Japan Nikon Bionic Tender

Nikon Corporation Nikon today announced a strategic joint development agreement with bionic surface technologies BST GmbH experts in creating solutions and optimizing efficiency using computational fluid dynamics CFD and Riblet technology to accelerate innovation in Riblet deployment for a multitude of applications.Riblets are specially developed micro-surface structures shaped like the small grooves on the skin of a shark that are designed to reduce viscosity frictional loss by controlling boundary layer turbulence. Riblets are effective in reducing drag in airplanes and other means of transport as well as wind and gas turbines and various machinery operating in highly turbulent environments. Adopting this technology inspired by nature presents vast opportunities to enhance the efficiency of these machines resulting in higher speeds reduced costs and smaller carbon footprints.This collaboration enables BST and Nikon to combine their expertise to determine optimal Riblet shapes pitch dimensions and placement culminating in application of these structures directly to the surface or on a film for customers using Nikon proprietary precision-controlled free-form laser patterning.bionic surface technologies is at the forefront of CFD and Riblet development delivering highly customized and rigorous CFD capabilities that output the most advantageous Riblet design for the medium or machine that the Riblets will be applied to. Nikon then leverages its 40-year history in semiconductor lithography and advanced metrology to enable high-precision free-form laser patterning to apply the CFD-optimized Riblet design in any pitch dimension or orientation. Nikon is currently processing Riblets in the Sendai Nikon Corporation Japan factory utilizing its specially developed Riblet processing tool which has been fully operational for some time. Nikon has demonstrated its unique free-form Riblet processing capabilities in several applications including most recently in an evaluation conducted using a gas turbine test unit at a prominent laboratory in Europe where a 7 decrease in pressure loss on certain segments of the unit was observed in addition to other improvements.Yuichi Shibazaki Nikon Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Next Generation Project Division said This development agreement with BST is another key component of our Next Generation Project program to drive the industrialization of digital manufacturing. BST Riblet technology perfectly complements Nikon precision patterning capabilities and BSTs vision for enhancing systems efficiency and conserving energy aligns well with our commitment to continually creating value in novel fields and solving societal challenges.Peter Adrian Leitl BST Co-Founder and TechnicalExecutive Director said The collaboration with Nikon gives the possibility to develop Riblet structures for applications where direct in-material processing is needed. Additionally the development of new unique and higher-efficiency Riblet structures will be possible in the future. Andreas Flanschger Co-Founder and FinancialExecutive Director stated The combination of Nikon laser technology and BST know-how brings us to a new stage in the usage of Riblet applications. This brings these nature-based features to nearly all relevant applications and industries and therefore provides critical technology to support worldwide climate goals.