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Moscow hosted the forum "Open Innovations 2015", organized under the auspices of the Russian Government, with the support of the Ministry of economic development and Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation with the participation of the government of Moscow and of the largest development institutions: Rusnano, RVC, Skolkovo Foundation, Vnesheconombank, the Fund of assistance to development of small forms of enterprises in scientific and technical sphere. The main theme of the forum is "Man at the crossroads of the trends of technological revolution", that focused discussion on five aspects: productivity, habitat, education, health and the entertainment industry.
In the activities of the Forum leading international experts in the field of innovation, representatives of the government of Russia and foreign countries, scientific community, business, technology corporations and non-profit organizations made their presentations. And these activities received wide press coverage. However, relatively few publications were devoted to the exposition, which demonstrated the large number of interesting solutions, including those produced with the use of nanotechnology. We will try to fill this gap.
Solutions for life science
Russian development institutions actively support startups, specializing in medicine and biology. It is a natural phenomenon, given the size, growth potential and social importance of these markets and the relatively small cost of the R&D and the organization of production.
Cosmeceutical Incubator, a joint project of Dubna nanotechnology center, Lomonosov Moscow State University and Svoboda company and Smart Adhesives introduced a new generation of strips for teeth whitening, which adhere to the teeth, but do not adhere to other surfaces in the oral cavity. Another joint product are medical adhesives for skin applications, which are characterized by the combination of the ability to stick to damp skin and for a long time to keep a band-aid, with the possibility of painless removal.
At the Rusnano booth, the SYGMA.Novosibirsk and SYGMA.Tomsk nanocenters introduced new projects in the field of prosthetics. Motorika company with assistance of SYGMA.Tomsk presented a project of a hand prosthesis using 3D printing. The control system of an electromechanical prosthesis includes a special device called a myo-bracelet, which is worn on a forearm and can read muscle impulses, perceive phantom gestures, and deliver control signals to the prosthesis controller. The project involves production of both a whole prosthesis and its parts. The prime cost will be around 100-150 thousand rubles, which is 4 times cheaper than the counterparts existing on the market, and the final cost including fitting will be around 250-300 thousand rubles. The project is being developed involving Saint-Petersburg nanocenter.
A Rusnano’s portfolio company NEVZ-CERAMICS (Novosibirsk), Medical Technopark of Novosibirsk, the Novosibirsk Scientific and Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (NSRITO) and the SYGMA.Novosibirsk nanocenter introduced a hip joint endoprosthesis with ceramic bearings. The coxofemoral implants are made of high-quality nano-ceramics, do not get rejected by the human body and show good qualities of physical integrity and durability. The lifespan of such a prosthesis is about 20 years.
Since June far more than 150 successful surgeries using the new endoprosthesis have been conducted in NSITRO. The low cost (about 60 thousand rubles as against 2-2.5 thousand euros, the cost of foreign analogs) allows using the endoprosthesis for surgical operations financed from the government budget under the compulsory health insurance system.
Apart from the hip joint endoprosthesis project, the Forum featured the other NEVZ-CERAMICS company projects already brought to batch production, such as fabricated ceramic parts for dental rehabilitation procedures and unparalleled ceramic implants for surgical treatment of spine disorders. Another promising project in the area of nanoceramics is production of a nanoceramic knee joint endoprosthesis.
Furthermore, Medical Technopark, SYGMA.Novosibirsk and SYGMA.Tomsk nanocenters introduced a joint project involving 3D printing for the development and production of individual implants for reparative operations, endoprostheses and endostructures from different materials. The main advantage of such medical products is a possibility of customized solutions. The use of 3D printing allows individual qualities of every patient to be taken into consideration and to make implants, endoprostheses and endostructures with characteristics that fit a particular person. Due to this advantage, surgery duration and the hospital stay period are reduced and the risk of implant complications lowers. The year of 2016 is scheduled for clinical testing of the implants.
