SPS EAP Film and CapacitorsSPS CEO, Ralph Russo, announced that the company would introduce its high energy density film at the CARTS 2010 Conference and Exhibit in New Orleans (March 15 -18). The company will roll out its line of capacitors and capacitor film for high energy density pulse power applications. Please visit us at Booth #9.

Dr. Shihai Zhang, SPS Director of Engineering, will present a paper on “High Dielectric Polymer Capacitors” to scientists and engineers attending the CARTS Exhibit. Dr. Zhang will show how polymer film capacitors are ideally suited for applications requiring high energy density and fast discharge speeds.

State College, PA, March 5, 2010 - Strategic Polymer Sciences (SPS) was recently featured in a Keystone Edge article that highlighted the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center's (PA Nano) attempt to assist high tech startup companies.  The article entitled, "Bridging Nano Commercialization's Valley of Death" focuses on how PA Nano is helping start up companies bridge the funding gap between research and commercialization.  They address the recent shift of large corporations to downsize and outsource their R&D activities and show examples of a few companies that are innovating in ways that might be attractive to these larger organizations.  PA Nano is helping ideas survive with funding, resources and talent throughout the state, creating innovation that would otherwise wither away.  SPS was highlighted as making the transfer from research to marketing mode with their electro-active polymer (EAP) technology and included mention of Spring 2010 launch of their high energy density capacitor and film product lines.  PA Nano's assistance was key in establishing a link to a Tier 1 medical company and SPS will continue to utilize other funding mechanisms for the development of its next generation film. These next generation films will expand the market applications of the SPS EAP materials. 

The full article can be found here.

About SPS

Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS) is an early-stage startup company that develops new materials and device technologies and commercializes electro-active polymer (EAP) materials and devices that will revolutionize energy storage and medical therapeutics.  Its applications range from lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of hybrid electric vehicle engines and implantable cardiac defibrillators to the creation of lower cost, more efficient, and more effective steerable medical catheters for cardiac and other applications.  

Strategic Polymer Sciences was founded in 2006 by Ralph Russo—a Silicon Valley business leader with prior senior executive experience at Apple Computer, AlliedSignal, Nortel, and Bay Networks—and Dr. Qiming Zhang—Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Materials Science at The Pennsylvania State University and one of the world's leading experts in electroactive materials. The company is headquartered in State College, PA. 

About Keystone Edge

 Keystone Edge tells the story of the new economy in Pennsylvania--a narrative of creative people and businesses, new development, cool places to live, and the best places to work and play. 

About PA Nano

The Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center was founded in 2006 under the auspices of the Pittsburgh Technology Council by a consortium of four western Pennsylvania companies; Alcoa Technology, Bayer MaterialScience, PPG Industries and US Steel. Today, the Center enjoys partnerships with Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, Lehigh University, the Department of Community and Economic Development for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Air Force Research Labs and approximately 300 companies, organizations and individuals involved in nanotechnology. The Center plays a critical role in accelerating the commercialization of nanomaterials research for new and enhanced products critical for U.S. commercial and defense needs. Commercialization Grants available from the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center are typically used to bridge the "Valley of Death" phase of development, between the technology proof-of-concept stage and the production of a customer-relevant prototype product.

Photos

Dean Anderson, Ph.D., Director of Operations for Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (Brad Bower)

Shihai Zhang, Ph.D., Director of Engineering, left, and Anderson examine a roll of the wound capacitor film. (Brad Bower) 

State College, Pa November 19, 2008 – Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS) has announced a major breakthrough in the production of capacitors with higher energy density.  

SPS together with Solvay Solexis have demonstrated the volume manufacture of high quality dielectric capacitor films based on SPS' proprietary fluoropolymer technology at thicknesses down to 2.5 microns with excellent uniformity.  The high energy density capacitor films exhibit energy density in the film level of more than 25 J/cc. The breakthrough in fabrication of the polymer thin films leads to high energy density at the capacitor level. 

The breakthrough is the result of a decade of polymer research performed by Strategic Polymer Sciences’ chief technology officer, Qiming Zhang, and the Solef grade resins developed and produced by Solvay Solexis.

The successful trial demonstration of this capability will allow for Strategic Polymer Sciences to rapidly enter into the capacitor market, specifically for high-margin military, transportation, and medical applications. The manufacturing breakthrough will improve the price/performance capability in capacitors used in a number of industries, including those used in medical devices, hybrid-electric vehicles, and energy intensive military applications. 

“The high quality dielectric capacitor films exhibit excellent dielectric breakdown voltages and energy densities that will continue to be improved in future development, said Dr. Shihai Zhang, Director of Engineering.  “With its self healing feature and high dielectric constant, the SPS capacitors can store much more electric energy than other film, ceramic, and electrolytic capacitors, and enable the miniaturization of many electronic devices.”

“We are very excited that SPS technology now permits mass production of capacitors that will significantly increase the operating performance for many of the applications that use these components,” said Ralph Russo, co- founder, president and CEO of Strategic Polymer Sciences.  “This manufacturing breakthrough is an important step forward in the marketplace for Strategic Polymer Sciences and its customers and business partners.”

