MATERIALS FOR SOLVING INDUSTRY PROBLEMS
Ram Nanotech (RNT) leverages the unique properties of silicon to overcome the limitations of technologies in various industries such as life sciences and energy storage. We offer a variety of porous silicon products and we work with you to select the appropriate performance metrics based on the final product’s requirements. Etching can be performed either to leave a solid core or such that the particles are completely porosified. Powder particles can have a mean size between 1 and 75 µm and still be etched completely through the core. Larger particles can also be etched but will generally have a solid core. The mean pore size can be varied over the range of roughly 3 nm to 20 nm. Hierarchical pore size distributions can also be produced, for example, combinations of 3–5 nm pores with larger mesopores in the 10–20 nm range or with macropores larger than 50 nm. Porosity can be varied up to approximately 50% and specific surface areas of 50–450 cm3/g are available.
DRUG DELIVERY and BIO-IMAGING
When silicon is porosified with nanometer-scale pores and pore walls, it becomes resorbable. This means that nanostructured porous silicon, when placed in the body, is transformed into bioavailable and naturally occurring silicic acid, a molecule for which the body actually has a dietary need. In life science applications, RNT’s platform technology applies the unique properties of biologically safe silicon to address the significant challenges of stability, solubility, targeting and controlled release of complex therapeutic molecules. Porous silicon can also be made photoluminescent, which facilitates its use in imaging and theranostic applications.
ENERGY STORAGE
Silicon has the highest theoretical capacity for the storage of lithium of any element or compound. Its theoretical capacity is roughly 10 times greater than that of graphite, which is currently used. Therefore, silicon could potentially be used to dramatically increase the capacity of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. This process can be applied to metallurgical grade silicon. RNT’s cost-effective and scalable manufacturing provides unparalleled flexibility. RNT provides porous silicon nano- and micro-particles for small battery manufacturers to be used in medical devices and numerous consumer products.
