Argonide

Argonide is a Florida nanotechnology company. Their main product, NanoCeram, uses aluminum oxide nanofibers for water filtration. The company was formed in 1994 by American Fred Tepper, partly to provide employment for former Russian (government) scientists. The filter uses nanofibers originally developed at the Design Technology Center (DTC) in Tomsk, Russia. [NNSA News January 2005 [http://www.nnsa.doe.gov/docs/newsletters/2005/nl_2005Jun_NNSA_News.pdf US-Russian Project Enters Space Technology Hall Of Fame] Retrieved on June 12, 2007]

NanoCeram can be incorporated into glass and cellulose non-woven sheets, is an extremely effective filtration medium [M-Tech Diagnostics [http://www.m-techdiagnostics.ltd.uk/nanoceram.shtml NanoCeram Filters] Retrieved June 12, 2007] . The aluminum oxide fibers, which are only 2 nanometers wide, attract dirt, bacteria, viruses, and proteins using an electrostatic effect. NanoCeram can match the particle removal effectiveness of ultrafiltration, and it allows orders-of-magnitude higher flow rates at a given pressure difference or pressure drop.

Argonide has been awarded a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to filter water aboard the Space Shuttles. It was named one of the top 100 most technologically significant new products of 2002 by R&D Magazine [Tech Briefs [http://www.techbriefs.com/content/view/1857/118/ Freeing Water From Viruses and Bacteria] Retrieved on May 30, 2007] .

Argonide also produces nanopowders and alloys.

References

External links

* [http://www.argonide.com Argonide]
* [http://www.nasa.gov/missions/science/water_filters.html NASA article on water filters]
* [http://composite.about.com/library/PR/2001/blargonide3.htm About NASA contract]