Bochvar VNIINM, a member of the TVEL fuel company, presented in the exposition of Rosatom high technologies in the field of functional and protective coatings and superconductivity. In particular, at the exhibition booth of the Institute the technology for applying a special coating on porous titanium hip implants has been demonstrated. This coating provides a high level of biocompatibility of metal products with the connective tissues of the body, allowing quickly rehabilitation of the patient after surgery. Low-temperature superconductors, developed by VNIINM, are effective in the creation of modern magnetic resonance imaging systems.
The NCL company, a project of Technopark nanotechnology center and Skolkovo resident, became the winner of the OpenStage session of the "Health industry day", presenting the laser lancet. This instrument implements the laser puncture technology based on ablation process (evaporation) of biological tissues, allowing to eliminate the risk of infection of patients and medical personnel in case of puncture of tissue, such as blood collection for analysis. The laser lancet is based upon the use of a single pulse of laser light at 2936 nm which ablates a tiny hole through the upper layers of the skin. The pulse of laser light produced by the Erbilite vaporizes skin tissue in less than half a millisecond. The blood and skin that are not in the laser beam path are not affected by the laser energy. The use of laser light, as opposed to stainless steel, reduces tissue trauma and eliminates medical sharps as a potential source of cross contamination.
Scaltec, the portfolio company of Technopark nanotechnology center, the winner of the all-Russian startup tour 2015 in the Moscow region, provided a disposable surgical scalpel with a coating of amorphous diamond-like carbon. This coating smoothes the roughness remaining on the scalpels after polishing, which eliminates the microfractures in the cuts and promote rapid postoperative healing. Scalpels with carbon coating are especially popular in maxillofacial and plastic surgery.
PET-technology company presented a network of centres for positron emission tomography (PET), which is already working in the Lipetsk, Orel, Tambov, Kursk and Ufa. The next stage of the project involves the opening of centers in Ekaterinburg, Samara, Novosibirsk, Kaluga, Perm, Orenburg and Vladivostok. PET is used for diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including its early stages, as well as in cardiology and neurology. The principle of the method is based on the fact that the radiopharmaceuticals are selectively absorbed by tumor tissues and tissues with intense metabolism. The combination in one device of PET and CT features allows to analyze the three-dimensional image of functional changes in the tissues.
TestGen, the project company of the Ulyanovsk nanocenter, demonstrated the second generation of the system for non-invasive genetic studies, for sex and rhesus factor determination of the fetus using pregnant woman's blood. The analysis is completely safe for both expectant mother and child, and requires only 7-10 ml of venous blood. Diagnostic complex is available for routine medical laboratories and allows with 99% accuracy to identify a child's genes in the blood of pregnant women.
Sources of energy
Energy is one of basic industries, which determines the development of civilization. Therefore, investment in development of new energy solutions is vital both for certain countries and for humanity as a whole.
Hevel, a joint venture of Renova Group, and Rusnano, presented photovoltaic modules, developed in scientific center in Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute RAS. This unique development combines the best qualities of thin-film and crystalline silicon technologies. The efficiency of the solar panels of the new generation reaches 24.7%, while the average index on the world market is about 16%.
Hevel launched the first stage of a 10 MW solar power plant in Buribay (Republic of Bashkortostan). The launch was broadcasted during the forum. 88 thousand of solar modules for the plant were produced by Hevel’s factory launched in February, 2015 in Novocheboksarsk. In fact, over 70 percent of the power plant components were made in Russia. Hevel invested over RUB 1 bln in the construction of the first stage. LLC Avelar Solar Technology, a part of Hevel, acted as the general contractor of the project. After the launch of the second stage the total capacity of Buribay Power Plant will reach 20 MW.
