Proceedings Article | 9 September 2008
Proc. SPIE. 7042, Instrumentation, Metrology, and Standards for Nanomanufacturing II
KEYWORDS: Mica, Metrology, Nanoparticles, Polymers, Particles, Manufacturing, Scanning electron microscopy, Nanomaterials, Scanning probe microscopy, Nanocrystals
Biomass surrounds us from the smallest alga to the largest redwood tree. Even the largest trees owe their strength to a
newly-appreciated class of nanomaterials known as cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). Cellulose, the world's most abundant
natural, renewable, biodegradable polymer, occurs as whisker like microfibrils that are biosynthesized and deposited in
plant material in a continuous fashion. Therefore, the basic raw materials for a future of new nanomaterials
breakthroughs already abound in the environment and are available to be utilized in an array of future materials once the
manufacturing processes and nanometrology are fully developed. This presentation will discuss some of the
instrumentation, metrology and standards issues associated with nanomanufacturing of cellulose nanocrystals. The use of
lignocellulosic fibers derived from sustainable, annually renewable resources as a reinforcing phase in polymeric matrix
composites provides positive environmental benefits with respect to ultimate disposability and raw material use. Today
we lack the essential metrology infrastructure that would enable the manufacture of nanotechnology-based products
based on CNCs (or other new nanomaterial) to significantly impact the U.S. economy. The basic processes common to
manufacturing - qualification of raw materials, continuous synthesis methods, process monitoring and control, in-line
and off-line characterization of product for quality control purposes, validation by standard reference materials - are not
generally in place for nanotechnology based products, and thus are barriers to innovation. One advantage presented by
the study of CNCs is that, unlike other nanomaterials, at least, cellulose nanocrystal manufacturing is already a
sustainable and viable bulk process. Literally tons of cellulose nanocrystals can be generated each day, producing other
viable byproducts such as glucose (for alternative fuel) and gypsum (for buildings).There is an immediate need for the
development of the basic manufacturing metrology infrastructure to implement fundamental best practices for
manufacturing and in the determination of properties for these for nanoscale materials and the resultant products.
