devices.[15]
Electroacoustic[edit]
• Loudspeaker—In November, 2008 Tsinghua-Foxconn Nanotechnology Research Centre in Beijing announced that it had created loudspeakers from sheets of parallel CNT, generating sound similar to how lightning produces thunder. Near-term commercial uses include replacingpiezoelectric speakers in greeting cards.[16]
Chemical[edit]
• Desalination— water molecules can be separated from salt by forcing them through networks of carbon nanotubes, which require far lower pressures than conventional reverse osmosis methods [17]
• Air pollution filter—CNT membranes can filter carbon dioxide from power plant emissions.
• Biotech container—CNT can be filled with biological molecules, aiding biotechnology.
• Hydrogen storage—CNT have the potential to store between 4.2 and 65% hydrogen by weight. If they can be mass produced economically, 13.2 litres (2.9 imp gal; 3.5 US gal) of CNT could contain the same amount of energy as a 50 litres (11 imp gal; 13 US gal) gasoline tank. SeeHydrogen Economy.[citation needed]
Mechanical[edit]
This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2008)
• Oscillator—Oscillators based on CNT have achieved higher speeds than other technologies (> 50 GHz).
• Nanotube membrane—CNTs as filters in membranes have a high specific surface area and high flux which results in fast flow rates for gases and liquids. Liquids flow up to five orders of magnitude faster than predicted by classical fluid dynamics. [18] [19] [20]
• Slick surface—Some CNT-based fabrics have shown lower friction than Teflon.
• Waterproof—Some CNT-fabrics are waterproof.
• Carbon nanotube actuators—
• Infrared detector—The reflectivity of the buckypaper produced with "super-growth" chemical vapor deposition method is 0.03 or less, potentially enabling performance gains for pyroelectric infrared detector.[21][22]
This article needs attention from an expert on the subject. Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the article. Consider associating this request with a WikiProject. (March 2011)
• Radiometric standard—As a standard of the black.
• Thermal radiation—For thermal emission in space such as space satellites.
• stealth—Absorbance is high in wide ranges from FUV to FIR.
Electrical circuits[edit]
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2008)
A nanotube formed by joining two nanotubes of different diameters end to end can act as a diode, suggesting the possibility of constructing computer circuits entirely of nanotubes. Because of their good thermal transmission properties, CNT can potentially dissipate heat from computer chips. The longest electricity conducting circuit is a fraction of an inch long.[23]
Fabrication difficulties are major hurdles for CNT. Standard IC fabrication processes use chemical vapor deposition to add layers to a wafer. CNT can so far not be mass produced using such techniques.
Researchers can manipulate nanotubes one-by-one with the tip of an atomic force microscope in a time-consuming process. Using standard fabrication techniques would still require designers to position one end of the nanotube. During the deposition process, an electric field can potentially direct the growth of the nanotubes, which tend to grow along the field lines from negative to positive polarity. Another technique for self-assembly uses chemical or biological techniques to move CNT in solution to determinate places on a substrate.
Even if nanotubes can be precisely positioned, engineers have been unable to control the types (conducting, semiconducting, SWNT, MWNT) of nanotubes that appear.
Interconnects[edit]
Metallic carbon nanotubes have aroused research interest for their applicability as very-large-scale integration (VLSI) interconnects because of their high thermal stability, high thermal conductivity and large current carrying capacity.[24][25][26][27][28][29] An isolated CNT can carry current densities in excess of 1000 MA/sq-cm without damage even at an elevated temperature of 250 °C (482 °F), eliminating electromigration reliability concerns that plague Cu interconnects. Recent modeling work comparing the two has shown that CNT bundle interconnects can potentially offer advantages over copper.[30] Recent experiments demonstrated resistances as low as 20 Ohms using different architectures,[31] detailed conductance measurements over a wide temperature range were shown to agree with theory for a strongly disordered quasi-one-dimensional conductor.
Hybrid interconnects that employ CNT vias in tandem with copper interconnects offers advantages from a reliability/thermal-management perspective.
