Bayer
MaterialScience AG and Bayer Technology Services GmbH will be making their third
joint appearance at "nanotech" between February 13 and 15 this year in Tokyo.
The world’s largest and most high-profile exhibition for nanotechnology is a key
gateway for both Bayer companies to the Japanese market and also the
Asia-Pacific market as a whole. "Nanotechnology is developing at a breathtaking
pace in this region because it is already being used in a large number of
sectors.
That is why we are presenting ourselves at this fair as a skilled industrial
partner for the nanotechnology sector. Our activities at nanotech will focus on
commercially viable, cutting-edge Bayer materials and processes such as
Baytubes® carbon nanotubes," explains Dr. Péter Krüger, head of the
Nanotechnology Working Group at Bayer. The key topics at the Bayer stand are
"mobility", "organic electronics", "packaging" and "responsible care".
Collaboration with Toyota Tsusho on Baytubes® The strategic collaboration on
Baytubes® that Bayer MaterialScience has established with Toyota Tsusho in the
run-up to "nanotech" underlines the importance of the Asian market for the Bayer
subgroup. Toyota Tsusho will market and distribute Baytubes® in countries such
as Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and India, and will also provide
technical support for carbon nanotubes operations in the region. "Besides our
partner’s exceptional technical skills and market know-how, its outstanding
business relationships with potential buyers in Japan, for example, will help us
to strengthen our position as one of the world’s three largest suppliers of
carbon nanotubes," says Martin Schmid, head of global Baytubes® operations.
New product line: Baydot® (quantum dots) Bayer Technology Services is
presenting a new product line under the name Baydot® at "nanotech". These
nanoparticles - also known as quantum dots - exhibit different physical
properties depending on their size. They have great potential for use in areas
such as opto-electronics, photovoltaics, security labeling and functional
polymer composites. Entry into these markets has until now been hampered by the
complex and expensive production process. "Our new process enables us to produce
quantum dots cost-effectively and with a high degree of purity on an industrial
scale.
This provides us with an excellent basis from which to exploit the broad
spectrum of potential applications," explained Dr. Frank Rauscher, Project
Manager for Baydot® at Bayer Technology Services.
Baytubes® - focusing on new applications Visitors to "nanotech" can also
expect to encounter the "F1-EX-Nano". This plastic transport drum, which derives
the electrical conductivity it needs from carbon nanotubes, is the first to be
designed for use in explosion-protected zones. The drum was developed by Schütz
GmbH & Co. KGaA and Bayer MaterialScience as part of a joint project study.
Used instead of carbon black, Baytubes® are applied at a low concentration in
the polyethylene outer layer and are responsible for the drum’s antistatic
properties. Furthermore, they improve the drum’s low-temperature impact strength
and resistance to chemicals.
Carbon nanotubes also have major potential for use in lithium-ion batteries,
where lifespan and performance are dependent on a consistent unimpeded charge
flux. Baytubes® C150 HP from Bayer MaterialScience ensure a reliable charge flux
over a long period of time. The strength of this product is its exceptional
purity, which is essential for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries.
A forthcoming application of Baytubes® is the "md4-1000" remote-controlled
flying camera from the microdrones company. This product can be used, for
example, during sporting events such as skiing, when it can transmit pictures
live from the air. The use of carbon nanotubes means that the frame of the drone
can be made even lighter than that of the previous model, without affecting
stability. This greatly increases the maximum flight time of the camera.
Sol-gel coatings - hard, scratch-resistant and elastic An innovative
highlight in sol-gel coatings is Bayresit® VPLS 2331. Key features of this
ethoxycarbosiloxane crosslinker include its flexible ring structure and
outstanding functionality. These ensure that coatings exhibit two seemingly
conflicting properties - a high level of elasticity on the one hand and hardness
and scratch resistance on the other. Sol-gel systems formulated with the
crosslinker only shrink very slightly during thermal curing, making thicker
coatings possible and improving processability.
What’s more, compared to other sol-gel systems, curing can be performed at
moderate temperatures and within a short, cost-effective timeframe. The
crosslinker is also ideal for coatings that contain nanoparticles. It is
particularly suitable for use in easy-to-clean and anti-graffiti paints,
corrosion protection and ceramic materials.
Nano inks - printing flexible wiring diagrams cost-effectively A further
innovation is the customized range of BayInk nano-particle silver inks designed
for the new generation of ink-jet printers. These inks make it possible to
cost-effectively produce wiring diagrams - whose conductive tracks are thinner
than 20 micrometers - on an industrial scale. BayInk achieves ten percent of the
specific conductivity of elemental silver with a relatively low percentage
proportion of the precious metal and adheres well to various substrates. In
addition, the printed conductive tracks are very flexible and ductile. BayInk is
particularly useful for "printed electronics" applications such as sensors,
actuators and RFID systems.
Product stewardship program for the safety of nanomaterials A key topic at
the Bayer stand will also be the comprehensive stewardship program that Bayer
MaterialScience has put in place to ensure the safety and environmental
friendliness of nanomaterials. "We have acquired a good deal of knowledge and
experience in the safe handling of nanomaterials such as Baytubes®. This applies
both to the physical-chemical parameters of these materials and the analysis of
their toxicological and ecotoxicological properties," observes Dr. Jacques
Ragot, Product Stewardship Manager of Nanomaterials. Bayer is also involved in
numerous national projects and working groups to examine the safety of
nanomaterials. These include "NanoCare" and "TRACER", both of which are
financially supported by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF -
German Federal Ministry for Education and Research).