Happy Earth Day! April 22nd, 2020, marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the annual celebration of the environmental movement. In 1970, according to EarthDay.org, about 20 million Americans assembled to demand greater attention to the protection of the planet. Since then, activists around the world have gathered each year to mark the day.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a sweeping suspension of its enforcement of environmental laws Thursday, telling companies they would not need to meet environmental standards during the coronavirus outbreak.
Please click the following link to read the entire letter from the EPA:
The temporary policy, for which the EPA has set no end date, would allow any number of industries to bypass environmental laws, with the agency saying it will not “seek penalties for noncompliance with routine monitoring and reporting obligations.”
“EPA is committed to protecting human health and the environment, but recognizes challenges resulting from efforts to protect workers and the public from COVID-19 may directly impact the ability of regulated facilities to meet all federal regulatory requirements,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement.
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Below are various financial opportunities for companies:
——————- As we proceed through an extension of ‘social distancing’ at least until the end of April, please know that those of you who live in parts of the country that have been affected the most by this virus remain in our thoughts & prayers with the hope we can be together under more relaxed circumstances, in the not too distant future. In the meantime, ‘Stay home and stay safe’.
Today, I am pleased to share the following announcement from NanoBCA Member, Dr. Shay Curran, CEO of Integricote Inc. Shay has been a member of the nanotechnology community for the past 15 years. This is a game-changing nanocoating that will be applied to face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Innovative Nanotechnology Coating Could Ease Critical Shortage of Masks Improves protection for health, emergency professionals
Houston, March 28, 2020 – Integricote has announced a breakthrough coating that creates a droplet / fluid / water-repellent barrier, making inexpensive (and more readily available) masks and other PPE products an effective way to hinder SARS-CoV-2.
The innovative new coating, based on a decade of research and many US and international patents and filed applications, is designed to address and meet the emergency need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It is designed to specifically deliver a protective coating for facemasks, surgical scrubs, air filters, and bed linens.
Integricote’s founder, a 30-year nanotechnology veteran and UH professor, Dr. Shay Curran, said “At a time when specialized medical safety equipment is in critical demand and short supply, we are excited to offer a real solution to provide water repellent coatings that work on painters masks, fabrics, and vent filters made from fiberglass and fabrics. This effectively reduces the risk of any waterborn organism – including the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 – from penetrating a coated fabric.”
The nanocoating is available now for manufacturers of PPEs. It can also be used on older out-ofdate N95 masks or lower cost masks that need to be enhanced. Before using masks, scrubs, etc., have suppliers spray on the coating to give front line health workers added protection.
“Using cloths, scarves, homemade masks, and other fabrics is not a good move. We don’t have to go there when Integricote can help now. Tell your health officials, your PPE suppliers, your governor, and other elected officials that there are other options. This is where the US needs to be winning the war against COVID-19. Our focus should be on finding a cure, doing the right thing, and protecting our frontline workers,” according to Curran.
Contact Becky Scott at becky@integricote.com for more details on how we can help your state and local hospitals – this is not for individuals right now but for medical suppliers and manufacturers.
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Established in 2013, Integricote is a nanocompany that has been working on water repellent coatings on many surfaces including fabrics, tarps, wood, and masonry. Integricote products and solutions are designed to improve the nature and quality of the surfaces we protect. The technology was developed in the materials/chemistry labs (Institute for NanoEnergy) of the physics department at the University of Houston.
This years event will feature experts from private industry, representatives from government agencies, and public policy leaders who will address the opportunities and challenges in the ongoing commercialization of nanotechnology-based products and nanomaterials.
It has been an honor to serve this unique scientific and engineering community since its inception 19 years ago. It has been a labor of love to see our community continue to grow, with organizations that had no employees 15 years ago expand to have 100 employees today.
Omni Nano Wins Challenge Grant! I am pleased to announce that our education member, Omni Nano, will receive a total of $50,000 in new funds to educate the next generation of scientists and engineers in nanotechnology! Many of you have referred a potential donor, passed the message along, reached out by making phone calls, and shared the call-to-action on social media. We are especially thankful to those who donated. We cannot thank you enough!
NNCO Announcement: Celebrating Inspiring Women Nanoscientists For Womens History Month, we invite you to honor the women nanoscientists who inspire you. These may be women who have paved the way in nano research, up-and-coming researchers who are going to change the world with their work, or amazing teachers and mentors. Use #womeninnano and #womeninscience on Twitter or LinkedIn to highlight your favorite women in nanoscience and nanotechnology. This month, we celebrate all women who are making a difference in the nano community!
Our annual NanoBusiness Conference offers outstanding opportunities to connect with a diverse nanotechnology-related group of professionals in the heart of Washington DC. We hope you will be able to join us!
Our education member, Omni Nano, needs to raise the last $10,000 to win the challenge grant (details below).
Omni Nano has been inspiring high school students to be the next generation of scientists and engineers. This ensures that America continues to be the world leader in innovation and technology.
If you care about STEM education and the future of America’s competitiveness, please donate to Omni Nano today (We just did).
P.S. About the Challenge Grant: Omni Nano now has a unique opportunity to expand their programs and impact more students. They received a Challenge Grant from a Family Charitable Trust. If they raise $25,000 by the end of February, this Trust will also donate $25,000 to Omni Nano (1:1 matching). These funds will allow 1,000 students to receive a textbook for their STEM/nanotechnology courses.Follow this link to read the Challenge Grant Letter: https://omninano.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/omni-nano-challenge-grant-announcement-letter-redacted.pdf
• Elizabeth Dougherty (USPTO) • Craig Morris (USPTO)
Overview:
The Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) brings new and seasoned entrepreneurs together with the people and resources available to support them. This emerging network provides a forum for sharing best practices for advancing nanotechnology commercialization and the lessons learned along the technology development pathway.
A key stop on the technology development pathway is protecting the underlying intellectual property. Entrepreneurs intending to commercialize an emerging technology, such as a nanomaterial or a nanomaterial-enabled product, need to be cognizant of pertinent intellectual property issues that will impact their business.
In this webinar we will welcome guests Elizabeth Dougherty, Eastern Regional Outreach Director for the USPTO, and Craig Morris, Managing Attorney for Trademark Educational Outreach for the USPTO. Our guests will discuss types of intellectual property, intellectual property strategies, the patent process, and issues related to trademarks.
Please use the login link sent with your registration confirmation email to attend the webinar, or login here.
Our colleague and education member, Omni Nano, has received a Challenge Grant from a Family Charitable Trust. If Omni Nano raises $25,000 by the end of February, this Trust will also donate $25,000 to Omni Nano (1:1 matching).
Omni Nano provides the digital textbooks and curricula to instruct nanotech courses in the high schools and colleges of our communities. Because of Omni Nano’s work, there are now thousands of students across America and around the world that know more about nanotechnology. Their work to educate young adults in nanotechnology is very important to our community.
Please, join me in supporting Omni Nano by making a donation in the amount with which you are most comfortable. I personally donate every year, and I am proud of our NanoBCA members who continuously donate. There are many ways you can donate to Omni Nano: https://omninano.org/donate-to-stem-education/
