The 10 Companies with Most Innovative Nanotechnology Solutions 2019 March2019

Dr. Terry Brewer Founder & CEO

EBig Things Come in Small Packages: NanoScience

Thewordtechnologyalwayssoundsreassuringtome.Andwhywouldn’tit?Wehaveutilizeditineveryaspectofour

existence.FromprintingfootstepsonMoontoboilingwateratourhomes,werelyonthesame.Ithelpsustomove fromplacetoplace,keepsuswarm,providessafetyfromcriticaldiseasesandevenprotectsusfromourselves.As fascinatingasitmaysound,wecannotavoidthefactthatwehavebecomedependentontechnology.

Thereforeitistimewetalkaboutthepotentialithastoresolvethemajorissueswefaceoraregoingtofaceinthefuture. Oneofthesemajorissuesislackofspace.Itmaysoundclichébuttheissuesregardingthesamehavebecomemoreevident andtheirconcernisonlygoingtoriseinfuture.How?Let’sretrievesomelogicfromthefactthatworldpopulationis growingatanalarmingrate.Unfortunately,Thanosismerelyapieceoffictionandthereisnowaywearegettingridofhalf ofthehumanrace.Henceeventually,wearegoingtorunoutofinhabitablespace.

Theremainingissuessuchashealthandsanitation,cleanlinessandlackofresourcesarealsoraisingconcerns.So,theneed ofthehoursuggeststhatwemustcreatetoolsthatwouldhelpusoptimizeourresources.Weneedtobuildcompactmachines thatsavemoreenergyandmaterialsthataremoresustainable.Buthowarewegoingtoattainthat?EnterNanotechnology

Nanotechnologyhasproveditsmettleinalmostallthesectors.Thefactthatitoperatesonaprimaryscaleofsubstances whichisatomsandmolecules,itislikelythatthetechnologycanimpacteverythingaroundus.Oneofthemanybenefitsit offersisitsutilizationinhealthcaresector.Thereareseveralwaysinwhichnanotechnologyhelpsmedicalspacedobetter. Theimaginganddiagnostictoolshavebecomemoreefficientandprovidebetterresultswithgreatsuccessrates.Moreover, researchersareworkingonminimizingtheriskofhealthytissuesfromcancerbyencapsulatingnanoparticlesintherapeutics.

Shubham Khampariya

Whenitcomestosustainingtheenvironment,cleanenergybecomesapopularchoice.Itistheneedofthehourtodevelop energythatislowoncarbonfootprintandisaffordabletoeveryone.Nanoscienceismakingitpossiblebyoptimizingthe traditionalmethods.Withthehelpofsame,theefficiencyoffuelproductioncanbeimprovedthroughbettercatalysis.Higher efficiencycombustionanddecreasedfriction,whichhelpvehiclesperformeffectivelyhasbecomeattainablewiththehelpof nanotechnology.

However,sustainabilitythroughNanoscienceisnotjustlimitedtoefficientenergy.Thematerialsweuseondailybasishave alsobeenupgradedwiththehelpofNanocoatingasitprovidesbetterqualityanddurabilitytothematerials.Manufacturing industrieshavealsobeenbenefitedbyNanoscience.Automobilespace,inspecifichasleveragedthetechnologytomake vehicleslightweightandstrong,whichalsohelpsinfuelsaving.

IpersonallybelieveitisstillalongroadforNanotechnology.Itsrelevancewiththeworldoftechnologygoesdownto molecularlevelsandthisgivesitthepotentialtostartfromtheroots.Andsoitisexpectedthatmuchlikeeveryother technology,Itwillcontributetomakethisworldabetterplace.

Nanotechnology, making impossible, possible.

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Cover Story

Dr. Terry Brewer Founder & CEO

The10 Companies with Most Innovative

Nan technology

Solutions 2019

The Pioneers of Anti-Reective Coatings

Through our people and by our technology, Brewer Science is fullling the vision of a better tomorrow.

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Thesignificanceof nanotechnologycanbe acknowledgedbythefactthat thefirstgenerationofcomputersused tooccupyhugespace,whiletoday, muchfasterandupdatedversionsof thesamecanfitintoone’spocket.It hasenabledustoretrievethemostout ofwhatisknownasoneofthegreatest innovationsofmankind,electronics. Thecompaniesinthisspaceare workingaggressivelytowardsmaking devicesperformfasterandbetter.

SuchisthecasewithBrewerScience

BrewerScienceisaprivatelyheld companyandisbasedinRolla, Missouri.Sinceitsinception,Brewer hasbeenareliableglobaltechnology leaderindevelopingand manufacturinginnovativematerials andprocessesforthefabricationof semiconductorsandmicroelectronic devices.Thecompanygotitsstartin semiconductormaterials,specifically inmaterialsusedinfront-end processes.

BrewerScienceproducesmorethan70 typesofmaterialsusedinlithography processes. Fromfront-endmaterials, thecompanyexpandedtoback-end advancedpackagingmaterials,and fromtheretoprintedelectronics systems.Thecompanypridesitselfon beingcommittedtoanenvironment thatfostersinnovation,diversity,and professionaldevelopmentinan industryofconstantchangeand growth.

TheemployeesofBrewerScience strivetocreateanenvironmentthat fostersinnovation,diversity,and professionaldevelopment.Every memberoftheteamisfocusedon helpingthecustomersreachtheir technologygoalsthroughitsresultsorientedapproachtoproblemsolving. BrewerScience’scustomers’long-term

successisimportanttothecompany, anditpridesitselfinexceedingtheir expectationswithitspersonalizedcare andcommitment.

AComprehensiveProductLine

Thecompanyoffersanti-reflective coatings,multilayersystems, planarizingmaterials,protective coatings,temporarybondingsolutions, andprintedelectronicsensorsystems. Itsbusinessmodelandin-depth knowledgeandexpertiseinmaterials science,chemistry,physics,optics, modeling,andprocessintegration distinguishBrewerSciencefromall othermaterialsuppliersworldwide.

FromInnovatortoIndustryLeader

Dr.TerryBreweristheFounderand CEOofBrewerScience.Hebelieved thathisinventionofanti-reflective coatingswouldprogress microelectronicsanddecidedto becomeanindustryleader.Hestates, “If I was really going to get something done in my life before it was over... I had to start my own company and build it up from scratch.” Dr.Brewer’s discoveryresultedinarevolutionin theglobalmicroelectronicsindustry andusheredintoday’shigh-speed, lightweightelectronicdevices.

