Nanotechnology Companies Directory

Pioneer in quantum dot technology for display applications, developing high-performance nanomaterials for next-generation displays and lighting

Developer of molecular diagnostics platform using gold nanoparticle probe technology for rapid disease detection

Manufacturer of carbon nanotube-based materials for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications

Life sciences company developing tools for gene expression analysis using nanoparticle-based molecular barcoding technology

Process control metrology and inspection systems for advanced semiconductor manufacturing

Advanced materials and nanofabrication company specializing in surface solutions and precision coating technologies

Developer of nanotechnology applications including sensors, thermal management, and energy solutions

Developer of scanning probe microscopy systems and software for nanoscale research and analysis

Clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering nanomedicine with first-in-class radioenhancers for cancer treatment

Specialist in high-performance surfaces and advanced materials using nanotechnology for various industries

Biopharmaceutical company developing targeted RNAi therapeutics using proprietary TRiM platform

Global specialty chemicals and performance materials company producing carbon black, silica, and other nanomaterials

Designer and manufacturer of CVD systems for graphene, carbon nanotubes, and advanced materials synthesis

Leading supplier of process equipment for semiconductor, data storage, and advanced packaging applications

Global leader in scientific instruments including AFM, electron microscopy, and nanomechanical testing systems

High-technology tools and systems for research and industry including nanotechnology, advanced materials, and life science

World leader in serving science with electron microscopes, spectroscopy instruments, and nanotechnology solutions

Global supplier of electron microscopes, mass spectrometers, and other analytical instruments for nanotechnology

Global leader in electron microscopy and semiconductor manufacturing equipment for nanoscale analysis

Nanoco Group plc stands as a world-leading innovator in the development and manufacture of cadmium-free quantum dots (CFQD), pioneering sustainable nanomaterial solutions for the display, lighting, and biological imaging industries. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, Nanoco emerged from groundbreaking research at the University of Manchester, establishing itself as a publicly-traded company on the London Stock Exchange AIM market under the ticker NANO. The company's proprietary molecular seeding technology enables the production of highly uniform, tunable quantum dots without toxic heavy metals like cadmium, addressing both performance requirements and environmental regulations. Their CFQD quantum dots offer exceptional color purity, brightness, and energy efficiency, making them ideal for next-generation display technologies including QLED televisions, monitors, and mobile devices. Nanoco's quantum dots can be precisely engineered to emit specific wavelengths of light, enabling displays with wider color gamuts approaching 100% of the Rec. 2020 standard. Beyond displays, the company has expanded into infrared sensing applications and biological imaging, where their nanomaterials enable advanced medical diagnostics and research tools. Throughout its history, Nanoco has established strategic partnerships with major electronics manufacturers and has been involved in significant industry initiatives to commercialize quantum dot technology. The company maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities and continues to invest heavily in research and development to advance nanomaterial science. As environmental regulations increasingly favor cadmium-free alternatives, Nanoco's technology positions the company at the forefront of the sustainable nanotechnology revolution. With over 50-100 employees and public funding, Nanoco represents a crucial bridge between university research and commercial nanotechnology applications, demonstrating how advanced nanomaterials can transform consumer electronics while meeting stringent environmental standards.

Strem Chemicals, Inc. has served as a cornerstone supplier of specialty chemicals and advanced nanomaterials to the global research community since its founding in 1964. Based in Newburyport, Massachusetts, this privately-held company has built an unparalleled reputation for providing high-purity, precisely characterized nanomaterials that enable cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, materials science, and catalysis. Strem's extensive nanomaterials catalog encompasses nanopowders, quantum dots, metal nanoparticles, and nano-catalysts, serving as essential building blocks for researchers developing next-generation technologies. The company's commitment to quality control and material characterization sets industry standards, with each product accompanied by detailed specifications including particle size distributions, surface properties, and purity analyses. Strem specializes in small-batch production of research-grade materials that are often unavailable from larger chemical suppliers, filling a critical niche in the nanotechnology ecosystem. Their metal nanoparticle offerings include gold, silver, platinum, and palladium nanoparticles in various sizes and surface functionalizations, widely used in catalysis, sensing, and biomedical research. The quantum dot portfolio spans various semiconductor materials including CdSe, InP, and perovskite quantum dots for optoelectronics and imaging applications. Strem's nanopowders include metal oxides, nitrides, and carbides used in advanced ceramics, catalysis, and energy storage research. The company maintains strong relationships with academic institutions and national laboratories worldwide, often collaborating with researchers to develop custom nanomaterials for specific applications. With a team of 50-100 employees including experienced chemists and materials scientists, Strem provides not just products but also technical expertise to support customer research. Their role in the nanotechnology supply chain is fundamental—enabling thousands of research projects that advance our understanding of nanoscale phenomena and drive innovation in fields ranging from renewable energy to medicine. As nanotechnology research continues to accelerate globally, Strem Chemicals remains an indispensable partner for scientists exploring the frontiers of materials science.

American Elements, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, has grown into a global powerhouse in the manufacture and distribution of advanced materials, with particular expertise in engineered nanomaterials. As a vertically-integrated producer, the company manufactures an extraordinary range of nanoscale materials including nanopowders, nanowires, nanoparticles, graphene, quantum dots, and nanocomposites, serving industries from aerospace to pharmaceuticals. With 100-200 employees and private funding, American Elements operates manufacturing facilities across the United States and maintains a global distribution network reaching researchers and manufacturers on every continent. The company's nanomaterials portfolio is remarkably comprehensive, encompassing over 15,000 chemical formulations available in nano-scale forms. Their metal and metal oxide nanopowders find applications in catalysis, additive manufacturing, and advanced coatings, while semiconductor nanoparticles enable innovations in optoelectronics and energy conversion. American Elements pioneered the commercial production of many specialized nanomaterials, including rare earth nanopowders, boron nanopowders, and carbide nanoparticles that are essential for cutting-edge research. The company's graphene and carbon nanomaterial offerings include single-layer graphene, graphene oxide, and carbon nanotubes in various specifications. Beyond material production, American Elements invests significantly in quality control and characterization, utilizing transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and surface analysis to ensure material specifications. The company has developed proprietary synthesis methods for producing ultra-pure nanomaterials with tightly controlled particle size distributions, critical for reproducible research and manufacturing. American Elements serves diverse markets including semiconductors, aerospace, renewable energy, life sciences, and defense, providing both catalog products and custom synthesis services. Their rapid fulfillment capabilities and technical support have made them a preferred supplier for time-sensitive research projects. As nanotechnology transitions from laboratory curiosity to industrial reality, American Elements plays a vital role in scaling up production of nanomaterials while maintaining the quality and consistency demanded by advanced applications, effectively bridging the gap between nanoscience research and commercial manufacturing.

