Carbon nanotubes and graphene exhibit extraordinary electrical properties having huge potential for beyond Si and III-V device solutions for digital and RF applications. Their electronic performance outperforms all known materials. The main challenge is in manipulating these materials in a way that lends to an uncomplicated and low-cost method whilst achieving high manufacturing yield. Aneeve Nanotechnologies is developing methods to manipulate these carbon nanomaterials to be more easily and rapidly deployed in “standard” manufacturing techniques that bridges the gap between emerging and traditional platforms. Our current R&D efforts are dedicated to realizing efficient and linear RF devices for mobile communication products.
Aneeve has developed a printed electronics technology platform based on carbon nanotubes. Our patented CNT printing process flow offers superior performance benefits beyond organic, amorphous silicon and metal oxide options that are transferable to both high throughput ink-jet or roll-to-roll printing platforms. Our team has developed a library of CNT transistors for RF, digital and switch applications along with a suite of passive and sensor devices for system-on-plastic type applications. Printed electronics is gaining wide momentum owing to the many benefits offered over conventional integrated electronics, primarily being low-cost fabrication. Printed electronics has found use in a plethora of applications ranging from displays and lighting to RFID, sensors and batteries. The global printed electronics market is expected to grow to $24B in 2015 with a estimated annual growth rate of over 30%.
With the advent of carbon materials such as CNTs and graphene, nanotechnology is paving the way for new superior nanodiagnostic nanodevices. Carbon materials such as CNTs are well known to be bio-compatible and surprisingly more evidence shows them to be non-toxic. In addition, similar carbon materials are used daily in mechanical heart valves and have proven to be have excellent blood compatibility and physical properties. Also interesting is that carbon materials show antithrombotic properties with superior non-fouling attributes. Aneeve is exploiting these attributes in developing next-generation nanodiagnostic sensors using low cost printing techniques. Aneeve is currently developing various medical sensors printed on catheters and disposable plastic test strips for hormones, hormone disruptors and toxins.