UnderDr.Brewer’sleadership,Brewer Sciencehasgrowntobeaglobal leaderindevelopingand manufacturingadvancedmaterialsand solutionsforthereliablefabricationof cutting-edgemicrodevicesusedin electronicssuchastabletcomputers, smartphones,digitalcameras, televisions,andLEDlighting.Asa privatelyheldorganization,Brewer Sciencehasthefreedomtoguidethe industryinthecontinueddevelopment ofleading-edgetechnology.

Every member of our team is focused on helping our customers reach their technology goals through our resultsoriented approach to problem solving.

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“We believe that by staying at the leading edge of technology and product development, we will assist our current customers as well as gain new customers through an expanded portfolio,” statesDr.TerryBrewer.

StimulatingtheTechnology AdvancementforProductsof Tomorrow

BrewerScienceisoneofthe recognizedfranchiseswithinthe SemiconductorBusinessandit believes,there’salargepushtoget downtothe5/7-nmprocessnode.The industryhasspentmuchtimeand effortonexpensiveequipment solutions,yettherestillremainissues forperfectingtheseprocesses.Brewer Sciencehasover35yearsofmaterial knowledgethatwillfosterthe technologyadvancementsforthe productsoftomorrow.Perfectingthe qualityandcleanlinessofmaterialsisa hugefactorinachievingthesenew processnodes.Toachievethis,the companyislookingformore environmentfriendlymaterialsthat improvethecarbonfootprintofits processesaswellasthoseofBrewer Science’scustomers.

StayingontheEdge

BrewerScience’sR&Dteamworks aroundtheclocktokeepthe organizationontheedgeofwhat’s next.Apartfromtheteam’sextensive expertise,thegroupofscientists, engineersandresearchershave fosteredrelationshipswithmultiple academicinstitutionsandnational laboratoriesaroundtheglobe. ObtainingindustrysupportforBrewer Science’sprogramshasbeenoneofthe manyinvaluablebenefitsresulting fromtheserelationships.ItsR&D divisionalsoconsistentlyattracts governmentsupportfortheresearch

efforts.BrewerSciencehasbeenthe recipientofnumerousSmallBusiness InnovationResearch(SBIR)andnonSBIRawardsfromfederalagencies, includingtheNavy,AirForce, NationalScienceFoundation,Strategic DefenseInitiative,DARPA,andthe NationalInstitutesofHealth.

OptimumQuality,ZeroWaste

BrewerScience’sstrictQualityControl standardsensurethatallofitsmaterials areconsistentandhighquality.Its leading-edgemetrologyoffersthe highestdegreeofsensitivityand accuracyavailableintheindustry,and itszero-escapepolicyforreleasing nonconformingmaterialsensuresthat onlythefinestproductsmakeitinto thehandsofitscustomers.The company’sadvancedanalytical metrologyenablesfullcharacterization capabilitiesin-house,anditspredictive batchanalysisoptimizestheprocesses andcharacterizesthematerialsateach processstep.

BrewerScienceisoneofthegrowing numberofcompaniesthathave obtainedGreenCircleCertified®Zero WastetoLandfillcertification,anditis theonlycompanyinthesemiconductor industrytoholdthisstatus.TheZero WastetoLandfillCertification representsBrewerScience’s commitmenttotheresponsible managementofend-of-lifematerials anddemonstratesthecompany’s commitmenttowastediversion practices.

AspiringLeadership

BrewerSciencehasbeenamarket leaderinprovidingproduction nanotechnology,supporting90-nm lithographynodeswithfilmthickness inthe20-nmto60-nmrange.Thathas extendedtotodaywheremanyofits

Our customers’ long-term success is important to us, and we pride ourselves in exceeding their expectations with our personalized care and commitment.

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coatingsareinthe10-nmto25-nm thicknessrangeandisusedtoproduce semiconductorstructuresdownto10nmdimensions.Thecompanyhasbeen anindustryleaderinadvancing directedself-assemblyfromblock copolymersfor15nmandsmaller patterns.Thisremainsindevelopment buthasdemonstratedtheabilityto patternstructurestonear5nm.

MuchofBrewerScience’sfuturefocus ismonolayerandselectivesurface materialsinthe1-nmto5-nmfilm thicknessrangeforuseinbuilding futurelithographynodesat7nm,5nm and3nm.Ithasalsoworked extensivelyinthemoreclassic nanomaterialsindustrysince2005with carbon-basedelectronicsusingcarbon nanotubesandgraphenematerials. Today,theseareusedtoproducea broadrangeofprintedelectronics systemsthathavefastresponsetimes andsensitivitiestosmallchangesthat canbeanorderofmagnitudebetter thantraditionalsensortechnologies.

LookingBeyondtheIndustry

Whenitcomestothefutureofthe organization,BrewerScienceis planningtomaintainandimproveits marketshareinthesemiconductor industrybyenhancingitsmaterials portfoliotoachievenext-generation technologyforfront-endandback-end processes.Whilelookingbeyondthe semiconductorindustry,the organizationisevaluatingnewavenues toenhancethequalityoflifearound theworldthroughnewinnovative technologybasedonitsmaterials expertise.ThefirststepisBrewer Science’sprintedelectronicsprogram withinitsEmergingTechnologiesunit. ThisprogramutilizesBrewerScience's uniquematerialcharacteristicsto designsensingtechnologythatwill takeartificialintelligenceandmachine learningtothenextlevelthrough

The hawk represents something more static and non-tangible than the hawk itself.

Dhruvil Sanghvi CEO & Co-founder LogiNext

Internet of Things is present in

About The Author

Sanghvi, CEO and Co-founder of LogiNext, youngest tech business head in Forbes India 30 under 30 (2017), started his journey post Carnegie Mellon University and effectively led LogiNext, the fastest growing logistics and eld workforce optimization SaaS enterprise, to the glory.

Doesanyonerememberatimebeforethe Internet?Mostofushaveseenit,butit’shard torecreateitinourmind.Itonlyexistsin longtaleswhichwetelltheyoung,talesofyesteryears wherelifewasn’toccupiedbytechnology.Butwelove technology.AndthenextevolutionoftheInternet wouldmakethecurrenttimebecomeanother yesteryeartale.WhatisthisnextInternetevolution? It’stheInternetofThings.

