Completed: Science-to-Business Center Nanotronics

This S2B Center focused on the integration of nanotechnology and electronics. The Center optimally combined Evonik's traditional strengths in the areas of synthesis, formulation, and industrial scale-up with specialist expertise in components, specific characterization, and application technology. The S2B Center Nanotronics comprised three projects: printed electronics, low cost flexible solar cells, and smart coatings.

The goal of the research was to develop new system solutions based on nanomaterials for the electronics industry. In the printed electronics project, researchers worked on the display technology of the future, developing new formulations and processes for semiconducting and insulating coatings. These can be used to produce transistors for switching pixels in displays, as in cell phones or televisions. The printed electronics project was transferred on January 1, 2012, to the Business Unit “Coatings & Additives”, where it will be further developed and commercialized. This is the first transfer of a business segment developed under the S2B concept to a business unit, along with all employees and the research and application technology developed in the center.

In the low-cost flexible solar cells project of the S2B Center Nanotronics, new materials were investigated for more efficient manufacturing processes for photovoltaics. The solar project is now being continued within Creavis. The results of the smart coatings project—formulations, expertise, and customer contacts—are being evaluated by Evonik's external partners. 

Projects of the Science-to-Business Center Nanotronics have been financially supported by the state of NRW and co-financed by the European Union.