Strategic Polymer Sciences News Feed

Strategic Polymers visited by famous Robert X. Cringely and TV crew

2010-07-14T13:24:15Z

Robert X. Cringely and his family arrived in the State College area on Sunday, July 11, 2010. On Monday morning, the famous technology journalist arrived at Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS) with a TV crew in hand to begin filming a segment of his upcoming reality internet and TV show, currently titled, "Cringely's (NOT in Silicon Valley) Startup Tour". SPS was one of 24 companies selected out of 374 total to participate in his planned TV show. During the competition SPS was highlighted as the highest ranked Advanced Materials companies out of 29 listed. "Cringely's (NOT in Silicon Valley) Startup Tour" is a program sponsored by author Robert X. Cringely and the Kauffman Foundation of Entrepreneurship in Kansas City to find the "Top Start-Up Companies Outside of Silicon Valley" and highlight innovation across the United States. It is also already sponsored by Research in Motion (makers of Blackberry phones), and Flip Video with many more to come.

Bob Cringely is famous for his technology blogs and used to be a columnist in Silicon Valley. Although he lives in Charleston, SC, he still has many connections in CA and across the country with the technology industry and venture capital community. He came up with the idea of doing a search for startups "outside" of Silicon Valley and will feature 24 of them in his 12-hour TV show.

SPS is hoping that it's breakthrough electroactive polymer (EAP) technology and the applications its helping to commercialize will be highlighted in the TV show along with the Centre County innovation ecosystem which SPS has greatly benefited from (e.g. Penn State University, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central PA, and the CBICC). SPS' focus on advanced polymer manufacturing, EAP component fabrication, and medical device production should be a boon in creating jobs in the State College area.

More detail about the motivation of Bob's quest can be found here: The Cringely 2010 (Not in Silicon Valley) Startup Tour.

NIH Grant Award Highlighted in Local Newspaper

2010-07-09T14:47:40Z

State College's local newspaper the Centre Daily Times (CDT) highlighted the $2.2M NIH BRDG-SPAN grant that was recently awarded to Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS) to further the development of electroactive polymer (EAP) based actuators for cardiac mapping and atrial defibrillation catheters.

NIH Funds Strategic Polymers' Innovative Electroactive Polymer Based Steerable Catheter Technology for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

2010-06-17T19:17:15Z

STATE COLLEGE, PA., (June 17, 2010) -- Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS), an innovator in advanced medical devices based on its proprietary electroactive polymer (EAP) technology, today announced it has received a $2.2 million grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The SPS grant is one of only ten awarded nationwide by the NIH under a Recovery Act Limited Competition called The Biomedical Research, Development, and Growth to Spur the Acceleration of New Technologies (BRDG-SPAN) Pilot Program. These grants are designed to “bridge” the gap between R&D and commercialization for promising new medical technologies.

The grant will support the design and commercialization of SPS's revolutionary steerable cardiac mapping and ablation catheter technology, which is at the 'core' of the SPS cardiac ablation catheter. Mapping and ablation catheters are used to treat atrial fibrillation. This disease affects millions of people each year and given the costs associated with some of the more advanced robotic procedures, millions go untreated. The precise movement or micro-steerability of the SPS catheter uses computer-controlled precision to locate the catheter tip. This type of precision ensures greater success rates, reduces physician fatigue, and decreases procedure time. Current mechanical catheter technologies have a number of disadvantages that can be significantly improved by utilizing EAP technology.

“The BRDG-SPAN project fits our corporate mission of creating enabling technology to improve the quality of living,” said Ralph Russo, co-founder, president, and CEO of SPS. “The NIH financing will enable us to speed the commercialization of micro-steerable cardiac ablation and related catheters that will make life-saving medical procedures less expensive, less risky, and more accessible. The grant has opened the door for EAP technology to be used in a number of other catheter procedures, such as OB-GYN, G.I., and cranial applications, as well as enable advanced micro- steerability, reduced procedure times, and advanced automation capabilities.” SPS is collaborating with Hershey Medical Center to develop a fully commercial demonstration of an advanced electric micro-steerable mapping and ablation catheter using a new class of proprietary EAPs.

Please contact Dr. Paul Rehrig for further information on this project: prehrig@strategicpolymers.com

SPS Awarded 2 NIH Grants (>$3M total) for Medical Device Development

2010-06-03T14:59:43Z

Strategic Polymer Sciences was recently awarded 2 NIH grants for medical device development. Their first grant was an NIH SBIR Fast Track award for $850,000 (2 years) started on March 1, 2010. The development of ultra-high energy density capacitors based on advanced SPS dielectric materials can significantly reduce the size and cost of Automated External Defibrillators (AED). This will enable the deployment of AED in millions of homes of patients with heart arrhythmia problem who are facing the threat of delayed defibrillation if AED not available.

