Commericalization: Success Stories
Start-Ups and Spin-Outs
Some of nanotechnology's most promising applications are in the field of clinical medicine; for instance, Penn State researchers are using silicon nanowires attached to RNA molecules as cancer sensors, and using nanotubes for genomics, proteomics, and drug discovery. Penn State engineers and materials scientists are teaming with Hershey surgeons to create new surgical instruments made of sintered nanoparticles for endoscopic surgery. These examples of boundary-crossing technologies are made possible by collaborations between researchers at Penn State's University Park campus and Penn State's College of Medicine at Hershey.
Keystone Nano
One company that combines the medical expertise of Hershey with the materials science strength of the main campus is Keystone Nano. A developer of customized nanoparticles solutions for imaging and drug delivery, Keystone Nano's Molecular Dots are nontoxic calcium phosphate nano delivery systems that range in size from 20 to 80 nm that can pass through the body's biological barriers to deliver anticancer drugs or fluorescent markers to specific sites. Developed by Jim Adair, a Penn State materials scientist, the nanoparticles avoid the problems of toxicity and agglomeration that limit the usefulness of many other nanomaterial delivery systems. Adair is working with Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical School pharmacologist Mark Kester to package the anticancer drug Ceramide, using Molecular Dots as the delivery system.
NanoHorizons
A spin-out company founded in 2002 at Penn State's Innovation Park, and partially funded from the Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central PA and Ben Franklin Technology Partnership, NanoHorizons produces mass spectroscopy materials for drug development research as well as a line of nanoparticles to create anti-odor fabrics and yarns, anti-odor and anti-mold upholstery, paints, caulks, and other coatings.
Micromechatronics
Working at an order of magnitude above the nanoscale, microminiaturization has helped drive the electronics industry and bridge the gap between bulk and nano domains. A spin-out from research performed at the International Center for Actuators and Transducers, Micromechatronics, founded in 2004 by Penn State scientist Kenji Uchino, creates the shrinking parts at the heart of the micro devices. Penn State researchers have developed the world's smallest ultrasonic motor (4mm long x 1.5mm in diameter), which has been licensed to Micromechatronics. Micro ultrasonic motors are used in minimally invasive surgery, as well as in control mechanisms to allow manipulation of objects at the microscopic scale.
Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.
An advanced polymer start-up focused on the development and commercialization of state-of-the-art electropolymer technology, Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. is based on high-energy polymer films created by Penn State professor of electrical engineering Dr. Qiming Zhang. The first product developed using Zhang's research will be a polymer film-based capacitor for implantable cardiac defibrillators. Future devices include artificial hearts and artificial muscles, and actuators for endoscopic surgical devices and low-cost Braille display screens.
Collaborating with Pennsylvania-based Industries
Air Products
Working with the professional staff of the Penn State NanoFab, industry giant Air Products has developed a new nanoporous, low-k dielectric materials for the semiconductor industry that is now in the process of commercialization. This collaborative success was made possible by the creative use of a $2M cluster tool located at Penn State.
Applied Research & Photonics
ARP, a Harrisburg-based maker of nanophotonic integrated circuits, is working with Penn State on processes for forming solid optically active dendrimer films and waveguide devices for applications such as optical telecommunications and optical sensing.
Schott Glass Technologies
Schott Glass of Duryea, PA has licensed technology developed by glass scientist Carlo Pantano that consists of nanometer thick organic coatings for DNA microarrays. These arrays are used to simultaneously detect thousands of different biological molecules.