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Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology/EcoSynthetix industrial partnership and an interlaced relationship

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013

The EcoSynthetix and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology partnership announced today (Mar. 13, 2013) is an example of how tightly interlaced the relationships between academic institutions and their graduates’ start-up companies can be. A Mar. 13, 2013 news item on Nanowerk describes the partnership,

EcoSynthetix Inc. and the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo have joined forces through an industrial partnership to collaborate on new applications for EcoSynthetix’ EcoSphere® technology. The five-year agreement will be jointly funded through an EcoSynthetix and NSERC (National Sciences and Engineering Research Council) Collaborative Research and Development Grant. The project matches the scientific expertise from the University of Waterloo in macromolecular science with the sustainability benefits of EcoSphere® bio-based nanoparticles which are based on green chemistry. The goal of the project is to broaden the scientific knowledge base of the EcoSphere® technology to support its introduction into new application areas.

The Mar. 13, 2013 EcoSynthetix news release, which originated the news item, mentions the relationship in passing while extolling the virtues of the partnership,

“As a global centre of excellence for nanotechnology research, this project represents a great opportunity for our institute, faculty and students at the University, to collaborate with a local innovator to further our understanding of the technology and its potential applications,” said Dr. Arthur J. Carty, Executive Director of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (“WIN”) and an independent director of the board of EcoSynthetix. [emphasis mine] “Nanotechnology is a leading-edge, enabling technology that holds the promise of a lasting economic benefit for jobs and investment in the materials, energy and healthcare sectors. EcoSynthetix’s innovative nanotechnology has the potential to impact a wide-array of markets that would benefit from a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based products.”

“This ECO-WIN collaboration involves four professors and eight graduate students at the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology and is a great example of how industry and universities can work together to advance an exciting new area of science to benefit the community,” said Dr. Steven Bloembergen, Executive Vice President, Technology of EcoSynthetix. “Our EcoSphere® technology is already commercial and providing sustainable benefits in three separate markets today. Our team’s primary focus at this stage is near-term product development and product enhancements of carbohydrate-based biopolymers. By working with the Institute of Nanotechnology to deepen our understanding of the basic science, we can identify new future applications that could benefit from our sustainable biobased materials.”

The EcoSphere® technology is being commercially utilized as biobased latex products providing alternatives to petroleum-based binders in the coated paper and paperboard market. [emphasis mine] The goal of this project is to generate a greater understanding of the properties of EcoSphere® biolatex® binders by establishing a knowledge base that could enable tailor-made novel particles with the desired properties for a given application. The project team will be chemically modifying the nanoparticles and then characterizing how the properties of the novel particles are affected by these changes.

I don’t understand what “independent director” means in this context. Is the term meant to suggest that it’s a coincidence Carty is WIN’s executive director and a member of the EcoSynthetix board? Or, does it mean that he’s not employed by the company? If any readers care to clarify the matter, please do leave a comment. In any event, the EcoSynthetix timeline suggests the company has a close relationship with the University of Waterloo as it was founded in 1996 by graduates  (from the company’s About Us History Timeline webpage),

EcosynthetixTimeline

As for the product line which birthed this partnership, there’s a disappointing lack of technical detail about Ecosphere biolatex binders. Here’s the best I can find on the company website (from the Ecosphere Biolatex Binders Performance page),

The smaller particle size characteristic of biolatex binders results in increased binder strength and performance. In coated paper, it provides improved aesthetics; a rich, bright finish; enhanced open structure and excellent printability across all grades.

I wonder if some of this new work will be focused on ways to use CNC (cellulose nanocrytals or NCC, nanocrystalline cellulose) in addition to the company’s previously developed “bio-based nanoparticles”  to enhance the product which, as I highlighted earlier, sells to the “coated paper and paperboard market.” From the CelluForce (the CNC/NCC production plant in Quebec) Applications page,

NCC’s properties and many potential forms enable many uses, including:

  • Biocomposites for bone replacement and tooth repair
  • Pharmaceuticals and drug delivery
  • Additives for foods and cosmetics
  • Improved paper and building products
  • Advanced or “intelligent” packaging
  • High-strength spun fibres and textiles
  • Additives for coatings, paints, lacquers and adhesives
  • Reinforced polymers and innovative bioplastics
  • Advanced reinforced composite materials
  • Recyclable interior and structural components for the transportation industry
  • Aerospace and transportation structures
  • Iridescent and protective films
  • Films for optical switching
  • Pigments and inks
  • Electronic paper printers
  • Innovative coatings and new fillers for papermaking

Since I’m already speculating, I will note I’ve had a couple of requests for information on how to access NCC/CNC from entrepreneurs who’ve not been successful at obtaining the material from the few existing production plants such as CelluForce and the one in the US. It seems only academics can get access.