More than 1000 American die every single day due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which claims more lives than breast cancer, AIDS, and lung cancer combined. The survival from SCA strongly depends on the early defibrillation and the probability of survival decreases by 7-10% for every minute of delay in defibrillation. In fact, less than 5% of patients with out-of-hospital SCA can survive to hospitalization. It has been found that automated external defibrillators (AED) can at least double the overall survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

In this Fast Track SBIR program (Phase I and Phase II), Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS) proposed to develop low-cost compact film capacitors with ultra-high electrical energy density for portable AED. The advanced capacitors will utilize the recent breakthrough dielectric materials discovered at Penn State University and the commercial-scale resin production and thin film processing technologies developed by SPS. For the same amount of delivered energy, the SPS capacitors will be 80% smaller and 50% cheaper than the current polypropylene (PP) AED capacitors. The advanced SPS film capacitors will shrink the size and reduce the cost of AED, facilitate the deployment of AED in millions of American homes and public buildings, and save thousands of patients with heart arrhythmia problem.

Their second grant was an NIH BRDG-SPAN (Biomedical Research, Development, and Growth to Spur the Acceleration of New Technologies) award for $2,192,113 (3 years) starts on June 4, 2010. This grant was funded by Recovery Funds. SPS proposed to develop an advanced electric micro-steerable mapping and ablation catheter using a new class of proprietary EAPs. The micro-steerable catheter can be controlled remotely with a computer and eliminate the X-Ray radiation exposure of the physician/staff during the procedure. This revolutionary design can replace current steerable cardiac mapping and ablation catheters by offering robotic level precision and control in steering. The success of this project will benefit millions of American who are suffering from cardiac arrhythmias, particularly those with atrial fibrillation. This is a multidisciplinary topic and it involves polymer material science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and biomedical devices.

Mapping/ablation catheters are used to treat atrial fibrillation. Current mechanical catheters are difficult and time consuming to operate and cannot provide reproducible and consistent ablation, whereas the proposed BRDG-SPAN project will develop electronically controlled actuators that will enable advanced micro- steerability, reduced procedure times and advanced automation capabilities. The innovative electrical catheters will benefit millions of Americans who are suffering from atrial fibrillation.

SPS Attends PCIM Conference in Nürnberg, Germany

2010-05-10T15:31:00Z

SPS attended the Power Electronics and Intelligent Motion Conference and Exhibition on May 4th through May 7th, 2010. SPS' booth attracted interest from potential customers worldwide. SPS presented their capacitor film technologies directly to film capacitor companies as well as making a broader community aware of their work on actuators and solid state cooling. PCIM also exposed SPS to the extensive work going on in wind and solar energy as well as electric vehicles that may lead to new opportunities for the sale of their film and electroactive polymer (EAP) based devices.

As part of the tradeshow SPS gave away an Apple iPad to Drs. Ir. C.J.J. de Wit (left) from Reelektronika and former Vishay Executive. The iPad was presented by Ralph Russo, President and CEO of SPS (right).

Thompson Announces $99,960 Dept. of Energy Grant to Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.

2010-04-27T15:44:11Z

(Press Release from U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson's office)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April 26, 2010

CONTACT: TINA KREISHER, 202-225-5121

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today announced a $99,960 grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS).

“The funds will be used by the company in this first phase to move this high tech concept forward and then to move toward commercialization,” said Thompson. “The potential is there to revolutionize the way electric current is delivered and distributed, in a much smaller platform.”

The program at Strategic Polymer Sciences (SPS) will develop advanced electric capacitors on film that can be used in electric drive and hybrid-electric vehicles as well as medical defibrillators and military pulsed power weapon systems. These advanced film capacitors will enable the miniaturization and reduce the cost of electric vehicle power inverters and many power electronic devices.

“This DOE Phase I SBIR is a very critical project for SPS, because it is our first government project for our next generation high temperature capacitor film for hybrid electric vehicles,” said Shihai Zhang, SPS director of engineering. “The work we will conduct on this project will expand the addressable markets for our electroactive polymer materials and enable SPS to grow its business activities in the Centre County region.”

On April 13, 2010, Thompson visited SPS to meet with the staff and tour the facilities. “As a member of the House Small business Committee, I have reached out to high-tech companies in the district to learn how I can be of assistance on the Committee and to help make the public more aware of the cutting-edge technology being developed throughout the Centre region,” said Thompson.

