Nanotechnology conference targets research options.

On the leading edge of technology, it really is a small world; yet there is a large community of interested parties beginning to explore it. More than 100 researchers, scientists and other professionals representing papermakers, industry suppliers, government agencies and independent research organizations convened recently to discuss the research future of nanotechnology in the forest products industry. The meeting--an extension of the Nanotechnology Working Group that convened at Technology Summit II in May 2004--took place in October 2004 at the National Conference Center in Landsdowne, Virginia, USA, and was designed to help participants plan the industry's research future.

Nanotechnology (based on the Greek word for "dwarf") is defined as the manipulation of materials measuring 100 nanometers or less in at least one dimension. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter, or 80,000 times thinner than a human hair.

"Nanotechnology has emerged because we now have the tools to literally see materials at an almost atomic scale. Because many of the building blocks used in paper and board manufacture are nanodimensional, we will benefit from the enormous amount of money the whole world is investing in nanotechnology," commented Dr. Phil Jones, director, technology and new ventures for IMERYS, Roswell, Georgia, USA, who helped organize the event. "Our industry has been able to take advantage of the properties of natural materials and we have been able to formulate these components to advantage. Now we have the tools to see the true nature of these materials and will be able to fabricate new materials for new applications."

The conference included presentations from speakers including Paul Burrows from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, who discussed available research facilities; and Sharon Hays, deputy associate director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, offering perspective on U.S. government policy regarding nanotechnology.

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One of the conference's most highly anticipated speakers was Mihail Roco, internationally known nanotechnology expert and chair of the National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology. According to Roco, it is important to focus on the definition of nanotechnology as a process involving not merely the use of nanostructure materials, but "control of the particles to obtain a special function." He outlined three properties of nanotechnology that exemplify this critical definition: the evidence of new behavior, or novelty; the ability to measure, control, and/or manipulate the particles; and the integration of the nano-structure to larger structures.

"Nanotechnology is important because it involves reaching the foundation of matter," Roco said. Its long-term societal implications include increased knowledge and an improved quality of life; according to Roco, it is also the only scientific field with legislation requiring government reporting of research progress.

PATHS TO THE FUTURE

Conference attendees participated in breakout group sessions, during which participants worked together to outline research agendas, opportunities and potential technology barriers for five distinct, forest-industry related topics:

* self-assembly and biomimetics;

* cell wall nanotechnology;

* nanotechnology in sensors, processing and process control;

* analytical methods for nanostructure characterization; and

* polymer composites and non-reinforced materials, which further divided into two sub-groups--paper related composites, and non-paper related composites.

In the cell wall nanotechnology breakout group, session co-chair Candace H. Haigler, professor of crop science and botany at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, noted that plants already produce complicated nanostructures related to cellulose biogenesis. "What other nanotechnologies seek to create, we seek to understand and manipulate," she said.

It its final statement to assembled conference attendees, the group wrote that "new information and insight on the nano-scale order of the lignocellulosic cell wall is needed to advance the opportunities to control the structure, primarily through genetic manipulation of the biosynthetic process. Specific subjects in this area might include: Nematic ordered cellulose and varying levels of structure in the cellulosic phase, and the effect of structural modification on the physical chemistry of the cell wall during biosynthesis."

The conference concluded with joint sessions, during which leaders from each breakout group presented their group's key findings. A special web community within the TAPPI website allows conference attendees to continue refining and sharing information regarding ongoing nanotechnology research.

"A roadmap is being prepared that reflects consensus of the forest product industries," said Jones. "U.S. government agencies seem willing to support the research and development. Anyone interested in providing input should get in touch."

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

One of the reasons behind the intense interest in nanotechnology for the forest products industry is that nano-manufacturing techniques are expected to revolutionize traditional industrial processes over the next 10 years.

In just a few years, nanotechnology has moved from science fiction into the forefront of research and new product applications. Already, it is considered the most promising breakthrough toward productivity growth since the Internet became part of the workplace. Last year alone, more than 7000 nanotechnology research papers were published.

While predictions vary, it is clear that applications for nanotechnology are closer to reality than the public realizes, and may even qualify as a second industrial revolution. Because nanotechnology allows researchers to work at a submolecular level, it changes the very definitions of raw materials and manufacturing processes.

Manufacturing traditionally builds things from the top town, hewing lumber from trees, extracting stone from quarries, assembling computer chips from silicon. Nanotechnology works from the bottom up, manipulating molecules and atoms to achieve precise and novel effects, improving existing materials.

Already, nanotechnology is being incorporated into a variety of products. Computer and cell phone chips have nanoscale circuits; cotton khakis contain nano-sized particles that repel stains and water; Mercedes has employed a nano-finish so its cars never need waxing. Nano particles or fibers are found in automobile bumpers, sunscreens, ski waves, and are used for bouncier tennis balls and more powerful golf clubs.

The National Science Foundation predicts that, within a decade, nanotechnology will provide a US$ 1 trillion market, and provide two million new jobs. Federal research grants will average US$ 1 billion a year over the next four years--one of the largest infusions for industrial R & D since the early days of the space program. Since the new technology permits alterations at the molecular level, it has the promise of changing virtually all wood and paper manufacturing processes.

Nanocomposites can help solve some of the industry's dilemma of providing improved performance while maintaining recycling potential. New methods to produce biodegradable polymers and perform surface/interface modification of wood and pulp fibers could lead to biomaterials with attractive structural and functional properties. Clay nanocomposites to increase barrier protection for packaging show particular promise.

Such techniques are not essentially different than the advanced chemistry already in use in the industry. As one report concludes, "It should be remembered that substantial parts of the cell wall structure engineered during traditional pulping, bleaching and fiber processing are in the nanometer range."

Nanotechnology thus offers a through-route to the continued transformation of the forest product sector from a resource-based to a knowledge-based industry, with much greater prospects for long-term sustainability.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

* Why a forest products industry task force is focused on promoting nanotechnology research.

* Research pathways for five areas.

* Potential practical applications for nanotechnology in pulp and paper.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

* National Science Foundation: www.nsf.gov/nano and www.nano.gov

* Phil Jones: [e-mail].

* Web site: www.nanotechforest.com.

Editor's Note: Further reports on the Nanotechnology Working Group will be included in future editions of Solutions!

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

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Jan Bottiglieri is senior editor of Solutions! and editor of TAPPI Journal. Contact her at [e-mail]. Douglas Rooks is a freelance editor based in West Gardiner, Maine. Contact him at [e-mail]