One last comment about this ‘partnership’, I’d dearly love to know what relationships, if any exist, between the proponents and the NSERC committee which approved the funding.

Interestingly, Carty is the chair for the recently convened expert panel for the Council of Canadian Academies’ The State of Canada’s Science Culture assessment, as per my Dec. 19, 2012 post about the announcement of his appointment. This latest development casts a new light on the panel (my Feb. 22, 2013 post notes my reaction to the expert panel’s membership) and the meaning of science culture in Canada.

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No more boat scraping with new coating from Duke University

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

There’s a lot of interest in finding ways to discourage bacteria from growing on various surfaces, for example, Sharklet, which is based on nanostructures on sharkskin, is a product being developed for hospitals (my Feb. 10, 2011 posting) and there are polymers that ‘uninvite’ bacteria at the University of Nottingham (my Aug. 13, 2012 posting).

A Jan. 31, 2013 news item on Nanowerk highlights the latest work being done at Duke University,

Duke University engineers have developed a material that can be applied like paint to the hull of a ship and will literally be able to dislodge bacteria, keeping it from accumulating on the ship’s surface. This buildup on ships increases drag and reduces the energy efficiency of the vessel, as well as blocking or clogging undersea sensors.

The team’s research was published online,

Bioinspired Surfaces with Dynamic Topography for Active Control of Biofouling by Phanindhar Shivapooja, Qiming Wang, Beatriz Orihuela, Daniel Rittschof, Gabriel P. López1, Xuanhe Zhao. Advanced Materials, Article first published online: 6 JAN 2013, DOI: 10.1002/adma.201203374

Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

The article is behind a paywall but the abstract is freely available,

Dynamic change of surface area and topology of elastomers is used as a general, environmentally friendly approach for effectively detaching micro- and macro-fouling organisms adhered on the elastomer surfaces. Deformation of elastomer surfaces under electrical or pneumatic actuation can debond various biofilms and barnacles. The bio-inspired dynamic surfaces can be fabricated over large areas through simple and practical processes. This new mechanism is complementary with existing materials and methods for biofouling control.

Duke University’s Jan. 31, 2013 news release by Richard Merritt, which originated the news item, provides more detail from the researchers,

“We have developed a material that ‘wrinkles,’ or changes it surface in response to a stimulus, such as stretching or pressure or electricity,” said Duke engineer Xuanhe Zhao, assistant professor in Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering. “This deformation can effectively detach biofilms and other organisms that have accumulated on the surface.”

…

Zhao has already demonstrated the ability of electric current to deform, or change, the surface of polymers.

…

The researchers tested their approach in the laboratory with simulated seawater, as well as on barnacles. These experiments were conducted in collaboration with Daniel Rittsch of the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, N.C.

Keeping bacteria from attaching to ship hulls or other submerged objects can prevent a larger cascade of events that can reduce performance or efficiency. Once they have taken up residence on a surface, bacteria often attract larger organisms, such as seaweed and larva of other marine organisms, such as worms, bivalves, barnacles or mussels.

There are other ways to introduce efficiencies in marine transp0rtation as per my June 27, 2012 posting about Zyvex Marine and its new composites which will make for lighter vessels.

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Liquipel’s latest superhydrophobic advance for mobile devices

Monday, January 7th, 2013

The Jan. 7, 2013 news item on Azonano spells out Liquipel’s new development,

Liquipel LLC, the sole owner and licensor of the Liquipel technology, announced today new scientific breakthroughs in nanotechnology protection, dubbing them “Liquipel 2.0.” The science behind Liquipel 2.0 represents significant advancements in durability, corrosion resistance and water protection. Extensive company testing has shown Liquipel 2.0 to be up to 100 times more effective than its predecessor, Liquipel 1.0, while maintaining component integrity and RF sensitivity.

“Liquipel version 2.0 is a huge advancement for super-hydrophobic nanotechnology,” said Danny McPhail, Liquipel’s Head of Product Development and Co-Founder. …

Liquipel’s description of its own technology can be found on the company home page,

Liquipel™ is a Nano-Coating that is applied though a propriety process. This process starts by placing devices into the chamber of the Liquipel™ Machine. The machine removes the air inside the chamber to create a vacuum and our special Liquipel formula is introduced in vapor form. The Liquipel coating permeates the entire device and bonds to it on a molecular level leaving it watersafe™ for years to come.

