| Posted: October 1, 2007 |
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Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center Announces Two New Funded Proposals
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(Nanowerk News) The Pennsylvania NanoMaterials
Commercialization Center has announced its second round of funding for two
commercialization projects in nanomaterials throughout the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. The Center targets partnerships of researchers from
universities, small companies, large companies and entrepreneurs in the
growing field of nanomaterials, and it funds projects that have commercial
or defense applications. The close date for this first round of proposals
was June 29, 2007. The following companies were funded:
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Integran Technologies USA was awarded $248,241 in U.S. Air Force
Research Laboratory funding to develop a novel new nanomaterials coaxial
wire technology. This project will help to establish this new wire
technology as a fully proven, mass production-ready process and to create a
new technology and market support center in Pittsburgh to serve the wiring
industry across the U.S. Integran is providing $80,000 in matching funds.
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Integran is a leading developer of metallurgical nanotechnologies. The
development and commercialization of these new wire technologies will
enhance the performance of lightweight electrical wiring systems. Overall
weight reduction of electrical wiring systems has been a significant focus
for military aircraft where advances in this area have been limited by
wiring durability requirements. Integran's nano-metal co-axial cable design
promises to achieve a combination of previously unattainable durability and
weight reduction. In addition to defense applications, the developed
technology is expected to be generally applicable to weight reduction and
energy efficiency initiatives in the transportation sector, which includes
automotive and commercial aircraft.
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Crystalplex Corp. was awarded $220,000 in Ben Franklin Technology
Development Authority funding to commercialize innovative new quantum dot
technology. Quantum dots are nano-sized semiconductor crystals that have
unique optical properties. This project will use these nano-sized devices
to improve the efficiency, while reducing the costs of light emitting
diodes (LEDs) used in energy saving lighting and electronic displays.
Crystalplex is providing $55,000 in matching funds for this project.
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Crystalplex develops and commercializes semiconductor nanocrystals
(quantum dots) for optoelectronic, security and life science applications.
The company's TriLite(TM) nanocrystals are manufactured using alloy
gradient technology and exhibit superior brightness and stability compared
to standard nanocrystals. TriLite nanocrystals are used as highly efficient
down- converting phosphors and direct emitters in display and lighting
applications. For security applications, TriLite nanocrystals are used as
fluorescent taggants in security inks, polymers, papers, synthetic fibers
and other materials in which it is desired to provide a distinct photonic
signature or marking. In the life sciences Crystalplex provides innovative
fluorescent markers for use in basic life science research, pharmaceutical
research, diagnostics and histology. Crystalplex life science products
provide test results from smaller samples and with reduced time, labor and
less expensive instrumentation, as compared to traditional fluorescent
reagents.
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In April 2007, the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center
requested pre-proposal white papers prior to the formal proposals that
resulted in submissions involving a broad range of partnerships between
universities and small and large companies statewide. Each proposer
received feedback from the Center on the suitability of their white paper
and adherence to the Center's guidelines, along with advice on submitting a
full proposal.
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All proposals in the current round were judged by the Center's
technical advisory committee that recommended the most promising ideas to
the Center's governing board for funding. The advisory committee is made up
of 19 leading researchers in the field of nanotechnology from Pennsylvania
universities, small and large technology companies and federal
laboratories.
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The grants were made possible as a result of funding from the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Air Force. A grant totaling $1
million from the state's Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority to
the Center was announced by Governor Rendell in August, 2006. This state
support is part of the Pennsylvania Initiative in Nanotechnology which is
intended to capitalize on the exciting new field of nanotechnology to
create new companies and high technology jobs throughout the commonwealth.
To date, the Center has received total funding in the amount of $1,743,424
from the Air Force Research Labs through the Wright Brothers Institute in
Dayton, Ohio.
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The invitation for the next round of proposals will be open in November
of 2007, with additional awards expected in early 2008.
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The mission of the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center
is to promote and support the commercialization of nanomaterials research
for new and enhanced products critical to the U.S. economy and
manufacturing base. The Center builds upon Pennsylvania's excellence in
advanced materials research, development and manufacturing, and it acts as
a new model for a public-private partnership among government,
universities, entrepreneurs, small and large companies to accelerate the
transition from nanomaterials invention and innovation to new products and
new companies.
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Visit:
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http://www.pananocenter.org
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http://www.integran.com
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http://www.crystalplex.com
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