Transistors[edit]
This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2008)
Semiconducting CNTs have been used to fabricate field effect transistors (CNTFETs), which show promise due to their superior electrical characteristics over silicon based MOSFETs. Since the electron mean free path in SWCNTs can exceed 1 micrometer, long channel CNTFETs exhibit near-ballistic transport characteristics, resulting in high speed devices. CNT devices are projected to operate in the frequency range of hundreds of Gigahertz. Recent work detailing the advantages and disadvantages of various forms of CNTFETs have also shown that tunneling CNTFET offers better characteristics compared to other CNTFET structures. This device has been found to be superior in terms of subthreshold slope - a very important property for low power applications.[32][33][34][35][36][37]
Nanotubes are usually grown on nanoparticles of magnetic metal (Fe, Co) that facilitates production of electronic (spintronic) devices. In particular control of current through a field-effect transistor by magnetic field has been demonstrated in such a single-tube nanostructure.[38]
Electronic design and design automation[edit]
This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2008)
Although CNT devices and interconnects separately have been shown to be promising in their own respects, there have been few efforts to combine them in a realistic circuit. Most CNTFET structures employ the silicon substrate as a back gate. Applying different back gate voltages might become a concern when designing large circuits out of these elements. Several top-gated structures have also been demonstrated, which can alleviate this concern. Recently, a fully integrated logic circuit built on a single nanotube was reported. This circuit employs a back-gate. Several process-related challenges need to be addressed before CNT-based devices and interconnects can enter mainstream VLSI manufacturing. Remaining problems include purification, separation, control over length, chirality and desired alignment, low thermal budget and high contact resistance. Innovative ideas have been proposed to build practical transistors out of nano-networks. Since lack of control on chirality produces a mix of metallic as well as semi-conducting CNTs from any fabrication process and it is difficult to control the growth direction of the CNTs, easily-produced random arrays of SWCNTs have been proposed to build thin film transistors. This idea can be further exploited to build practical CNT based transistors and circuits without the need for precise growth and assembly.
Medicine[edit]
Research at University of California, Riverside has shown that carbon nanotubes are suitable scaffold materials for osteoblast proliferation and bone formation.[39]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potential_applications_of_carbon_nanotubes
Stop The Press Holy Crap look what was found first from your side ...
8.5.3. Wound Care
Wound care products promote healing and reduce the
chances of infection and scarring. Using halloysite, as a drug
delivery system in cases of burn care can be very beneficial.
Drugs loaded into halloysite tubes and embedded into the base
layer of a bandage can be released over an extended time
period. This increases the duration of drug effectiveness and
reduces the frequency with which a bandage needs to be
changed.
http://www.sciensage.info/journal/1339603267JASR_2304121.pdf
Which I thought to myself Wound care... Moderate-severe burns annually, 40,000 require hospitalization6 u.S. Wound care market increasing to $2.8B by 2016
Look at this....
Search Results
Patent WO2007011586A1 - Halloysite microtubule processes ...
www.google.com/patents/WO2007011586A1?
Jan 25, 2007 - They differ in the presence or absence of a layer of water molecules between ... The tubules have a preselected release profile to provide a ... or by placing degradable endcaps over some or all of the tubules in the ... "It has been found that halloysite can make a suitable catalyst for use in demetalizing and ...
http://www.google.com/patents/WO2007011586A1
Also published as US20070292459
Inventors Angelica Amara, Sarah M Cooper
Applicant Angelica Amara, Sarah M Cooper, Technology Innovations Llc
Guess who Sarah M Cooper is....
Sarah Cooper
VP Business Development at m2mi Corporation
San Francisco Bay AreaComputer Software
Previous
m2mi, NaturalNano, Inc, National Space Grant at NASA Ames
Education
University of Sydney
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sarah-cooper/0/b3/934
Natural Nano,Inc Halloysite is used in Sally Hansen Products.
