August 5, 2009: A pair of university spinoffs in Pennsylvania are receiving funding from the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center to help their work in nanopolymers and nanofibers.

Philadelphia-based Arkema Inc. is getting $275,000 of funding from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), matched by Lehigh University, to develop and commercialize its block copolymer technology, called BlocBuilder, used to toughen epoxies for wind energy (e.g. more reliable wind blades) and strengthen electronic materials (e.g. higher resistance to crack formation). They are also exploring applications for adhesives, coatings, and composites.

Also receiving funding is nanoGriptech, a spinoff from Carnegie Mellon, which will use $200,000 in AFRL funding to commercialize its fibrous adhesive technology which mimics the nano- and micro-fibers that allows certain animals (e.g., geckos) to grip strongly and repeatedly on smooth and rough surfaces. Initial work will be to design, manufacture, select materials, and test the adhesives for new commercial sportswear applications.