Irish nanocoatings company Kastus has received €1.5m investment, led by Atlantic Bridge University Fund. The company develops patented and patent pending photocatalytic (indoor light activated), anti-microbial surface treatments and additives. The coatings are used to bacteria, fungi and antibiotic-resistant superbugs including MRSA and E. coli in medical facilities. The company plans to launch new products in 2017 in healthcare and electronics.
Israel-based nanotechnology start-up Gauzy has completed its third funding round with Asian and American investors, raising $7 million. Tel Aviv-based Gauzy develops liquid crystal glass laminates that create “smart glass” for a variety of markets, including construction, automotive, and consumer electronics. The funds will be used to double the company’s research and development resources, as well as boost its marketing efforts worldwide.
The Israeli Innovation Authority and the German Ministry of Science have launched of a new €30 million, 3 year project to boost collaborative efforts between research institutes in both countries.
“The impressive achievements of nanotechnology in research and industry are a source of pride for us globally – these achievements reflect the state’s focus on this sector and the support it grants,” said Israeli Chief Scientist Avi Hasson.
Graphene producer Group NanoXplore Inc. has has secured an equity investment of more than $2.25 million from Mason Graphite Inc. and other existing investors.
This equity financing comes a few weeks after NanoXplore landed a $3 million investment from Sustainable Development Technology Canada(SDTC). NanoXplore will use the funds to scale up production of graphene from 4 to 64 metric tonnes per year. The company will also work with customers to develop new and innovative products using graphene-enhanced polymers.
“We have been very happy with the business progression of NanoXplore and its industrialization strategy which focuses on markets with large potential like all the polymers applications among others. All current users of graphite being potential users of graphene, this partnership aligns perfectly with our commercial strategy,” said Benoît Gascon, president and CEO of Mason Graphite. Mason Graphite now has a 32.5% ownership stake in NanoXplore after investing $1 million in the equity financing.The Montreal startup has also expanded its manufacturing capacity, increasing it from 8,500 square feet to 24,000 square feet.
Leading UK graphene producer Haydale Graphene Industries plc has been very active of late, raising a total of £2.6 million in funding as they seek to establish a global presence. A recent, open offer raised £500,000 to support the $7 million acquisition of US-based company ACMC Holding, Inc., a silicon carbide whisker producer. In August the company announced the acquisition of Thailand-based graphene conductive ink and composites manufacturer Innophene Co., Ltd. (www.innophene.com). The company has stated that these acquisitions will allow them to get a foothold in the North American and Asian markets.
A Haydale subsidiary, Haydale Composite Solutions recently secured a £310,000 contract extension with the National Grid in the United Kingdom. The company were previously contracted by National Grid to design and develop a lightweight Composite Gas Transition Piece (“GTP”) used to provide a support and seal around steel gas transmission pipelines passing through supporting concrete walls.
Waves Audio Ltd and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University have won a grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) and Israel’s energy ministry (MIEW) for their electrostatic speaker using a nanoscale active membrane based on graphene, achieving significant energy savings.