Nanophase Technologies Corporation, a NASDAQ-traded pioneer established in 1989, specializes in engineered nanomaterials and advanced formulations serving the personal care, surface treatment, and industrial markets. Based in Romeoville, Illinois, Nanophase has distinguished itself through proprietary manufacturing processes that produce precisely controlled zinc oxide nanoparticles and other metal oxide nanomaterials with exceptional uniformity and performance characteristics. With over $100 million in funding and 50-100 employees, the company has successfully transitioned from research-stage nanotechnology to commercial-scale production, demonstrating the viability of nanomaterials in consumer applications. Nanophase's core technology revolves around physical vapor synthesis methods that create ultra-pure, non-agglomerated nanoparticles with narrow size distributions—critical attributes for consistent product performance. Their zinc oxide nanoparticles, marketed extensively to the personal care industry, provide transparent, broad-spectrum UV protection in sunscreens and cosmetics without the white residue associated with conventional zinc oxide. These nanomaterials offer superior photostability and cosmetic elegance while maintaining safety profiles that meet stringent regulatory requirements. Beyond personal care, Nanophase develops surface treatment solutions where nanoparticle-enhanced coatings provide antimicrobial properties, enhanced durability, and improved optical characteristics. The company's personal care actives portfolio includes not only UV filters but also anti-aging ingredients and skin-conditioning agents enhanced through nanotechnology. Nanophase works closely with formulation scientists at major consumer product companies to integrate their nanomaterials into commercial products, providing technical support throughout product development and regulatory approval processes. The company's manufacturing facilities incorporate advanced process controls and quality assurance systems necessary for producing materials that contact human skin, meeting FDA and international safety standards. Throughout its three-decade history, Nanophase has accumulated extensive intellectual property including patents covering nanoparticle synthesis, surface modification, and formulation technologies. The company represents a successful model for commercializing nanotechnology in strictly regulated consumer markets, demonstrating how engineered nanomaterials can enhance product performance while addressing safety and environmental concerns. As consumer demand for high-performance, transparent sunscreens continues growing, Nanophase's expertise in cosmetically elegant nanoparticle formulations positions the company for continued growth in the multi-billion dollar personal care market.

Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc., founded in 1973 and based in Reno, Nevada, has pioneered the development and commercialization of nano lithium titanate (nano-LTO) battery technology for fast-charging energy storage applications. With over $200 million in funding and 50-100 employees, Altair has focused on addressing critical limitations of conventional lithium-ion batteries through nanotechnology-enabled electrode materials. The company's proprietary nano-LTO material serves as a battery anode replacement for traditional graphite, offering transformative performance advantages including ultra-fast charging capabilities, exceptional cycle life exceeding 15,000 charge-discharge cycles, superior safety characteristics, and excellent low-temperature performance. Unlike graphite anodes that can form dendrites leading to safety hazards, nano-LTO's crystalline structure accommodates lithium ions without significant volume expansion, virtually eliminating the risk of thermal runaway. This safety advantage makes Altair's technology particularly valuable for applications requiring high reliability including grid energy storage, electric buses, and military systems. The company's ALTI-ESS (Energy Storage System) products target utility-scale and commercial energy storage markets, providing frequency regulation, peak shaving, and renewable energy integration capabilities. Altair's nanomaterials are synthesized using proprietary processes that control particle size and morphology at the nanoscale, maximizing electrochemical performance. The nano-structured titanate provides high surface area for rapid lithium-ion intercalation while maintaining structural stability across thousands of cycles. Throughout its history, Altair has partnered with major automotive and energy companies to deploy its technology in real-world applications including electric bus fleets that benefit from fast charging during route layovers. The company has also supplied battery systems for grid stabilization projects where the ability to absorb and release energy rapidly is crucial for grid reliability. While nano-LTO batteries have lower energy density compared to conventional lithium-ion cells, their superior power density, safety, and longevity create compelling value propositions for specific applications. Altair's work demonstrates how nanomaterial engineering can fundamentally alter battery performance characteristics, enabling applications that conventional battery chemistries cannot adequately address. As energy storage becomes increasingly critical for electric transportation and renewable energy integration, Altair's nano-LTO technology represents an important specialized solution within the diverse battery technology landscape.