Look on the far right on the page please for proof.
http://www.indmin.com/Print.aspx?ArticleId=3056549
http://sallyhansen.com/products/nails
Anyone say SAMSUNG Ultracapacitors comprised of mineral microtubules NNAN paten# 7,400,490
Abstract
Disclosed is an ultracapacitor having electrodes containing mineral microtubules, an electrolyte between the electrodes, and a separator in the electrolyte to provide electrical insulation between the electrodes, while allowing ion flow within the electrolyte. The electrodes may be formed from a paste containing microtubules, a conductive polymer containing mineral microtubules, or an aerogel containing the mineral microtubles. The mineral microtubules may be filed with carbon, a pseudocapacitance material, or a magnetoresistive material. The mineral microtubules may also be coated with a photoconductive material.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,400,490.PN.&OS=PN/7,400,490&RS=PN/7,400,490
Research and Markets has included a new market research report titled ‘Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene for Electronics Applications 2012-2022’ from IDTechEx to its database.
By Gary Thomas
Graphene, carbon nanotubes and their compounds demonstrate remarkable electrical properties, thus showing great promise in electrical and electronic applications, including energy conversion devices, smart textiles, conductors, displays, semiconductor devices, sensors and photovoltaics.
Printable graphene and carbon nanotube-based inks are started available in the market. Nevertheless, carbon nanotubes are not yet able to fulfill their commercial potential. Graphene shows promise in applications, including flexible electronics, photovoltaics, displays and computers.
The usage of graphene and its compounds to fabricate transistors is ever increasing as the device demonstrates superior performance. Carbon nanotubes are utilized as conductive layers for touch screen applications and used for producing transistors. The price of carbon nanotubes has been reducing, thanks to the increase in production capacity of chemical companies.
The report predicts the availability of graphene and carbon nanotube-based transistors other devices in commercial scale from 2016. These nanomaterials hold potential in printed and potentially printed electronics market wherein the value of these electronics that partially integrate these nanomaterial is expected to reach more than $63 billion in 2022.
The comprehensive book discusses the recent research activities carried out by more than 100 organizations across the world and the latest advancements implementing the technologies. It provides data pertaining to problems, opportunities and latest developments in material manufacturing and applications.
Device fabrication, material purity and the requirement for other materials such as dielectrics are the major challenges to graphene and carbon nanotubes. However, the potential is huge, considering their printability, transparency, flexibility and superior performance.
Source: http://www.researchandmarkets.com
What the 28-Nanometer Shortage Means for the Chip Industry
By Brian Colello, CPA | Morningstar – Mon, Jun 4, 2012 7:00 AM EDT
Several leading chipmakers, including Qualcomm(QCOM) and Nvidia(NVDA), have announced that they will have trouble fully satisfying demand in the coming months because of capacity constraints for cutting-edge 28-nanometer chip wafers. Taiwan Semiconductor(TSM), or TSMC, the world's largest foundry and technological leader in 28 nm chip production, simply doesn't have enough production capacity on hand to fulfill all its orders. The shortage is likely to cause a scramble in the chip supply chain--foundries will race to expand capacity and buy new equipment, while chipmakers will look at alternatives, such as using 40 nm chips or switching to competing foundries, in order to fulfill demand.
How We Got Here
Initially, rumors swirled that TSMC's production yields for 28 nm chips were subpar and that technological roadblocks were the source of many customers' frustrations. But more-recent comments indicate that 28 nm yields are acceptable, but TSMC simply doesn't have enough production capacity to fully meet demand.
TSMC expects to sell out of 28 nm chip production and see 19%-21% sequential sales growth in the second quarter. One of its foundry competitors, United Microelectronics(UMC), also expects a 15% sequential increase in chip unit shipments next quarter. An interesting dynamic should play out in the coming months, as UMC won't have 28 nm production capabilities until later this year, while it will take TSMC several months to put more 28 nm capacity in place. UMC could end up with a terrific 2012 if it were able to win this race and steal some short-term chip orders by Qualcomm (or others) away from TSMC.
Foundries tend to be in the sweet spot when demand outstrips supply, as they are able to fill more of their manufacturing capacity and ensure healthy pricing for wafers. The next steps for foundries involve hefty capital expenditure investments to expand capacity and take on additional orders. Along these lines, TSMC announced that its 2012 capital expenditure budget will expand by at least $2 billion to $8.0 billion-$8.5 billion, with the bulk of this increase pertaining to both 28 nm and future 20 nm chip production. Historically, foundries have overexpanded after shortages and quickly entered cyclical downturns where they faced unused capacity, soft wafer pricing, and lower profitability. However, because demand for 28 nm chip production has been so robust, especially from mobile processor makers, we see less of a risk that TSMC will overexpand this year.
