Nanotechnology at Zyvex

Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd. (UK) and Pyrograf Products (Ohio) meet program requirements

Richardson, Texas (January 12, 2005)

Zyvex today announced that Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd., and Pyrograf Products, Inc. have successfully met the requirements of the Zyvex Supply Chain Certification program for single-wall carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube fibers (respectively). Zyvex’s comprehensive program verifies quality and consistency using market-accepted analytical tests.

Thomas Swan is one of the UK’s leading performance chemical manufacturers. Their single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), marketed under the Elicarb® trademark, can now be incorporated into Zyvex’s NanoSolve™ additives and concentrates for polymer composite applications.

Pyrograf Products, Inc. (PPI), is one of the world’s leading producers of carbon nanofibers. PPI has the exclusive license to produce and distribute the high-quality, multifunctional Pyrograf®-III carbon nanofibers, developed by PPI’s research affiliate, Applied Sciences, Inc. (ASI). The Pyrograf-III carbon nanofibers, developed under the Department of Commerce’s Advanced Technology Program (ATP), can now be incorporated into Zyvex’s NanoSolve materials.

“Our customers demand quality and reliability. As such, we demand quality raw materials for our NanoSolve products,” said Zyvex President Thomas A. Cellucci, Ph.D., MBA. “Pyrograf Products has demonstrated their ability to manufacture high-quality carbon nanofibers and Thomas Swan & Co. has demonstrated their ability to manufacture high-purity single-wall carbon nanotubes. We’re satisfied that both companies can scale their production technology to match the expected increase in industrial demand.”

“We are delighted to have obtained Zyvex’s seal of approval,” said Harry Swan, Nanomaterials Business Manager at Thomas Swan. “Quality control and consistency of material are vital to ensure the successful uptake of carbon nanotubes in a wide range of commercial applications.”

“There is increasing interest in the defense and aerospace communities to use our carbon nanofibers to impart enhanced thermal, mechanical and electrical properties in high-performance composite systems,” said Thomas W. Hughes, General Manager at Pyrograf Products. “Zyvex’s NanoSolve technology helps produce a highly dispersed network of carbon nanofibers within various polymer systems. This attractive feature enables our growing user base to design and build customizable, multifunctional composite materials and components. This is a win-win for us, for Zyvex, and for our end users in the defense and aerospace communities.”

Thomas Swan & Co. and Pyrograf Products are the second and third companies to be certified under this program. Zyvex is working with a number of other leading nanotube providers and will continue to announce additional vendors as they become certified.

The Supply Chain Certification process is an integral part of Zyvex’s ability to provide high-quality nanomaterials solutions for customer applications.

About the Companies

Zyvex Corporation, based in Richardson, Texas, is the first molecular nanotechnology company. Zyvex’s vision is to be the leading worldwide supplier of tools, products, and services that enable adaptable, affordable, and molecularly precise manufacturing. Zyvex commercializes nanotechnology to address real-world applications with high growth potential. Zyvex carries its scientific breakthroughs into key commercial applications in the area of materials, tools, and structures. www.zyvex.com

Pyrograf Products, Inc. (PPI) manufactures high-quality, affordable, multi-functional carbon nanofibers. PPI's research affiliate, Applied Sciences, Inc. (ASI), develops innovative carbon nanomaterials and their applications. Materials currently under development include vapor-grown carbon fibers, diamond thin films, and engineered polymers and composites derived from them. In addition to superior thermal, electrical and mechanical performance, these materials possess various other desirable properties, including low cost. www.apsci.com

Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd. is one of the UK’s leading independent performance chemical manufacturers. Founded in 1926, the company has developed a manufacturing process for high-purity carbon nanotubes in collaboration with the University of Cambridge (UK). The company is primarily interested in providing purified carbon nanotubes as a raw material to a wide range of industrial and academic applications without IP constraints. www.thomas-swan.co.uk

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