California Nanotechnologies offers an array of advanced material processing services with facilities that included multiple advanced consolidation systems (Spark Plasma Sintering), cryogenic milling equipment, and characterization & material testing tools. R&D and pilot-scale production services are performed by Cal Nano for both in-house programs and customer-funded projects. Programs range from Space, Aerospace, Nuclear, and Sports & Recreation industries.

These are all referencing the same technology so there is no difference. SPS (Spark Plasma Sintering) was the original name of the technology and is seen the most in academic literature. FAST (Field Assisted SIntering Technique) and PECS (Pulsed Electric Current Sintering) are used often by manufacturers and industry.

This has been a widely debated topic in the academic community but the short answer is no. No sparks or plasma has been observed during the process.

In the US, Cal Nano can be traded under the symbol CANOF and can be found on most large brokerages including TD Ameritrade and E-trade.

In Canada, Cal Nano can be traded under the symbol CNO.V and it is widely available for trading on most brokerages.

Yes! SPS/FAST is a great technology for both R&D and production. In the past, many in the industry have thought that it can only be used in the R&D lab but our work along with others in the field have proven that with the right applications, SPS can be used for mass production.

There are very few materials that you are not able to sinter with FAST/SPS. From low-temperature metals to ultra-high temperature ceramics and everything in between, SPS can consolidate most materials. This includes materials that are not electrically conductive.

Yes. Cal Nano is the North American Representative for the Japanese SPS equipment manufacturer SUGA. Before that we represented FUJI-SPS. Cal Nano has sold, installed, serviced and trained personnel on SPS equipment for nearly a decade.

Spark plasma sintering can produce materials with improved properties compared to traditional sintering methods, such as higher density, uniform structure, and improved strength. Additionally, SPS can be used to process materials that are difficult to sinter using traditional methods, such as nanoscale powders and high-temperature materials along with the ability to diffusion bond. SPS is faster, saves more energy, and is more cost-effective than other sintering techniques.

Spark plasma sintering is used in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, and electronics. It is particularly useful for producing dense, strong materials for high-temperature applications and for processing materials that are difficult to sinter using traditional methods. 

The key parameters that need to be controlled in spark plasma sintering include temperature, pressure, heating rate, and cooling rate. These parameters can affect the final properties of the material, such as density, strength, and uniformity, and need to be carefully controlled to ensure optimal results.