Hevel is the largest integrated solar power company in Russia engaged in diversified activities from solar panels production to solar power plants construction. Hevel has its own solar module factory with the annual capacity of 97.5 MW located in Novocheboksarsk (Chuvash Republic) and the Science and Technology Center in St. Petersburg. Hevel plans to put several solar power generation facilities with a total capacity of 500 MW into operation in the next three years in different regions of Russia. Buribay Solar Power Plant is the first of the seven plants in Bashkortostan to be built by Hevel in the next few years. The total capacity of the projected solar power plants will be 59 MW. The investment amount is estimated at RUB 6 bln.
Handy Power, the project company of Dubna nanocenter and Skolkovo resident, showcased a standalone charger on hydrogen cells. Innovative power source for charging portable equipment operates on the basis of aluminum-water hydrogen generator and hydrogen-air fuel element. The charger comprises a fuel element and cartridge, in which a chemical reaction takes place with evolution of hydrogen. The main part of hydrogen passes through the membrane and turns into water vapor, which is accompanied by the generation of electrical energy
OCSiAl, a portfolio company of Rusnano, has demonstrated a cathode for lithium-ion batteries. Produced by OCSiAl single wall carbon nanotubes TUBALL allow to increase power, energy density and lifetime of electrochemical power sources, including lithium-ion and lead-acid rechargeable batteries, alkaline, lithium-manganese dioxide and lithium-fluorocarbon primary batteries, and also supercapacitors and fuel cells. Replacement of carbon black by a smaller amount of single wall carbon nanotubes allows to achieve higher energy density. Single wall carbon nanotubes are one of the best conductors in the world and have a length to diameter ratio up to 1 million times resulting in high electrical conductivity with ultralow loading. Low loadings produce electrically conductive parts that retain bright colors with antistatic and electrostatic discharge properties. Single wall carbon nanotubes impart electrical conductivity while maintaining and even increasing the mechanical strength of thermoset compounds. Required loadings of single wall carbon nanotubes in compounds range from
0.01 wt.% (antistatic properties) to 0.10 wt.% (conductive compounds).
OCSiAl presents also other products, modified with use of TUBALL nanotubes: the conductive SMC plastic, reinforced with carbon fibre; transparent conductive film; a modified polypropylene; a rubber composite for tires.
Electronics, Photonics
and Communication Systems
The Russian manufacturers of electronics, photonics and communication solutions presented their latest developments to prove the success of the import substitution policy. In particular, the Mikron plant presented at the Rosnano stand a plate with the Elbrus-2GM processors made by the 90 nm technology, the circuits for bank chips, passport and visa papers and transport cards as well as power electronic elements. The company produces more than 500 types of integrated circuits and discrete devices by annually mastering the production of more than 30 new products.
Monocrystal (Stavropol), a portfolio company of Rosnano, has demonstrated a unique 300-kg crystal of the synthesised sapphire grown by the modified Kyropoulos method according to their own technology. The company started producing sapphire wafers with the diameter of 300 mm or more and achieved a drastic reduction of the cost of the finished product. The analytic firm Yole Developpement recognised Monocrystal to be the world’s leading synthetic sapphire manufacturer according to the 2014 results. Synthetic sapphires are used in the production of LEDs, protective glasses and radio frequency switches.
ELVIS-NeoTech, the domestic developer and manufacturer of high-tech security and business monitoring systems with the use of pattern recognition, computer vision, radar and thermal imaging surveillance and biometric identification presented Russia’s first processor manufactured based on a 40 nm technology. This development unique for our country is intended for use in cameras, navigation systems and mobile devices.
Fibre Optic Systems company, the optic fibre production plant of which was formally opened in Saransk on 25 September, showed the samples of optical fibre communication cables. The company plans to expand the range of special optical fibre for oil and gas companies, medical device manufacturers as well as the defence industry. In particular, the optic fibre has a great potential for the use in endoscopes, gyros, sonar devices as well as the sensors for measuring pressure, temperature and voltage and fibre lasers.
