Technology Administration
For Immediate Release     August 3, 2007	Contacts:	Marjorie.Weisskohl@technology.gov 202-482-0149

Arkansas Nanotechnology Companies to Receive
“Recognition of Excellence in Innovation” Certificates
from Commerce Department

Nanomaterials and Nanofabrication Laboratories (NN-Labs), and NanoMech™,
UARK Fayetteville Technology Incubator Spin-offs, Gain recognition

Washington - (Aug. 3) Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology Robert Cresanti will present a pair of “Recognition of Excellence in Innovation” certificates to Arkansas nanotechnology companies on August 7 at the Bailey Alumni Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Both companies were founded by successful researchers-turned-entrepreneurs affiliated with the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Dr. Xiaogong Peng, Scharlau Professor of Chemistry at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and his company, Nanomaterials and Nanofabrication Laboratories (NN-Labs), will be recognized for pioneering the manufacturing and application of high quality, standardized colloidal nanocrystals that can used in solid state lighting, light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and biomedical detection. NN-Labs and the University of Arkansas received a joint U.S. patent in 2006 for their specialized manufacturing process to produce stable colloidal nanocrystals.

Dr. Ajay Malshe, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UA/Fayetteville, and his company, NanoMech™, will be recognized for developing nanoparticle-based coatings and coating deposition systems that have unique properties such as extreme wear resistance, corrosion resistance, bio-compatibility, and other attributes important for military and industrial products, and for medical implants.

NN-Labs and NanoMech are both spin-off companies based on technology developed at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. The companies are housed in the Genesis Technology Incubator.

The certificate recognizes local and regional innovators who have introduced a new product or service into the market during the last 12 months, utilized a new manufacturing process within the last 12 months, or received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office within the last 12 months.

The primary mission of the Technology Administration (TA) is to maximize the competitiveness and innovation of the U.S. technology industry and its contribution to America’s economic growth and global leadership. For more information, visit the home page at www.technology.gov.

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