NanoGram Corporation, established in 1996 in Milpitas, California, has developed innovative nanomaterial synthesis technologies focused on producing functional inks and pastes for printed electronics, solar cells, and battery applications. With $50+ million in funding and 50-100 employees, NanoGram pioneered laser pyrolysis techniques that enable the production of highly controlled nanoparticles with unique properties optimized for energy applications. The company's core technology platform uses high-intensity laser beams to vaporize and rapidly cool precursor materials, creating nanoparticles with precise size, composition, and crystallinity not achievable through conventional synthesis methods. This sophisticated approach allows NanoGram to engineer materials at the atomic level, tailoring electrical, optical, and electrochemical properties for specific applications. NanoGram's product portfolio includes conductive inks for printed electronic circuits, photovoltaic pastes for solar cell metallization, and battery materials incorporating silicon nanoparticles for enhanced lithium-ion battery anodes. In the solar industry, the company developed nanoparticle-based pastes that improve electrical contact formation in crystalline silicon solar cells, potentially increasing cell efficiency while reducing manufacturing costs. Their silicon nanoparticle battery materials address a long-standing challenge in lithium-ion batteries—silicon's enormous volume expansion during lithium insertion. By engineering silicon at the nanoscale, NanoGram creates materials that accommodate volume changes while maintaining electrical connectivity, enabling higher-energy-density batteries. The company's printable electronic inks represent another significant application area, allowing low-cost, high-throughput manufacturing of electronic components through printing processes rather than traditional lithography. NanoGram works closely with manufacturers to integrate their nanomaterials into existing production lines, providing not just materials but also process integration expertise. The company's emphasis on manufacturability distinguishes it from pure research-focused nanotechnology companies—their materials are designed for scale-up and cost-effective production. Throughout its history, NanoGram has adapted its technology platform to address evolving market needs, shifting focus between solar, battery, and electronics applications as industries mature. The company exemplifies how advanced nanomaterial synthesis can enable disruptive manufacturing technologies, potentially transforming energy and electronics production through printable, solution-processable functional materials. As industries increasingly seek sustainable, low-cost manufacturing methods, NanoGram's approach to nanomaterial-enabled printed functionality offers promising pathways for next-generation product manufacturing.

Haydale Graphene Industries plc, founded in 2010 and based in Ammanford, Wales, United Kingdom, has established itself as a leading graphene and advanced nanomaterials company through its proprietary plasma functionalization technology. Publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange AIM market under ticker HAYD, Haydale has raised over $30 million to develop and commercialize functionalized graphene and other nanomaterials for industrial applications. With 50-100 employees, the company operates at the intersection of materials science and advanced manufacturing, providing both materials and application development services. Haydale's core innovation is the HDPlas plasma process, which functionalizes graphene and other nanomaterials by introducing specific chemical groups onto their surfaces without damaging the underlying material structure. This surface modification dramatically improves the dispersibility of graphene in various matrices including polymers, inks, and coatings—addressing a fundamental challenge that has hindered graphene commercialization. Unfunctionalized graphene tends to agglomerate due to strong van der Waals forces, limiting its effectiveness in composite materials. Haydale's plasma treatment overcomes this limitation, enabling homogeneous distribution of graphene throughout host materials and maximizing performance enhancements. The company's product portfolio includes HDPlas-treated graphene nanoplatelets optimized for different applications including composite reinforcement, conductive inks, coatings, and energy storage. In composites, even small graphene additions can significantly enhance mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties. Haydale works with aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment manufacturers to develop graphene-enhanced materials with improved performance-to-weight ratios. The company has also developed graphene-enhanced inks for printed electronics and sensors, where electrical conductivity and flexibility are critical. Beyond graphene, Haydale applies its functionalization technology to other nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide, expanding its addressable markets. The company operates a unique business model combining materials sales with contract research and application development services, partnering with customers to tailor nanomaterial solutions for specific requirements. Haydale's facilities include pilot-scale production equipment and comprehensive materials characterization capabilities, enabling rapid prototyping and scale-up. The company has established collaborations with major industrial partners and participates in government-funded research programs advancing graphene commercialization. Haydale represents the emerging class of nanotechnology companies focused not on nanomaterial production alone but on enabling technologies that make nanomaterials practically useful in real-world applications, addressing the critical gap between laboratory demonstrations and commercial products.

First Graphene Ltd., established in 2015 and headquartered in Perth, Australia, has rapidly emerged as a significant producer of high-quality graphene products derived from high-purity graphite resources. Publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: FGR), the company has raised over $50 million to develop vertically-integrated graphene production capabilities spanning from raw material sourcing to application development. With 10-50 employees, First Graphene maintains a focused strategy of producing premium graphene products while working closely with industrial partners to demonstrate commercial viability in targeted applications. The company's flagship product line, PureGRAPH, encompasses various grades of graphene nanoplatelets produced through optimized exfoliation processes that preserve graphene's exceptional properties while enabling cost-effective manufacturing. First Graphene benefits from access to high-purity graphite ore from Sri Lankan sources, providing feedstock with minimal impurities—critical for producing graphene with consistent properties. The company operates production facilities capable of manufacturing multi-ton quantities of graphene annually, positioning it among the world's larger-scale graphene producers. PureGRAPH products are available in multiple grades tailored for different applications including concrete reinforcement, polymer composites, coatings, lubricants, and energy storage. In the concrete industry, even small additions of PureGRAPH can significantly enhance compressive strength, durability, and resistance to chemical attack while reducing cement content—offering both performance and sustainability benefits. First Graphene has conducted extensive testing demonstrating that graphene-enhanced concrete can achieve 30-40% strength improvements, potentially revolutionizing construction materials. The company has also developed graphene-enhanced elastomers and thermoplastics showing improved mechanical properties and thermal conductivity for automotive and industrial applications. Beyond materials sales, First Graphene invests in application development through its own research facilities and partnerships with universities and industrial companies. The company has established relationships with construction materials manufacturers, automotive suppliers, and equipment manufacturers to integrate PureGRAPH into commercial products. First Graphene's strategy emphasizes large-volume, lower-margin applications rather than niche high-margin markets, recognizing that graphene's true commercial potential lies in transforming high-volume industries. The company has achieved regulatory approvals and certifications necessary for construction and industrial applications, navigating complex qualification processes. As graphene transitions from laboratory curiosity to industrial commodity, First Graphene's focus on production scale, material consistency, and application validation positions the company to capitalize on emerging demand for performance-enhancing nanomaterials in traditional industries.

