Prime NanoScience^TM is a federal small business focused on the development and commercialization of nanotechnology for commercial and military applications.

Nanotechnology is the development of materials and processes that utilize matter at the atomic level. Most materials and products today work with matter at the macro level; that is, in the size range visible to the unaided eye. Even microscopic materials derive their properties from their macro-level structure. However, when materials can be constructed from individual atoms or small molecules, they behave very differently than in their macro state. Nanotechnology development is focused on taking advantage of these atomic, or nano-level assemblies to obtain devices or properties not possible in bulk materials. In addition to the future possibilities for entirely new classes of materials and devices, incorporation of nanoscale material properties can enhance the performance of many existing products. Prime NanoScience^TM is currently exploring the development of products that utilize either nanoscale materials or processes in the following areas:

Enhanced responsivity sensor systems using thin film coatings incorporating nanomaterials. Optical sensor systems are well suited to enhanced performance through the incorporation of nanomaterials-based thin films. The optical energy can interact at a molecular or atomic level with these nanomaterials, resulting in an amplification of the optical signals. Prime NanoScience^TM is exploring the development of a number of nanomaterial-based coatings to increase the sensitivity of photonic sensors, with applications in chemical and biological detection for environmental, chemical processes, biotechnology, and homeland security.

New products incorporating nanomaterials or nanotechnology for ultra-precise fabrication. Nanomaterials or self-assembly techniques for nanofabrication are being used to develop new products in the following areas:

• Low-cost, flexible and highly efficient photovoltaic materials and devices for generating electricity from sunlight
• Self-patterned and self-assembled electronic circuitry
• Tailored reflectivity materials and coatings
• High frequency modulation techniques utilizing thin film nanomaterials
• Tunable color films for windows and displays

These and other applications are being considered by our scientists and engineers.