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Spinoff story
Novel Nanotube Manufacturing Streamlines Production
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Nanotubes have novel qualities that make them uniquely qualified for use in electronics, optics, and other scientific and industrial fields. NASA created a less expensive, safer, and simpler process to manufacture these nanostructures that also increases their quality. After promotion by Goddard's Innovative Partnerships Program Office, Boise-based Idaho Space Materials Inc. (ISM) signed a nonexclusive license in 2005 for the manufacturing technology. ISM commercialized its products, and researchers are examining ways for these newfound materials to be used to manufacture transistors and fuel cells, large screen televisions.