Nanoscale in the everyday life

3-Dimensional (3D) surfaces with features below 100 nanometres have numerous applications ranging from optics to life sciences. In this way, Tecnalia participates in a intragated FP7 European Project called NAPANIL to develop new manufacturing processes, based on nanoimprinting techniques (NIL), as a core aspect for the success of those applications. The main benefits followed are cost reduction, simpler fabrication process and processing of functionalised material.

The expectations for the future of 3D nanoimprinting are diverse; however, the highest priority is seen in cost-efficient products with novel or improved functionalities. In the first place, up-scaling of 3D nanoimprinting to large areas and high through put by making use of new tools and materials is done. The integration of these processes into the complete value-chain of manufacturing needs further efforts at European level.

The economic impact is still not valued, but the focus of all efforts is on the intelligent displays in the automotive sector, optics and optoelectronics and on the market of functional films.

In this projects frame, TECNALIA works for the development of new materials for NIL, specifically intelligent polymers and also for the development of chemical optical sensors based on those materials.

With Tecnalia, there are 17 Partners from 8 different countries, such as, Finland (VTT, Modlines, Helsinki University), France (Saint-Gobalin, Cognoscenes, SET SAS, CNRS LTM, CEA LETI), Denmark (DTU), Germany (MRT AMO), Switzerland (PSI), Spain (Tecnalia, ICN), United Kingdom (Glasgow University, Impattorn) and Italy (CRF, INFM/TAS).

Provided by Elhuyar Fundazioa