How We Help - NanoMaterials Commercialization
Services

The Center has defined a unique value proposition for our diverse group of clients; Researchers, Companies, and Investors, which differentiates the Center from other economic development organizations. This value proposition uses the Center’s balanced and integrated combination of services and support to maximize the probability of success of a new company or new product development effort. These services are as follows:

Partnerships: The Center’s services start with innovation and partnerships. The Center facilitates innovative new product ideas using nanotechnology, through its industry-university workshops, and other events. In addition, the Center provides a “Find a Research Partner” service to match a researcher with a commercial partner. Click here for more information on our workshops.

Technologies: The Center helps its partner universities and start-up companies define their unique technologies. Summaries of these technologies, called “Technology Briefs”, are collected on the Center’s password protected SharePoint site. They are available to all members of the Center.

Investment: The Center invites concept papers and full proposals. The Center encourages researchers, entrepreneurs and others to submit one page “concept papers” to the Center at any time, describing their unique technology and product concept. In addition, the Center holds two requests for proposal rounds each year for formal proposal submission. Interested parties are encouraged to monitor the front page of the Center’s web site for announcements on upcoming invitations for proposals. Formal proposals are reviewed by the Center’s Technical Advisory Committee. Each proposal review follows the Center’s proven review process using a scoring formula aligned with the main proposal criteria.

Project Management: Winning proposals are awarded grants by the Center to assist the company in developing its technology into a working prototype. The projects are typically for 12 months and utilize the Center’s unique customized project plans, which balance technology development milestones with commercialization milestones. All companies which have completed a commercialization project with the Center become portfolio companies. During and after project completion, the portfolio companies have opportunities to market themselves via the Center’s web site, joint press releases and annual “Showcase Days” at the Center’s funding partner, Air Force Research Labs in Dayton, Ohio.

Links to the Center’s services are grouped below by partner.

For Researchers:

  • Submit a Technology Brief (template not yet ready)
  • Submit a Pre-Commercialization Proposal
  • Become a Member

For Companies:

  • Submit a Technology Brief (template not yet ready)
  • Find Research Partner
  • Submit a Concept (Idea) Paper
  • Submit a Commercialization Proposal
  • Become a Member

For Investors:

  • View Technology Briefs (must become member and receive special username and password)
  • Become a Member
  • To Discuss Partnering Opportunities
Home

About The Nano Center

Center's Resources

How We Help
Researchers
Companies
Investors

Project Portfolio

News & Events

Contact Us

Members Login

Site Map


2000 Technology Drive
Suite 100
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
P: 412.687.0200
F: 412.687.5232
"HydroGen is excited about our new relationship with the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center. With our recent award from the Center to pursue the development of a nanomaterial catalyst, we hope, in conjunction with our partners at the University of Pittsburgh, to accelerate the development of advanced fuel cell catalysts."

Scott Wilshire
CEO, HydroGen Corporation
NanoMaterials Commercialization Center