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Commercialization
of Nanotechnology
Runar Törnqvist
UMK Center of New Materials, Aalto University
8.11.2010
e-mail: [email protected]
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My background
1977, M.Sc. (Tech), Department of Technical Physics, TKK
1983, D.Sc. (Tech), Department of Technical Physics, TKK
1986, M.Sc. (Econ), Hanken
1975 - 1977, Laboratory of Material Physics, TKK
1977 - 1978, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg
1978 -1981, Laboratory of Physics, TKK
1981 - 1991, Lohja Display Electronics
1991 - 2003, Planar Systems, Inc.
2004 - , UMK Center for New Materials, TKK
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Outline of the lecture
I. Why nanotechnology commercialization?
II. Science, inventions and patents, innovations
III. Nanotechnology products and value chain
IV. Early and later examples from Finland
V. Conclusions
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Why is commercialization needed?
• Scientific
research
• EducationKnowledge
• Business
• Objective to
generate profit
Public funding
(using tax income)
Private funding
(investments)
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Nanotechnology improves and
revolutionizes products in most
industries
Mercedes M-class
scratch-proof paint
Lotus Effect® water-repellent
self-cleaning shirts
Wilson’s better tennis rackets and balls
L’Oreal Cosmetics
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Scientific findings,
inventions and innovations
• Scientific research is measured in terms of publications
• Inventions are measured in terms patents
• Innovations are measured in terms of economic success
• Research = Transforming money into knowledge
• Innovation = Transforming knowledge into money
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Patents
• An invention can get patent protection
• Patent first, publish then!
• The patent gives the patentee the right to exclude
others from “making, using, or selling the invention
for a limited period of time” (exclusive right)
• Patent information is used too seldom
• Financial support can be obtained e.g. from
Foundation for Finnish Inventions
(Keksintösäätiö)
TULI-program (TEKES)
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Only 1 invention in 3000 is very valuable
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Commercialization and
nanotechnology
• Nanotechnology is based on exact sciences and
there is usually a right or wrong answer
• Business is different!
• There is no absolute right or wrong answers (apart
from legal aspects)
• It is about finding the best solution, preferably a
clearly superior one
• The key is that somebody is willing to pay for the
product or the service (fill a need )
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Commercialization and
nanotechnology, cont.
• Commercialization of nanotechnology does not differ
from commercialization of new (capital intensive)
technology
• Existing companies drive commercialization
• Completely new technology is often born and developed
in new entrepreneurial companies, “start-ups”
• Key questions to be answered:
– Is there a need?
– How is that need solved today?
– Who are your potential customers and
competitors?
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Nanotechnology and
”nanotechnology market”
Source: LuxResearch
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The value chain of nano-
technology products
Source: LuxResearch
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Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and the
Thin-Film Electroluminecent Display
The technology was developed by
Lohja Corporation in Espoo in the
late 70ies and during the 80ies
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It takes time and money…
Al203/Ti02/ Al203/Ti02/….
-composite dielectric film with
outstanding dielectric strength
1974
Invention
1983
Technology
demonstration
1986
Commerc.
Product
developed
1987 –
199..
Ramp-up
of producti-
on
1991
Planar
Systems
Approx .
1993 ->
Profitable
Business
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Orion Diagnostica, QuickRead ®
• Aggregation is measured
photometrically
• The reading is quantitative
• Exact numerical value for
the analyte is obtained in
about 2-3 minutes
Analyte to be
measured
(unprocessed
patient sample)
Antibody coated
nanoparticles
(nanoparticle reagent)
Based on
scientific
research at
started in the
80ies
Specific nanoparticle –
analyte aggregation
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Beneq
Established: 2005 MBO spin out from Nextrom (ex. Nokia-Maillefer) with focus on Equipment and Technology for Functional Surfaces. 65 employees.
Products: Industrial and R&D Equipment for coatings based on Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and atmospheric pressure Aerosol technologies
Winner in 2008 of the Helsingin Sanomat national Future Winners- competition,which
aims to single out the most potential and successful young growth company in Finland.
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Nano Cellulose
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Conclusions
• Nanotechnology contains a wide set of science that can
be applied in very many fields:
→ Several opportunities for commercialization!
• We need both researchers, who master new scientific
findings in nanotechnology and skilled persons, who can
identify important opportunities for commercialization.
• Curiosity, networking and persistence are fundamentally
important.
• Competion is tough! To create a successful start-up
requires extraordinary skills in many different domains.
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Thank you!