We believe that TSMC, in particular, has been able to use its immense scale (the source of its narrow economic moat) to its advantage in recent years, as it has become more cost-prohibitive for smaller foundries to keep up with the latest generation of chip production. Only a handful of foundries (TSMC, UMC, Samsung, GlobalFoundries) have a chance to stay on the technological forefront in the years ahead. Before the shortage, we believed TSMC would be the go-to foundry, while Samsung and GlobalFoundries would not only look to strengthen their current foundry relationships (such as Samsung's with Apple for its A-series processors, or GlobalFoundries with Advanced Micro's (AMD) computer processors), but also strive to displace UMC for second-source chip orders. We still tend to believe that our original thesis will play out, but we have greater concern that the 28 nm capacity shortage at TSMC may have strained its relationships with customers, thus leaving the door open for clients like Nvidia and Qualcomm to actively look to other foundries, including Samsung and GlobalFoundries, for a larger portion of their 28 nm production later this year. Further down the road, the supply constraints may also encourage major customers to look to TSMC's competitors as key suppliers for their 20 nm chip production.
Chipmakers Affected by the Shortage
We believe that much of the 28 nm shortage stems from a flood of new orders coming in from smartphone chipmakers. Traditionally, chipmakers at the front of the line for new manufacturing technologies include FPGA (field programmable gate array) firms like Altera(ALTR) and Xilinx(XLNX) and PC graphics processor (GPU) chipmakers like AMD and Nvidia. With 28 nm, however, semiconductor titan Qualcomm entered the fray, seeking smaller, faster 28 nm chips for its upcoming line of mobile processors and LTE-compatible baseband chips. We suspect that Qualcomm's LTE baseband chips will be used in Apple's upcoming iPhone 5, and that Qualcomm will need to rely on 28 nm manufacturing in order to provide Apple with sufficient energy efficiency from these baseband chips, as poor battery life has been a common customer complaint for previously launched LTE-based smartphones. We suspect that mobile processor makers will also strive to join FPGA and GPU chipmakers at the head of the pack for future generations of leading-edge chips, such as 20 nm, which should come out in 2014.
Several fabless chipmakers have announced that the 28 nm shortage will limit each firm's ability to fulfill chip demand from their customers and will place a cap on each of their revenue growth in the June quarter. Many firms also indicated that they'll need to keep a watchful eye on 28 nm capacity in the second half of 2012. Ultimately, we believe that fabless chipmakers will adequately navigate through the 28 nm shortage in 2012 and we don't anticipate making material revisions to our fair value estimates for fabless chipmakers based on the shortage.
Altera intends to stick with TSMC through the shortage and may sell older generations of chips to its customers. In contrast, Xilinx believes that it has enough 28 nm chips on hand to survive the shortage (that is, until TSMC puts more capacity in place) because it is a lower-volume customer of TSMC's and uses a slightly different manufacturing process. We don't believe the 28 nm issue will have a long-term effect on the rivalry between these two FPGA firms, but we think that Xilinx has more at stake in the 28 nm FPGA generation, and we're encouraged to learn that the shortage won't put it at a disadvantage.
Qualcomm has long maintained a diversified foundry strategy, and it will seek to source 28 nm chips from other foundries. Qualcomm has also touted its strategy of developing integrated processors that combine the applications processor (used to run apps and phone operating systems) and the baseband function (used to connect the phone to the network), but in light of the shortage, it will try to sell discrete chips to customers in order to piece together a solution that is comparable to its integrated 28 nm Snapdragon chips.
In the GPU chip segment, AMD and Nvidia have new graphics processors that are manufactured on TSMC's 28 nm process. AMD has been seeing strong demand for its latest Southern Islands GPUs and has so far been able to meet customer commitments, but management said supply constraints have limited the upside opportunities that the firm could have achieved with the product. Nvidia appears to also be in a tough position, as robust demand for its new Kepler GPUs is exceeding supply. Nvidia's management initially blamed poor 28 nm manufacturing yields at TSMC for the Kepler shortages, but now says that actual capacity constraints are limiting the supply of the chips. While it anticipates that availability should improve, the shortage issue probably won't be resolved until later in the year.