Comberry from the Ulyanovsk region has introduced transparent conductive coatings based on oxide materials with the improved electrical conductivity and transparency performances in the visible spectral range. Such coatings are used in thin-film transistors, photovoltaics and LED’s. Another development, which is the asymmetric electrically heated transparent coatings on glass based on the electrically conductive film, heats various surfaces in order to prevent icing, sweating or cooling below the permissible values. This technology can be used in safety glasses and masks, optical devices, as well as to maintain an optimum operating temperature of the LCD display to work in extreme conditions.
In addition, Comberry created a technology to simultaneously apply several types of coatings in order to reduce the R&D period since there is a possibility of simultaneous conducting dozens of experiments. The company’s combinatorial research platform for applying thin film coatings is unparalleled in Europe.
SVD.Spark created by the staff of the General Physics Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences and the Troitsk Nanotechnology Centre "Technospark" introduced diamond plates produced by the chemical vapour deposition (CVD). The company possesses competences in growing and processing of poly- and monocrystalline diamonds as well as creating diamond coatings for the production of heat-transmitting plates, super-hard composite materials, optical windows and electronic devices.
Flexbright, the portfolio company of the Centre for Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials of the Republic of Mordovia showed the flexible LED film made by Roll-2-Roll. The flexible transparent sheet demonstrates low power consumption and has a thickness of less than 1 mm to allow for using it in both large-format lighting systems for large projects and integrating it into the construction and finishing materials such as wallpaper or textile. The sensors built into fabric provide the automatic control of luminous flux. It is planned to set up mass production according to this technology in Saransk.
The Finnish company Beneq, in which Rosnano had invested, presented the Lumineq displays for extreme conditions. Currently, the industrial production of non-transparent thin-film electroluminescent TFEL displays and transparent electroluminescent TASEL displays. TFEL Lumineq can be used in mining, shipbuilding, navigation, security systems, medical equipment, military and aviation industries. These displays can be characterised by a combination of strength and reliability. The operating temperature ranges from -60 to + 105°C, and the temperature does not affect the response time or image clarity. The average duration of operation of the display exceeds 250,000 hours. Transparent displays Lumineq of TASEL have a glass base and are of particular interest for the production of consumer electronics as well as design and architectural solutions.
Construction
and other applications
A wide range of products has been focused on improving the construction materials as well as niche markets. For example, SP Glass and Galen presented their joint development insulating glass units, for which the former company manufactures glass with energy efficient nanocoating, and the latter one the fibre glass profile. The profile made by Galen is stronger, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than its counterparts. Moreover, unlike PVC profiles, it can be used to make any window size. The composite material can withstand temperatures from -50 °C to + 90 °C, non-putrescent, it does not absorb water and is completely non-toxic. The glasses with energy-saving nanocoatings reduce heat losses in winter by up to 70% and protect rooms against overheating in hot weather.
Stroylab, a project company of the Ulyanovsk Nanocentre showed the laminate with integrated heating which allows you to combine heat-insulated floors and laminate in one solution. Internal wall panels can also have a conductive carbon coating providing uniform resistive heating. Thus, it is possible to erect buildings with integrated smart heating and the possibility of flexibly adapting to the operating conditions of each individual room. The fabric impregnated with a conductive carbon-based composition also acquires the ability to heat up when low voltage is applied and radiating in the infrared spectrum. This material can be used to make industrial clothing, for example.
Another Stroylab development is the translucent concrete based on the high-strength concrete with light transmitting elements embedded. Such material transmits sunlight and artificial light and can withstand loads up to 80 MPa.
The Kazan R&D Centre of Incomsystem developed hydrophobic silica nanocomposite coatings for pipeline systems as well as the technology and equipment for applying them. The coating provides passivation of the steel surfaces of pipes to prevent corrosion.
NanoServ company introduced the Bonaka nanotechnology to clean the heating systems and thermal equipment from sludge and scum using the patented biological liquid. The technology is based on the use of lactic acid, which is hydrolysed to monosaccharides as a result of fermentation processes with more than 30 organic acids released (citric acid, oxalic acid, formic acid etc.).
