Rapid Nanoscale Quality Assurance for Net Zero Manufacturing

We (Bristol Nano Dynamics, BND) are a scientific instrument manufacturer specialising in bespoke high-magnification microscopes for academic researchers studying nanoscience or creating nanotechnology.

We have developed a unique UK-based technology that offers a thousand-fold increase in the frame rate of the microscope. This Dynamic Scanning Probe Microscope (D-SPM) offers large-area nanoscale mapping of nanostructures and nanodefects and has the potential to jump from small scale sales to academic institutions to large high-growth industries such as 2D materials manufacture, semiconductor devices and even battery technologies. We know that this potential exists because our academic partnerships have created compelling data showing we can provide the high sample throughput needed by industry. But, most importantly, we know we can help them solve some of the most critical safety and longevity questions in battery technology - because unlike their current microscopes, ours can observe and measure the nanoscale origins of battery failure mechanisms, like dendrite formation (responsible for the $5.3 billion recall of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7) in-situ, while they happen.

In this project, we will partner with a design industry professional who has experience designing workflows, services and systems for industry and large enterprise. They will support BND in gaining a strategic understanding of potential customers. For this project, we will focus on companies in fields adjacent to our existing academic customers. Specifically those working towards Net Zero goals, e.g. using nanotechnology to develop new battery technologies and 2D materials for improved product efficiency and sustainability.

This approach will deepen our understanding of customer businesses, their users, needs, and pain points, so we can construct solutions that exploit our core technology to meet their measurement needs and most importantly: provide a solution that seamlessly integrates into their existing workflows for analysis, maintenance, and training.

Crucially, we will also spin-up a workstream dedicated to usability and automated analysis. No other SPM anywhere can do what we can, at the speed, sample size or resolution. No other SPM can offer the level of automation we can either. But, we need this project to support our future road-map and bring this technology to Net Zero industries.