May 07, 2013 -- Early-stage nanotech company SiO2 Nanotech has begun beta testing commercial applications of its anti-fogging technology for corporate partners. The new technology, which was developed from patented research conducted in the lab of Dr. Nicole Herbots, professor emerita in the Department of Physics at Arizona State University, can be used on a variety of different surfaces, including glass and plastics.
SiO2 Nanotech is part of the first cohort of the Furnace Technology Transfer Accelerator, an innovative startup accelerator designed to form, incubate and launch new companies created from intellectual property and patents developed at universities and research institutions. The Arizona-based startup’s objective is to integrate its patented nanotechnologies into specific manufacturing or fabrication lines.
One of the company’s nanotechnologies, a proprietary anti-fogging technology called VitreOx(TM), controls the fogging that occurs on surfaces as a result of condensation. Although the technology was originally developed to eliminate fogging on intraocular lenses during eye surgery, the company is now developing beta products that integrate the technology for a number of corporate partners in a variety of industries.
“Our focus right now is to finalize a number of beta products for our corporate clients,” said CEO and co-founder Clarizza Watson. “We are very excited about our products and are looking forward to commercialization.”
The fog-control technology has drawn interest from corporate clients because of the patented method for manipulating moisture on surfaces to maintain a clear field of vision. The technology controls the behavior of water droplets by forming a 2-D layer on a surface, resulting in a clear field of vision. Initial tests have shown the treatment to last not just hours or days but for the life of the product on select surfaces.
Currently commercialization development for SiO2 Nanotech includes the areas of vision protection for athletes in sports such as football, scuba diving, skiing and snowboarding as well as the eyewear and automotive sectors. This application of VitreOx(TM), called VitreSport(TM), will be the initial focus of commercialization until FDA approval is achieved for the medical application. Other potential market verticals include vision safety gear for occupations such as construction and laboratory work.
Prototype development is currently taking place at the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation, a community-based business incubator located at GateWay Community College in Phoenix. Initially SiO2 Nanotech will produce prototypes of vision-protection products for several major corporations, including sporting goods manufacturers.
SiO2 Nanotech is one of 10 startups in the first cohort of the Furnace Technology Transfer Accelerator’s Arizona Furnace accelerator, which provides seed funding, office space and access to top industry mentors in order to commercialize discoveries made in Arizona laboratories. Arizona Furnace is a statewide public-private partnership among the Arizona Commerce Authority, BioAccel, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona Technology Enterprises and Dignity Health Arizona.
SiO2 Nanotech and the other Arizona Furnace companies will debut their products at the first-ever Arizona Furnace Demo Day June 5 at ASU SkySong.
About SiO2 Nanotech (http://www.sio2nanotech.com)
SiO2 Nanotech integrates its patented nanotechnologies into specific manufacturing or fabrication lines, including electronics, medical and surgical devices, solar cells, and sport and occupational wear.
About the Furnace Technology Transfer Accelerator
The Furnace Technology Transfer Accelerator is a groundbreaking startup accelerator designed to form, incubate and launch new companies created from technologies and intellectual property produced in top research institutions around the nation. Furnace pairs entrepreneurs and innovators with technologies and intellectual property with the purpose of commercializing these discoveries into viable products and services. The intensive nine-month Furnace Accelerator provides startups with seed funding, office space and access to industry-leading mentors.
About Arizona Furnace (http://azfurnace.org)
Arizona Furnace is the Arizona chapter of the Furnace Technology Transfer Accelerator. Arizona Furnace licenses technologies from Arizona’s premier research institutions to entrepreneurs who are interested in forming new startups based on Arizona’s top research discoveries. Arizona Furnace is a statewide public-private partnership among the Arizona Commerce Authority, BioAccel, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona Technology Enterprises and Dignity Health Arizona. The intensive nine-month accelerator provides seed funding, office space and access to top industry mentors in order to commercialize discoveries made in Arizona laboratories.
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