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[August 2006]
MetaMateria Partners Acquires Ceramics Company for Nano-Enabled Clean Water Technologies
MetaMateria Partners LLC, a subsidiary of leading nanomaterial manufacturer NanoDynamics Inc, has announced the acquisition of Pourous Ceramic Shapes LLC including all technology and Cell-Pore products. The company's proprietary technology enables the manufacture of lightweight ceramic products with controlled porosity that can be used for highly efficient, cost effective water filtration and remediation applications. Already commercialised for small applications, the ceramic technology is currently in development for larger scale, nanotechnology-enabled bioremediation, chemical absorption and filtration processes. Under the terms of the acquisition, Cell-Pore products are now sold directly by MetaMateria Partners."Already in use for small-scale applications, we see significant potential for the ceramics and an expanded Cell-pore product line," said Dr Richard Schorr, President of MetaMateria Partners. "Its unique manufacturing process makes the ceramic an ideal vehicle for the real-world application of emerging clean water technologies which incorporate nanomaterials in a range of exciting areas from the removal of phosphates in agricultural run-off to the treatment of organic waste products in commercial fish farms to the remediation of municipal water polluted with arsenic and lead."
The acquired technology consists of a proprietary colloidal manufacturing process that can be used to make both porous and dense ceramic parts in complex shapes. MetaMateria Partners is optimising the process for non-clogging, lightweight and highly porous structures that allow for high flow rates while enabling significant exposure to the ceramic's surface. The resulting structures serve as an ideal framework for a spectrum of nanotechnology-enabled water filtration, purification and remediation technologies including those currently under evaluation and development at MetaMateria Partners and NanoDynamics.
"The need for lower-cost, effective clean water technologies marks a significant area of opportunity for nanotechnology and an important focus for our teams at NanoDynamics and MetaMateria," said Keith Blakely, CEO of NanoDynamics. "Leveraging the unique characteristics of this ceramic structure in conjunction with our combined strengths in innovative nanomaterials and commercial manufacturing processes, we are well-positioned to deliver those critical products quickly to market."
MetaMateria is currently developing the ceramic technology to improve three general approaches to water cleanup. In bioremediation applications, the ceramic's porous structure makes it an ideal home for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that naturally convert waste to non-toxic substances. The high surface area ensures efficient contact between the water and the beneficial bacteria, creating healthy ecosystems for commercial aquaculture and high-value water gardens. In chemical absorption applications, the ceramic can replace materials like activated alumina and charcoal that are currently burdened with costly manufacturing and disposal issues.
Coupled with application-specific nanoengineered reactants, the resulting systems effectively remove phosphates, heavy metals, lead, arsenic and other pollutants as water flows through. The ceramic can also be used as a membrane support that offers efficiency benefits over conventional reverse-osmosis filtration systems, which involve costly organic membranes and waste significant quantities of water in the cleanup process. Against the backdrop of rising oil prices driving the cost of plastic ever higher, the ceramics constitute an ideal support structure for MetaMateria's inorganic nanoparticle membrane capable of producing 100 times more clean water per gallon than its organic counterparts.
The underlying ceramic technology has additional applications in insulation, hot gas filters, catalyst supports, building materials and other products where lightweight, durable porous materials are desirable.
MetaMateria Partners uses novel methods to improve the performance of products through the use of nano-engineered oxide and metal particles that are applied as coatings or parts. Applications include fuel cells, lithium ion batteries, high temperature superconductor coatings, thermoelectric materials, transparent ceramics, tough and hard coatings and materials, catalysts and improved materials for construction and other bulk materials.
www.metamateria.com
ENDS