Mobility Trend Will Drive Demand for Cutting-Edge Chips
The proliferation of smartphones and tablets is driving demand for faster chips that are more power-efficient, which are enabled by the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes. Additionally, some of these chips, particularly mobile processors, are having more features and processing cores being added to them, resulting in larger die sizes and higher per-unit costs. Chipmakers like Qualcomm can offset this trend by aggressively staying at the forefront of Moore's Law (in which Intel cofounder Gordon Moore said the number of transistors on a chip will double approximately every two years), as the smaller semiconductor circuitries that can be achieved with cutting-edge manufacturing technologies provide them with the ability to shrink chip sizes and lower unit costs.
The foundry production ramp at the 28 nm node is in the early innings, as only a handful of chipmakers, all of which use TSMC, currently have products based on that manufacturing process. As TSMC and the other major foundries alleviate the 28 nm supply shortages by adding manufacturing capacity, more fabless chipmakers will introduce chips manufactured at the 28 nm process. Aside from smartphone and tablet unit growth, the buildout of the cloud and communications infrastructures to support the mobility trend will also boost demand for 28 nm production, as chip suppliers to these opportunities will also look to take advantage of performance and power efficiency enhancements. We think the technology trends of mobility and the cloud are placing a renewed importance in the semiconductor industry on pushing Moore's Law.
Chip Equipment Market Will Benefit from Additional Foundry Spending
The 28 nm supply shortages at TSMC should benefit the semiconductor equipment market, as foundries will raise their capital investment levels in order to expand their capabilities at that manufacturing process. Most of the original forecasts for the front-end wafer fab equipment market in 2012, including those from Applied Materials(AMAT), Lam Research(LRCX), and market research firm Gartner, had been in the $30 billion-$35 billion range; we had estimated that spending would come in at the lower end of that range. However, we believe capacity constraints in the 28 nm process could result in an additional $3 billion-$4 billion in foundry wafer fab equipment spending for the year.
TSMC has already raised its capital spending outlook for 2012 to $8.0 billion-$8.5 billion from about $6 billion in response to its 28 nm capacity constraints. About $1.4 billion of the firm's incremental spending will be for additional 28 nm manufacturing, while roughly $0.7 billion will go toward development at the future 20 nm node. We think the 20 nm development spending is quite telling of the fact that the smartphone/tablet trend is pushing the foundries to aggressively pursue advances in semiconductor fabrication technologies.
We believe the other major foundries are looking to take advantage of the 28 nm shortages at TSMC to gain market share. In particular, we expect Samsung to raise its full-year capital expenditure outlook to build out additional 28 nm foundry capacity in order to woo some of TSMC's customers. Samsung, the world's largest memory chipmaker, has ambitions to expand its small but emerging foundry business beyond manufacturing the A-series smartphone/tablet processors for Apple. At the beginning of the year, the firm announced 2012 capital investment plans of KRW 15 trillion (about $13 billion) for its semiconductor business (both memory and foundry) in 2012, up from KRW 13 trillion in 2011, with the majority of the increase going to expanding the foundry segment. We suspect that Samsung views the 28 nm capacity constraints as a great opportunity, served on a silver platter by TSMC, to capture foundry market share, and there are rumors that Qualcomm, Nvidia, and AMD are looking to the firm for at least some 28 nm chip production. As a result, we think Samsung could raise wafer fab equipment spending by about $1 billion-$2 billion to steal 28 nm business from TSMC.
For the time being, we believe UMC and GlobalFoundries have enough capacity to supply any increases in 28 nm demand without having to increase capital spending. UMC maintained its 2012 capital expenditure forecast of $2 billion several weeks ago, while GlobalFoundries, which plans to spend $3 billion this year, will probably have enough 28 nm capacity to serve additional customers after recently waiving an exclusivity agreement with key customer AMD. Previously, AMD was required to manufacture all x86 computer processors at GlobalFoundries, but a new wafer supply agreement between the two firms allows AMD to look to other foundries to produce those products.