XG Sciences, Inc., founded in 2006 in Lansing, Michigan, pioneered the commercial production of graphene nanoplatelets (xGnP) for energy storage, composites, and coatings applications. With over $50 million in funding and 50-100 employees, XG Sciences developed proprietary manufacturing processes that produce multi-layer graphene platelets with precisely controlled dimensions and properties optimized for industrial use. The company emerged from Michigan State University research on graphite intercalation and exfoliation, translating academic discoveries into scalable production technologies. XG Sciences' xGnP graphene nanoplatelets consist of small stacks of graphene sheets (typically 5-15 layers) with lateral dimensions of 5-25 micrometers, providing an optimal balance between graphene's exceptional properties and practical dispersibility in various matrices. These nanoplatelets offer extremely high surface area, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, and superior mechanical properties while remaining compatible with conventional mixing and processing equipment. XG Sciences initially focused on lithium-ion battery applications, where xGnP additives in both anodes and cathodes improve electrical conductivity, enabling faster charging and higher power output. The company developed specialty graphene grades optimized for battery applications, with surface treatments and particle size distributions tailored for optimal electrode performance. In battery cathodes, xGnP creates conductive networks that improve rate capability, while in anodes, graphene can blend with silicon to accommodate volume expansion. Beyond batteries, XG Sciences targeted polymer composites where graphene nanoplatelets enhance mechanical strength, thermal management, and electrical properties at low loading levels (typically 1-5%). The company worked with automotive and electronics manufacturers to develop thermally conductive plastics for heat dissipation in electronic devices and lightweight structural composites for transportation applications. XG Sciences also developed graphene-enhanced coatings with improved barrier properties, corrosion resistance, and thermal management for industrial and marine applications. Throughout its history, the company invested heavily in application development laboratories and technical support, recognizing that successful graphene commercialization requires not just material production but also formulation expertise and customer collaboration. XG Sciences maintained extensive intellectual property portfolios covering graphene production methods, surface treatments, and specific applications. The company was acquired by Graphene X in 2020, but its technology and products continue as important contributors to the graphene industry. XG Sciences demonstrated that graphene nanoplatelets could transition from exotic research material to practical industrial additive, validating the commercial potential of graphene derivatives for large-scale applications.

Grolltex, Inc., founded in 2014 and based in San Diego, California, specializes in the manufacturing of high-quality single-layer graphene and two-dimensional (2D) materials using advanced chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques. As a privately-funded company with 10-50 employees, Grolltex has carved out a distinct niche in the graphene market by focusing on large-area, high-quality monolayer graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) films on various substrates. The company's technology enables the production of wafer-scale graphene with excellent uniformity and minimal defects—critical requirements for electronics and sensor applications where material quality directly impacts device performance. Grolltex's CVD process achieves precise control over graphene growth parameters including temperature, gas composition, and substrate preparation, resulting in reproducible material properties across production batches. The company offers monolayer graphene transferred onto various substrates including silicon wafers, glass, polymers, and metals, providing customers with ready-to-use materials for device fabrication. Beyond graphene, Grolltex produces hexagonal boron nitride films, an insulating 2D material with applications as a dielectric layer in graphene electronics and as a protective coating. The company has developed transfer technologies that move CVD-grown graphene from growth substrates to target substrates while preserving material quality—a technically challenging process critical for commercial viability. Grolltex serves research institutions and companies developing graphene-based electronics, sensors, and photonic devices where monolayer graphene's unique electronic and optical properties are essential. Application areas include transparent conductive electrodes for displays and solar cells, high-frequency transistors, chemical and biological sensors, and photonics components. The company provides customized graphene products tailored to specific customer requirements including patterned graphene, doped graphene, and graphene on specialized substrates. Grolltex has invested in quality control and characterization capabilities including Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and electrical testing to ensure materials meet customer specifications. The company collaborates with researchers and device manufacturers to optimize graphene properties for emerging applications, providing technical support throughout the development process. Grolltex represents the specialized segment of the graphene industry focused on high-quality materials for electronics rather than bulk applications, addressing markets where graphene's unique electronic properties justify premium pricing. As graphene electronics transitions from research to commercialization, companies like Grolltex providing reliable sources of device-quality 2D materials play crucial enabling roles, supplying the building blocks for next-generation electronic, sensing, and photonic technologies that leverage graphene's extraordinary properties.

Graphenea, S.A., established in 2010 in San Sebastian, Spain, has become a leading global supplier of CVD graphene and graphene oxide for research and industrial applications. With over $20 million in funding and 50-100 employees, Graphenea operates production facilities in Spain and the United States, serving customers across academia, industry, and government research institutions. The company emerged from CIC nanoGUNE research center, translating laboratory graphene synthesis into reproducible commercial production. Graphenea's product portfolio spans the graphene materials spectrum including CVD monolayer graphene on various substrates, graphene oxide dispersions and powders, and reduced graphene oxide. Their CVD graphene products feature large-area single-layer films with high quality and uniformity, suitable for electronics, sensors, and photonics research. The company offers graphene transferred onto silicon wafers, glass, polymers, and other substrates in standard sizes up to 4-inch wafers, with custom sizes available. Graphenea has developed specialized graphene products including graphene field-effect transistor (GFET) chips for sensor applications, where graphene's sensitivity to chemical and biological analytes enables ultra-sensitive detection. These GFET sensors can detect minute quantities of gases, biomolecules, and other analytes, with applications in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and industrial process control. The company's graphene oxide products are widely used in research on composite materials, coatings, energy storage, and biomedical applications. Graphene oxide's oxygen-containing functional groups make it dispersible in water and provide chemical handles for further functionalization, enabling diverse applications. Graphenea maintains rigorous quality control processes including comprehensive characterization of each production batch using Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and optical microscopy to verify material properties. The company has established itself as a reliable supplier for researchers requiring consistent, well-characterized graphene materials for reproducible experiments. Beyond materials sales, Graphenea offers custom synthesis services, developing tailored graphene products for specific customer requirements. The company has built strong relationships with academic researchers worldwide, supporting thousands of publications involving their graphene products. Graphenea participates in European research consortia advancing graphene applications, contributing expertise in materials production and characterization. As the graphene research community has grown, Graphenea has scaled production to meet increasing demand while maintaining the material quality essential for meaningful research. The company represents the critical infrastructure supporting graphene research and development, providing the standardized, characterized materials necessary for advancing our understanding of graphene's properties and potential applications across diverse fields.

