Nanotechnology continues to take great strides in frontier scientific research.
Advances in photonics, optoelectronics, nanomaterials and intelligent image recognition have increased the application value to advanced information and communication technologies, clinical and diagnostical devices, biotech and medtech innovations, green energy alternative materials, smart farming and advanced manufacturing processes — to name a few.
“Nanotechnology provides a link between classical and quantum mechanics in an area called a mesoscopic system. This system is being used to manufacture nano-assemblies of nature, such as agricultural products, nanomedicine, and nanotools for treatment and diagnostic purposes in the medical industry,” as reported in the “Nanotechnology: A Revolution in Modern Industry” paper.
For example, diseases that were previously untreatable are now being curtailed via nano-based medications and diagnostic kits are curtailing untreated diseases.
However, silicon-based nanostructured materials are predicted to reach their physical limits in the next five years. Breaking free from the limitations of traditional materials is already having a transformative effect on the nanomanufacturing sector.
Innovations in ultrafast laser nanofabrication technology at the nanoscale and even sub-nanoscale are enabling higher resolution and precision in manufacturing.
Melbourne-based “enabling platform” Innofocus Photonics Technology is at the forefront of this new era of nanomanufacturing.
Since 2018, Innofocus has been dedicated to the development of intelligent laser nanofabrication equipment and holographic imaging equipment, advanced photonic devices, and new nanostructured materials, all of which aim to accelerate advancement into the era of nanomanufacturing.
“We have never before had the opportunity to be a leading pioneer in nanomanufacturing capability in the world,” said Innofocus founder and chief executive Frank Yao.
Innofocus develops disruptive industrial solutions that are of “high resolution, high precision, high yield and high device performance”. Guided by the slogan “Reinvent Manufacturing at Nanoscale”, Innofocus has created fibre optical sensors that advance multiple industry applications including the detection of falls in elderly people, providing dignity, privacy and rapidly improved emergency response times.
The company has also developed a light-and heat-filtration device that maximises the quality of fruit and vegetable production and supply chain logistics in Australia, with world-best self-cooling performance. It has even developed a highly encrypted nanoscale QR code that identifies the origin and unique narrative of each Australian-grown pearl (“the emotional link to the end user and the pearl industry,” Mr Yao said).
“We use our precision manufacturing capabilities to help traditional industries advance their processes,” Mr Yao said.
“In terms of the information age and quantum, we provide significant value to sectors including ICT (computing, AR/VR, sensing), biomedical, resources, food and agriculture, logistics and aged care — by giving them a revolutionary way to develop new devices and materials.”
The cross-disciplinary capabilities are endless. As such, Australia is highly ranked on the global spectrum in nanotechnology manufacturing.
Our innovations in intelligent laser nanomanufacturing and refractive index characterisation are set to revolutionise the existing fields of material design and processing, establishing a strong foundation for developing the next-generation materials and micro-nano devices, Mr Yao noted.
“If you look at the competitive landscape, laser-nanofabrication capability is strong in Europe (but narrowly focused),” Mr Yao said.
“Our differentiation in Australia is that we are not focusing on only one substrate material – we can fabricate structures on multiple materials like polymer, glass, metals, diamonds or graphene. We have the technological advancement in this area to make sure every industry benefits.”
This is expected to position Australia as a world leader in frontier manufacturing capabilities.
“The vast sovereign capabilities introduced by nanomanufacturing are closely intertwined with various areas of national fundamental research and industrial applications, which directly drive profound impacts on economic growth and societal progress worldwide, while also providing significant employment opportunities for Australia,” Mr Yao said.
The ultimate mission of Innofocus is “to use our nanomanufacturing capabilities to build a smarter, greener, happier world,” Mr Yao said.
“After several years, we see that we are leading the world. That’s why we have been awarded by Semiconductor Review and CIO Review in the US, Australian Technology Competition, Australian Innovation Competition, Australian Made and Engineers Australia.”
This multi-award-winning pedigree is the reason Innofocus advocates to industry leaders and government research institutes with its timely message: “Australia has the possibility to pioneer the future photonics-based nanomanufacturing world”.
This article was produced by InnovationAus.com in partnership with Innofocus.
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