Current NIA Corporate Members in alphabetical order:
- Advanced Nanotechnology
- Apaclara
- Applied Nanodetectors
- AWE
- BASF
- Beneq
- Bio Nano Centre
- BIOS
- BP
- Büchi
- Buehler
- CEMMNT
- Cenamps
- Centrum für Angewandte Nanotechnologie
- Ciba
- Croda International
- Datum Alloys
- Eminate
- Endor Nanotechnologies
- Epson
- Exilica
- Gems Sensors
- Grimm Aerosol
- Hosokawa Micron
- I-CanNano
- Intertek Measurement Science Group
- ICI
- Ilford Photo
- IMERYS Minerals
- Innos
- Innovia Films
- Ionbond
- Ionscope
- JEOL UK
- Johnson & Johnson
- Johnson Matthey
- L'Oreal
- Loughborough Surface Analysis
- Lubrizol
- Maelstrom
- MaterialsSolutions
- MacDermid
- Naneum
- NanoCentral
- NanoForce
- NanoGap
- NanoLake
- Nanopartner
- NanoSAFE Inc
- NanoSight
- NanoTEC Industrial Coatings
- Nanotec NI
- Nanotecture
- nanoTox
- Nano-X
- National Physical Laboratory
- nextnano3
- Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals
- Orla Protein Technologies
- Oxford Biosensors
- Oxford Instruments
- Oxonica
- Pall Europe
- PERA
- Procter & Gamble Technical Centres
- Promethean Particles
- Q-Flo
- QinetiQ
- QinetiQ Nanomaterials
- Rolls-Royce
- Scott Bader
- SEA Solutions
- Semefab
- Shell
- Smith & Nephew
- Solvay
- Sun Chemical
- Surrey Nano Systems
- Tata Chemicals
- Tamil Nadu Technology Development & Promotion Centre
- TechniTex Faraday Limited
- Teer Coatings
- The Technology Partnership
- Thomas Swan & Co.
- Unilever
- Visteon Customer and Technical Centre (VCTC)
- Xennia Technologies
Apaclara
Apaclara is developing a novel class of materials and associated systems which can be used to increase the availability of fresh water and decrease the costs of water purification using a process known as ‘forward osmosis’. Forward osmosis (FO) holds great promise for lowering the energy requirements and costs for membrane seawater desalination along with increasing source water recovery. Initial economic models comparing traditional seawater reverse osmosis (RO) and forward osmosis found the cost of water would be ~30% less for FO. Apaclara’s innovative use of macromolecules generates osmotic pressure to drive a membrane purification process; the macromolecules (i.e. so-called Field-Separated Osmotic Agents (FSOA) can subsequently be separated using a magnetic field gradient to provide pure water (see illustration below).
The associated systems include simple, low part count purifiers for field or emergency relief use, but high-performance systems are in development. With over 1.1 billion people without access to sufficient drinking water and a decreasing supply of fresh water sources, novel technologies for efficient water purification are a global priority.
Apaclara was formed in January 2006, and is operated by a small, experienced team. The Company is currently supported by development grant revenue and is working in partnership with Cascade Designs of Seattle, Washington. Apaclara and Cascade Designs are on schedule to demonstrate a prototype forward osmosis unit using field-separable osmotic agents during Q1 2007, and Cascade Designs is positioned to manufacture and market systems to the military and emergency relief markets. Apaclara will initially generate product revenue by licensing the use of its materials in these systems, but it has the opportunity to develop and manufacture high-performance systems based on its underlying materials technology.
For more information go to the Apaclara website.