Leading Japanese manufacturer of functional materials seeks startups for development of new applications for “Flat sputtered nanocarbon film”

Our company supplies more than 13,500 products to various industries, such as optical films, adhesive tape, packaging materials and semiconductor-related materials based on our polymer film processing technologies. One of the main products is a transparent conductive film, which works as the touch sensor in mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs. This product is an organic film coated with ITO (Indium-Tin Oxide) thin film using a roll to roll sputtering process which is our core technology. We are one of the few companies that can produce a wide variety of films coated with inorganic thin film on organic films in a large area with high quality.

Using a special sputtering technology, we have developed a new carbon electrode that has both graphite and diamond structures formed on a PET substrate. This sputtered nanocarbon film has many excellent features.

• Wide potential window：Since it has a wider potential window than conventional electrodes, it is possible to measure the concentration of various substances by electrochemical measurement, for example, biomolecules and heavy metals. In addition, because background noise can be suppressed, it is also excellent for high-sensitivity detection.
• Ultra-flat surface：Since it is formed by a sputtering process, it has nano-level flatness. For this reason, it is difficult for dirt to adhere to the electrode surface and easy to remove any dirt that might adhere. In addition, background noise is also suppressed.
• Biocompatibility：Since it is composed of carbon, a film that has a high affinity with living organisms.

We are seeking startups that are interested to develop new devices or systems with our sputter nanocarbon film. For example:

• Startups that are conducting R&D on electrochemical measurement and have a need to utilize a wider potential window.
• Startups that have applications or ideas which can be solved using our sputtered nanocarbon film
• Startups that are interested in biocompatibility and can consider joint development with devices inside and outside the body

Our company has worked with startups in the past to co-develop new applications in startups’ products using our materials.

Startups meeting the criteria for potential collaboration would be involved in initial discussions with our Silicon Valley Office and relevant Technical Department(s) in Japan.