How did they determine that Liquipel 2.0 is 100 times more effective than the 1.0 version of the product as claimed in the news item? What tests do they conduct to confirm that component integrity and RF sensitivity are maintained? Have they published any research papers about their work?

It would be nice to see some data about the technology.

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Needles from the Douglas Fir tree to be used in antimicrobial coatings for medical devices

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

This Jan. 2, 2013 news item on the Nanotechnology Now website casts a whole new light on Christmas trees, specifically the Douglas Fir,

Chemist Poushpi Dwivedi of MNNIT [Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology] in Allahabad, India, and colleagues explain that one of the most troubling problems in biomedicine is bacterial infection at the site of implanted medical devices, prosthetics and sensors. They explain that despite advances in sterilization procedures and aseptic measures pathogenic microbes can still invade biomaterials and tissues. The researchers are developing an antimicrobial, self-sterilizing composite material derived from Douglas fir needles that is essentially a silver/chitosan bionanocomposite that can be used to safely coat medical implants and surgical devices to preclude microbial growth.

…

The team has now used an extract from Pseudotsuga menzietii together with silver nitrate solution to generate nanoparticles. These particles can then be readily dispersed in chitosan polymer to make a material that can coat metals and other materials. The plant extract acts as a natural chemical reducing agent to convert the silver ions in the nitrate solution to nanoscopic silver metal particles.

Here’s a citation and link for the journal article,

Potentiality of the plant Pseudotsuga menzietii to combat implant-related infection in the nanoregime by Poushpi Dwivedi; S.S. Narvi; R.P. Tewari in
International Journal of Biomedical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IJBNN), Vol. 2, No. 3/4, 2012

The article is behind a paywall.

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Automotive plastics that never wear out

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

Nanovere is a coatings company that makes big promises according to the Jan. 2, 2013 news item on Nanowerk,

Imagine for a moment a world were automotive plastics never fade, a self-cleaning wheel that resists brake dust, a self-cleaning tire that looks new for life, or a fiberglass boat that resists fading for life. These and other amazing benefits are now possible due to 10 years of research & development in nanotechnology.

According to Nanovere Technologies Chairman & Chief Technology Officer Thomas Choate, “Nanovere is pleased to introduce the world’s first Wipe-On clear nanocoating to exceed automotive OEM specifications. The product is named Vecdor Nano-Clear®. What’s most unique about Nano-Clear® is the ability to permanently restore original color, gloss and surface hardness back into oxidized textured plastics, highly oxidized fiberglass and highly oxidized paint surfaces while reducing surface maintenance by 60%.”

…  Nanovere Technologies has pioneered proprietary 3D nanostructured coatings at the molecular level since 2003. Nano-Clear® forms a “highly crosslink dense film with extreme scratch resistance, chemical resistance, UV resistance, remarkable flexibility and self-cleaning properties including water, oil, ice and brake-dust repellency.”

(For those who are interested, there are more specifics about this wonder coating in the news item.)

In reading this I was reminded of a movie that I saw years ago, an Alec Guinness film, The Man in The White Suit. Here’s the synoposis from imdb.com,

An altruistic chemist invents a fabric that resists wear and stain as boon to humanity but both capital and labor realize it must be suppressed for economic reasons.

A very funny film released in 1951 it offers a trenchant commentary on why some problems are better left unsolved.

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3M’s new nanotechnology-enabled (?) Patch Plus Primer product

Friday, December 14th, 2012

A Dec. 14, 2012 news item on Azonano has announced a new 3M product,

3M today introduced a new product designed using the latest technology in wall repair, making it possible to paint without priming when patching a wall. 3M™ Patch Plus Primer is the only product on the market that uses nanotechnology to create a quick-drying, strong, even patch in just one easy step.

..

The product was specially designed to address common challenges pro-painters and DIYers frequently face with wall repair such as shrinking, cracking and changes in paint sheen. Engineered nanoparticles create a primer-like film on the surface, allowing the repair to be virtually invisible under dried paint, for professional-looking results without having to prime. Square packaging was developed to easily accommodate a three-inch putty knife, and the product’s lid was created to be easier to open than traditional spackling products that require a putty knife to remove the lid.

Unexpectedly, there is no listing for the product on 3M’s DIY (do-it-yourself) website nor in its product catalog so I could find no additional details about the product other than those in the news item (which was originated by this Dec. 13, 2012 3M news release on BusinessWire).

