The U.S. chemical industry is poised to apply many of the recent discoveries in nanotechnology, undertaken at universities and national laboratories, which may have an important influence on the manufacture and uses of chemicals and materials. In this topic, small businesses are encouraged to take advantage of these discoveries by conducting further R&D, leading to marketable products of importance to the U.S. chemical industry. The subtopic areas focus on nanomaterials research in catalysis, on polymers and polymer manufacture, on composite materials, and on new materials with special properties that mimic properties of living organisms (i.e., “biomimetics” applications). Grant applications must demonstrate a significant energy benefit, either from saving energy in manufacture, conserving materials, or providing longer life in applications. Grant applications also must demonstrate how these nanotechnology innovations will be introduced into the marketplace in conjunction with major chemical companies that have capabilities for widespread technology implementation and manufacturing. Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:
a. Nanomaterials with Catalytic Activity—Recent discoveries suggest that some materials with nanosized features may exhibit novel heterogeneous catalytic activity. Grant applications are sought to develop new nanoscale materials with catalytic properties. Chemical transformations of interest include, but are not limited to isomerizations, halogenations, oxidations, reductions, stereospecific transformations, or combinations of these. Proposed approaches must demonstrate that (1) the materials exhibit catalytic behavior only when their functional properties are imparted at the nanoscale, and (2) the intended products of the chemical reactions have commercial value. Partnership with chemical companies that have the manufacturing capabilities needed to bring the technology to widespread commercial application is strongly encouraged.
b. New Nanoscale Polymer Materials, Polymer Composites, and Polymer Processes—Recent research has shown that polymer materials with controlled nanocrystalline features may exhibit special or new properties that are not exhibited otherwise when the polymer material’s nanosize features are not controlled. Furthermore, a composite material comprising both polymers and nanosize organic or inorganic substances could exhibit useful properties that are not exhibited by the polymer alone. Grant applications are sought to develop novel polymer processes with the potential to control features of the polymer at the nanoscale, resulting in polymer materials that have properties unmatched by any other materials. (Examples of such naturally occurring processes include the spinning of a web by a spider or the clotting of blood.) Grant applications should (1) address commercial applications or markets for proposed approaches, (2) demonstrate a careful review of the relevant scientific literature, and (3) address possibilities for forming partnerships with industrial chemical companies willing to assist in the development and application of the technology.
c. Nanomaterials for Separations Technologies—Separations account for 60% or more of the energy and installed costs of industrial chemical manufacture. Recent developments in nanotechnology could contribute to more energy efficient separations technology in areas such as molecular sieves, membranes, and sorbents. Grant applications are sought to develop new nanotechnology-based separations technology for any industrial separation process, provided that significant increases in energy efficiency can be demonstrated, compared to the technology that is augmented or replaced. Grant applications that propose improvements or enhancements to existing technologies are not of interest and will be declined. Potential applicants are strongly urged to carefully review the scientific literature and patent databases related to the proposed technology, before submitting an application. In order to assure the rapid commercialization of the new technology, successful applicants will form partnerships with chemical manufacturers, suppliers to the industry, and end users.
d. Nanomaterials and Specialty Products Chemistry—In addition to the catalysts sought in subtopic a above, grant applications are sought to develop new products, based on nanoscience and nanotechnology, for use in specialty chemicals markets. These products include adhesives, antioxidants, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, flame retardants, flavorings and fragrances, specialty coatings, surfactants, and water-soluble polymers. Grant applicants must identify (1) specialty chemicals markets that will use the new materials, (2) energy benefits to be obtained from using the new materials, (3) the basis in nanoscience for the properties of the new materials, and (4) a specialty chemicals manufacturer that is prepared to assist in the commercialization of new materials technology.
References:
1. Siegel, R. W., et al., eds., Nanostructure Science and Technology: A Worldwide Study, prepared under guidance of National Science and Technology Council, Committee on Technology (NSTC/CT) and Interagency Working Group on NanoScience, Engineering and Technology (IWGN), Baltimore, MD: Loyola College, September 1999. (Full text available at: http://www.wtec.org/loyola/nano/final/)
2. National Nanotechnology Initiative: Leading to the Next Industrial Revolution, Supplement to President's FY 2001 Budget, NSTC/IWGN Report, February 2000. (Full text available at: http://www.ostp.gov/NSTC/html/iwgn/iwgn.fy01budsuppl/nni.pdf)
3. Roco, M. C., et al., eds., Nanotechnology Research Directions: IWGN Workshop Report. Vision for Nanotechnology Research and Development in the Next Decade, prepared under guidance of NSTC/CT, Baltimore, MD: Loyola College, September 1999. (Full text available at: http://www.sc.doe.gov/production/bes/IWGN.Research.Directions/welcome.htm)
4. Nanomaterials and the Chemical Industry R&D Roadmap Workshop: Preliminary Results, sponsored by Vision 2020, National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), and U.S. DOE Industrial Materials and Chemicals Program, October 2002. (Full text available at: http://www.energetics.com/download/chemvision2020/nanomaterialsroadmap/nano_workshop_results_report.pdf)
5. Roco,
M. C. and Bainbridge, W. S., eds., Societal Implications of Nanoscience and
Nanotechnology, Final Report on Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and
Technology Workshop held September 28-29, 2000, Arlington, VA:
National Science Foundation, March 2001. (Full text available at: http://wtec.org/loyola/nano/NSET.Societal.Implications/)
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