Nanotechnology – Conception to Commercialization

The same laboratory that brought us the first transistor is making a major move in the nanotechnology arena a half century later. Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs (Murray Hill, N.J.) launched the New Jersey Nanotechnology Consortium (NJNC) in mid-February for the exclusive purpose of commercializing nanotechnology innovations for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and microelectronics industries. "We believe we have a unique advantage because we are bridging the gap between nanotechnology research and turning that into products that companies can sell," said Larry Thompson, CEO of NJNC.

The consortium will use the design and manufacturing expertise of Lucent/Bell Labs scientists to provide design, prototyping and fabrication process development for companies interested in commercializing nanotechnology innovations. "We've gotten the most interest in devices used in drug discovery, drug delivery and diagnostics," Thompson said. The definitions of nanotechnology fall into two categories: nanomaterials (i.e. small particles, composites and nanotubes) and nanodevices — "devices in general that give us the ability to manipulate molecules," he said. The latter category is NJNC's focus.

The most exciting applications in nanotechnology come from the cross-pollination of disciplines in biology, chemistry and electronics. Nanotechnology products include minimally invasive surgical tools and gene chips for early disease diagnosis; pressure, temperature and biosensors for disease prevention; and active and passive optical switches and waveguides for communications applications. The National Science Foundation projects that the nanotechnology industry will grow into a $1T business in the next 10-15 years.

One nanotechnology of interest involves microfluidic reactors for pharmaceutical applications, which use a polysilicon or silicon substrate and devices with channels that approach the size of protein molecules or other biologically active agents. "These may or may not have an electronic component. But some of the more advanced devices will use electronics for signal processing, amplification, timing, etc. So some of them begin to look like a silicon device with some ancillary fluidic or probe structures that perform the operation of interest," Thompson said.

Another existing application involves the study of drug interactions in the body. Devices can be implanted in non-human subjects to study body chemistry as drugs are administered, providing better insight into the chemical and biological mechanisms and significantly shortening diagnostic times. Such devices are expected to shorten drug discovery processes. Externally powered in situ devices are also under development for the detection of a protein released in the blood prior to a heart attack, for instance.

Over the last three to four years, Bell Labs scientists have shifted their focus from silicon devices to more MEMS and NEMS (micro and nanoelectrical mechanical systems). Nanotechnology device production is a straightforward extension of this work, and makes available a facility and equipment valued at ~$400M. NJNC is working with startup companies and fabless semiconductor companies, offering BiCMOS design technology, thin- and thick-film SOI technology and SiGe capability. "Our real value is our ability to turn a concept into a device, eliminating the large investment required to do that for a lot of companies that might lack the infrastructure or expertise," Thompson said.

One of the greatest challenges in nanotechnology development is testing. Although the methods for electrical testing exist, the testing of mechanical parts and optical components is still in its infancy. Thompson added that there is interest in developing a nanotechnology roadmap, much like the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS). "Unlike semiconductors, there aren't even uniform material sets for nanotechnology."

One of the consortium's contributions will be to invite a wide audience of industry professionals and university scientists to meet on a regular basis to discuss industry needs, standards and trends.

NJNC is a private-public endeavor launched by Lucent Technologies, the state of New Jersey and the State Universities of New Jersey.