NanoTouch Materials Gets Grant to Accelerate Development of NanoSeptic Self-Cleaning Surfaces

The Tobacco Commission voted unanimously to award the Center for Advanced Engineering & Research a $2 million research and development grant, 100 percent of which will directly support NanoTouch Materials' continued development of their NanoSeptic surfaces. This funding will be used to research new materials and advanced manufacturing processes, and build a dedicated fabrication facility in Bedford County, Va.

"What makes research and development of NanoSeptic products complex and expensive is the multiple areas of scientific expertise required," says NanoTouch co-founder Mark Sisson. "This funding will allow us to continue working with some of the best scientific minds in material science, nanotechnology, polymers and biotechnology."

The research component of this grant will be focused on the development of the 5th generation of the NanoSeptic surface. Initial lab testing on early prototypes of the technology resulted in a surface that was 1,000 times more effective than the previous generation, achieving almost a six-log reduction.

Effectiveness of the current NanoSeptic surface has been extensively studied both by an independent FDA compliant lab and university research centers worldwide, including Saudi Arabia and South Korea. These studies utilize internationally recognized standard testing protocols against a variety of pathogens including E. coli, MRSA, staph, norovirus and the human coronavirus, a strain of which is causing MERS outbreaks in the Middle East and Korea.

"NanoSeptic products present a great growth opportunity for this region," says Bob Bailey, executive director of CAER. "The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research is excited to be part of this project and we believe that our strong research partnerships with multiple Virginia universities will prove to be a significant asset."

As part of this three-year initiative, NanoTouch Materials is expected to grow their workforce in Bedford County, VA to a total of 14 employees, and an estimated 37 employees in five years. NanoTouch is also expected to invest $1 million in facilities and advanced manufacturing equipment.

"Virtually every firm or project with which the Tobacco Commission partners has a common characteristic: a tremendous potential to grow.  NanoSeptic is an ideal example of this.  It's easy to see how big the potential is in healthcare, public and commercial transportation, and the hospitality industry," says Delegate Kathy Byron, chair of the Research & Development Committee. "That potential is emblematic of our entire region, and the reestablishment of our manufacturing community.  Once again, companies in central and southside Virginia are making products that are being used worldwide."

While an entire line of NanoSeptic products have been developed and are being distributed to 29 countries, the company also plans to spend significant funding to conduct market research in the healthcare, education, facility management, commercial janitorial and food service industries. This market research will guide future product development and uncover specific ways that self-cleaning surfaces can be used to improve healthcare outcomes, reduce employee and student absenteeism, and broadly improve community health.

"While the vetting process for the grant was exhaustive, we're grateful for the support of the Tobacco Commission and the Economic Development Authority of Bedford County in our mission of providing cleaner, healthier places in which to live, work and play," says NanoTouch co-founder Dennis Hackemeyer. "And our investors couldn't be happier with the company receiving funding that will accelerate growth without diluting their investment."

The Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission is a 31-member body whose mission is to promote economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities using proceeds of the national tobacco settlement.  The Commission has awarded 1,831 grants totaling more than $1,072,922,288 across the tobacco region of the Commonwealth.

Source: NanoTouch Materials