August 3, 2009: Carbon nanotube maker SouthWest Nanotechnologies (SWeNT) and nanomaterials consultancy Chasm Technologies have established an application development center in the Boston area to help demonstrate for customers the feasibility of carbon nanotube coatings and printing applications, and stimulate demand for SWeNT’s CNT materials.

Single-wall and small diameter multi-wall carbon nanotubes exhibit extraordinary properties when incorporated into coating formulations, with promise seen in applications such as displays, touchscreens, sensors, LED lighting, and solar photovoltaic modules.

The center will utilize a variety of thin-film coating and patterning technologies, including rod coating, slot die coating, spray coating, ink jet printing, flexographic printing, screen printing and imprint lithography. Trials can be done at bench- (sheets) or pilot-scale (continuous lengths up to 12in. wide) accommodating a wide range of substrates. Customized coating formulations can be prepared on-site. The center also includes a wide range of test equipment to characterize coated product structures.

“Many commercial opportunities for [our] nanotubes were being held back because it was too difficult for our customers to integrate carbon nanotubes into industrial coating and printing processes,” according to Dave Arthur, SWeNT CEO and Chasm co-founder, in a statement. “The technical team at Chasm has in-depth experience developing coating and printing methods for various nanoparticles, and a superb laboratory for process development. SWeNT’s customers will be encouraged to visit the center to consult directly with the technical staff to make it much easier for them to fabricate and test prototypes utilizing carbon nanotube coatings.”

“Consistent material properties are essential to developing robust processing methods. SWeNT has manufacturing methods that are easily scalable to support the many large volume opportunities for these materials,” added Chasm co-founder Bob Praino.