NanoMech LLC, a Fayetteville, Arkansas, maker of nanoparticle-based coatings and the application process of those coatings, was recently given the 2005 Award for Excellence in Technology by global consulting firm Frost Sullivan of San Antonio, Texas.

The award is in the field of "advanced coatings, surface technologies and spray coatings." It recognizes companies whose technology is expected to make significant contributions to the industry in terms of adoption, change, and competitive posture.

"It's a real feather in the cap for us," said Bob Fink, the company's business development officer. NanoMech has also won eight Small Business Innovation Research awards worth $1.9 million since it began in 2002.

The company is researching ways to apply nanoparticle-based coatings to medical implants, cutting tools, and microelectronics. Fink said the coatings have a variety of application benefits including the potential to control infection in medical applications as well as anti-corrosion and lubrication in industrial tools.

NanoMech's technique for applying a coating to cutting tools uses a spray of particles in powder form under an electric field, which helps determine the coating's thickness. The coating - cubic boron nitride coined NanoTuff by the company - is the second hardest material known to exist next to diamonds, Fink said.

The company is working to release NanoTuff and a solid lubricant called NanoGlide in the fourth quarter, he said. Both will be the first commercial products the company has made.

Bob Fink is the business development manager and Wen Ping Jiang is the chief engineer of NanoMech LLC of Fayetteville. The company looks to turn the corner from research and development and start selling two nano-engineered products later this year.

( www.smalltimes.com)