WeknowthatInternetiswhereweaccessrelevantand non-relevantinformation;connectwithfriends,peers, companies,andcustomers;andutilizetoconductour dailybusinessandactivities.So,whatistheInternetof ThingsorIoT?IoTiswhenthedeviceswhichweuse toconnectandinteractwithInternettalktoeachother. ‘Talk’isexchangedataamongthedeviceswithaview tofacilitatingbettersolutionsandfasterprocesses.

every Product we use. How has IOT changed the lives of humans?

Dhruvil

Now,yoursmartphonecanconnectto yourtelevisionandlaptopevenwhen theyaren’tinthesameroom.Youcan syncallyoursystemssothatany changedoneatoneplacewouldreflect everywhereelse.

“Whereto?”Self-drivingcars aroundthecorner!

ThetrueessenceofIoTcomesout whenitiscoupledwithmachine learning.Fastforwardintoaworldof automationwhereself-drivencars aren’tfiction.Thesysteminyourcar operatestheengine,thesensorsaround thevehicle,thebreaking,and everythingelse.Itconnectstothe cloud,observingthetrafficand weatherpatternsalongtherouteyou areabouttotake.Itautoadjuststothe passingvehicles,allthewhileensuring thesafetyofitspassengers.’

Therehavebeensomeissueswiththis asacoupleofcrashesbeingreported. Thistechcan’tbeforcedlivedueto marketpressuresasthecostof mistakesistoohigh.Onceautonomous carsdohittheroads,theywouldhave tobeperfect.Butthisisn’tmorethana coupleofyearsaway.Fornow,let’s lookatsomethingthatisalready runningandshowinggreatresults.

‘Howdowegetthere?”Perfectroute optimizationishere!

Weareusedtohavingthebest productsandfastestservices.Tomake thishappen,peopleandgoodsmustbe constantonthemovesomewhereor theother.Beitfromthemanufacturers towarehousesordistributors, distributorstoretailers,ordirectlyto thecustomer'sdoor,therearealotof assetsconstantlymoving.’

Howisthislogisticsmovement managed,tracked,anddirected?

Technology,likethatofLogiNext, tracksvehiclesthroughGPSrightfrom thetimetheyareloadedtothepoint theyfinishtheirreplenishmentduties. Deliverypersonnelandfieldagents suchastechnicians,supervisors,sales folks,etc.aretrackedusingtheir smartphones.Theagentsuseourappto streamlinetheirdailyactivitiesand syncliveinformationgatheredongroundwiththeircompany’scentral system.

Thistechisnotjusttheneedofthe hour;it’swhatkeepingtheeverexpandingneedforcost-friendly logisticsmanagementincheck. Spiralinglogisticscostsarisingfrom increasedvolumemovementwitha growingdriverstorage.Eventhetrend ofsameday/nextdaydeliveriesmeans thatsomevehiclesareleft underutilized.

Sensorsandtrackers,backedbyabase machinelearningbasedsystem,can nowhelpmanagersoptimizethe capacitiesoftheirvehicles,assignthe rightloadtotherightdriver/delivery associate,andeventuallysetthebest routedevoidoftrafficandother bottleneckstoensureon-time deliveries.

Deliveryrouteplanningand optimization,hence,isnotjustcutting downcosts,butalsoincentivizing marketevolution.Companieslike AmazonandWalmartcanensurebetter customerservicewithtimelydeliveries andend-to-endordertracking.This helpscreatevalueforthecustomer,the company,andtheeconomy.

“What’sinthebox?”Automated warehousingstreamlinesit!

Withthedevelopmentofmachine learningbackedlogisticsoptimization, companiesareinvestinginlarge

Internet of Internet

distributioncentersorwarehouses. Somehigh-valuecompanieshave alreadypartautomatedtheoperations inthesecenters.Asmentionedearlier, thesheerincreaseinthevolumeof goodsmovednowadaysmeansthatthe leadtimeevenatwarehousesmustbe shortenedtotheminimum.

Iftheordermustreachacustomerina day,itcan’treallyspendabouthalfof thatatthecenteritself.Theentire sortingandallocationsystemis automated.Somecompanieshaveeven robotizedsomemundanefunctions withinthewarehouses.

“DoasISay”VoiceControlled LogisticsMovement

Wearewellawareofthelatestin virtualassistantssuchasAlexa,Siri, GoogleHome,etc.It'sahandywayto automateactivitiesaroundyourself. YoucanjustaskAlexatobookacab whileplayingyourfavoritesongs. Googlerecentlydemonstratedproper AIcapablebotswhichcouldevenhave impromptuconversationsandbook appointments.Theobviousextension ofthiscamewithvoice-controlled logisticsmanagement.Usingthesame easeofhouseholddirections,managers canautomatetheplanningofdelivery routes,dispatchshipments,tracking vehicles,etc.usingjusttheirvoice. Theycantalktothesystemanddoall ofthesethings.

Theideaissimple.IoTisgoingdeeper anddeeperintoourlives,notjusthow wehandleourphones,butalsohowwe handleourbusinesses.Aboveall,we mustrememberthatit’sonlyatool.It's howweuseitthatwoulddefineour future.

Forge Nano Inc.

Envisioning Global Leadership in Innovative Material Solutions

Foundedin2011,ForgeNanois agloballeaderinsurface engineeringandprecisionnanocoatingsusingAtomicLayer Deposition(ALD).Itspecializesin makingproductimprovementsusing scalablenano-technologyandturns laboratoryinnovationsintoaffordable productswithrapidturnaroundtimes. WithForgeNano’sproprietaryhighthroughputmanufacturingprocesses, precisionnano-coatingsarenowa moreaccessiblesolutionfor applicationsrangingfromLithiumIon batteriestoawidearrayofother materialapplicationsbasedon industrialpowders,flatsandobjectsat pricepointsthatwereunthinkableuntil now.AccordingtoForge,nanoengineeredsurfacesareenablingthe materialsofthefuture.

