Apr 29 2013
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Alaska is a U.S. state situated in the northwest corner of the North American continent. It encompasses a total area of 1,717,854 km2, and had a population of 731,449 as of 2012.
Alaska had a reported GDP of $51.37 billion in 2011. The oil and gas sector is the largest contributor to the local economy making up about 85% of their budget.
Nanotechnology Companies
Nanotechnology being a multipurpose field finds applications in numerous industries. There is currently only one nanotechnology company in Alaska. A short introduction to this company is given below.
Nanotech Energy Solutions Inc.—It is the official distributor of Nansulate®, the award-winning energy-saving and asset protection coatings for Alaska’s industrial and commercial requirements. Nansulate HH “High heat” and the new EPX provide solutions engineered to lower energy cost by 20% or more. They concurrently act as a corrosion protection coating and remove corrosion under insulation “CUI,” limit work-related injuries, and provide fire protection caused by exposed pipes and equipment in industrial and commercial settings.
Nanotechnology Research and Education
Academic organizations offering courses and research programs in nanotechnology and nanoscience in Alaska are mentioned below:
Advanced Materials Group (AMG)—It is an initiative of the University of Alaska and is Alaska’s largest research center handling Microelectronics and Nanotechnology. AMG is involved in solving challenges through innovations in processes, novel materials, and device configurations.
Recent Developments
Apart from hosting a Nano Days event at the Challenger Center of Alaska on April 5th, 2013, there have not been many nanotech activities in Alaska since 2011. During that time, AMG had secured a limited amount of funding to support nanotechnology research to undergraduate students. Therefore, they are not projected to play a major role in nano development in the years to come.