Tag Archives: Segal Graduate School of Business

Commercializing nanotechnology talk at Simon Fraser University in downtown Vancouver (Canada)

Professor Geoffrey Ozin will be giving a free talk titled, Commercializing Nanotechnology: An Evening with Geoffrey Ozin from Opalux, at Simon Fraser University’s Segal Graduate School of Business, 500 Granville Street, Vancouver (Room 2800) from 5-6 pm PST on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012. From the event page,

You are cordially invited to hear Professor Geoffrey Ozin, co-founder of Opalux – a global leader in photonic colour technology research and development, speak about his experiences in advancing and commercializing nanomaterials and Opalux’s strategy in overcoming challenges to commercialize their photonic colour technology platform.

Professor Ozin, a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair and Distinguished University Professor at the University of Toronto, is considered to be the father of Nanochemistry. His career’s work, which include pioneering studies of new classes of nanomaterials, mesoporous materials, photonic crystals and most recently nanomachines, epitomizes how leading-edge research in Nanochemistry can be most effectively directed towards solving contemporary challenges in Nanotechnology and how these contributions have brought true benefit and well being to mankind.

… Professor Ozin co-founded Opalux Inc in 2006 to commercialize his inventions of photonic ink and elastic ink, two new and exciting photonic crystal technologies.

Opalux has been developing a platform of technologies using active polymer-based materials that can respond to an array of stimuli such as pressure, stretching, heat, humidity, and electrical current/voltage. By exploiting the many advantages of photonic color, Opalux has invented a new color display technology that stands apart with its unique combination of brightness, energy efficiency, form factor, customizability, and economy.

Opalux was mentioned here in my Jan. 31, 2011 posting. Given the current low rate of commercializing nanotechnology in Vancouver and BC, I imagine Ozin’s talk is causing some excitement. His company’s (Opalux) website is here.

ETA Oct. 18, 2012 10 am PST: I sent Dr. Ozin a few questions about himself and his talk. Here are the questions and answers (which arrived via Blackberry and less than 20 mins. after I sent the email):

  • What brings you to Vancouver? Were you specially invited by the Segal business school to talk about commercializing nanotechnology?

  Yes

  • Could you describe your business experience? (Is this the first time you’ve commercialized a technology?)

 Yes

  •  Can you offer a preview of what you’ll be talking about on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012?

Idea to Innovation
Lab to Market
Material to Manufacturing

Thank you Dr. Ozin for taking the time to answer and replying in such a speedy fashion.