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Sweet medical implants courtesy of liquorice

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

As you have guessed, they are not making implants out of liquorice. Instead, they are using a chemical found in liquorice plants to make nanocoatings that could protect the biological components of medical implants from sterilization procedures. The Oct. 8, 2012 news item on ScienceDaily provides more detail,

Publishing their findings in the latest issue of Materials Today, a team of researchers from Germany and Austria explain how conventional sterilization techniques based on a blast of radiation, or exposure to toxic gas can damage the functional biological components of the device. The coating, containing a component found in liquorice and developed by German biotech company LEUKOCARE AG, protects these sensitive components.

Joachim Koch of the Georg-Speyer Haus, Institute for Biomedical Research in Frankfurt am Main in Germany and colleagues explain how medical devices and implants are increasingly functionalized using pharmacologically active proteins, antibodies and other biomolecules. Harsh sterilization procedures, including beta and gamma irradiation or exposure to toxic ethylene oxide can damage these sensitive molecules and render the device useless. However, without sterilization the patient is at risk of infection when the device is used or implanted.

The team has now successfully evaluated the nano-coating; a technology which employs a composition of stabilizing nano-molecules. One important ingredient is a compound known as glycyrrhizic acid, a natural, sweet-tasting chemical found in liquorice. Unlike other stabilizing approaches used in biopharmaceutical formulations, the nano-coating contains no sugars, sugar-alcohol compounds or proteins that might otherwise interfere with the biological activity of the device.

I found out a little more about the liquorice plant from this essay in Wikipedia (Note: I have removed links and footnotes),

Liquorice or licorice …  is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra from which a somewhat sweet flavor can be extracted. The liquorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas) that is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It is not botanically related to anise, star anise, or fennel, which are the sources of similar flavouring compounds. The word ‘liquorice’/'licorice’ is derived (via the Old French licoresse), from the Greek γλυκύρριζα (glukurrhiza), meaning “sweet root”,from γλυκύς (glukus), “sweet” + ῥίζα (rhiza), “root”, the name provided by Dioscorides.

…

Liquorice extract is produced by boiling liquorice root and subsequently evaporating most of the water, and is traded both in solid and syrup form. Its active principle is glycyrrhizin [emphasis mine], a sweetener between 30 to 50 times as sweet as sucrose, and which also has pharmaceutical effects.

Here’s a botanical illustration,

Glycyrrhiza glabra Fabaceae
Original book source: Prof. Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé Flora von Deutschland,
Österreich und der Schweiz 1885, Gera, Germany Permission granted to use under GFDL by Kurt Stueber (downloaded from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Glycyrrhiza_glabra0.jpg)

This undated posting* on the Georg-Speyer-Haus Institute for Biomedical Research website  describes the testing process the team used,

The team has tested the nano-coating by coupling and stabilizing an anti-inflammatory antibody, which may be used in therapy, to a porous polyurethane surface. This carrier acts as a surrogate for a medical device. Such a system might be used as a therapeutic implant to reduce inflammation caused by an overactive immune system in severely ill patients. The researchers found that even if the test device is blasted with radiation to sterilize it entirely, neither the nano-coating nor the proteins are damaged by the radiation and the activity of the device is maintained. “This nano-coating formulation can now be applied for the production of improved biofunctionalized medical devices such as bone implants, vascular stents, and wound dressings and will ease the application of biomedical combination products,” Koch explains.

There’s no indication as to when this nanocoating will appear on the market. For those interested in the technical details, here’s the open access article, Nano-coating protects biofunctional materials by Rupert Tscheliessnig, Martin Zornig, Eva M. Herzig, Katharina Luckerath, Jens Altrichter, Kristina Kemter, Adnana Paunel-Gorgulu, Tim Logters, Joachim Windolf, Silvia Pabisch, Jindrich Cinatl, Holger F. Rabenau, Alois Jungbauer, Peter Muller-Buschbaum, Martin Scholz, and Joachim Koch can be found in Materials Today (2012) 15(9), 394-404.

LEUKOCARE AG, the company the company that developed the liquorice-based coating can be found here.

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Liquid solar blocker from Ontario’s Hy-Power Nano

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

Hy-Power Nano, mentioned in my Aug. 15, 2012 posting, has announced its first nanotechnology-enabled product and it’s a coating product for windows. From the Sept. 3, 2012 news item by Will Soutter item on Azonano,

Hy-Power Nano, the subsidiary of South Ontario-based [Canada] Hy-Power Coatings, engaged in developing nanocoating products characterized by thermal insulation and a solar blocking capability has introduced its first product labeled the Hy-Power Clear Liquid Solar Blocker.

