Nanometals revs up to produce ultrathin silver wires

After two years in research and development, Zhuhai Nanometals Technology Co Ltd will start producing nanoscale silver wires with diameters of just 25 nm and 30 nm in the second half of this year.

At present, foldable and flexible displays are popular in the electronics market. Nanoscale silver wire is widely recognized by the industry and is believed to play an important role in next-generation flexible displays. Also important is that raw materials of transparent conductive film based on nanoscale silver wire are readily available from diverse sources, and have low cost and flexibility. 

Nanoscale silver wire in flexible electronic displays [Photo by Zhong Fan / Zhuhai Daily]

IHS Technology, the world's leading source for research, analysis, and strategic guidance in the technology, media, and telecommunications industries, stated that global shipments of flexible displays are projected to soar to 792 million units in 2020. That statement is in a new IHS report titled Flexible Display Technology & Market Forecast. Market revenue will rise to $41.3 billion, up from just $100,000 during the same period.

Realizing the big economic value behind nanoscale silver wire technology, Lei Zhen, chairman and general manager of Zhuhai Nanometals Technology, and his team have been working on R&D, application, and industrialization studies of nanoscale silver, hoping to break foreign countries' long-standing monopoly on core technologies and products using nanoscale silver. Nanometals hopes to achieve annual output of transparent conductive film of 100,000 sq m based on nanoscale silver development.

From research findings to techniques and preparation to production, Zhuhai Nanometals has realized independent innovation in the entire industry chain and ensured industrialization.

During the past two years, the company has successfully applied for 19 patents including 14 for inventions. Three of them have been authorized with 11 entering the stage of substantive examination. The enterprise has also obtained five utility model patents. At present, 13 products in nine series have realized large-scale industrial operation.

Established in February 2015, Nanometals is located in the Zhuhai High-Tech Industrial Development Zone with an innovation team made up of Tsinghua University alumni and returned overseas doctorate holders.