ComprehensiveRangeofServices

ForgeNanoisanend-to-endmaterial solutionsprovider.ItoffersR&D services,toll-coating,andlab-scaleto commercial-scaleequipmentfor purchase.ThroughitsR&Dservices, thecompanycanhelpfindtheoptimal

coatingsforcustomers’substrates. Toll-coatingservicescoverthefull rangefromlabtocommercial-scale, frommilligramsperdaytokilotonsper year.Forgealsoofferslab-scale,pilotscale,andcommercial-scaleALD equipmentthroughitsPrometheus, Calypso,andMorpheustoolsthatare availableforpurchase.

PerksofaTechnicalCEO

PaulLichty,CEOofForgeNano, realizedthepotentialforscalingup AtomicLayerDeposition(ALD)nanocoatingsintoentirelynewapplications throughhisgraduateworkatUC Boulder.Heinvented,developedand acquiredthecompany’score intellectualpropertyfor$1andfrom hisgaragestartedtodesign,buildand operateALDsystems.Heenvisioned larger-scaletoolsthatcouldservice industrialsectorsandscaleduphis visionfrommilligramscaletokiloton peryearhigh-throughput manufacturingequipment.This paradigmshifthebroughttoALDhas nowopenedupdozensofnew potentialmarketsforsurface

engineeringofindustrialpowders, objects,andflats.

QuickDecisionMaking

Fromthebeginning,ForgeNanohas hadtobeveryresourcefulandfast moving.Earlyon,thecompanywas giventwoweeks’noticethattheircore patentsweregoingtobeabandonedby theUniversityofColorado,who ownedthematthetime,duetocost. Thefounders,twopoorgraduate students,hadtomovequicklyto negotiateassignmentofthosepatents tothecompanyandcomeupwith$10k topaylawyersandlegalfeestokeep thepatentsmovingthroughthesystem. Sincethenthecompanyhaspaid specialattentiontoIPtimelinesand opportunities,leadingtoaveryrobust patentposition.

HavingatechnicalCEOhasalsoledto manyrevelationsaboutallofthecore businessfunctionsneededtoruna company.Theresoundinglesson learnedthroughtrialanderrorhasbeen that you get what you pay for.Whether itisemployees,consultants,orlegal counsel,qualitycostsmoneybutmay becheaperintheend.ForgeNano strivestohireandworkwiththebest people,acrossalldisciplines.Thesame viewpointextendstocustomersas well.Forgeisbuildingaworld-class customerbasewhosestandardsdrive thecompanytoexcellence.By

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maintaininghighexpectationsfromitselfanditspartners, thecompanyhasbeenabletoraiseover$20Minfunding andbuildaworldclassteamthatisdisruptingseveral marketssimultaneously.

TheQuestionofScalability

AccordingtoForgeNano,thetwo biggestchallengesin drivingadoptionofALDnano-coatingswerearound scalabilityandcost.ALDtechnologyhadbeenaroundfor morethan50yearsbut,otherthanthesemiconductorspace, itwaslargelyrelegatedtosmall-scalelaboratoryresearch. Thiswasinpartduetotheuseof“temporal”ALDusinga fluidizedbedreactorinwhichthepowdersstayinoneplace andthecoatingmaterialsareiterativelypulsedandpurged intoandfromthereactor.

Thisapproachlackedthethroughputandscalabilitytogoto largervolumes.ForgeNanoinstitutedaparadigmshiftto “spatial”ALDinwhichthepowderwasnowmoved throughthesystemstagebystagewithamuchhigher throughput. Thisspatialapproachalongwithprocess innovationformaintaininghomogeneityinthereactor enabledscaleuptotonnage.SimilarlyForgeNano’s processequipmentdoesnotrequirethesamehighdegreeof vacuumandsubsequentlycostsoftenassociatedwithALD.

Thehighthroughputsystemdesignishighlycapital efficientona$perunitofmaterialupgraded. Thesetwo biggestchallengesofscalingupthedesignandloweringthe costhavebeenaddressed.Thecompanyisnowfocusedon demonstratingtheefficacyofALDinagrowingnumberof markets.

ExploringALD

ALDoffersthepotentialtonano-engineerthesurfacesthat willenablethenextgenerationofperformanceanywhere surfacepropertiescaninfluencetheperformanceof particlesorhighsurfaceareaobjects.Thereareliterally dozensofpotentialnewmarketspacesinwhichALDcan impartthatnextlevelofperformancethroughsurface engineeringofindustrialpowdersandobjectsfrom batteries,catalysts,and3Dprintingtodisplays,pigments, pharmaceuticalsandspaceagematerials.

ForgeNano’ssustainablecorecompetencyisindelivering theflexible,commercial-scalemachinearchitecturesto servicetheneedsofadiversesetofmarkets,bolsteredby itsin-houseR&Dandscaleupcapabilitiesfordriving innovationfromthelabtothemarket.

ClientalAssessment

“Forge Nano has created an elegant and game changing solution for materials challenges across several key products needed for the cars of the future.” –Anonymous AutomotiveExecutive

Forge Nano’s vision is to enable products of the future through atomically precise engineering at commercial scale.

Paul Lichty PhD & CEO

Laboratory Management SystemInformation Laboratory InformationManagement System

Roleof in Manufacturing Sectors

Evenifanorganizationoffersanoutstanding seriesofcreativeproducts,ithastoensurethat thequalityisuptothemark.Being compassionateaboutqualitymanagementisquite essentialforabusinessventuretobecomeapromising manufacturer.Thus,qualityismorelikelytobea necessityratherthanawant.Itdoplaysasalientrolein supplychainthathasstrengthenedmanufacturer’sbelief ofimplicatinginformationsystemsespeciallyin laboratoriesforqualityinspectionsonfinishedproducts andgoods.

SimilartoEnterpriseResourcePlanning(ERP), LaboratoryInformationManagementSystem(LIMS) hasbroughtadisruptivechangeintraditionalmethodsof supply-chainmanagement.Thistechnologyactsasa reportingtoolwhichallowsresearcherstoinputand storecrucialdataregardingthesample,suchasschedule records,test-sampletracks,andalsosample’s materialisticproperties.Thus,itisquiteobligatoryforan organizationtoimplementanadequateinformation systeminanattempttooverruleallquality-related

issues.Also,itoftenutilizesbarcodegenerationfor scanningin-processgoodsaswellasfinishedproductsin anattempttoconsumelesstime.

