#30 Startup from Nagoya University aiming to solve thermal problems in electronics with new materials

Electronic devices such as PCs and smartphones generate heat, and it is important to dissipate heat efficiently because such heat can reduce the performance, longevity, and safety of the devices. There are various ways to dissipate heat, and we are working to improve the effectiveness of heat dissipation through the materials used in our components. "Thermalnite" developed by our company is a compound of nitrogen and aluminum in fiber form. When added to component materials such as ceramics and resins, it quickly dissipates heat. Aluminum nitride itself is attracting attention as a material that conducts only heat without conducting electricity. Powdered materials have long been used as additives for ceramics and resin materials, but they cannot increase thermal conductivity unless more than 80% of the material is mixed. Thermalnite, however, requires only about 20% of the component material to increase thermal conductivity. This is because it is in the form of a fiber, which creates a network that allows heat to escape. In addition to its high thermal conductivity, Thermalnite can also increase the strength of components.
Currently, our business is the manufacture and sale of Thermalnite, ceramic substrates with Thermalnite added, and resin sheets.

Thermalnite was founded in 2016 by Toru Ujihara, Professor at Nagoya University (Director and CTO) and Takahiro Maeda, Director and COO, who had worked for a semiconductor-related equipment company. Thermalnite's research and development began when I was working on semiconductor materials in Ujihara's lab and happened to come across a fiber-like aluminum nitride single crystal. The president of the company Maeda works for strongly encouraged us to start our own business together.
I was a member of Ujihara's lab at Nagoya University, and because I was interested in marketing and planning, I worked for a major regional supermarket after graduation. 3 years later, Dr. Ujihara asked me, "I'm starting a fun business, want to come? I said, "If it's fun, I'll go! I decided rather easily (laughs). (Laughs.) Dr. Ujihara's invitation may have been influenced by the fact that I often organized events and workshops at his laboratory. I also felt comfortable jumping in because Dr. Ujihara is the kind of person who always follows through when he decides to do something. The people at the company I was working for were also very willing to send me off, saying, "You don't get that kind of opportunity very often.

No, I did research on solar cell materials when I was a student, so I did not know much about these materials. At the time, I joined the company because I was intrigued by the fact that it was a company that was working to implement materials created through new technologies in society.

We are in the process of selling samples of Thermalnite. We were constantly attacking material manufacturers. The response from companies was very positive, and we were able to get a good response; we met with about 100 companies, and 40 of them bought samples. We realized that thermal countermeasures were such a big issue for companies.

Yes, I have heard that it was named after "Ultimate Material Processing". I heard that they named it "Ultimate Material Processing," but there is a rumor that it was originally "Ujihara Maeda Paradise" (laugh).

Fundraising. We needed a huge amount of funds to proceed with capital investment and R&D, but we were faced with difficulties unique to a materials manufacturer. It takes time for a materials manufacturer to get its business off the ground, so there are few investors who are interested. It seems that many materials-related start-ups have failed in the past. Also, materials are upstream of manufacturing. Even if a parts manufacturer wants to use this material, it is not certain that the company that manufactures the assembly or final product beyond that will be OK with it. It is difficult to see if there are companies that will really buy it.

This financing has allowed us to make capital investments. A large furnace has been installed at the plant and Thermalnite is now ready for mass production; one unit will be put into operation in January 2024, increasing to three units by 2026.
In terms of customer development, we not only manufacture Thermalnite itself, but also ceramic substrates and sheets, and we have made a conscious effort to appeal directly to electrical appliance manufacturers with thermal problems by making ceramic substrates and resin sheets using Thermalnite and showing their high heat dissipation effect and strength with data and proposing their potential. In November 2024, we started mass production of ceramic substrates through a capital and business alliance with Okamoto Glass. Thermal problems are a global issue, so we would like to make a big push overseas as well.

What I strongly feel these days is that we have come this far with the help of many people. The reason for this is that I feel that people are cooperating with us in taking on challenges such as the heat problem with new technology. Deep tech is getting a lot of attention, but I think that deep issues, what we are trying to solve, are equally important. That is why we must continue to have an attitude of challenging difficult and advanced issues. If those who are thinking of starting their own businesses do not lose their sincere attitude, various people will support them and the probability of realization will increase. I think that is important.