Suppliers to Foundries Stand to Benefit
The increase in 28 nm-related equipment spending will provide a boost for the semiconductor equipment industry. Of the companies we cover, we believe process diagnostic and control tool supplier KLA-Tencor(KLAC) stands to benefit the most, given its exposure to technology-related investments. As foundries continue to increase cutting-edge 28 nm capacity, they will require new PDC tools to maximize manufacturing yields at the new process node. More important, we think foundries will be pressured to ramp up 28 nm manufacturing as quickly as possible because of the current shortages, which will make PDC even more critical. Foundries will need to invest heavily in PDC tools in order to be able to eliminate defects and increase yields quicker, which in turn will allow them to move to volume manufacturing on their new 28 nm production lines faster.
We believe other chip equipment winners will be firms with large exposures to TSMC and Samsung. The two firms combined to account for 39% of revenue at etch tool supplier Lam Research during the firm's fiscal 2011. TSMC and Samsung are also major customers of Applied Materials and contributed to 22% of total sales in Applied's fiscal 2011. The two companies made up 28% of 2011 revenue at Novellus, the deposition tool supplier that is being acquired by Lam.
Finally, though it is not an equipment supplier, we believe semiconductor fabrication materials and consumables supplier ATMI(ATMI) is well positioned to benefit from the stronger-than-expected demand for the 28 nm chip fabrication process at foundries and the additional 28 nm manufacturing capacity that will be put in place to alleviate current constraints. The firm stands to profit from the 28 nm manufacturing ramp through its high productivity development platform, which allows ATMI to create customized materials tailored to specific customer needs for their chip fabrication processes. The firm's HPD capability has become increasingly critical to enabling advances in semiconductor fabrication technologies, as chipmakers are becoming ever more dependent on new custom-developed materials to help them migrate down Moore's Law. The development and ramp of the 28 nm manufacturing process at foundries provided ATMI with its initial revenue from HPD materials in 2011, and we expect rising 28 nm manufacturing activity over 2012 to drive continued growth in this emerging opportunity for the firm. HPD-related revenue accounted for 4% of ATMI's revenue in 2011, and we currently project that it will reach 8% this year. However, with such robust demand at the foundries for 28 nm manufacturing, we think HPD sales at ATMI could exceed expectations.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/28-nanometer-shortage-means-chip-110000826.html
So you're also telling me that a Professor Sir Harold W. Kroto was a co-recipient of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, is a scam also when he is on board with NNAN?
Funny how you call this a scam when their product is all over the place and military using it.....http://tacticalgunreview.com/blog/2012/08/staff-review-tag-spartan-ii/
Are you kidding me right now how much proof do you want That Spartan Armor is Real here YouTube video testing it
Here you guys go, once the numbers come and contracts this will be $0.25 and more look at the video for testing or products Gooooo NNAN
NaturalNano has established a strategic relationship to develop an advanced material used in armor that incorporates NNAN’s proprietary Halloysite NanoTubes (HNT).
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/letter-shareholders-naturalnano-inc-133000405.html
The Target Man - Spartan Armor Level III Body Armor Test
Can you show proof or that up with links,NNAN the real deal and Spartan Armor is real just Google it.
There the real deal ,and I think Google has more credit then anyone here lol,https://www.google.com/search?q=spartan+armor+vests&rlz=1C2AFAB_enUS539US539&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=MhimUpvZFsWyygGCqYCwCg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=978
Really, so you saying Sparta Armor is fake, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm funny how they have real body Armor the military uses, heack you can go to ebay to buy there product,http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spartan-tactical-body-armor-bulletproof-vest-ballistic-vest-lvl-IIIA-sapi-XL-/271327525977
You are incorrect Sir, there is only one Sparta Armor that NNAN is dealing with , if you go back to my posts you will see that I found a military body armor that has the words Sparta Armor stitched in the jacket that was also connected with David J. Arthur
SouthWest NanoTechnologies that sit on the NNAN Scientific Advisory Board.With all do respect if you're going to post anything you should really have the facts to back it up IMO.