Outlook on LIMS

Utilizingtoitsfull-potential

LIMSoperationscustomarilydependonthe manufactureranditsrequirements.Yet,thereisa standardprotocolonwhichthesystemmostlyrelies.Itis deliberatelydesignedtomonitorandfunctiononthe variousaspectsofproductqualitymanagementi.e. samplemanagement.Ithandlesthedetailedrecordsof eachsample,andmaintainsaccuracyinreducingthe possibilitiesoftheinformationgettingmixedupinlabs. LIMSmaintainstherecordofeachandeveryunit,from asuppliertotheresearcherhandlingthatsample.With suchsystems,theinformationtrackinggetsquiteeasier andcouldbefullyautomated,reducingtheneedfor laboratoryadministration.

Industry Lessons

ImplementingLIMSforworkflow managementaidsamanufacturerto streamlinethedecisionmakingprocess inthelaboratory.Theself-oriented systemcanautomaticallyassign scientistsregardingtheirtasksandeven suggeststhetypeofinstrumentsrequired asperstatedinthestandardexperiment module.Oncethetestingiscompleted, thesystemidentifiesandsuppliesthe sampleforthefurtherprocess.Besides, manyLIMSautomaticallycoverups variousprocessessuchasmaintenance, inventorymanagementandreporting.It isoftenusefulfortheinstrumentslike centrifugeswhichgenerallyface countlesswearandtear,leadingto

variationsinthereadings.Suchvariationsnotonlyaffect dataanalysisauditingbutalso,disruptthecalibrationof theinstruments.TheuseofLIMSsystemmightvaryfrom oneorganizationtoanother,astherequirementofmostof theindustriesisquitedifferent.

EquipmentCalibrationandMaintenance

Noindustrycanaffordafailureinthequalitychecks. Thus,manyorganizationsspendloadsofmonetaryassets overthelaboratorymaintenanceandinstruments calibration.WiththeLIMSsystem,anorganizationcan surpassoverunnecessarydamagesand monetary-cutsinlaboratory.Apartfromthat,LIMS systemmustincludemaintenancerecordsofthe instrumentsusedintesting,inanattempttoperform orderlypreventivemaintenance.

Duetotheregularutilization,someinstrumentsstartsto showdistortionthatfurtheraffectthetestsresults.Incase ofdepthmicrometer,theinstructionfollowsthatitmay

requirecalibrationeverymonthorafterevery50uses.A manufacturercanimproviseLIMSsystem,byincluding additionalcalibrationinstructionsheetwhichcanbe utilizedbymaintenancedepartmentthereafter.

BriefonFunctionscommonlyfoundinLIMS

Reporting: Irrespectiveofanycategory,everysector requiresapromptmethodtoprocessoutthereports. Reporthelpsorganizationstoanalyzedataandmake furtherdecisionsbasedonit.Fromthe’mostused instruments’to’lab-processingtime’,itincludeallthe requiredinformationflowfromoneunittoother. ThroughimplementingLIMS,organizationstakea followupandprocessaudittrailsofreceived informationfromsuchunits.Yet,thelevelofdifficulty varieswithreports,assomemayrequirehighercustom codingtorunwhileotherexportonAdobePDFand MS-Word.

EMR/EHR:ElectronicHealthRecordsisseparate software,butsomeLIMSsincludesEHRfeaturebuilt-in mostlyincludingpatientreceptionqueriesandbilling processes.Organizationsmainlypreferonutilizingan all-encompassingsysteminsteadofsoftwarewith singularcapability.IntegratingLIMSwithsuch functionsfacilitateclinicswithhugebenefitswhile monitoringandmaintainingalaboratory.Itmanages everybitofaspectssuchasdatatrackingovertime, continuityinhealthcare,reducedcosts,gamut information,technologyofprescriptionsandresult orientation.

Workflow Management:Automateworkflowshaveoften becomeatrailinbusinessesduetoitsabilitytomaintain asteadyflowbetweenvariousprocesseswithoutany extrahumanefforts.Insteadoffocusingmoreon reducingwork,itsavestimetakenfortasking complicatedtasks.HiringorInstallingLIMSaidsoneto codifyexistingmethodsandproceduresandcould delegatethedecision-makingtothesoftware.Say,if installed,itcantakeoveronassigningjobstoscientists

Industry Lessons

andcanalsopickoutinstruments,asperrequirement.It onlyrequiresastrongcommandstructurethroughwhich LIMScanoperatemuchdeliberately.

ERP:EnterpriseResourcePlanningsoftwareattains potentialtomanageinventoryandlikeEHR,itisalso self-processingsoftware.Collaborationorsay, integratingERPintoLIMSsismorefavorableduetoits highallowanceinmonitoringalertsoverlow-supplies, auto-calculationofstoragecapacityandlocation management.ThroughimplementingLIMSs,onecan surpassissuesrelatedtodatatranscriptionerrors, turnaroundtime,WIPstatus,andstatisticalanalysisand COAgeneration.

AftermathofLIMS-integrationinlaboratorieshasbeen witnessedtobemoreefficientandbeenclaimedasa reliablesystembyvariousmanufacturers.Thoughthe digitaltransformationhasneverfailedtosurprisethe marketswithitspotentialtobringoutdisruption,its manyfruitfulbenefitsareyettobeexplored.Oneof such—mobile-friendlyLIMS,ispredictedtoshiftthe traditionallaboratoriesbydeliveringmorecompact experiencetothemanufacturerswhichsoonerorlater goingtobetrailamongthelab-ownersand manufacturers.Currently,itisfocusingonimproving environmental,petrochemical,health-care, bio-technologycompaniesandR&Dinstitutes.

Electrovaya

Lithium-ion batteries:

Powering Electro-Mobility Since 1996

Electrovayawasestablishedin1996asaresearch anddevelopmentcompanyfocusedonLithiumion technologiesandmanufacturingprocesses.In2000, itwaslistedontheTorontoStockExchange(TSX:EFL) andhascontinuouslydeliveredcuttingedgetechnology projectsforaerospace(NASA),automotiveandpersonal electronics.Overtime,ithasdevelopedkeytechnologiesfor fundamentalcellandbatterytechnologywithmorethan 150patentsinthesefields.

Recently,Electrovayahasconcentratedonbatterysolutions forheavy-dutyapplicationsrequiringsuperiorlifecycleand performance.Ithassuccessfullydevelopeduniqueultralonglifecyclebatterysystems,whichareparticularly designedforMaterialsHandlingElectricVehicles(MHEV).