NanoMech, LLC, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, develops advanced nanolubricants and nanocoatings for industrial and defense applications, leveraging nanotechnology to deliver superior tribological performance. With over $50 million in funding and 50-100 employees, NanoMech has successfully commercialized nanotechnology-based solutions that reduce friction, wear, and energy consumption in demanding mechanical systems. The company's origins trace to research on nanocrystalline materials and their unique friction-reducing properties, which were translated into practical lubrication and coating products. NanoMech's flagship nGlide lubricant product line incorporates proprietary nanoparticles that provide enhanced lubrication performance compared to conventional oils and greases. These nanolubricants create ultra-low-friction surface layers and protective tribofilms that reduce wear, extend equipment life, and improve energy efficiency. The company's nanoparticles are engineered with specific compositions and morphologies optimized for different operating conditions including temperature extremes, high loads, and contaminated environments. NanoMech has demonstrated fuel economy improvements of 3-7% in automotive and transportation applications through reduced friction in engines and drivetrains. In industrial settings, their nanolubricants extend maintenance intervals and reduce downtime for heavy machinery, mining equipment, and manufacturing systems. The company's GuardIN coating systems provide protective surface treatments with exceptional wear resistance and low friction for tools, machinery components, and weapons systems. These nanocoatings are applied through various deposition processes to create thin, dense protective layers that significantly extend component life. NanoMech has worked extensively with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop specialized lubricants and coatings for military vehicles, aircraft, and weapons systems operating in harsh environments. The company's products have been qualified for use in various military platforms, addressing critical needs for improved reliability and reduced logistics burdens. Beyond defense, NanoMech serves automotive, aerospace, energy, and heavy industry sectors where equipment reliability and efficiency are paramount. The company provides comprehensive tribological testing and engineering services, working with customers to optimize lubrication solutions for specific applications. NanoMech's laboratories include advanced friction and wear testing equipment that simulate real-world operating conditions, enabling product validation and performance prediction. The company has built an extensive intellectual property portfolio covering nanoparticle compositions, synthesis methods, and lubrication applications. NanoMech exemplifies successful nanotechnology commercialization in industrial markets, demonstrating how engineered nanomaterials can deliver measurable performance and economic benefits in practical applications, moving beyond laboratory demonstrations to products that address real-world tribological challenges.

Applied Nanostructured Solutions, LLC (ANS), founded in 2008 and based in Baltimore, Maryland, develops carbon nanotube-infused materials for aerospace and industrial structural applications as a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. With a private funding structure and 50-100 employees, ANS has focused on translating CNT technology from research into qualified aerospace materials that meet stringent industry requirements. The company emerged from recognition that carbon nanotubes' exceptional mechanical and electrical properties could enhance fiber-reinforced composites if integration challenges could be overcome. ANS developed proprietary processes for infusing carbon nanotubes directly onto carbon fiber and glass fiber surfaces, creating CNT-infused fibers that serve as drop-in replacements for conventional reinforcement fibers in composite manufacturing. This approach addresses a fundamental challenge in CNT composites—achieving good dispersion and interfacial bonding between nanotubes and the polymer matrix. By growing or depositing CNTs directly on fiber surfaces, ANS creates intimate mechanical interlocking and chemical bonding between nanotubes and matrix resins. The resulting structural composites exhibit enhanced mechanical properties including improved interlaminar strength, fracture toughness, and damage tolerance compared to conventional composites. Additionally, CNT-infused fibers provide electrical conductivity, enabling multifunctional composites with integrated sensing, electromagnetic shielding, and lightning strike protection capabilities. ANS has worked closely with aerospace manufacturers to qualify CNT-infused materials for aircraft structures, demonstrating that nanotube enhancements can be achieved within existing manufacturing processes and quality assurance frameworks. The company's materials have been incorporated into commercial and military aircraft components, representing significant validation of CNT composite technology. Beyond aerospace, ANS targets automotive, wind energy, and sporting goods applications where lightweight, high-strength materials provide competitive advantages. The company's CNT-infused fibers have been used in automotive body panels, wind turbine blades, and high-performance sporting equipment. ANS maintains production facilities capable of treating fibers at scales required for industrial composite manufacturing, with quality control processes ensuring consistent CNT loading and distribution. As a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, ANS benefits from access to aerospace expertise, testing facilities, and customer relationships while maintaining focus on nanomaterial technology development. The company's success in qualifying nanotechnology-enhanced materials for aerospace applications demonstrates that nanomaterials can meet the rigorous performance, reliability, and safety requirements of highly regulated industries. ANS represents an important model for nanotechnology commercialization in structural materials, showing how CNT enhancements can be integrated into existing manufacturing ecosystems rather than requiring entirely new production approaches, facilitating adoption in conservative, high-reliability industries.

