SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 28, 2005--Australia, which is fast becoming a world leader in smart nanotech materials such as "invisible" coatings, and revolutionary nanobio technology, has attracted one of the US nanotech leaders to its shores in search of breakthrough technology.

Zyvex President Dr. Tom Cellucci will tour the region with a special focus on R&D centers that are producing highly sought after nano products. Cellucci is also keynote at Australia's "Living in a Nano World" (26 - 28th September 2005, Melbourne).

The tour is being organized by Australia's investment attraction agency Invest Australia.

According to Senior Investment Commissioner for North America Robert Hunt: "Zyvex is visiting Australia to acquaint itself first-hand with the nanotechnology market opportunities, as well as to get a more in depth knowledge of a variety of break-through research being conducted at Australian research institutions."

"Many of the latter present exciting collaborative potential and commercial opportunities," Hunt said.

"Invest Australia arranged an impressive program with leaders in the fast growing Australian nanotech space," said Cellucci.

"Zyvex is attracted to Australia because of the fine R&D coming out of the region, and real and successful nano companies that have global significance. There is a real possibility that we will find technology we want to license or purchase. Australian nanotech certainly has a wealth of opportunities that we need to see first hand," said Cellucci.

Dr. Cellucci will be meeting with some of Australia's foremost nanotechnologists including Dr. Terry Turney, CSIRO; Prof. Simon Ringer and Dr. Miles Apperley of the Nanostructured Analysis Network Organisation; Prof. Janis Matisons, Flinders University; Dr. Peter Binks, Nanotechnology Victoria; and Assoc. Prof. Erol Harvey, MiniFab. He will also be will be visiting the National Centre for Advanced Materials Technologies at Monash University and the Australian Synchotron site at the Clayton Campus.

"Australia invests more than AUD100 million (USD76 million) per year in nanotech research which supports world-class researchers and facilities, and creates a vibrant and fast-growing industrial base that is winning international partnerships," said Hunt.

Hunt said Zyvex had become the most publicized private nanotechnology business in the world and one of the most highly regarded company in the field of molecular assemblers.

Zyvex has customers in the Aerospace/Defense, Healthcare/Medical, and Electronics/Semiconductor industries including industry leaders like Easton Sports, Honeywell International, Sandia National Laboratories, and Texas Instruments.

Its list of alliances and partnerships includes companies like Arkema, Coventor, Inc., Frost & Sullivan, Keithley Instruments, L.O.T.-Oriel, MIT's Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Princeton University's Institute for the Science and Technologies of Materials, Pyrograf Products, SouthWest NanoTechnologies, and Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd.

Cellucci is the author or co-author of over 100 articles on nanotechnology, laser spectroscopy, environmental disturbance control, MEMS test and measurement, and high-tech sales and marketing.

About Invest Australia - USA

Invest Australia is Australia's national inward investment agency, set up by the Australian Federal Government in 1997 to attract productive foreign direct investment into Australia to support sustainable industry growth and development. Invest Australia has investment advisory specialists in 11 locations around the world, including San Francisco and New York, to provide investors with on-the-ground support and investment advice. Over the past three years, Invest Australia has directly supported and influenced 195 foreign investment projects worth A$25.7 billion, creating 15,500 jobs.

About Dr. Thomas A. Cellucci

Dr. Thomas A. Cellucci is the President of Zyvex Corporation. Zyvex has earned the reputation of a nanotechnology leader by providing nanotechnology solutions for real-world applications with a growing product portfolio -- comprised of tools, materials and structures. Dr. Cellucci possesses extensive experience in managing and leading hi-tech companies, having served in a variety of senior executive and director positions. Cellucci is the author or co-author of over 100 articles on nanotechnology, laser spectroscopy, environmental disturbance control, MEMS test and measurement, and high-tech sales and marketing. Dr. Cellucci has numerous prestigious affiliations, including being a special advisor to the Board of MANCEF (Micro and Nano-Commercialization Education Foundation), a member of the ANSI Nanotechnology Standards Panel Steering Committee, an Editorial Board Member of "Nanotechnology Law & Business," and is an invited Member of the Presidential Business Commission for the National Republican Congressional Committee. Dr. Cellucci holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from Rutgers University, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Fordham University.