Currently,itsuppliesmajorOEMswithspecializedbattery moduleandsystems.Ontheaverage,MHEVsand passengerEVsrundailyforaround10hoursand2hours, respectively.Electrovayasultra-longlifecycletechnology ’ isextremelysuitableforthesekindsofapplication.

Comparedtovehiclespoweredwithfuel,Electrovaya poweredvehiclescanfunctionwellwithin24hoursevery dayunderextremetemperatureconditionswithannual mileageof20,000km.

CustomersandEmergingMarkets

SixFortune500companiesinthelogistics,e-commerce andmanufacturingsectorshavestartedusingElectrovaya batteriesfortheirforklifttrucks,MaterialHandlingElectric Vehicles(MHEV)andAutomatedguidedvehicles(AGV). Thisemergingmarketgeneratedaround$3.3millionof revenuefrombattery-operateddeliveriesmainlyfrom WalmartfromtheJanuarytoMarch2018.Also,additional purchaseordersof$2.3millionwereplacedlastJune2018.

Thecurrenttargetmarketsare1.5millionoperational MHEVsandapproximately160,000newMHEVsplacedin NorthAmericalast2017(IndustrialTruckAssociation, 2017,WashingtonDC,USA).

Also,on25thofJuly2018,Electrovayahassuccessfully deliveredbatteriestoWalmartCanada’sdistributioncenter. ThisisamajormilestoneforElectrovayaandtheMaterials HandlingIndustry,foritisoneofthelargestlithium-ion installationsinNorthAmerica.Currently,Electrovaya’s Lithium-ionbatteriesprovidepowertoallMHEVsatthis distributioncenter.

IndustryOutlook

ForklifttrucksalesinNorthAmerica’smarketcontinued theirunprecedentedincrease.Theyear2017markedthe thirdconsecutiveyearofgrowthwithmorethan250,000 unitssold,representinga9.5%and12.2%increase comparedto2016and2015,respectively.

Inaddition,thousandstomillionsofelectricpowered trucksaresoldannuallyintheU.S.andworldwide.The continuousincreaseinthenumberofbattery-operated trucksfromthepreviousyears’showsthepotentialuseand leadofElectrovaya’slithium-ionbatteriesinthetrucking industry.

Tofurtherintroducethetechnologyandexcellenceofits productsandservicestotheworld,Electrovayajoinedthe ModexExpo2018,whichhappenedatAtlanta,GA.Inthis occasion,thecompanyshowcasedthelithiumionbatteries thatarewidelyusedinthematerialshandlingsector.

GiventhetremendoussuccessofElectrovayainthe previousyears,whatreallysetsitapartfromtheother batteryproviders?

Raj Das Gupta Vice President of Business Development Electrovaya

Expert’s Foresight

About the Author

batterieswithmaintenancecostofonly45USDforcable replacementsandremotemonitoring.

Ÿ Safetyisourpriority Electrovayabatteriesarebuiltusingthesafesttechnology, whichhasbeencontinuouslyimprovedovertime.Once installed,thisbatterycanberechargedsimilaracellular phone.Hence,itremovesthedangerinvolvedinremoving andhandlingofbatteries,whicharenecessaryinleadacid batterycharging.

Lastyear,noaccidentswererecordedontheusageon forklifttruckswithElectrovayabatteries.

Ÿ Capitalexpenditure

Lithiumbatteryisalwayscriticizedaboutitshighinitial cost,whereinElectrovayabatterysystemistwicethecost oftheleadacidbatteries.However,Electrovayabatteries lasttwicelongerthanleadacidbatteriesdueits9000life cycle.Thisistheresultofthecollectiveeffortsofthe company’sengineerswhofiledmorethan150patentsunder theLithiumcelltechnology.Therefore,after6years,the totalinvestmentsofbothtypesofbatteriesarethesame. Also,ifbothbatterieswillbeonalease,themonthlylease expenseswillalsobesimilarduetolongerleaseperiodon Electrovayabatteries.

FuturePerspective

Toelaborateonwhatmakesitoneoftheleadingbrandsfor poweringelectro-mobility,enumeratedbelowarethe benefitsfromutilizingElectrovaya’stechnology.

• Reducedcostsandincreasedproductivityofcharging

Basedonobservation,therewasanincreaseinthe productivityoftheforklifttruckdriversduetoopportunistic andfastcharging.Leadacidbatterycanfunctionfor8 hoursbutalsoneedstobechargedfor8hours.Meanwhile, Electrovayabatterycanbechargedopportunisticallyduring breaktimes,whichincreasesitsruntime.Theuseof advanceconnectorsystemremovedarchingoranyfire hazards.

Ÿ Reducedmaintenancecosts

Electrovayabatteriesdonotrequireadditionaldistilled water,switching,cleaningandmaintenance.These advantages,madethemaintenancecostsofElectrovaya batteries59%cheaperthanLeadacidbatteries.

Forinstance,WateringSystemMaintenanceandAcid ContainmentSpillKitcost135USDannuallyforeach truckwithleadacidbatteriescomparedtoElectrovaya

Electrovaya’svisionistobetheleaderincriticalandhighly intensiveapplications.Itsextensivelineofproductsand worldwidepartnershipshelpsittoleadtheindustry.Aside fromthesixFortune500companies,MNCshavealso purchasedfromElectrovayaandmanyarestillexploring thebenefitsofusingthistechnologyinkeepingtheir companiestransformandgrow.

ReliabilityofElectrovaya

AtestimonyfromthewarehousemanagerofaleadingecommercecompanystatedthatElectrovayawasvery efficientinswitchingthebatteries,particularlyininstalling theLithium-ionbatteries.Sincethen,thecompanyhas reportedreducedenergyandmaintenancecosts,whilethere wasanincreaseinthelaborproductivity.

ThisshowsthatElectrovayacontinuestobeoneofthe leadingcompaniesinthisindustry.Electrovayahasbeen continuouslyprovidingunwaveringhighquality technologiesandservicestothepeoplesince1996.

Raj Das Gupta has worked with Electrovaya previously as Director of Research and later as Vice President of Energy Storage. Raj is responsible for managing and increasing Electrovaya’s sales for both its stationary and automotive energy storage systems, as well as developing Electrovaya's strategy for technology licensing and business partnerships. Raj attended Imperial College, London; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and the University of Cambridge, where he received his Doctorate in Materials Science.