The launch of the solar blocker represents a significant milestone in the company’s endeavors towards the development of nanotechnology-based coating products. The product was demonstrated in Mississauga at the International Conference Centre to a group of customers. The product is the output of two-and-a-half years of labor initiated after Hy-Power Nano President and CEO, Joseph Grzyb, envisaged the potential of leveraging their 46 years of expertise in industrial coating in combination with nanotechnology.

Hy-Power Nano’s Aug. 31, 2012 product announcement offers this comment from the company’s president, Joseph Grzyb,

“While we all love sunlight, ultraviolet (UV) rays can be damaging and infrared (IR) rays are a source of energy costs,” says Joseph Grzyb, President and CEO of Hy-Power Nano. “Our Clear Liquid Solar Blocker is so clear you can’t see it on glass, yet it blocks 99.99 per cent of UV and 40 per cent of infrared rays. Since the product is liquid-based, it can be applied on a variety of glass surfaces and geometries.”

“There are many applications for this product. For example, for retailers, that means products in windows won’t fade from sunlight while allowing customers a completely unobstructed view of the goods in the window. Skylights coated with our product allow people to enjoy the comfort and natural light without any negative impacts. There are actually quite a range of needs addressed by this product,” adds Grzyb.

There’s a lot of research interest in windows these days and it’s not just in Canada. This Aug. 27, 2012 Nanowerk Spotlight essay by Michael Berger offers an overview of some of the latest work,

Buildings and other man-made structures consume as much as 30-40% of the primary energy in the world, mainly for heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting. In particular, air conditioners are responsible for a large proportion of the energy usage in the US: 13% in 2006 and 10% in 2020 (projected) of the total primary energy. Air conditioning in China is 40-60% of a building’s energy consumption (the exact figure depends on the area of the building), and overall, accounts for 30% of the total primary energy available. These figures will grow very rapidly with urbanization development.

…

“Smart window” is a term that refers to a glass window that allows intelligent control of the amount of light and heat passing though. This control is made possible by an external stimulus such as electrical field (electrochromic), temperature (thermochromic), ultraviolet irradiation (photochromic) and reductive or oxidizing gases (gasochromic). These technologies save energy, address CO2 concerns, improve comfort levels, and have economic benefits.

One of these days I’d like to see a study or two about the occupational health and safety issues for people who produce and apply coatings such as this one from Hy-Power.

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Commercial launch of mulitlayer nanotechnology-enabled coating from Mississauga-based (Ontario, Canada) Integran

Thursday, August 16th, 2012

The Aug. 16, 2012 news item by Will Soutter for Aznonano is one of the more enigmatic pieces I’ve read,

Integran Technologies, based in Toronto [Mississauga is close to Toronto and, for familiarity's sake, is sometimes referred to as Toronto in news releases]], has reported the commercial availability of its innovative nanostructured multilayer coating technology.

Integran Technologies’ proprietary graded, multi-layer and nanolaminate technology delivers unprecedented design options in applying novel structural and functional improvements to a broad range of semi-finished and finished components, which include polymer composites, polymers and metals.

For the life of me, I can’t find a name for or more detail about this ‘new’ technology. I checked the Aug. 14, 2012 company news release and can’t find a name. This announcement seems more focused on the patents than the technology,

Under development for several years with the support of the Canadian Government and the US Department of Defense, Integran’s proprietary graded, multi-layer and nanolaminate technology is covered by a number of specific US and foreign patent filings including the recently issued US 8,129,034 which applies to lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods and automotive parts, and covers specific fine-grained metallic coatings and nanolaminates containing Ni, Cu, Co, Fe, Mo, W, Zn, P, B and C.

Klaus Tomantschger, Integran’s Vice President, Intellectual Property and Licensing stated ”Integran is pleased by the US Patent Office’s determination that Integran’s unique grain-refinement technology also extends to its proprietary multi-layer laminate coating technology”. [sic]

You can find out more about Integran here and in my Sept. 4, 2008 posting, my March 26, 2012 posting, my April 16, 2012 posting, and my  May 10, 2012 posting.