OCSiAl Group, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Luxembourg, has achieved the remarkable distinction of becoming the world's largest manufacturer of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), enabling mass-market applications through unprecedented production scale and cost reduction. With over $200 million in funding and 500-1,000 employees, OCSiAl operates globally with production facilities in Europe, Asia, and North America, producing its flagship TUBALL SWCNT products measured in tons rather than grams. The company's breakthrough synthesis technology enables continuous, large-scale production of high-quality single-wall carbon nanotubes at costs dramatically lower than previous methods, fundamentally changing the economics of CNT applications. OCSiAl's TUBALL products consist of ultra-long SWCNTs (up to several micrometers in length) with high aspect ratios and excellent electrical conductivity, making them exceptional additives for creating conductive composites, coatings, and energy storage materials. At remarkably low loading levels (typically 0.01-0.1% by weight), TUBALL nanotubes form percolating networks that impart electrical conductivity to polymers, elastomers, and other matrices. The company targets large-volume applications where CNTs can deliver significant performance benefits, including lithium-ion battery electrodes, transparent conductive films, antistatic materials, EMI shielding, rubber compounds, and composite materials. In lithium-ion batteries, TUBALL additives improve electrode conductivity, enabling faster charging, higher power delivery, and better cycle life—critical for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. OCSiAl has established partnerships with major battery manufacturers worldwide, with TUBALL-containing batteries in commercial production for automotive applications. The company has developed application-specific TUBALL formulations including ready-to-use dispersions in various solvents and concentrates optimized for different manufacturing processes, facilitating customer adoption. OCSiAl maintains extensive application development laboratories working with customers to optimize CNT integration into their products and manufacturing processes. The company has achieved regulatory approvals for TUBALL products in multiple jurisdictions, addressing safety and environmental concerns associated with nanomaterials. OCSiAl's remarkable production scale—producing more SWCNTs annually than all other manufacturers combined—has transformed carbon nanotubes from exotic research materials to practical industrial additives. The company's success demonstrates that with appropriate technology and scale, nanomaterials can achieve cost structures compatible with high-volume applications, fulfilling long-standing promises of nanotechnology revolutionizing major industries. As electric vehicles and energy storage demand surge, OCSiAl's position as the dominant SWCNT supplier positions the company at the center of critical technology supply chains.

CNano Technology Limited, established in 2007 and based in Zhenjiang, China, has emerged as a leading large-scale manufacturer of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) for battery and composite applications, particularly focusing on the rapidly growing lithium-ion battery market. With over $100 million in funding and 200-500 employees, CNano operates high-volume production facilities in China capable of producing hundreds of tons of MWCNTs annually, serving global customers in energy storage, composites, and conductive materials markets. The company's flagship Flotube CNT products are specifically engineered for lithium-ion battery applications, where they serve as conductive additives in both cathodes and anodes. In battery electrodes, even small additions of CNTs (typically 1-3% by weight) dramatically improve electrical conductivity, enabling better power performance, faster charging, and higher energy utilization. CNano's focus on battery applications has proven strategically prescient as the electric vehicle revolution drives exponential growth in lithium-ion battery production. The company supplies CNT additives to major battery manufacturers in China, South Korea, Japan, and other countries, with its products incorporated into millions of battery cells for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and energy storage systems. CNano's MWCNTs are produced through catalytic chemical vapor deposition processes optimized for consistent quality, controlled diameter distributions, and surface properties tailored for battery applications. The company has developed various MWCNT grades including long nanotubes for maximizing electrical percolation, short nanotubes for easier dispersion, and surface-treated variants for specific battery chemistries. Beyond batteries, CNano targets composite materials applications where MWCNTs enhance mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal properties of polymers and elastomers. The company's products are used in automotive components, industrial materials, and consumer goods requiring electrostatic dissipation or EMI shielding. CNano has invested significantly in production scale-up and cost reduction, recognizing that commercial success in high-volume applications requires not just technical performance but also competitive pricing. The company's position in China provides proximity to the world's largest battery manufacturing ecosystem and access to the supply chains driving electric vehicle adoption. CNano has established quality management systems meeting automotive industry requirements, ensuring consistent material properties across large production volumes. As China has become the dominant force in lithium-ion battery production, CNano has benefited from being embedded in this manufacturing ecosystem, providing localized technical support and rapid response to customer needs. The company represents the emerging class of Chinese nanomaterial manufacturers achieving global scale, demonstrating how nanotechnology production is globalizing with significant capacity concentrated in Asia's manufacturing centers.

Zeon Corporation, founded in 1950 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a major chemical company that has become a significant producer of super-growth carbon nanotubes (SG-CNT) alongside its traditional synthetic rubber and specialty chemical businesses. Publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO: 4205) with over 1,000+ employees, Zeon leverages its extensive chemical manufacturing expertise to produce high-quality carbon nanotubes marketed under the ZEONANO brand. The company entered the carbon nanotube market by licensing super-growth CVD technology developed at Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), which enables rapid, efficient synthesis of exceptionally long and pure single-wall carbon nanotubes. Zeon's SG-CNT production technology can grow centimeter-length nanotubes with extremely high purity and minimal catalyst residues, resulting in CNTs with superior electrical and mechanical properties. These high-quality nanotubes find applications in transparent conductive films, high-performance composites, energy storage devices, and advanced sensors. Zeon has focused particularly on transparent conductive films where ZEONANO SG-CNTs provide alternatives to indium tin oxide (ITO) for touchscreens, displays, and photovoltaic electrodes. CNT-based transparent conductors offer advantages including mechanical flexibility, stretchability, and potentially lower costs compared to brittle ITO films. The company has developed CNT film manufacturing processes compatible with roll-to-roll production, enabling large-area transparent electrode fabrication for flexible electronics. Beyond electronics, Zeon leverages its core expertise in polymer science to develop CNT-enhanced elastomers and thermoplastics with improved electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and thermal management for automotive and industrial applications. As a major chemical company, Zeon brings significant advantages to nanotechnology commercialization including established manufacturing capabilities, quality control expertise, global distribution networks, and customer relationships across multiple industries. The company's approach integrates carbon nanotube production within its broader specialty chemicals portfolio, cross-leveraging technologies and market channels. Zeon participates in Japanese government initiatives advancing carbon nanotube applications and collaborates with academic institutions on next-generation CNT technologies. The company's position in Japan—home to significant carbon nanotube research and several major electronics manufacturers—provides strategic advantages in developing applications for Japanese industry. Zeon's involvement in carbon nanotubes exemplifies how established chemical companies are increasingly incorporating nanotechnology into their product portfolios, bringing nanomaterials from research laboratories to commercial chemical production. As carbon nanotube applications mature, companies like Zeon with deep chemical manufacturing expertise and broad market access play crucial roles in scaling production and integrating nanomaterials into diverse industrial products, bridging the gap between specialty nanomaterial producers and end-use applications.

