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)