Growing concern

A low-cost technique for growing nanotubes has received funding from the

(SEEDA) to aid its commercialisation.

Developed by the

and its plasma processing partner,

, the process can be used to make nanomaterials for use in semiconductors, solid-state lighting and solar cells.

Known as NanoGrowth, the technique is capable of producing nanomaterials at room temperature, rather than the 700-1000

C needed for chemical vapour deposition. These high temperatures, along with the difficulty of achieving precise deposition, have limited the use of nanoparticles in integrated circuits and for components for flat-panel displays.

NanoGrowth, on the other hand, is a plasma-enhanced process that uses tight temperature control. According to CEVP's Ben Jensen, the technique can currently direct nanomaterial growth across substrates up to three inches in diameter.

'The goal of this tool is to make precision carbon nanotube fabrication possible at low temperatures, together with a scale of growth area that is suitable for many hi-tech applications. We believe that it will be the first platform for making nanowires a practical proposition in commercial high technology applications.'