BIND Therapeutics, founded in 2007 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, pioneered the Accurin platform of polymeric nanoparticles for targeted cancer drug delivery, representing one of the most advanced clinical applications of nanomedicine. With over $150 million in funding and 100-200 employees, BIND developed sophisticated nanotechnology designed to precisely deliver chemotherapy agents to tumor cells while minimizing systemic toxicity. The company emerged from groundbreaking research at MIT and Harvard on controlled drug delivery using biodegradable polymer nanoparticles. BIND's Accurin nanoparticles were engineered with extraordinary precision, incorporating multiple functional components: a biodegradable polymer core loaded with chemotherapy drugs, a protective hydrophilic polymer shell to evade immune system clearance, and targeting ligands that bind to specific molecules overexpressed on cancer cells. This multicomponent design addressed fundamental challenges in cancer treatment—delivering sufficient drug to tumors while avoiding damage to healthy tissues. The company's lead candidate, BIND-014, consisted of docetaxel chemotherapy encapsulated in nanoparticles displaying PSMA-targeting ligands, designed for prostate cancer treatment. BIND advanced multiple nanoparticle candidates through clinical trials, generating valuable data on nanomedicine performance in humans. The company's clinical programs demonstrated that carefully designed nanoparticles could alter drug biodistribution, enhance tumor accumulation, and potentially improve therapeutic indices. BIND employed sophisticated polymer chemistry and formulation sciences to create nanoparticles with controlled sizes (typically 50-100 nanometers), precise drug loading, and sustained release profiles. The company developed scalable manufacturing processes meeting pharmaceutical GMP standards—a significant achievement given the complexity of multi-functional nanoparticles. Throughout its existence, BIND contributed substantially to understanding how nanoparticle properties including size, surface chemistry, and targeting ligands influence biological fate and therapeutic efficacy. Despite promising preclinical data and successful clinical trial execution, BIND faced challenges common to nanomedicine development including complex regulatory pathways, high development costs, and difficulty demonstrating sufficient therapeutic advantages over existing treatments. In 2016, facing financial pressures, BIND was acquired by Pfizer, which subsequently discontinued the programs, highlighting the challenging economics of nanomedicine development. Nevertheless, BIND's legacy includes important contributions to nanomedicine science, demonstration that sophisticated nanoparticles can be manufactured at pharmaceutical scales, and clinical data advancing understanding of nanoparticle behavior in humans. The company's experience provides valuable lessons for the nanomedicine field regarding the gap between preclinical promise and clinical reality, the importance of selecting appropriate patient populations, and the need for compelling therapeutic differentiation to justify nanomedicine's inherent complexity.

Selecta Biosciences, Inc., founded in 2007 and based in Watertown, Massachusetts, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing its proprietary ImmTOR nanoparticle platform to address a critical challenge in biologics therapy—unwanted immune responses that reduce treatment efficacy. Publicly traded on NASDAQ (SELB) with over $300 million in funding and 100-200 employees, Selecta has pioneered synthetic vaccine particles (SVP) that can selectively modulate immune responses, potentially enabling repeat administration of therapeutic proteins and gene therapies. The company emerged from research on how nanoparticle properties influence immune system activation, discovering that specific nanoparticle designs could induce immune tolerance rather than immunogenicity. Selecta's ImmTOR platform consists of biodegradable polymer nanoparticles incorporating immunomodulatory small molecules (typically rapamycin analogs) that are taken up by immune cells, inducing tolerance to co-administered therapeutic agents. This approach addresses a major limitation of protein therapeutics and gene therapies—the development of neutralizing antibodies that reduce or eliminate treatment efficacy with repeated dosing. For example, many patients with gout receiving enzyme replacement therapy develop anti-drug antibodies that neutralize the therapeutic enzyme, requiring treatment discontinuation. Selecta's lead program, SEL-212, combines ImmTOR nanoparticles with pegsiticase enzyme therapy for severe gout, with clinical trials demonstrating reduced immunogenicity and improved sustained therapeutic response. The company has expanded its platform to address immunogenicity challenges in gene therapy, where immune responses against viral vectors or therapeutic proteins can limit treatment durability. Selecta has established partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies including Sarepta Therapeutics and Asklepios BioPharmaceutical to apply ImmTOR technology to gene therapy programs for muscular dystrophies and other genetic diseases. The company's nanoparticles are engineered with precise sizes (typically 200-500 nanometers), controlled drug loading, and surface properties optimized for uptake by specific immune cell populations. Selecta has developed manufacturing processes producing clinical-grade ImmTOR nanoparticles at scales required for therapeutic applications, addressing a key challenge in nanomedicine translation. The company's approach represents sophisticated application of nanotechnology principles—using nanoparticle properties to program specific biological responses rather than simply delivering drugs. Selecta's clinical programs have generated important data on how synthetic nanoparticles can modulate human immune systems, contributing to fundamental understanding of nanoparticle immunology. As gene therapies and protein biologics become increasingly important in medicine, addressing immunogenicity challenges will be crucial for enabling repeat dosing and expanding patient populations. Selecta's ImmTOR platform offers a potentially broadly applicable solution to this critical problem, positioning the company at the intersection of nanomedicine and immunotherapy, two of the most promising areas in biopharmaceutical development.

