NanoMaterials Commercialization
Company Portfolio
To date, the Center has invested in thirteen companies developing products that use novel applications of nanotechnology. As you can see, each company is unique, as is the diversity of projects supported by the Center. Each of the companies obtained the support of the Center via submission of a winning proposal during one of the Center’s previous funding rounds.
The Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center is proud to support and to be affiliated with the following companies:
Arkema, Inc.
The Center is supporting Arkema Inc, in partnership with Lehigh University, as they develop and commercialize their Nanostrength ® block copolymer technolog
y for toughening epoxies in wind energy and electronic materials applications. This technology will be extremely valuable in wind energy applications where there is a demand for increased reliability of the wind blades without sacrificing strength. Likewise, in electronic materials, higher operating and processing temperatures have necessitated increased resistance to crack propagation without sacrificing the Tg of the epoxy. Arkema’s Nanostrength ® block copolymer and BlocBuilder ® controlled radical polymerization technology are also valuable in a wide variety of adhesive, coating and composite applications.
Bayer MaterialScience, LLC
The Center is supporting Bayer MaterialScience, LLC to develop flexible sensing films using Baytubes® carbon nanotubes. The project is in partnership with Quality of Life Technology Center, which was founded jointly by Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh. The sensing films utilize the mechanical properties of Baytubes® carbon nanotubes which provide electrical conductivity through their large surface area. By leveraging the benefits of the nanotubes in the final product, the technology will potentially provide flexibility, durability and customization to prevent pressure sores and deep tissue damage in wheelchair users.
Crystalplex Corporation
The Center is supporting the commercialization of an innovative new quantum dot technology with Crystalplex Corp. Quantum dots are nano-sized semi-conductor crystals that have unique optical properties, and Crystalplex develops them for optoelectronic, security and life science applications. 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.
HydroGen Corportion
The Center is funding HydroGen Corporation to develop and manufacture enhanced performance hydrogen fuel cell electrodes. The new electrodes will use novel carbon nanotubes to improve the performance and lifetime of the electrodes, thereby reducing overall costs for fuel cell operations. This project will allow HydroGen to manufacture an improved fuel cell electrode and expand its fuel cell business worldwide.
ICx Technologies, Inc.
In collaboration with The Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center, the company will develop smart “strippable” catalytic coatings composed of enzymes and pH-responsive nanoparticles. The coating will respond to select toxic chemical threats by both decontaminating the surface and changing the color to reveal the location of the toxic chemical. ICx Technologies is a leader in the development and integration of advanced sensor technologies for homeland security, force protection and commercial applications. Sensors developed by ICx detect and identify chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats, and deliver superior awareness and actionable intelligence for wide-area surveillance, intrusion detection and facility security.
Illuminex Corporation
In partnership with Illuminex Corporation, the Center is funding the commercialization of a new generation of heat pipes using nanowire arrays. Nanowire arrays are the latest wicking components in pipes designed to remove heat from microprocessor chips in computer servers and laptops. Compared to traditional heat pipes, these innovative devices decrease thermal resistance and increase fluid flow. The improved efficiency will enable the computer industry to remove higher heat loads generated by faster computer microprocessors.
Integran Technologies USA
In partnership with Integran Technologies USA, the Center is funding the commercialization of a new nanomaterials coaxial wire technology. This novel wire technology will increase the durability of lightweight electrical wiring systems, and will benefit weight reduction and energy efficiency initiatives in the transportation sector. This project will help to establish the 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.
Kurt J. Lesker Company
The Center is supporting Kurt J. Lesker Company (KJLC), in partnership with Integran Technologies USA for the commercial development of nCu (high 
purity Copper) sputtering targets used in the fabrication of the latest generation semiconductor devices. This next generation product will be manufacturedusing Nanovate™ technology, a novel process technique, developed by project partner, Integran Technologies USA. Integran’s advanced material technology combined with the global presence and manufacturing experience of the Kurt J. Lesker Co. creates a unique and global opportunity for both semiconductor and materials customers.
nanoGriptech, LLC
The Center is supporting the commercialization of novel gecko foot-hairs inspired polymer fibrillar adhesives technology with nanoGriptech, LLC, a spin-off company from Carnegie Mellon University. These materials mimic the nano- and micro-fibers that provide geckos and a number of other animals with their ability to grip strongly and repeatedly to smooth and rough surfaces even in wet and dirty outdoors conditions. This project will allow design, manufacturing, material selection, and testing of polymer fibrillar adhesives for new commercial sportswear applications in collaboration with a leading company in the sporting goods industry and a leading materials company.
NanoLambda, Inc.
The Center is continuing to support NanoLambda as they develop an ultra compact, highly accurate LED color (wavelength) monitoring sensor with 2nm accuracy. The sensor combines an innovative nano-optic filter array technology and high throughput monolithic nanoimprint process for low cost pilot production. The sensor will monitor the color quality of LEDs for the color consistency over time and temperature, which is one of the biggest challenges in the soon-to-explode LED markets.
PlextronicsSM, Inc.
In conjunction with PlextronicsSM, Inc., the Center is funding a new, high performing active layer technology for organic photovoltaic solar cell known as Plexcore™ PV. This project will develop a new generation of polymer-based inks that will increase solar conversion efficiency and extend the life of existing organic semiconductor devices. Improved performance organic solar cells will enable rapid commercial expansion of zero emission solar energy generation, thereby 
reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
During the course of this Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center project, Plextronics, Inc. will evaluate the semi-continuous processing of flexible organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices which could lead to broad commercialization of this new solar cell technology. With proven expertise in materials synthesis, ink formulation and OPV device fabrication - which has resulted in world-record device efficiency - Plextronics is poised to implement a successful program for low-cost processing of large area flexible OPV devices that can find applications in various fields in either military or commercial sector.
Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.
The Center is supporting Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS) as they develop and commercialize an advanced nanostructured polymer hybrid capacitor film and prototype capacitors for implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). The novel capacitor will have high energy density, high reliability, and it can significantly reduce the size and cost of ICDs, enabling wide accessibility to millions of Americans threatened by sudden cardiac arrest disease. The company is a spin-off from The Pennsylvania State University with an exclusive license of the electro active polymer technologies invented by Dr. Qiming Zhang. They capacitor film made from SPS electropolymers can be commercially produced with thicknesses less than three micrometers and can be used in a variety of applications, such as medical devices, microelectronics, power electronics, hybrid electrical vehicles and military weapon systems.
Y-Carbon, Inc.
The Center is supporting the commercialization of Y-Carbon’s innovative nanoporous carbon technology for supercapacitors. Y-Carbon’s ground-breaking technology is based on the platform of making tunable nanoporous carbon. Its core mission is to develop and promote this award-winning (R&D 100 and NANO 50™) technology for the production of novel nanostructured carbon materials with precisely defined structure, porosity, and surface chemistry. The ability to tailor the properties of porous carbon materials is unique to Y-Carbon, thus providing a quantum leap in performance when used as electrodes in supercapacitors. With collaborative effort from the Center, Y-Carbon will be develop and market high energy density and high-power density supercapacitors for a variety of electrical energy storage and management applications, including electronics, automotive industry and backup power.