Biosensors
Nanowires have been shown to be highly sensitive detectors of biomarkers, but traditional processes for fabrication are expensive and produce devices with only a handful of nanowires to accomplish the detection. ASG can produce devices with millions of nanowires inexpensively providing the opportunity for both highly sensitive detection and detection of multiple biomarkers on the same chip. ASG recently was awarded an NSF Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) award to apply the technology for the detection of lung cancer biomarkers from blood samples which could result in major cost savings and improvements in patient outcomes.
Other Application of Nanowire Arrays in Solar PV
In solar photovoltaics, the process can be implemented using tools found in standard solar cell lines and can produce gains of 0.5% to 1.5% in absolute efficiency over baseline processes. This means no new capital is needed so there is only a modest upfront engineering cost in implementing the process. The cost at the cell level is estimated to be the same as standard cells on a $/Wp basis which means that costs are lowered at the module level and further downstream. The higher efficiency also means cells and modules are worth more. Perhaps most important today, our process can successfully texture multicrystalline wafers sawed with diamond wire, enabling the material and cost savings available from this improved technology. The combination of these effects will raise margins substantially for cell makers (we estimate approximate doubling). Licensing in the PV field is handled by our affiliate Advanced Silicon Technologies, LLC.
nanowire vs traditional solar cell
Other Application of Nanowire Arrays in Li-ion Batteries
Silicon is the anode material that has the highest lithium ion absorption capacity. However, silicon expands and contracts 4X when absorbing and then releasing lithium. In bulk silicon this results in the silicon turning into powder and the battery failing. Putting silicon in the nanowire form allows this expansion and contraction while maintaining a continuous conductive path down the nanowire .