Cerion Nanomaterials, LLC (formerly Cerion Technologies), founded in 2007 and based in Rochester, New York, manufactures engineered nanoparticle dispersions for advanced materials applications across diverse industries. With over $30 million in funding and 10-50 employees, Cerion has developed proprietary synthesis technologies enabling precise control over nanoparticle composition, size, and surface chemistry—critical parameters determining nanomaterial performance. The company focuses particularly on metal oxide nanoparticles including cerium oxide (CeO2), which has found applications in fuel additives, polishing compounds, coatings, and catalysis. Cerion's cerium oxide nanoparticles exhibit unique catalytic properties arising from their nanoscale dimensions and surface chemistry, functioning as oxygen buffers that can alternate between oxidation states. These properties make nano-ceria valuable in applications including diesel fuel additives where they promote more complete combustion and reduce particulate emissions, automotive catalytic converters where they enhance pollutant oxidation, and fuel cells where they improve oxygen ion conductivity. The company has developed cost-effective synthesis methods producing stable, well-dispersed nanoparticle suspensions that can be easily integrated into customer formulations and manufacturing processes. Cerion's technology platform extends beyond cerium oxide to other metal oxides including zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, and mixed-metal oxides, each tailored for specific applications. The company provides customized nanoparticle dispersions matching customer requirements for particle size, surface functionalization, dispersion medium, and concentration. Cerion's chemical synthesis routes enable composition control impossible with physical synthesis methods, allowing atomic-level engineering of multifunctional nanoparticles. The company serves diverse markets including energy, automotive, electronics, coatings, and personal care, providing both standard catalog products and custom synthesis services. Cerion maintains quality control systems ensuring batch-to-batch consistency critical for commercial applications, with comprehensive characterization using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and surface analysis techniques. The company has navigated complex regulatory landscapes for nanomaterial applications, obtaining necessary approvals for fuel additive and other applications involving human or environmental exposure. Cerion's business model combines material sales with contract synthesis services, leveraging its nanoparticle engineering expertise to develop tailored solutions for customer challenges. The company has established partnerships with larger chemical companies and product manufacturers seeking nanomaterial expertise without developing internal capabilities. Cerion represents the important class of nanotechnology companies focused on enabling technologies—providing engineered building blocks that other companies incorporate into their products rather than developing end-user products directly. As nanotechnology permeates diverse industries, specialized nanomaterial synthesizers like Cerion play crucial roles in supplying precisely engineered materials that enable performance improvements across applications from catalysis to energy storage, demonstrating how advanced synthesis capabilities translate into commercial value.

NanoHorizons, Inc., founded in 2002 and based in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, has specialized in developing antimicrobial silver nanoparticle technology for textiles and surface treatment applications. With over $20 million in funding and 10-50 employees, the company pioneered commercial applications of silver nanoparticles' potent antibacterial properties, particularly in fabrics and consumer products. NanoHorizons emerged during early enthusiasm for nanotechnology's potential to solve practical problems, focusing on the well-known antimicrobial properties of silver but enhancing them through nanoscale engineering. The company's flagship SmartSilver technology consists of precisely engineered silver nanoparticles and silver-containing compounds that provide sustained antimicrobial protection when incorporated into textiles, coatings, and plastics. At the nanoscale, silver exhibits dramatically enhanced antimicrobial efficacy compared to bulk silver, requiring far smaller quantities to achieve bacterial, fungal, and viral inhibition. This efficiency stems from nanoparticles' high surface-area-to-volume ratios and their ability to release silver ions in controlled manner. NanoHorizons developed application technologies allowing silver nanoparticles to be durably attached to textile fibers, maintaining antimicrobial performance through repeated washing cycles—a critical requirement for commercial textile applications. The company's antimicrobial additives have been incorporated into athletic wear, medical textiles, military uniforms, footwear, and home textiles, providing odor control and hygiene benefits. In healthcare settings, silver nanoparticle-treated fabrics reduce bacterial colonization on hospital linens and scrubs, potentially mitigating infection transmission. NanoHorizons worked with major textile manufacturers and consumer brands to integrate SmartSilver into products, providing technical support for application processes and efficacy testing. The company developed various product forms including aqueous dispersions, powder additives, and master batches compatible with different textile treatment and polymer compounding processes. Beyond textiles, NanoHorizons applied its technology to antimicrobial coatings for surfaces, plastics, and other materials requiring bacterial resistance. The company navigated evolving regulatory landscapes for nanomaterial applications, particularly EPA regulations governing antimicrobial products and consumer safety considerations. As public awareness of nanomaterial safety grew, NanoHorizons invested in toxicology studies and environmental fate research, addressing questions about silver nanoparticle release and ecological impacts. The company's experience illustrates both opportunities and challenges in commercializing consumer-facing nanotechnology applications—while silver nanoparticles deliver clear antimicrobial benefits, regulatory complexity, environmental concerns, and public perception issues complicate market development. NanoHorizons has adapted its strategy over time, emphasizing safe, responsible nanomaterial applications with clear performance benefits. The company represents the cohort of early nanotechnology firms that helped establish commercial nano-enabled consumer products, contributing to understanding how nanomaterials can be responsibly incorporated into everyday products while addressing legitimate safety and environmental concerns.

Producer of high-refractive index nanocrystal additives for display and optical applications

Developer of silicon nanoparticle technology for solar cell efficiency enhancement

Pioneer in printed CIGS solar cells using nanoparticle ink technology

Developer of silicon-dominant battery anode materials using nanocomposite technology

Developer of high-energy density lithium-ion batteries using silicon nanowire anodes

Developer of silicon-anode lithium-ion batteries using advanced nanofabrication

Developer of solid-state lithium-metal batteries using ceramic separator technology

Developer of NRAM nonvolatile memory technology using carbon nanotube fabrics

World leader in MRAM (Magnetoresistive RAM) products for enterprise and industrial applications

World-leading research and development hub for nanoelectronics and digital technologies

One of Europe's largest micro and nanotechnology research institutes

Pioneering nanotechnology research including carbon nanotube transistors and molecular electronics

Samsung's R&D hub for next-generation technologies including QLED displays and nanoelectronics

Advanced technology research including nanoscale transistor development and quantum computing

World's largest dedicated semiconductor foundry, leading in advanced nanoscale chip manufacturing

World leader in photolithography equipment including EUV systems for sub-7nm chip manufacturing

Leading semiconductor equipment company providing nanofabrication solutions for chip manufacturing

Global supplier of wafer fabrication equipment for semiconductor manufacturing at the nanoscale

Leader in process control and yield management for semiconductor manufacturing at nanoscale

Developer of nano-optic technology for authentication and brand protection applications

Manufacturer of flexible LED displays using advanced nanomaterial technology