Technology Developed at the University of Dayton Research Institute Will Reap Benefits to Ohio; Serves as Model for Third Frontier Success

Through an exclusive license agreement signed today with Akron-based advanced-materials company NanoSperse LLC, nanotechnology developed at the University of Dayton Research Institute will soon go full scale -- and the economic benefit to Ohio is predicted to be significant.

The venture is also proof that Ohio's Third Frontier Project can spur research-based economic development, Ohio Department of Development Director Bruce Johnson said at a signing event held on the University of Dayton campus.

The technology -- a unique method of uniformly distributing carbon nano-fibers throughout polymer -- will be used to produce composite materials that are lighter, stronger and more durable than other composite polymers, as well as being thermally and electrically conductive. It will have countless applications in aerospace, electronics, equipment manufacturing and automotive industries.

The technology was developed by researchers at UDRI under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory. A Wright Capital Project Fund has been awarded to the Research Institute to scale up the technology.

NanoSperse president Arthur Fritts -- who created his company specifically to commercialize the technology created at UDRI -- said he predicts annual revenue of $10 million within four years, growing to $50 million in the not-too-distant future.

Johnson said the agreement demonstrates the potential for Third Frontier success. "Today we are seeing the Third Frontier Project become a viable reality through a collaborative partnership between the University of Dayton and NanoSperse. We are observing an Ohio company and an Ohio university revolutionize a new, highly profitable technology that will be used within one of Ohio's most robust industry sectors -- the polymer undustry.

"Over the past two years we have awarded nearly $215 milltion in Third Frontier funding with the goal of commercializing Ohio's new technology products, and through projects like this one, we are just beginning to unlock Ohio's potential and realize these goals," Johnson added. "And while the point of this program is to lay the foundation for tomorrow's economy, things are happening today in Dayton in the Third Frontier program."

Larrell Walters, director of technology partnerships for UD and the Research Institute, agreed. "This license agreement represents a model for Third Frontier success in that it leverages federal dollars, state dollars and Ohio's intellectual resources to create jobs in Ohio," said. "Because it utilizes one of the first commercially viable processes affordable enough to allow any company to take advantage of nano-enhanced polymers, this technology will provide a real boost to Ohio's economy through its $49-billion polymer industry."

"The reception to this technology has been overwhelming," Walters added. Because this technology will be grown from the bottom up -- from research to scale-up to full production ­-- in Ohio, we believe this will create many jobs for Ohio, as well as bringing companies to the state. And it will greatly improve the competitive position of Ohio's manufacturing companies."

Walters said NanoSperse will provide an additional boost to Ohio's economy by using nano-materials developed by Applied Sciences Inc. in Cedarville and manufacturing resources available at MRI in Beavercreek to produce its materials. Because of the availability of Ohio-based research and resources, NanoSperse product will be available this calendar year, he added.

Nanotechnology research for polymers is becoming a highly competitive field because of the significantly better material properties over traditional composite polymers and, in some cases, even metal. For instance, a nano-composite polymer skin on an airplane is not only a much lighter skin than those made of other materials, it can also serve as an insulating shield during a lightning strike because it can conduct electricity.

"The development and commercialization of this technology exemplifies the strides the University of Dayton is making -- in cooperation with other regional resources -- to further position Dayton and Ohio as emerging leaders in the growing and competitive fields of nanotechnology education, research and development and commercialization," said Mickey McCabe, director of the Research Institute.

January 23, 2004

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