David Kanaan writes "Nanotechnology-Based Solid Lubricant NanoLub Shows Promising Performance for Space Applications
NanoLub surpasses minimum limits for space durability
New York, USA, August 5, 2004. ApNano Materials Inc. (www.apnano.com), a provider of nanotechnology-based products, today announced that its proprietary product NanoLub, the worldís first commercial nanotechnology-based solid lubricant, has significantly surpassed an outgassing screening test for space applications. This aerospace qualification test, in accordance with international specifications, was conducted under a simulated space environment by the Space Technology Division Materials Group of the Soreq Nuclear Research Center in Israel.
More… NanoLub particles have a unique structure of nested spheres that lubricate by rolling like miniature ball bearings. NanoLub is based on a revolutionary scientific discovery – nano-spheres of inorganic compounds that were discovered at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. Dr. Menachem Genut, CEO and Co-Founder of ApNano Materials, was a co- discoverer of these novel inorganic nanostructures as a member of the Instituteís Nanomaterials Synthesis Group headed by Professor Reshef Tenne.
At Soreq Nuclear Research Center, NanoLub powder was subjected to space durability outgassing tests. The NanoLub test results were well within the range of acceptable limits.
ìSolid lubricants are required in space applications since in such low pressure environments conventional liquid and grease lubricants are generally not suitable,î said Dr. Menachem Genut, President and CEO of ApNano Materials. ìIn these circumstances the liquids are not stable and their degradation contaminates and spoils sensitive optical and mechanical equipment. The results of the test at Soreq Nuclear Research Center show that NanoLub does not outgas, and also does not produce contaminants.î
Besides aerospace, the high stability and contaminant-free nature of NanoLub, as demonstrated in these tests, show that it is an ideal lubricant for many demanding, large volume markets. Besides aerospace, these include applications in clean environments such as for semiconductor and chip fabrication, the pharmaceutical industry, precision motors and motion mechanisms, optical guidance systems, opto-mechanical devices and in various types of analytical instruments.
The Volkswagen Group, one of the worldís leading automobile manufacturers, has recently announced that it has included ApNano Materials products in its automotive nanotechnology program. Mr. Aharon Feuerstein, Chairman and CFO of ApNano Materials said that due to the encouraging results from world-wide independent test laboratories and expressed interest from global customers, the company is raising $ 4 Million dollars for building a semi-industrial fabrication facility for NanoLub production.
About ApNano Materials ApNano Materials (www.apnano.com), a private company, was established in 2002. The company was granted an exclusive license by Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd, the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, to manufacture, commercialize and sell the new nanomaterials discovered at the Institute. The shareholders of ApNano Materials, besides the founders, are Newton Technology VC Fund, Yeda Research and Development Co. LTD. (the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science), AYYT Technological Applications and Date Update LTD. (the commercial arm of Holon Academic Institute of Technology, Israel). The company is headquartered in New York, USA, with an Israeli subsidiary- NanoMaterials, Ltd.
NanoLub is a registered trademark of ApNano Materials.
Contact:
David Kanaan
Kanaan Public Relations
Tel.: +972-3-6315166
e-mail: [email protected]"
