Nano-1 · Nano-1 8.11.2010/rt 7 Patents • An invention can get patent protection • Patent first, publish then! • The patent gives the patentee the right to exclude others from

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Commercialization

of Nanotechnology

Runar Törnqvist

UMK Center of New Materials, Aalto University

8.11.2010

e-mail: [email protected]

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My background

1977, M.Sc. (Tech), Department of Technical Physics, TKK

1983, D.Sc. (Tech), Department of Technical Physics, TKK

1986, M.Sc. (Econ), Hanken

1975 - 1977, Laboratory of Material Physics, TKK

1977 - 1978, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg

1978 -1981, Laboratory of Physics, TKK

1981 - 1991, Lohja Display Electronics

1991 - 2003, Planar Systems, Inc.

2004 - , UMK Center for New Materials, TKK

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Outline of the lecture

I. Why nanotechnology commercialization?

II. Science, inventions and patents, innovations

III. Nanotechnology products and value chain

IV. Early and later examples from Finland

V. Conclusions

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Why is commercialization needed?

• Scientific

research

• EducationKnowledge

• Business

• Objective to

generate profit

Public funding

(using tax income)

Private funding

(investments)

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Nanotechnology improves and

revolutionizes products in most

industries

Mercedes M-class

scratch-proof paint

Lotus Effect® water-repellent

self-cleaning shirts

Wilson’s better tennis rackets and balls

L’Oreal Cosmetics

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Scientific findings,

inventions and innovations

• Scientific research is measured in terms of publications

• Inventions are measured in terms patents

• Innovations are measured in terms of economic success

• Research = Transforming money into knowledge

• Innovation = Transforming knowledge into money

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Patents

• An invention can get patent protection

• Patent first, publish then!

• The patent gives the patentee the right to exclude

others from “making, using, or selling the invention

for a limited period of time” (exclusive right)

• Patent information is used too seldom

• Financial support can be obtained e.g. from

Foundation for Finnish Inventions

(Keksintösäätiö)

TULI-program (TEKES)

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Only 1 invention in 3000 is very valuable

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Commercialization and

nanotechnology

• Nanotechnology is based on exact sciences and

there is usually a right or wrong answer

• Business is different!

• There is no absolute right or wrong answers (apart

from legal aspects)

• It is about finding the best solution, preferably a

clearly superior one

• The key is that somebody is willing to pay for the

product or the service (fill a need )

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Commercialization and

nanotechnology, cont.

• Commercialization of nanotechnology does not differ

from commercialization of new (capital intensive)

technology

• Existing companies drive commercialization

• Completely new technology is often born and developed

in new entrepreneurial companies, “start-ups”

• Key questions to be answered:

– Is there a need?

– How is that need solved today?

– Who are your potential customers and

competitors?

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Nanotechnology and

”nanotechnology market”

Source: LuxResearch

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The value chain of nano-

technology products

Source: LuxResearch

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Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and the

Thin-Film Electroluminecent Display

The technology was developed by

Lohja Corporation in Espoo in the

late 70ies and during the 80ies

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It takes time and money…

Al203/Ti02/ Al203/Ti02/….

-composite dielectric film with

outstanding dielectric strength

1974

Invention

1983

Technology

demonstration

1986

Commerc.

Product

developed

1987 –

199..

Ramp-up

of producti-

on

1991

Planar

Systems

Approx .

1993 ->

Profitable

Business

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Orion Diagnostica, QuickRead ®

• Aggregation is measured

photometrically

• The reading is quantitative

• Exact numerical value for

the analyte is obtained in

about 2-3 minutes

Analyte to be

measured

(unprocessed

patient sample)

Antibody coated

nanoparticles

(nanoparticle reagent)

Based on

scientific

research at

started in the

80ies

Specific nanoparticle –

analyte aggregation

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Beneq

Established: 2005 MBO spin out from Nextrom (ex. Nokia-Maillefer) with focus on Equipment and Technology for Functional Surfaces. 65 employees.

Products: Industrial and R&D Equipment for coatings based on Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and atmospheric pressure Aerosol technologies

Winner in 2008 of the Helsingin Sanomat national Future Winners- competition,which

aims to single out the most potential and successful young growth company in Finland.

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Nano Cellulose

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Conclusions

• Nanotechnology contains a wide set of science that can

be applied in very many fields:

→ Several opportunities for commercialization!

• We need both researchers, who master new scientific

findings in nanotechnology and skilled persons, who can

identify important opportunities for commercialization.

• Curiosity, networking and persistence are fundamentally

important.

• Competion is tough! To create a successful start-up

requires extraordinary skills in many different domains.

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Thank you!