CLEVELAND — September 1, 2020 — Peak Nanosystems LLC, through its wholly-owned subsidiary PolymerPlus LLC, is partnering with Case Western Reserve University researchers and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory to develop new manufacturing approaches for cutting-edge, cost-effective production of high-performance, lightweight polymeric materials.
The Army’s new five-year commitment awards $5.4 million (with the potential for up to $11 million) to Case Western with a portion subcontracted to PolymerPlus LLC. According to the Army’s award notice, a portion of the funds will go to two other subcontractors.
PolymerPlus, recently acquired in a multi-million-dollar deal by Texas-based Peak Nanosystems LLC, is the primary industry partner for the project. The company will develop and scale-up processing techniques for ultra-tough layered plastics created in collaboration with the Case Western Reserve researchers.
“Our partnership with the U.S. Army and Case Western Reserve University to advance polymer research builds on a strong foundation of collaboration we have successfully developed with Case over the last few years,” said Chad Lewis, president of Peak Nanosystems.”
The teams will work with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Command’s Army Research Laboratory, in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, to help design components and new manufacturing approaches for high-performance composites that with potential applications in solider-borne and transportation protection systems and weapons.
“The ability of Peak Nanosystems to fabricate at scale promising polymeric materials combinations and processing conditions developed at Case Western Reserve University is key to delivering sufficient quantities for rigorous filed testing at ARL,” says Gary E. Wnek, lead investigator on the project and Chair of the Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at CWRU.
Congressional support
The project was supported by two Ohio members of Congress, Rep. Marcy Kaptur (Ohio-09), and Rep. Tim Ryan (Ohio-13). Both are members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
Kaptur noted Ohio’s “storied manufacturing legacy,” especially in regards to “research and development of products that support our national defense.
“Partnerships such as this will carry that legacy forward,” she said, adding that she applauded the ingenuity of the scientists involved “as exemplars for future generations to understand how science can improve our weapons and armor systems to keep our service members safe.”
Posted September 1, 2020
Source: Peak Nanosystems