The Novosibirsk NEVZ-Ceramics company, in addition to participation in the medical prosthesis projects, presented at the Rosnano stand products of the nanostructured armour ceramics designed to protect personnel for the armed forces. The armour ceramics are lighter by 1.5-2 times than metal and only one unit lower than diamond according to the Mohs hardness scale of minerals that provides the bullet withstanding capacity of protection products at the level of the world’s best counterparts.
Solutions for life science
Russian development institutions actively support startups, specializing in medicine and biology. It is a natural phenomenon, given the size, growth potential and social importance of these markets and the relatively small cost of the R&D and the organization of production.
Cosmeceutical Incubator, a joint project of Dubna nanotechnology center, Lomonosov Moscow State University and Svoboda company and Smart Adhesives introduced a new generation of strips for teeth whitening, which adhere to the teeth, but do not adhere to other surfaces in the oral cavity. Another joint product are medical adhesives for skin applications, which are characterized by the combination of the ability to stick to damp skin and for a long time to keep a band-aid, with the possibility of painless removal.
At the Rusnano booth, the SYGMA.Novosibirsk and SYGMA.Tomsk nanocenters introduced new projects in the field of prosthetics. Motorika company with assistance of SYGMA.Tomsk presented a project of a hand prosthesis using 3D printing. The control system of an electromechanical prosthesis includes a special device called a myo-bracelet, which is worn on a forearm and can read muscle impulses, perceive phantom gestures, and deliver control signals to the prosthesis controller. The project involves production of both a whole prosthesis and its parts. The prime cost will be around 100-150 thousand rubles, which is 4 times cheaper than the counterparts existing on the market, and the final cost including fitting will be around 250-300 thousand rubles. The project is being developed involving Saint-Petersburg nanocenter.
A Rusnano’s portfolio company NEVZ-CERAMICS (Novosibirsk), Medical Technopark of Novosibirsk, the Novosibirsk Scientific and Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (NSRITO) and the SYGMA.Novosibirsk nanocenter introduced a hip joint endoprosthesis with ceramic bearings. The coxofemoral implants are made of high-quality nano-ceramics, do not get rejected by the human body and show good qualities of physical integrity and durability. The lifespan of such a prosthesis is about 20 years.
Since June far more than 150 successful surgeries using the new endoprosthesis have been conducted in NSITRO. The low cost (about 60 thousand rubles as against 2-2.5 thousand euros, the cost of foreign analogs) allows using the endoprosthesis for surgical operations financed from the government budget under the compulsory health insurance system.
Apart from the hip joint endoprosthesis project, the Forum featured the other NEVZ-CERAMICS company projects already brought to batch production, such as fabricated ceramic parts for dental rehabilitation procedures and unparalleled ceramic implants for surgical treatment of spine disorders. Another promising project in the area of nanoceramics is production of a nanoceramic knee joint endoprosthesis.
Furthermore, Medical Technopark, SYGMA.Novosibirsk and SYGMA.Tomsk nanocenters introduced a joint project involving 3D printing for the development and production of individual implants for reparative operations, endoprostheses and endostructures from different materials. The main advantage of such medical products is a possibility of customized solutions. The use of 3D printing allows individual qualities of every patient to be taken into consideration and to make implants, endoprostheses and endostructures with characteristics that fit a particular person. Due to this advantage, surgery duration and the hospital stay period are reduced and the risk of implant complications lowers. The year of 2016 is scheduled for clinical testing of the implants.
Bochvar VNIINM, a member of the TVEL fuel company, presented in the exposition of Rosatom high technologies in the field of functional and protective coatings and superconductivity. In particular, at the exhibition booth of the Institute the technology for applying a special coating on porous titanium hip implants has been demonstrated. This coating provides a high level of biocompatibility of metal products with the connective tissues of the body, allowing quickly rehabilitation of the patient after surgery. Low-temperature superconductors, developed by VNIINM, are effective in the creation of modern magnetic resonance imaging systems.