“I have been amazed by the amount of new start ups and high tech companies that have made their home in Centre County. As I continue my work in Congress, I am going to do everything I can to make sure these technologies and companies continue to thrive and remain great employers for the community,” added Thompson.

Also at the April 13th meeting at SPS were: Mel Bilingsley, Pres & CEO of Life Sciences Greenhouse; Steve Brawley, Pres & CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners; Roger Dagen, Director of Business Development, Ben Franklin Transformation; Dan Abruzzo, VP of Gov Affairs, Chamber of Business and Industry Centre County (CBICC); and Phil Park, Business Incubation Manager, CBICC.

Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. Nominated as Innovative Startup Company on Cringely's List

2010-04-19T16:35:30Z

"Cringely's (NOT in Silicon Valley) Startup Tour" is a directory sponsored by author Robert X. Cringely and the Kauffman Foundation of Entrepreneurship in Kansas City to find the "Top Start-Up Companies Outside of Silicon Valley." Bob Cringely, who used to be a columnist in the Silicon Valley and is hooked in to all that's high tech stuff as well as the venture capital community. He came up with this idea of doing a search for start-ups "outside" of Silicon Valley. The top 24 Non-Silicon-Valley Startups will be featured in a 12-hour reality television show.

See the details of this idea here: Cringely Blog explaining concept
Where you can nominate and vote here: Link to Cringely's List (see instructions below to help SPS win a spot on the show and gain some high profile publicity)

They are requiring registration, but the process only takes a second (in fact you can use your current Facebook, Twitter, Google or Yahoo account to speed the process). Please go to the website, create an account, and rate SPS with 5 stars! Your vote and/or comment is greatly appreciated. Please understand his website has some limitations and was set up very quickly, so we did not get to polish off the text in our description and the logo is lower resolution that we desired.

Thank you in advance for your support and please spread the word.

Sincerely,

The SPS Management Team

*****

INSTRUCTIONS for assisting SPS to win a slot on the show

Go to the website: http://cringelyslist.democrasoft.com/
You will need a login to vote and leave a comment
Click on Login at the top right and then Register (fill in information and then click Register)
To find the SPS profile either type "Strategic Polymer" in the search box or follow 2 steps below
Click on the "Materials" link under "Categories" on the left
Click on the "Most Popular" tab and you should see Strategic Polymer Sciences listed
Before you leave a comment, rate SPS with 5 green stars to the right of our name. The rating is more important than leaving a comment. You can make sure you rated us by clicking on it again.
Then click "View and Comment" under our name and scroll down to the "Post a Comment" box
Leave a comment and click "Post"
Thank you!

PA 5th District Congressman Glenn Thompson Visits SPS

2010-04-13T20:00:00Z

The Honorable Glenn Thompson visited SPS Tuesday, April 13, 2010. The meeting also included representatives from many of the organizations that have helped SPS to start up and grow including: the Life Sciences Greenhouse of PA, Ben Franklin, Penn State University, Centre County IDC and the CBICC. SPS presented its technologies and its vision of future growth in Centre County including capacitor film and actuator production. The presentation was well received especially the vision of growth and job creation. Representative Thompson stated that he is excited about SPS' vision and offered to help support SPS efforts to promote growth within the SPS and economic opportunities for central Pennsylvania.

SPS to attend largest European Power Electronics Tradeshow

2010-04-01T14:00:00Z

Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc. (SPS) recently introduced their Generation 1 eletroactive polymer (EAP) capacitor film at the CARTS Conference in New Orleans last month. Shihai Zhang presented a technical paper on high energy density capacitor films which aided in bringing awareness to our company.

To maintain the momentum initially gained at CARTS, SPS will introduce their capacitor film and actuator products at the Power Electronics Show (PCIM2010) in Nuremberg, Germany next month (May 4-6, 2010). This is the largest show of its kind in the world. Conference officials are expecting over 10,000 visitors and at least 200 exhibitors. 28 of the largest capacitor companies in the world will exhibit, as well as several hundred users of capacitors and actuators. SPS will have a large end corner booth and will prominently display our capacitors and actuators. This will help to solidify SPS as a first class brand for high energy density polymer film and capacitors on a global basis.

As SPS turns their focus to the customer and future sales opportunities, they will elevate their attention on product quality and customer satisfaction as well as accelerate their transition from a research organization to a commercial company.

Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.'s booth will be located at the Nuremberg Messe, Booth #134.

Strategic Polymer Sciences (SPS) to Introduce Capacitor Film at CARTS Conference

2010-03-05T13:37:53Z

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.