Nanomaterials are materials with dimensions smaller than 100 nm that exhibit unique physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. In electronics, they enable miniaturisation, improved conductivity, and the introduction of new functionalities. Examples: carbon nanotubes, graphene, quantum dots, nanocomposites.
Nanomaterials in Electronics
Type of technology
Description of the technology
Basic elements
- Carbon nanotubes: High conductivity and durability.
- Graphene: Flexibility and conductivity.
- Quantum dots: High-efficiency light emission.
- Nanofibres and nanocoatings: Improving endurance.
- Nanocomposites: New functionalities, such as flexibility.
Industry usage
- Flexible displays: Graphene and nanotubes.
- Advanced sensors: Enhanced sensitivity.
- Transistors: Miniature high-performance chips.
- Photovoltaics: Improving cell performance.
- Wearable electronics: Transparent and flexible devices.
Importance for the economy
Nanomaterials enable miniaturisation, increased performance, and new product development. Investments in nanotechnology drive innovation, create new markets, and support the growth of sectors such as semiconductors, energy, and flexible electronics.
Related technologies
Mechanism of action
- Nanomaterials interact with electronic circuits at the atomic level, conducting electricity, absorbing light, and amplifying signals. They reduce energy losses and improve efficiency and miniaturisation, introducing new features, such as flexibility.
Advantages
- Miniaturisation: Creating smaller components.
- Increased productivity: Reduction of energy losses.
- Flexibility: Creating flexible circuits.
- New technologies: Development of advanced displays and cells.
- Material savings: Lower consumption of raw materials.
Disadvantages
- High production costs.
- Technology scaling issues.
- Health and environmental impact.
- Lack of standards.
- Limited chemical stability.
Implementation of the technology
Required resources
- Nanotubes and graphene: High purity.
- Advanced technologies: Synthesis of nanomaterials.
- Cleanroom systems: Minimisation of contamination.
- Quality control: Microscopes and spectroscopes.
- Qualified staff: Nanotechnology specialists.
Required competences
- Knowledge of nanomaterials: Features and applications.
- Materials engineering: Materials selection and design.
- Embedding techniques: Precise application of films.
- IC design: Integration of nanostructures.
- Quality control: Methods of analysis.
Environmental aspects
- Energy consumption: High energy demand in synthesis processes, such as CVD and PVD reactors.
- Resource consumption: High purity chemicals, nanoparticles, and other specialised materials.
- Emissions of pollutants: Emissions of toxic gases and chemicals during the synthesis of nanomaterials.
- Waste generated: Difficulties in managing nanostructured waste, which requires specialised disposal.
- Recycling difficulties: Limited recyclability of nanomaterials from electronic devices.
- Health risks: Potentially harmful effects of prolonged exposure to nanoparticles (inhalation, dermal contact).
- Other: No standardised procedures for the safe transport and disposal of nanomaterials.
Legal conditions
- Safety standards: REACH – regulations for chemicals entering the European market.
- Environmental regulations: Regulations for waste management and toxic emissions.
- Intellectual property: Patents on synthesis methods and applications of nanomaterials in electronics.
- Occupational safety: Standards for protecting workers from the harmful effects of exposure to nanoparticles.
- Cleanliness standards: Standards for laboratories and cleanrooms that must minimise the risk of contamination.
- Legislation governing the implementation of solutions: Regulations for new materials and their applications in technology.
- Other: Lack of standardised safety standards in the context of industrial-scale synthesis of nanomaterials.