The NCL company, a project of Technopark nanotechnology center and Skolkovo resident, became the winner of the OpenStage session of the "Health industry day", presenting the laser lancet. This instrument implements the laser puncture technology based on ablation process (evaporation) of biological tissues, allowing to eliminate the risk of infection of patients and medical personnel in case of puncture of tissue, such as blood collection for analysis. The laser lancet is based upon the use of a single pulse of laser light at 2936 nm which ablates a tiny hole through the upper layers of the skin. The pulse of laser light produced by the Erbilite vaporizes skin tissue in less than half a millisecond. The blood and skin that are not in the laser beam path are not affected by the laser energy. The use of laser light, as opposed to stainless steel, reduces tissue trauma and eliminates medical sharps as a potential source of cross contamination.
Scaltec, the portfolio company of Technopark nanotechnology center, the winner of the all-Russian startup tour 2015 in the Moscow region, provided a disposable surgical scalpel with a coating of amorphous diamond-like carbon. This coating smoothes the roughness remaining on the scalpels after polishing, which eliminates the microfractures in the cuts and promote rapid postoperative healing. Scalpels with carbon coating are especially popular in maxillofacial and plastic surgery.
PET-technology company presented a network of centres for positron emission tomography (PET), which is already working in the Lipetsk, Orel, Tambov, Kursk and Ufa. The next stage of the project involves the opening of centers in Ekaterinburg, Samara, Novosibirsk, Kaluga, Perm, Orenburg and Vladivostok. PET is used for diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including its early stages, as well as in cardiology and neurology. The principle of the method is based on the fact that the radiopharmaceuticals are selectively absorbed by tumor tissues and tissues with intense metabolism. The combination in one device of PET and CT features allows to analyze the three-dimensional image of functional changes in the tissues.
TestGen, the project company of the Ulyanovsk nanocenter, demonstrated the second generation of the system for non-invasive genetic studies, for sex and rhesus factor determination of the fetus using pregnant woman's blood. The analysis is completely safe for both expectant mother and child, and requires only 7-10 ml of venous blood. Diagnostic complex is available for routine medical laboratories and allows with 99% accuracy to identify a child's genes in the blood of pregnant women.
Sources of energy
Energy is one of basic industries, which determines the development of civilization. Therefore, investment in development of new energy solutions is vital both for certain countries and for humanity as a whole.
Hevel, a joint venture of Renova Group, and Rusnano, presented photovoltaic modules, developed in scientific center in Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute RAS. This unique development combines the best qualities of thin-film and crystalline silicon technologies. The efficiency of the solar panels of the new generation reaches 24.7%, while the average index on the world market is about 16%.
Hevel launched the first stage of a 10 MW solar power plant in Buribay (Republic of Bashkortostan). The launch was broadcasted during the forum. 88 thousand of solar modules for the plant were produced by Hevel’s factory launched in February, 2015 in Novocheboksarsk. In fact, over 70 percent of the power plant components were made in Russia. Hevel invested over RUB 1 bln in the construction of the first stage. LLC Avelar Solar Technology, a part of Hevel, acted as the general contractor of the project. After the launch of the second stage the total capacity of Buribay Power Plant will reach 20 MW.
Hevel is the largest integrated solar power company in Russia engaged in diversified activities from solar panels production to solar power plants construction. Hevel has its own solar module factory with the annual capacity of 97.5 MW located in Novocheboksarsk (Chuvash Republic) and the Science and Technology Center in St. Petersburg. Hevel plans to put several solar power generation facilities with a total capacity of 500 MW into operation in the next three years in different regions of Russia. Buribay Solar Power Plant is the first of the seven plants in Bashkortostan to be built by Hevel in the next few years. The total capacity of the projected solar power plants will be 59 MW. The investment amount is estimated at RUB 6 bln.