NANO4LIFE

Offering Exemplary Nanotechnology

InaninterviewwithInsights Success,theFounderand GeneralManagerof NANO4LIFEEUROPEL.P., AndreasDimitrasbroadlydiscusses aboutthecompanyanditsroleinthe respectiveindustry.

Belowarehighlightsfromthe interviewconductedbetweenAndreas andInsightsSuccess:

Giveabriefoverviewofthe company,itsuniquenessandits vision.

Nanotechnologyisincreasingly consideredtobethefutureworldwide technologyandhasbeenforecastedas thesecondindustrialrevolution.

ΝΑΝΟ4LIFEEUROPEL.P.since 2008,caughtupthisevolutiontrainby providingtoavastnumberof countries,agreatrangeof nanotechnologysolutionsovertextiles, buildingmaterialsandvehicles surfacesthechoiceofself-cleaningand waterproofingeffectthroughatotal greenenvironmentalapproach.

Inclosecooperationwithworld leadingNanotechnologyInstitutes basedinGermany,wedesignand createouruniqueNanotechnology products.OurbrandedNano-coatings havebeencreatedwithSi02(Silicone DioxidePureQuartz)utilizingtheSolGelproductionprocesswhichcreates highlydurable,completelysafe, harmlessandreadyforapplication products.

Weareproudofour,maybethelargest rangeofNanotechnologyproducts, whichsumup90differentkindsinup to450differentchoicesofpackages from10mlto1000litersinorderto coverthedemandfromtheslightest individualneedtothehighest industrialuse.

Whatarethecutting-edge products/solutionsofferedby ΝΑΝΟ4LIFE?

Underthescopethatallourproducts canbeconsideredascutting-edgeboth onbuildingsector,vehiclesand textiles,Iwouldjustbefocusedonour latestproductflagshipachievementson anti-scratchingsurfacecoatingsandon hygienefield.Bothrangesintegratethe latestandmostimpressive nanotechnologyqualitieswhichata pointcanbeviewedaspropertyguards andlifesavingprotectionmasters.

ThebrandnewNANODIAMOND seriesenteredouralreadyvastrangeof innovativeproductsin2017fromthe bestscientificlaboratoriesintheworld. Thisproductincorporatesanultra-high

Solutions

technologycoatingthatprotectswith fullcoveragethevehiclepaintwork fromenvironmentalandhuman threateningfactors.Theaddedvalueof ascratch-freecarafter10yearsofits use–lifespanprotectionofthe products-ortheprecioustimesaving ofreducingitswashestoalmostzerois hardtobeassessedcurrentlyatitsfull extendbutIamsurethatitwillbe morethanthrilling.

ThesameappliestoourDiamond seriesonglasssurfacesandcanand willsavetimeandmoneybothin buildingandvehiclesector.Thesecond cutting-edgeproducttobelaunched within1stquarterof2019istheantibacterial/hygieneseries,NANO4HYGIENELIFE,anditexpectedto gainagreatsharebothinselling numbersandintheworldwide preferencesasapermanenthealth protectionguard.

With3yearsanti-bacterialsafety,3 yearspermanentprotectionandagreat valueforlittlemoney,wewillprovide aninvisiblebutalwaysstandbyhealth shieldforeveryhumanbeingwho needsit.Andwhodoesn’t?

Giveadetaileddescriptionofthe featuredperson’sinfluenceoverthe companyandtheNanotechnology industry.

Basically,thecompanyhasbeen shapedbymyowninspirations,life timeexperiencesanddreams.It’slike answeringforoneofmychildren.

ΝΑΝΟ4LIFEEUROPEL.P.isoneof

Andreas Dimitras Founder & General Manager

themthathasgrownupwithgreatcare,silenthope, powerfulexpectations,hardworkandagreatvision:to providevaluableproductsandcreateamultinational presencebyestablishingagreenerandenvironmental friendlygifttoourvaluablepropertyandhealth.

IbelievedinNanotechnologyfromtheveryfirsttimeI lookeduptoitandmycompanyjustlikemydream followeditsuniversalcourse:upwardandwithincreasing trend.IhopethatIofferedtothenanotechnologyawareness alittlepushuphintincomparisontothevastworldwide uprisingusageinnumerousapplicationfieldsandourloyal customerstocontinueinspiringourbigdream.

Describetheexperiences,achievementsorlessons learnedthathaveshapedthejourneyofthecompany. Istronglybelievethatsometimesyouloseandsometimes youlearn.Ifyoulosewithoutlearning,thedisasteris nearby.Asthejourneyofthiscompanyisalifejourneyfor morethanadecadeformeandwebothstillalive,Iassume thatmanylessonshavebeenquitehealingfortheoverall lifespan.Thenumerousdisappointmentsandheartbeating overthedreamsuccessandthepainfuluphillclimbingfor establishingthebrandsucceededtheoverturnsumupofour brandpresencein45countriesandacompanyvalueofat least100timesmoreoftheinitialinvestment.Riskstaken, mistakeshappened,lessonslearned,andwemoveon.

Whatarethechallengesfacedwhileproviding NanotechnologysolutionsandhowisΝΑΝΟ4LIFE servingtotacklethem?

Nanotechnologyspanstoavastapplications’fieldfrom plaintextilecoatingstobio-science,genetics,chemistryand

medicine.Asitsexpansionisfasterthanthepublic awarenessoverNano-scientificachievements,agreat barrieristheabsenceofknowledgeaboutitwhichoftencan leadtoanegativeperceptionofthenanotechnologyasa whole.

Thisuniversalobstacletogetherwithamoredemanding financialinvestmentonadvertisingforincreasing awareness,placesthenanotechnologyexpansionalittlebit moredifficulttobeperceivedasnecessaryincomparison withother“dailyneeded”products.Thisexactsame problemwehavefacedandwecontinuetofaceinour business,butweareconstantlytryingtoovercomeitwith informationandsocialmediatoolsforincreasingthe awarenessandtheconsequentdemand.

Whataccordingtoyoucouldbethepotentialfutureof NanotechnologyandhowdoesNANO4LIFEenvision sustainingitscompetency?

AsIhavementioned,notasanopinionbutasafact, nanotechnologyisbeingcharacterizedasthesecondand majortechnicalrevolutiongloballyandalthoughits principlesareknownforafewdecadesnow,justrecentlyis evolvingwithrapidstepsandhugeadvancements.Itsfuture isyettobediscoveredwiththrillingandrevolutionary achievementsandourbasicaimisNANO4LIFEtobein thisboat.