The manufacturing trial was conducted with Solvay Solexis, one of the leaders in fluoropolymers production, and Strategic Polymer Sciences’ partner in the development of high performance capacitor films.

“We believe that the PVDF SOLEF® technology assuring polymer of highest quality and consistency is well designed for the demanding capacitors market.  This development will complement and further strengthen our position in the energy sector”, said Jens Hoeltje, Business Manager of Solvay Solexis Melts Fluoropolymers.

About SPS

Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS) is an early-stage startup company that develops new materials and device technologies and commercializes polymeric electronic materials and devices that will revolutionize energy storage and medical therapeutics.  Its applications range from lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of hybrid electric vehicle engines and implantable cardiac defibrillators to the creation of lower cost, more efficient, and more effective steerable medical catheters for cardiac and other applications.  SPS recently closed a Series A funding round of $3 million.  The investment is being used to speed the development of manufacturing processes for SPS’ electroactive polymers and cardiac ablation catheters.

Strategic Polymer Sciences was founded in 2006 by Ralph Russo—a Silicon Valley business leader with prior senior executive experience at Apple Computer, AlliedSignal, Nortel, and Bay Networks—and Dr. Qiming Zhang—Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Materials Science at The Pennsylvania State University and one of the world's leading experts in electroactive materials. The company is headquartered in State College, PA. 

About Solvay Solexis

Solvay Solexis is an international producer of fluorospecialties and offers a complete range of high-value products for the most advanced markets as semiconductors & electronics, surface treatment, pharmaceutical, building & architecture, wire & cables, automotive & aerospace, Oil & Gas, batteries, fuel cells, etc.  Solvay Solexis is a member of the Solvay Group, a global leader in chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals with more than 400 business units in over 50 countries.

State College, PA, October 31, 2008 - The United States Air Force has awarded Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS) a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 Program grant to develop long-life power capacitors.

SPS received the SBIR grant to develop compact, sub microsecond discharge pulsed power capacitors with a long lifetime of more than one million cycles (AF083-007). The new film capacitors will be fabricated using SPS high energy density dielectric films, combining with state-of-the-art metallization technology and robust capacitor design.

These advanced capacitors can have numerous military applications: directed energy systems, high power microwave generators, power modulators, particle accelerators, and advanced radar systems. The capacitors are also critical to many commercial devices such as medical x-ray equipment, defibrillators, utility distribution substations, machining equipment, and hybrid electric and plug-in electric vehicles.

Strategic Polymer Science is an early-stage startup company that develops new materials and device technologies that are in the process of revolutionizing energy storage, energy generation, and medical therapeutics. Its applications range from lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of hybrid electric vehicle engines and implantable cardiac defibrillators to the creation of lower cost, more efficient, and more effective steerable medical catheters for cardiac and other applications.

Earlier this year, SPS closed a Series A funding round of $3 million. The company was also recently awarded a $200,000 commercialization grant from the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center for the development of nanostructured compact capacitors for implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD).

About SBIR

The SBIR program was created by the U.S. Congress to stimulate technological innovation, utilize small business to meet federal research and development needs, and increase private sector commercialization. SBIR funds research and development projects in order to stimulate technological innovation; increase small business participation in federal research and development; and increase private sector commercialization of technology derived from federal research and development.

Each year, the program funds Phase I feasibility projects for approximately six months. After completion of the Phase I stage, most of these businesses can compete for Phase II awards. Phase II awards can last up to 24 months.

State College, PA, October 31, 2008 - Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS) has been awarded a $200,000 commercialization grant by the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center (PA Nano) to develop nanostructured compact capacitors for implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD).

In the one-year program, SPS will work with Penn State University to develop prototype ICD capacitors and evaluate them for ICD application.

Strategic Polymer Science is an early-stage startup company that develops new materials and device technologies that are in the process of revolutionizing energy storage, energy generation, and medical therapeutics. Its applications range from lowering the cost and increasing the efficiency of hybrid electric vehicle engines and implantable cardiac defibrillators to the creation of lower cost, more efficient, and more effective steerable medical catheters for cardiac and other applications.

Earlier this year, SPS closed a Series A funding round of $3 million. The company was also recently awarded a $100,000 SBIR Phase 1 grant by the United States Air Force to develop compact, sub microsecond discharge pulsed power capacitors with a long lifetime of more than one million cycles.

About PA Nano

The Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center is a worldwide leader in facilitating the commercialization of nanomaterials technologies and builds upon Pennsylvania's excellence in advanced materials research, development and manufacturing. Strategic Polymer Sciences is headquartered in State College, PA. The Center plays a critical role in accelerating the commercialization of nanomaterials research for new and enhanced products critical for U.S. commercial and defense needs. The center uses a unique model to proactively create partnerships between government organizations, universities, entrepreneurs, small and large companies to match nanotechnology research with innovative new ideas, and then accelerates the development of those ideas into new products, new companies and growth for the region and the country.