Handy Power, the project company of Dubna nanocenter and Skolkovo resident, showcased a standalone charger on hydrogen cells. Innovative power source for charging portable equipment operates on the basis of aluminum-water hydrogen generator and hydrogen-air fuel element. The charger comprises a fuel element and cartridge, in which a chemical reaction takes place with evolution of hydrogen. The main part of hydrogen passes through the membrane and turns into water vapor, which is accompanied by the generation of electrical energy
OCSiAl, a portfolio company of Rusnano, has demonstrated a cathode for lithium-ion batteries. Produced by OCSiAl single wall carbon nanotubes TUBALL allow to increase power, energy density and lifetime of electrochemical power sources, including lithium-ion and lead-acid rechargeable batteries, alkaline, lithium-manganese dioxide and lithium-fluorocarbon primary batteries, and also supercapacitors and fuel cells. Replacement of carbon black by a smaller amount of single wall carbon nanotubes allows to achieve higher energy density. Single wall carbon nanotubes are one of the best conductors in the world and have a length to diameter ratio up to 1 million times resulting in high electrical conductivity with ultralow loading. Low loadings produce electrically conductive parts that retain bright colors with antistatic and electrostatic discharge properties. Single wall carbon nanotubes impart electrical conductivity while maintaining and even increasing the mechanical strength of thermoset compounds. Required loadings of single wall carbon nanotubes in compounds range from
0.01 wt.% (antistatic properties) to 0.10 wt.% (conductive compounds).
OCSiAl presents also other products, modified with use of TUBALL nanotubes: the conductive SMC plastic, reinforced with carbon fibre; transparent conductive film; a modified polypropylene; a rubber composite for tires.
Electronics, Photonics
and Communication Systems
The Russian manufacturers of electronics, photonics and communication solutions presented their latest developments to prove the success of the import substitution policy. In particular, the Mikron plant presented at the Rosnano stand a plate with the Elbrus-2GM processors made by the 90 nm technology, the circuits for bank chips, passport and visa papers and transport cards as well as power electronic elements. The company produces more than 500 types of integrated circuits and discrete devices by annually mastering the production of more than 30 new products.
Monocrystal (Stavropol), a portfolio company of Rosnano, has demonstrated a unique 300-kg crystal of the synthesised sapphire grown by the modified Kyropoulos method according to their own technology. The company started producing sapphire wafers with the diameter of 300 mm or more and achieved a drastic reduction of the cost of the finished product. The analytic firm Yole Developpement recognised Monocrystal to be the world’s leading synthetic sapphire manufacturer according to the 2014 results. Synthetic sapphires are used in the production of LEDs, protective glasses and radio frequency switches.
ELVIS-NeoTech, the domestic developer and manufacturer of high-tech security and business monitoring systems with the use of pattern recognition, computer vision, radar and thermal imaging surveillance and biometric identification presented Russia’s first processor manufactured based on a 40 nm technology. This development unique for our country is intended for use in cameras, navigation systems and mobile devices.
Fibre Optic Systems company, the optic fibre production plant of which was formally opened in Saransk on 25 September, showed the samples of optical fibre communication cables. The company plans to expand the range of special optical fibre for oil and gas companies, medical device manufacturers as well as the defence industry. In particular, the optic fibre has a great potential for the use in endoscopes, gyros, sonar devices as well as the sensors for measuring pressure, temperature and voltage and fibre lasers.
Comberry from the Ulyanovsk region has introduced transparent conductive coatings based on oxide materials with the improved electrical conductivity and transparency performances in the visible spectral range. Such coatings are used in thin-film transistors, photovoltaics and LED’s. Another development, which is the asymmetric electrically heated transparent coatings on glass based on the electrically conductive film, heats various surfaces in order to prevent icing, sweating or cooling below the permissible values. This technology can be used in safety glasses and masks, optical devices, as well as to maintain an optimum operating temperature of the LCD display to work in extreme conditions.
