Nanoparticles are very small particles which often have very different properties from the bulk materials because of confinement effects. The assembly of small nanoparticles into larger molecular architectures or networks constitutes the nanomaterials research field.

Nanomaterials have a very broad range of applications in medicine and biotechnology, electronics, optical materials and structural materials.

Selah Dots™: Carbon based Quantum Dots

Light emitting nanoparticles are highly sought out and utilized for optoelectronic, biochemical and electronics applications. Existing light emitting nanoparticles are either made of silicon or semi-conductors / metals (i.e. electroluminescent quantum dots). Materials and/or formation methods for these existing light emitting nanoparticles are usually expensive, complicated, limited in production capacity, and are often associated with toxicity (esp. lead or cadmium based semiconductor materials).

Selah Dots™ Competitive Advantage
Selah Dots™ are built around a core of inexpensive and inert carbon. Selah utilizes a simple process with standard process equipment run under relatively benign conditions. The simplicity of our process leads to highly consistent and photostable dots which are readily water soluble. Selah Dots™ can be used for the varied applications for which silicon nanoparticles and traditional quantum dots have been investigated, including:

• life sciences (e.g. biosensors to detect tumors or as a replacement for organic dyes),
• white LEDs (e.g. common light bulbs), active LEDs (e.g. electroluminescence),
• thermoelectrics, solar cells & photovoltaics,
• inks & anticounterfeiting,
• pigments & infrared paints,
• photonics & telecom.

The use of carbon solves many issues associated with previous approaches – it provides a very inexpensive starting material and simple process suitable for large scale production, and avoids toxicity concerns.

This Selah Dot™ technology represents a new platform for the development of luminescent nanomaterials for a wide range of applications.

Selah Tubes™: Enriched Carbon Single Walled Nanotubes

Carbon single walled nanotubes (SWNT) are unique forms of pure carbon, which are up to 100 times stronger than steel at 1/6th the weight (i.e. very strong, lightweight materials). These materials have impressive electrical properties, as they can conduct electricity up to 1000 times greater than copper. SWNT can transfer heat up to 10 times greater than copper. Given these phenomenal properties, SWNT will be the technology platform for a multitude of applications.

All existing processes to produce SWNT’s do so in the ratio of 1/3 metallic SWNT and 2/3 semi-conducting SWNT. SWNT customers who are trying to harness the highly conductive metallic SWNT are forced to accept the presence of the semi-conductive SWNT. Conversely, the SWNT customers who want to use the semi-conductive tubes are stymied by the presence of the metallic tubes.

Selah Tubes™ Competitive Advantage
Selah’s scalable process is the first to provide commercial quantities of metallic enriched or semi-conducting enriched SWNT’s. With these materials, dramatic improvements in the control of the electrical conductivity of SWNT will now be possible. The metallic SWNTs may be used for devices such as ultra-thin coatings that are optically transparent for use in LCD display, HDTV, etc. The semiconducting SWNTs are uniquely suited for sensors, transistors, and so on.

Other SWNT applications include:

• Aerospace: Electrically active, thermally conductive polymers and nanotube structural enhanced composites
• Defense: Enhanced lightweight ballistic protection and field sensors
• Energy: Hydrogen storage for fuel cells and battery electrodes
• Electronics/IT: Heat sinks; nanochips, and hard-drive heads
• Medical: New drug delivery medications and devices
• Telecom: Antennas and microwave amplifier devices
• Automotive: Fuel cells, structural components, and electronics
• Consumer: Flat panel displays, textiles, paint, efficient lighting, and water filtration