MATERIALS
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Spray drying for novel
processing of nanoparticles
It is expected that nanoparticles will become widely used in the future, especially in
the automotive, construction, space and aeronautics, and energy industries. Niro
shows a novel way to integrate spray drying into processing of nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are of great scientific interest as they
are effectively a bridge between bulk materials and
atomic structures. A bulk material should have
constant physical properties regardless of its size, but
at the nano scale this is often not the case. Particles as
small as 10-
9
m have a large proportion of their atoms
on their surface. This gives them unique properties
making them behave completely differently from bulk
materials. The SAPHIR project aims to explore safe
ways of manufacturing these particles, understand the
opportunities they present and exploit them
commercially.
N
Niro’s role in the project is to integrate spray drying
iro is playing an important role in into a novel processing line from nanoparticles
what may well prove to be the start of synthesis till production of nanostructured components.
the new industrial revolution: the To be handled safely it’s important that nanopowders
production of materials and products using are never handled in dry form but incorporated in
nanoparticles. The 4 year, €15.7 million project, is another medium or converted to non dusting
partially funded by the European Commission agglomerates or granules using, for example, spray
(€8.1million) and involves 21 industrial partners drying. The company’s objectives within the SAPHIR
including SMEs, universities and research project are to challenge its spray drying equipment to
institutions from 11 European countries as well as produce optimal nanostructured granulates from
involving Canada. nanoparticle suspensions which can further processed
into components with superior properties.
The project is called SAPHIR and was kicked off
at CEA Saclay (French Atomic Commission) in Niro aims to become the leading supplier of equipment
October last year. Its overall objective is the safe, for producing nanostructured granulate based on
integrated, controlled, economic production and nanoparticles. It is believed that these particles will
recycling of high tech, multifunctional, nano allow the production of new materials that are lighter,
structured products. The aim is to develop an stronger and less expensive than any known today.
integrated ‘factory for nanos’ and to gather all the These materials are also likely to have exceptional
industrial ‘elementary bricks’ to make the bottom coating properties that can reduce wind resistance (and
up manufacturing approach using nanoparticles a therefore fuel consumption), improve electrical
reality. conductivity, and making self cleaning goods.
October 2008 www.euroasiasemiconductor.com
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