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The Avro Arrow, Hy-Power Nano, and Dr. Hadi Mahabadi

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

Before launching into the nano part of this story, here’s a brief description  for anyone who’s not familiar with the legendary Canadian Avro Arrow airplane, from the Wikipedia essay,

The Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow was a delta-winged interceptor aircraft, designed and built by Avro Aircraft Limited (Canada) in Malton, Ontario, as the culmination of a design study that began in 1953. Considered to be both an advanced technical and aerodynamic achievement for the Canadian aviation industry, the CF-105 held the promise of Mach 2 speeds at altitudes exceeding 50,000 ft (15,000 m), and was intended to serve as the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) primary interceptor in the 1960s and beyond.

Not long after the 1958 start of its flight test program, the development of the Arrow (including its Orenda Iroquois jet engines) was abruptly and controversially halted before the project review had taken place, sparking a long and bitter political debate.

The controversy engendered by the cancellation and subsequent destruction of the aircraft in production, remains a topic for debate among historians, political observers and industry pundits. “This action effectively put Avro out of business and its highly skilled engineering and production personnel scattered… The incident was a traumatic one… and to this day, many mourn the loss of the Arrow.”

Apparently, one young engineer moved on from the Avro experience to found his own company, Hy-Power Coatings Ltd.  which recently begat Hy-Power Nano. From the Hy-Power Nano History page,

In 1966, an engineer from Canada’s famed Avro Arrow Project took his unique knowledge of coatings and incorporated Hy-Power Coatings Limited in Brampton, Ontario. In 1975, Joseph G. Grzyb became President and principal owner of this privately held company. Mr. Grzyb was able to harness coatings expertise to evolve the electrostatic paint process and dozens of other coating innovations. A commitment to coating service excellence through innovation and customer service have made Hy-Power a premier coatings service provider.

Today, Hy-Power CEO Joseph Grzyb leads a strong, tenured team of coating professionals that service a loyal blue chip customer base.

Hy-Power Coatings’ experience resides in the finishing and refinishing of common substrates (metal, masonry, plastic, etc.). The company has strong core competencies in paint and coating application, as well as innovating coating products and application techniques.

Hy-Power has successfully improved many coating products to more environmentally friendly water-based compositions without sacrificing finish quality or durability.

There’s no mention in the company history of when they included a nano subsidiary with the main business but it’s somewhat recent (as per the news article by Peter Criscione which is excerpted further in this posting)  as they appear to be in the early stages of product development with something called, Thermal Liquid Glass listed on the home page,

 … a clear nano-enhanced coating for glass that maintains light clarity and blocks UV and R rays.

The company (Hy-Power Nano) has just announced the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Hadi Mahabadi. From the Aug. 14, 2012 article by Peter Criscione for the Brampton Guardian (Ontario, Canada),

In 2010, Hy-Power Nano Inc. was established as Hy-Power Coatings’ “scientific branch” to further research and development of proprietary nano-based insulating coatings.
Although just getting started, Hy-Power Nano, which employs about 50 people, has taken major steps to boost its brand including bringing Mahabadi on to help “bring exceptional products to market.”
Previously, Dr. Mahabadi was vice president and director of the Xerox Research Centre of Canada, where he spearheaded many innovations and commercialized technologies.
Mahabadi, 66, spent 30 years with Xerox, rising to the company’s top Canadian research position.
He retired from Xerox in September 2011 with more than 100 published scientific papers and 70 U.S. patents to his name, as well as receiving numerous honours.
In June, he received an Order of Canada for his internationally recognized innovations in the field of polymer science and “his commitment to promoting scientific development in Canada.”
Mahabadi is also a recipient of the Robert F. Reed Technology Medal (the Printing Industries of America’s highest honour), two Xerox President Awards (the corporation’s highest honour for individual achievement) and the University of Waterloo’s Engineering Alumni’s Achievement Medal.
He is also a Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada, a Fellow of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.
Mahabadi is currently president of CanWin Consulting Inc, which provides a range of services for innovation to start-up and other small and medium enterprises in Canada.
His credentials are impeccable, said Joseph Grzyb, Hy-Power Nano CEO.
“Dr. Hadi Mahabadi offered tremendous insights when he joined our board in February 2012 and also served as a consultant,” Grzyb said.
“We quickly realized he could play a more active role in the company by becoming COO. He’s a great addition to the Hy-Power Nano team.”
Mahabadi said he was attracted to the job because he’s intrigued with the nanotechnology commercialization work the company is doing.

Congratulations  to Dr. Mahabadi!

For anyone interested in more information about thermochromic windows, there’s my July 11, 2012 posting where I featured RavenBrick and its thermochromic windows.

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