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BUFFALO, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct.
4, 2004--
ND Innovations Business Unit Acquires 12 Patents and
Patent Applications Covering New Category of Nanocomposite
Thin Film Technology
NanoDynamics, a leading
nanotechnology organization and manufacturer of superior
nanomaterials, announced today that its ND Innovations
business unit has acquired a suite of twelve patents
and patent applications covering compositions of matter
and applications of nanocomposite thin films, tradenamed
"Quasam", from Atomic Scale Design, Inc.
and its inventor, Dr. Benjamin Dorfman.
"Acquiring this
intellectual property is a prime example of NanoDynamics'
business strategy to find scalable, high-volume processes
for significant and commercially useful nanomaterials,"
said Dr. Alan Rae, Vice President of Market and Business
Development for NanoDynamics. "Quasam(TM) is
a broad family of nanocomposite materials with wide
ranging applications and usefulness that has yet to
be fully exploited in the commercial markets. Our
goal is to leverage this unique material's potential,
establishing it as a more effective and more economic
coating and manufacturing solution."
Quasam(TM), which
can be produced as either a thin-film coating or as
a bulk material, exhibits an incredible combination
of ultra-low weight with strength, stiffness, hardness
and thermal stability, all approaching that of a natural
diamond. In addition, it also demonstrates chemical
and corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, electrical
conductivity and excellent barrier properties even
in nanometer thickness.
This new class of
material can be tailored to provide a wide range of
desired performance characteristics useful in broad
applications for managing both bulk and surface properties.
For example, wear-resistant medical prostheses, de-icing
coating for aircraft wings, antiallergenic coatings
to prevent reaction to silver or metal earrings, impermeable
but flexible gas barrier coatings, and low-k dielectric
materials to make more effective semiconductor devices.
An additional feature of Quasam(TM) materials is their
ability to act as a "smart-skin", which
provides the ability to measure stress and detect
structural damage before incidence. According to Dr.
Dorfman, a Quasam(TM) coating on an aircraft wing,
oil pipeline or structural elements of a space shuttle
could provide detection of stress build up long before
failure or catastrophe occurs.
NanoDynamics intends
to produce the material at its facilities in Buffalo
as well as partner with coating specialists through
its ND Innovations business unit, in order to introduce
the nanocomposite materials to end-users in the aerospace,
semiconductor, medical, electronic and energy industries.
Dr. Dorfman, the inventor
of Quasam(TM), has spent over 30 years researching
carbon and carbon-based materials and methods of their
stabilization. In 1994, he received the first US patent
for "nanocomposites". That material, Dylyn(TM),
was licensed to a multi-billion dollar European materials
company and has subsequently been commercialized in
facilities in Europe, Singapore and the United States.
In addition to being the founder and principal of
Atomic Scale Design, Dr. Dorfman is currently an Associate
Professor at Clarkson University.
About ND Innovations
ND Innovations, a
business unit of NanoDynamics, was established to
expand the Company's intellectual property in innovative
materials, processes and applications. Through strategic
alliances, licensing, joint ventures and direct investments,
ND Innovations works with leading academic centers,
corporate and government laboratories and private
inventors to identify, develop and acquire commercially
relevant nanotechnology.
About NanoDynamics
NanoDynamics, Inc.
is a leading company in the field of nanotechnology
and manufacturer of superior nanomaterials that will
dramatically improve the form, function and performance
of a wide range of both industrial and consumer products.
The Company is uniquely positioned, utilizing proprietary
and protected technologies, to commercially manufacture
economical, high quality nanomaterials that will enable
revolutionary advancements in industries including
electronics, semiconductors, consumer products, fuel
cells, transportation, energy and biotechnology. For
further information, please visit the Company's website
at www.nanodynamics.com.
Contacts
Berns Communications Group, LLC
Stacy Berns/Michael McMullan, 212-994-4660
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