Munir H. Nayfeh
Professor of Physics, Departments of Physics, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, IL, USA, NanoSi Advanced Technologies, Inc., Champaign, IL,
USA, Ph.D.
Munir H. Nayfeh
COLLABORATION WITH KAZAKHSTAN FOR DEVELOPMENT AND
COMMERCIALIZATION OF ENERGY AND LIGHTING NANOTECH
DEVICES
Abstract
NanoSi Advanced Technologies, Inc., a startup nanotech company from the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign, USA is collaborating with Kazakh local industry (LED Systems) and
state agencies (Parasat and NCTF) on the establishment of a Kazakh-US company for the
purpose of development, manufacturing and commercialization of advanced high tech nano
technologies in the field of renewable green energy. In this presentation we will briefly introduce
the company, the technology, the joint projects, and the commercialization aims and goals.
Kazakhstan-US partnership Company
The "Parasat-NanoSi Limited Liability Partnership" was established in
September 2014 in accordance with the laws of Kazakhstan with headquarters in
Astana, Kazakhstan. The founders and partners are: JSC “National Scientific and
Technological Holding "Parasat“; The "LED System Media, LLP" (private
company in Astana) and "NanoSi Advanced Technologies, Inc" (private US
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company in Champaign, USA, with the National Center for Technology Foresight
(NCTF), Astana being none-voting advisor. The goal of the Partnership includes
production of nanotechnology-based industrial products; development of applied
researches; innovations in nanotechnology; and applications. The company may
have international activities; the partnership may set up non-legal branches
(representative offices) as well as carry out foreign economic activity. The
company will follow an “open innovation” business model
The Technology
Breakthrough research led by the US partner and associated institutions to
inventing nano-engineered, discreetly-sized silicon nanoparticles that are nonnaturally occurring form of elemental silicon. They provide enabling optical,
electronic and bio applications. Unlike bulk, they are spectacularly luminescent
(“glow”) under UV-illumination with specific size-dependent color (red-greenblue), with single-ones being detectable.
The silicon nano particle material is introduced to answer the challenge of
getting disparate materials to work together (integrate), especially in electronics
and photonics. Silicon nanoparticles alleviate this problem as silicon-to-silicon
products are easier to engineer. Thus the technology can be integrated in the silicon
industry. Moreover there is a need for a universal-wide-platform nanomaterial that
provides diverse applications, while being amenable to mass-production and
commercialization. As to freedom of operation, the technology is protected by 22
US-European patents (16 issued), and it is considered a green technology, that is it
is least toxic, most biocompatible for consumer application
From the scientific point of view, the achievements are at the frontiers of
science and technology and knowledge, with 60 refereed-articles published, and
wide-reporting in magazines, encyclopedias, and dailies, including Nature, Physics
Today, Physics World, Britannica, McGraw Hill, World Book, New Scientist,
American Scientist, Business2.0, Washington Post, which earned us “nanotech
pioneer” status by Wiley. With regard to business, the technology attracted global
collaborations with academia and industry as well as industrial and government
funding including US (PolyBrite, US-Army), Japan (Sharp, Panasonic), Vietnam
(SHTP), Saudi Arabia (ARAMCO, KACST), Kazakhstan (Parasat), Korea
(Samsung), Taiwan (Wintek), Canada (Sungen-Octillion). On the academia side,
collaborations with Saratov State University, MIT, Cleveland State, Wales
University, Hawaii University, King Fahd University, King Saud University,
University of Jordan, Masdar Institute of S and T, etc.. Government and foundation
funding came from the US National Science Foundation, State of Illinois, US
Army, and Grainger Foundation.
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We and colleagues at the University of Illinois and NanoSi Advanced
Technologies, Inc developed a number of advanced nano-device prototypes,
including fuel cells, flash memory, solar cell, super capacitor, glucose sensor,
enhanced oil recovery material, nanophosphor, photdetector, which are being
promoted by the US partner and the US-Kazakhstan company.
A consortium of US scientists engaged OIC to develop nano-based low-cost
devices, useful in remote-poor areas, and to establish an international
nanotechnology center.
Technology commercialization features
The procedure of manufacturing of the silicon nanomaterial which was
initially developed by the partnering US Company “NanoSi” offer very
advantageous features for commercialization. Those include
 High quality (uniform, bright, stable particles): come in four uniform sizes
or identical sizes, which allows reconstitutions in high-quality solids and
films for subsequent use in light mixing
 Easy to manufacture: uses common raw materials and chemicals; Silicon,
the most abundant, cheapest and least toxic semiconductor material; Acids
and hydrogen peroxide; Low power electricity; Table-top setups; Room
temperature reaction temperature
 Patent protected; 22 US patents (16 issued) as well a number of foreign
patents.
 Amenable to mass production: The process is very efficient, scalable and
can be automated; Quick process (30-45 minutes to completion)
 Easy to use: Differently sized silicon nanoprticles can be excited with a
single source to obtain various colors, making them easier to use
The technology has proven to be a silicon platform technology with diverse
applications that include: electronics (flash nano memory); photonics (micro lasers,
UV photodetectors); energy harvest & lighting (solar cells, Nano phosphor LED,
supercapacitors, catalyst, fuel cells); substance sensors (glucose and Dopamine);
biomedical fluorescent tags; cosmetics, skincare, and hair care; nano high tech
paint: monitoring & protecting the health of large military and civil structures.
Priority Projects in Kazakhstan
The projects on developments have been defined as the first projects to be
implemented by the Partnership. Those include:
• Factory for production of nanosilicon for company use, and domestic and
international sale.
• White Nano Phosphorus for LED
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NanoSi Super Capacitors for energy storage
NanoSi fuel cells
Hands-on-training programs & Education
Development of IP in the nano domain
Business Model
Sell locally manufactured nano particle material, sell or lease production
equipment, create partnerships (open innovation) for production of advanced
devices
Innovation in development and manufacturing
Parasat-NanoSi will not sit idle. It will innovate, research and develop to
stay ahead of present competition or future ones. For instance it will have
concerted effort to:
 Refine Particle Production
 Develop new ways of making nano particles
 Identify new advanced applications
 Design and produce Prototype
 Venture in international markets and sales
 Generate IP and Trademarks
 Reach out to domestic and international investors
Conclusion: Parasat-Nanosi is seeking partners and investment funds from
private investment corporations, angel investors, industry, and state agencies.
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