Idaho Space Materials, Inc Announces Breakthrough in Nanotube Manufacturing
Oct 27, 2006
BOISE, Idaho -- Idaho Space Materials, Inc. has developed a revolutionary nanotube manufacturing process which produces uncontaminated, high purity single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) at a very high production rate. While the high production rates achieved are a significant advancement, generating the material without harmful metal contaminants allows these nanotubes to be easily incorporated into the ever increasing applications for which this extraordinary material is used.
Most SWCNT manufacturing methods use a metal catalyst to form the nanotubes. ISM's process uses a consistent, dependable, high-yield, high-volume, safe method to create SWCNTs without the use of any metal catalysts. Metal contamination is problematic for many commercial applications due to either toxic effects or the harmful impact of the catalyst on the exceptional nanotube characteristics. Metal contamination removal is a costly and time-consuming process that is unnecessary with this product.
ISM's process is infinitely scalable to meet any consumer demand. Special pricing is available for high-volume customers as well as educational and not-for-profit research institutions. ISM is committed to supporting researchers in their efforts to bring concepts to practical application in this industry.
Idaho Space Materials, Inc. is located in Boise, Idaho and was founded in December 2005 with the purpose of manufacturing advanced materials. The company works to identify and commercialize existing patents in advanced materials, reducing overall time to market and cost of commercialization. ISM started its nanotube venture by licensing a laboratory-scale manufacturing process from the National Aeronautics and Science Administration (NASA). Through subsequent research and development, it has created a process that is commercially viable. With the introduction of its first product, NOMEC 1556 - Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes, ISM has proven that it can rapidly move from licensing to product introduction.
Carbon nanotubes have drawn significant attention from the scientific community since their discovery in 1991 due to their very high tensile strength, excellent electrical conductivity, light weight, and outstanding thermal properties. Products enhanced by carbon nanotubes are reaching the consumer market in a wide variety of applications. Researchers in fields ranging from medicine, microelectronics, and advanced materials are discovering new uses for carbon nanotubes on a daily basis and are finding that they can dramatically improve our quality of life with this amazing material.
