The magazine, Technology Review, provided a colorful, short feature on a leading nanomanufacturing company, Nanocomp Technologies in its last issue (pages 80-83 for the print version). In the U.S. presidential election year of 2012, manufacturing will be a leading theme for economic policy debate, and high tech and intellectual property aspects of manufacturing will be a particular focal point for U.S. concerns. Ironically, Nanocomp Technologies is located in New Hampshire, site of the primary this week. Nanocomp makes carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns, sheets, and related products. The materials’ weight savings have energy efficiency implications.
In looking at the Nanocomp webpage, I noted a number of their prior press releases explaining receipt of SBIR funding, confirming the important role SBIR funding can play for nanotechnology and cleantech. For example, a March 24, 2008 press release announced a DOD SBIR. Their most recent press release, November 16, 2011, notes they were selected by the DOD for a program which would include creating a path toward commercialization for civilian industrial use, as well as supply to the DOD and NASA. On SBIR updates, Congress recently passed legislation renewing the SBIR program for which Foley has provided expert commentary.
We noted the carbon nanotube industry in our October 22, 2011 blog includng reference to a recent review of the industry and the leading CNT producers. 2012 should prove to be an important year for the growth of nanomanufacturing, both in a bulk volume aspect and also in a more refined, strategic aspect.