Making nanotechnology cheaper

Going smaller in size has advantages such as higher sensitivity and throughput, and even the realization of novel physical phenomena. However, up until now, when approaching nanoscale, the costs of fabricating defined patterns on a surface dramatically increase. Scrona has developed a technique delivering sub-100 nm resolution capabilities, but at substantially lower fixed and variable costs than current state-of-the-art technology.

The team from ETH Zurich led by Patrick Galliker developed a new process. It is based on a scalable bottom-up strategy, in which the target material is contained in miniscule droplets deposited onto a surface at frequencies of up to 100 kHz. The unique 3-D capabilities of our technique, e.g., for fabricating high-aspect ratio nanopillars, will enable a variety of emerging technologies, whereas industrial realization has so far been hindered by fabrication difficulties or huge costs. These unique selling propositions will provide value to a diverse range of high-tech manufacturing industries.

The Jury of >>venture>> says about Scrona: “Scrona has developed an impressive new technology with the potential to be a disruptive alternative to lithography. Their process of creating highly defined nanoscale patterns in a 3-D bottom-up fashion can create almost unlimited USPs for their products! Revenue potential is substantial if Scrona gains first-mover advantage in the industry as the large up-front investments to establish high-yield production in micro- and nano-electronics creates a winner-takes-it-all economy.”