In addition, Comberry created a technology to simultaneously apply several types of coatings in order to reduce the R&D period since there is a possibility of simultaneous conducting dozens of experiments. The company’s combinatorial research platform for applying thin film coatings is unparalleled in Europe.
SVD.Spark created by the staff of the General Physics Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences and the Troitsk Nanotechnology Centre "Technospark" introduced diamond plates produced by the chemical vapour deposition (CVD). The company possesses competences in growing and processing of poly- and monocrystalline diamonds as well as creating diamond coatings for the production of heat-transmitting plates, super-hard composite materials, optical windows and electronic devices.
Flexbright, the portfolio company of the Centre for Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials of the Republic of Mordovia showed the flexible LED film made by Roll-2-Roll. The flexible transparent sheet demonstrates low power consumption and has a thickness of less than 1 mm to allow for using it in both large-format lighting systems for large projects and integrating it into the construction and finishing materials such as wallpaper or textile. The sensors built into fabric provide the automatic control of luminous flux. It is planned to set up mass production according to this technology in Saransk.
The Finnish company Beneq, in which Rosnano had invested, presented the Lumineq displays for extreme conditions. Currently, the industrial production of non-transparent thin-film electroluminescent TFEL displays and transparent electroluminescent TASEL displays. TFEL Lumineq can be used in mining, shipbuilding, navigation, security systems, medical equipment, military and aviation industries. These displays can be characterised by a combination of strength and reliability. The operating temperature ranges from -60 to + 105°C, and the temperature does not affect the response time or image clarity. The average duration of operation of the display exceeds 250,000 hours. Transparent displays Lumineq of TASEL have a glass base and are of particular interest for the production of consumer electronics as well as design and architectural solutions.
Construction
and other applications
A wide range of products has been focused on improving the construction materials as well as niche markets. For example, SP Glass and Galen presented their joint development insulating glass units, for which the former company manufactures glass with energy efficient nanocoating, and the latter one the fibre glass profile. The profile made by Galen is stronger, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than its counterparts. Moreover, unlike PVC profiles, it can be used to make any window size. The composite material can withstand temperatures from -50 °C to + 90 °C, non-putrescent, it does not absorb water and is completely non-toxic. The glasses with energy-saving nanocoatings reduce heat losses in winter by up to 70% and protect rooms against overheating in hot weather.
Stroylab, a project company of the Ulyanovsk Nanocentre showed the laminate with integrated heating which allows you to combine heat-insulated floors and laminate in one solution. Internal wall panels can also have a conductive carbon coating providing uniform resistive heating. Thus, it is possible to erect buildings with integrated smart heating and the possibility of flexibly adapting to the operating conditions of each individual room. The fabric impregnated with a conductive carbon-based composition also acquires the ability to heat up when low voltage is applied and radiating in the infrared spectrum. This material can be used to make industrial clothing, for example.
Another Stroylab development is the translucent concrete based on the high-strength concrete with light transmitting elements embedded. Such material transmits sunlight and artificial light and can withstand loads up to 80 MPa.
The Kazan R&D Centre of Incomsystem developed hydrophobic silica nanocomposite coatings for pipeline systems as well as the technology and equipment for applying them. The coating provides passivation of the steel surfaces of pipes to prevent corrosion.
NanoServ company introduced the Bonaka nanotechnology to clean the heating systems and thermal equipment from sludge and scum using the patented biological liquid. The technology is based on the use of lactic acid, which is hydrolysed to monosaccharides as a result of fermentation processes with more than 30 organic acids released (citric acid, oxalic acid, formic acid etc.).
The Novosibirsk NEVZ-Ceramics company, in addition to participation in the medical prosthesis projects, presented at the Rosnano stand products of the nanostructured armour ceramics designed to protect personnel for the armed forces. The armour ceramics are lighter by 1.5-2 times than metal and only one unit lower than diamond according to the Mohs hardness scale of minerals that provides the bullet withstanding capacity of protection products at the level of the world’s best counterparts.
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