Mechnano has announced its plan to develop an advanced technology lab at the Arizona State University (ASU) Polytechnic campus as part of the ASU Polytechnic Innovation District. The new partnership between Mechnano and ASU will provide unique training and educational opportunities for ASU Polytechnic students, as well as facilitate an ongoing collaboration with ASU faculty.
Mechnano is a company comprised of scientists and entrepreneurs dedicated to exponentially improving additive manufacturing and 3D printing materials. Using its proprietary carbon nanotube-based technology, or CNTs, Mechnano has successfully improved existing material properties in UV Polymers including impact resistance (by 3x) and tear resistance (by 50x) and added properties such as conductivity.
"We are proud to be a cornerstone company for the ASU Polytechnic Innovation District," said Steven R. Lowder, CEO and Co-Founder of Mechnano. "This collaboration with ASU is a perfect example of how the most innovative university in the country is working directly with advanced technology companies like Mechnano to provide a unique learning experience for ASU students while directly benefiting the company. The results of our collaboration will help both Arizona and our country as a part of a larger effort to return manufacturing to the USA."
ASU students who work with Mechnano will learn about cutting-edge nanotechnology processes and procedures. Mechnano will help train students on best practices for lab work, data recording, and current scientific processes. Because Mechnano is the only 3D printing materials company in the world to have unlocked the potential of CNTs, ASU students will have a unique and real-world learning experience.
Duane Roen, Vice-Provost of the ASU Polytechnic campus and Dean of the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, applauded the progress and said, "We have known for years the tremendous opportunity for private-sector companies to partner with us at the ASU Polytechnic campus and are excited to have Mechnano join us in driving and inventing the technologies of the future."
"We are excited to see this cutting-edge Mesa company, Mechnano, partnering with ASU at the ASU Polytechnic Innovation District in Mesa," City of Mesa Mayor John Giles said. "This collaboration will drive world-class applied materials technologies and further define Mesa as a hub for innovation."
About Mechnano
Mechnano creates advanced chemistry and materials that exponentially improve the performance of Additive Manufacturing resins, plastics, binders and more. Mechnano's technology enhances the material at the nano level allowing for almost unlimited advancements at the macro level. Specializing in nanomaterial dispersion and especially carbon nanotube dispersions, Mechnano's 100 plus patented portfolio is being commercialized at a rapid rate.
About Carbon Nanotubes
CNTs are molecularly small tubes of carbon--with walls just one atom thick. Their potential to improve materials is enormous as they have many unique properties--including being 100x stronger than steel, harder than a diamond, and 1000x more conductive than copper.
However, CNTs love to bundle into large, knotted clumps which destroy the value of the tubes. Mechnano's technology unbundles the tubes and keeps them separated equally (dispersed) through the entire printed part. Mechnano's technology also enables the tubes to carry additional material properties into the system. The possibilities are exponential and endless!
About the ASU Polytechnic Innovation District
The ASU Polytechnic Innovation District is 300 acres of land adjacent to the ASU Polytechnic campus, which is home to the Polytechnic School, one of the six schools comprising ASU's Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the largest engineering school in the county. The campus also is home to programs offered by five other ASU colleges. The District is ideal for industry partnerships with its strong focus on project-based learning and interdisciplinary laboratories and regional transportation assets. Situated moments from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and SkyBridge, the United States' only inland international air logistics and joint U.S.-Mexico Customs processing hub, the Poly Innovation District will meet the needs for tech-transfer, advanced solutions, transportation, and seamless logistics solutions.
About Mesa
With a population of more than 518,000 Mesa, Arizona is the 35th largest city in the United States and second largest in the Phoenix-Mesa metro area. Mesa encompasses 138 square miles inside a 21-city region that has a population of 4.9 million people and is projected to grow to 5.3 million by 2025. Mesa is a vibrant city and a premier location for business development opportunities. Serving industry leaders such as Apple, AT&T, Banner Health, Boeing, Bridgestone, Dexcom, MD Helicopters, Nammo, Northrop Grumman, and more, Mesa is a smart location for intelligent companies.
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For more information on Mechnano:
Mechnano Communication
info@mechnano.com
Mesa Media Contact: Kim Lofgreen
Office of Economic Development
480-644-3962
Kim.lofgreen@mesaaz.gov
Arizona State University
Knowledge Enterprise
Sandy Leander
Assistant Director, Media Relations
Sandra.Leander@asu.edu