Nano-Terra assembles structures and chemistries at all length scales, from feature sizes as small as single nanometers to surface areas as large as multiple square meters for two- and three-dimensional systems and devices. We directly control structures (including shape, size, and patterns) and chemistries (the assembly of atoms and molecules into those structures or the use of chemistry to add function to those structures). Our ‘recipe book’ of structures and chemistries is for all practical intents and purposes infinite and includes metals, plastics, glasses, biological materials, and even charge. We combine our control over structure and chemistry with a deep understanding of chemical and physical forces, including surface tension, magnetism, pressure, and atomic and molecular bonds — at all length scales. This understanding and control enables us to assemble practical, useful systems and devices with unique properties out of nano- and micro-scale building blocks.
While our suite of techniques and expertise is extensive, two pillars of our technology platform deserve special mention: Soft Lithography and Self-Assembly, both of which were pioneered and further developed at Harvard University by our co-founder Prof. George Whitesides.
Soft Lithography is an umbrella term for methods that economically create nano- to millimeter-scale structures and allow nano-scale control of chemistries on flat, uneven, patterned, or curved materials, including metals, polymers, oxides, and ceramics. Examples of Soft Lithography applications include printed, flexible organic and inorganic electronics; optical waveguides for directing the path of light with structures smaller than the wavelength of light; a broad range of sensors; as well as self-healing and self-cleaning surfaces.
Self-Assembly is an economical method for assembling precise structures of molecules in a pre-defined way. Once initiated, the self-assembly process assembles trillions of components, such as molecules, into integrated structures that have specific functions. We are also pioneering self-assembly at the micron- and meso-scale (typically larger than 1 mm).
Nano-Terra has worldwide rights to a suite of granted and pending patents for non-life sciences fields of use in the areas of soft lithography, self-assembly, surface chemistry, fluidics, and other related technologies. Through our relationships in the scientific community, we are entering into complementary relationships with leading research institutions in the US and abroad. In addition, we intend to aggressively patent internally-developed intellectual property. The following two examples illustrate how our capabilities apply to commercial applications:
Printed Flexible Electronics
The image on the left shows electronic structures printed onto a plastic sheet through a Soft Lithography technique called micro-contact printing. Nano-Terra can print a broad range of electronically active materials in parallel fashion onto small (nano- to micrometers) and large (many square meters) surface areas. We easily achieve smaller feature sizes than, for example, ink-jet printing. Our world-class chemistry capabilities uniquely enable us to design an application-specific ‘ink’ for rapidly printing these structures in a volume manufacturing environment. The ability to pattern chemistries and materials onto surfaces in this fashion makes possible the manufacture of inexpensive flexible electronics for use in a broad range of end-use applications.
Membranes
The image on the left shows a very thin film of plastic with a repeating pattern of pores fabricated through soft lithographic molding. We can control the thickness of the film, the number of pores, their size and position, and their surface chemistry. Our exquisite control over structure and chemistry allows us to fabricate filtration membranes that can be tailored to specific commercial applications, such as the removal of bacteria from drinking water or the removal of undesirable chemicals from industrial processes.