Characterising a technology development at the stage of early emerging applications: nanomaterial-enhanced biosensors

We devise future-oriented technology analyses tools to investigate a technology at an interesting development stage of early emerging applications. At this stage, technologies show great potential with little established commercialisation. Future development pathways are highly uncertain and heavily dependent on contextual interactions. We apply R&D profiling, R&D-to-applications cross-charting, and technology delivery system modelling to help understand the phenomena that bear upon development prospects. We develop our approach through a two-tier case study: general treatment of nanomaterial-enhanced biosensors, followed by more specialised treatment of one subset of those. Results convey the importance of considering technological and social context factors together to understand likely innovation pathways.     

Envirox™ fuel-borne catalyst: Developing and launching a nano-fuel additive

The paper presents a product case study tracing the challenges of commercialization from research and product development to market launch. Envirox™ is a diesel fuel additive containing nanoparticles of cerium oxide, which enables fuel efficiency gains alongside reductions in harmful emissions such as black carbon (soot). The case traces developmental stages from lab experimentation and performance data sets, to raising finance, securing manufacturing capability and market testing in Hong Kong and the UK. The paper raises a number of generic and specific issues facing innovative small, university spin-out companies engaged in introducing nano-products to the market-place.     

火焰CVD法制备纳米颗粒的动力理论

本文采用火焰CVD法制备纳米颗粒，针对其制备纳米颗粒材料过程中颗粒碰撞长大现象，发展了火焰CVD法制备纳米颗粒材料过程的动力理论。针对以工业丙烷为燃料，以TiCl4为原料的火焰CVD法制备纳米TiO2的实验过程为背景，采用一维稳定流动的动力理论模型进行计算，并得出粒子平均直径与反应器长度及平均粒径与颗粒生长准数之间的关系，其计算结果表明，TiO2平均粒径在100nm以内时，与从实验得到地TEM所测结果相符。     

Fe系合金纳米微粒的制备及特性

总结了一些常用的制备Fe系合金纳米粉末的方法,简述了各种制备方法的原理及其具体应用。同时对Fe系纳米微粒的特性和研究状况进行了介绍。     

溶胶-凝胶法制备锑掺杂氧化锡纳米粉体

锑掺杂二氧化锡(antimony-doped tin oxide,ATO)是优良的催化剂,具有良好的导电性和高温稳定性。采用溶胶-凝胶法制备ATO纳米粉体,并对其进行结构分析和性能表征。以金属锡粉和三氧化二锑为金属原料,制备得到柠檬酸锡、锑的配合物溶液,向其中加入乙腈,产生溶胶-凝胶过程。对洗涤后的凝胶进行不同温度热处理,得到锑掺杂氧化锡纳米粉体。随着锑掺杂量的增加,纳米粉体的晶粒减小,比表面积增加,晶胞参数也发生相应变化。随着热处理温度的升高,纳米颗粒长大,比表面积减小,高锑掺杂量的氧化锡纳米粉体显示出结晶性下降的趋势。