Asourfirstdecadeprovidedoursustainabilitywithsteady growth,weareheadingtowardsourbesttimesbyusingour gainedexpertiseandbyrenewingourrangewithallthebest andtop-qualitycoatingsthatourfieldcanpossiblyoffer.

Our branded Nano-coatings have been created with Si02 utilizing the Sol-Gel production process which creates highly durable products for all the surfaces.

“ “

The Next Frontier of INNOVATION in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Thepharmaceuticalindustryispassingthroughhopefulandturbulenttimesatthesametimetoday.Ononehand,the

industryisfacingrisingoppositionfromcustomerswhowishtopayasasinglepayer.Ontheotherhand,great innovationsarehelpingpharmaceuticalindustrymeetnewcustomerstogrowrevenues.Anexampleofthelater developmentisthedigitalmobiletechnologywhichhelpstheindustrycollectlargeamountofdatatoformanunparalleled understandingofhealthcare.Additionally,todaythepharmaceuticalindustryisinapositiontomakeastatementtothelarger publictosealitsplaceastheidealproviderofhealthcareinthelongrun.ThePharmaceuticalindustrycanfindaharmonious balancebetweentheturbulenceandopportunitiestoclaimthethroneofagreathealthcareproviderwithrealinnovation today.

Currently,thehealthcareindustryfocusesonR&Dwhichcanimmediatelybeturnedintoproductstoearnrevenues. An exampleofthiseconomicdevelopmentisthelargenumberofmedicalsolutionsavailablewhichtreatcommonillnessessuch ascold,fever,headache,etc.andareusuallyavailableasoverthecountermedicineforpatients.Thiseconomicactivityis governedbypatientswhopayasindividuals.Thiseconomicmodelisinlinewithnaturalprinciplesthatadvocatethatselfinterestisthemotivatorofeconomicactivityandcompetitionistheregulator. However,thereisaneweconomicexpectation ofpatientswhichcouldbettershapethefuture.Ifpatientspaidasasinglepayer,thegovernmentcouldinvestinmoreR&D taxdollarsintothefutureintheformofgrantsorsubsidies.Withouttheinfusionofsuchinvestments,realinnovationwould bedifficultasrealinnovationrequirescompaniestooperateintheareaofabsoluteuncertainty,whichcanbeanightmare fromthepointofviewofshareholders.

UntappedInnovativeOpportunities

Inthepharmaceuticalsector,thenaturaleconomicforceshavenotyetfoundsolutiontodeadlydiseaseslikeHIV,multiple formsofcancers,andseveralothers.Theprimaryreasonfortruelifesavinginnovationbeingexpensiveisthattrueinnovation operatesintheterritoryofabsoluteuncertaintyandhenceonecannotsetatimelineinprincipleinordertoachievedesired results.Furthermore,thisisalsotheprimaryreasonwhydeadlydiseaseswhichpromiselucrativerevenuesmayneversee realinvestmentbyindividualswhoaregovernedbyself-interest.Individualself-interestleavesbreathingspaceforIndividual desireforhappinessandislikelytobesusceptibletoindividualweaknesses.Ontheotherhand,ifcompaniesreceived fundingforinnovationthroughalegitimatepublicentitylikethegovernment,itcouldinvestininnovationforthelongterm

growthofasociety.Suchcollaborationwouldhelpthe pharmaceuticalindustrytofindsolutionsthatseparatelife anddeathinameaningfulmannerinthesociety. Onthe otherhand,theindividualcompanieswhichfindasolution tograveillnessescanalsomonetizetheseinnovations. Somesuchtrendinginnovationsarementionedbelow.

PreciseMedicine

TodaythePharmaceuticalindustryfacesstifflegalpenalties foroverdosingapatientwithaparticularmedicine.The goodnewsissoondoctorswouldgainaccesstogenomes whichhelpsmapouttheindividualmedicalhistory.This makesitpossibletodeliveraperfectandprecisedoseof medicinetoapatient.Genomeprojectsaregathering momentum,largelyduetoaninitiativeoftheObama administration,whichgavethegrantof$215millionto PrecisionMedicineInitiative. Grantsliketheseand

Precise Medicine

projectslikethesewouldmakeitpossibletodevelop personalizedmedicalsolutionswhicharenearperfectfor allpatients.

DataGathering

Itisimportantfordoctorsandmedicalresearcherstohave accesstorealintelligentdatainordertomakeobjective observationsandproduceinsightfulinnovation.Suchdata gatheringandgenerationhasbecomemucheasierthanksto mobileapps.Today,severalmobilephonesinclude technologiesthatcantrackmovement,sensevarioushealth indicatorsandmeasurethehealthofpatientsandprovide thedatatodoctorsandresearcherstobetterunderstandtheir patients.Suchdataappsaremakingitpossibletocreate genesequencingandlivehealthmonitoring,whichcould haveonlybeendreamtaboutinthepast.

Care and Cure

Articial Intelligence

ArtificialIntelligence(AI)

AIhasbecometheguidinglightformanyindustries.The Pharmaceuticalindustryisnotanexceptiontothisrule. Supercomputersandmachinelearningaremakingit possibleforresearcherstodetectpatternsingenes,diseases andrespondtothemwithappropriatesolutionsatablazing quickspeed.ManysuchAIprojectsarecurrentlyhelping thePharmaceuticalindustryonthepathofinnovation.One primeexampleofthistechnologyinactionistheIBM Watsonwhichhasdemonstratedlearningcapabilitiesand absorbsmillionsofpagesofmedicalliteraturetomakethe industryreachthepinnacleofcompetitivesuccess. Therearemanymoreinnovationswhicharereshapingthe futureofthePharmaceuticalindustry.Someofthese include3DPrinting,Nanotechnology,Virtualmeetings betweendoctorsandpatients,etc.Innovationisopeningup newdoorsofopportunitiesforeveryindustryand companieswhichfollowthepathofinnovationwillfinda goldenarchtobuildagreatfutureforthem.However,itis importantfortheindustrytosecureitslongterminterestby positioningitselfastheidealproviderofhealthcareservices intheshortrun.

Data Gathering

Pitching Excellence