November 26, 2008: Dr. Joseph Riemer, president of Sono-Tek Corp. presented two ultrasonic systems — the SonicSyringe ultrasonic atomization dispersion syringe pump, and the Ultrasonic atomization spray nozzle — at the sixth annual National Nano Engineering Conference, (NNEC) in Boston. The two systems provide solutions for accurately and cost effectively dispensing and depositing nanomaterials on target substrate, and are enabling companies that use nanomaterials to take their products to the market faster and at lower costs.

When conventional mixing devices and pumps are used for dispensing nanoparticles, they tend to agglomerate and separate from the liquid suspension. The SonicSyringe imparts ultrasonic energy which breaks down and eliminates agglomerates that have formed during earlier handling. Nanoparticles are continuously suspended in a uniform and homogenous mixture, thus guaranteeing a steady state dispensing process.

When conventional pressure spray coating and web printing technologies are used to coat nanoparticles on substrates, their uniformity control is limited and the amount of nanomaterial which must be used is excessive and costly. Sono-Tek’s ultrasonic spray nozzles can uniformly and accurately coat a very thin layer of nanoparticles on substrates of different shapes, forms, and sizes.

Examples of successfully commercialized applications include: fuel cells, solar panels, biodegradable food packaging, functional textiles, specialty glass and biological and chemical sensors.

“We have embarked on an aggressive business development program which began last year, introducing new patent pending applications and diversifying into new industries,” said Dr. Christopher L. Coccio, chairman and CEO of Sono-Tek.