Sigma-Aldrich Signs Agreement with SouthWest NanoTechnologies to Distribute SWeNT® Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes


Potential applications include automotive, aeronautics, electronics, displays, energy and healthcare markets

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 3 - Sigma-Aldrich and SouthWest NanoTechnologies Inc. (SWeNT), a leading producer of single-wall carbon nanotubes, announced today that they have signed an agreement under which Sigma-Aldrich will distribute SWeNT's single-wall carbon nanotubes to the research and development community.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sigma-Aldrich will exclusively distribute research quantities of SWeNT® CG 100, SWeNT® SG 65 and SWeNT® SG 76 single-wall nanotubes globally through its Aldrich® division (http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/nanocarbon). SWeNT will continue to work closely with industry partners to deliver commercial quantities of the materials and focus on commercial application development and large-scale production.

Single-wall carbon nanotubes consist of a hollow cylinder of carbon with a diameter equal to approximately one nanometer - a billionth of a meter. Due to their unusual structure, single-wall nanotubes exhibit extraordinary optical and electronic properties, tremendous strength and flexibility, and high thermal and chemical stability. These remarkable properties make them suitable for a wide range of applications in the automotive, aeronautics, electronics, displays, energy and healthcare markets.

"There are significant global market opportunities for single-wall carbon nanotubes, and Sigma-Aldrich has a world-class distribution network. This agreement will provide the best possible products and service to the research and development community, which is incorporating SWeNT carbon nanotubes into innovative, emerging technologies," said SWeNT CEO David Arthur. "In our role as a leading producer of high-quality single-wall nanotubes, we are committed to being an innovative partner in Sigma-Aldrich's continued development and creative applications. This agreement is key to reaching that goal."

Ilya Koltover, business development manager, Aldrich Chemistry and Materials Science, added: "Progress in nanotechnology research depends on a reliable supply of consistently high-quality nanomaterials, supported by thorough characterization and technical information. This is especially true for single wall carbon nanotubes, and we are pleased to work with SWeNT, who is committed to the goal of providing such supply. This partnership will help researchers and accelerate nanotechnology innovation around the world."

For more information about the single-wall carbon nanotubes, visit www.sigma-aldrich.com/nanocarbon.

About Sigma-Aldrich:

Sigma-Aldrich is a leading Life Science and High Technology company. Its biochemical and organic chemical products and kits are used in scientific and genomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical and other high technology manufacturing. Sigma-Aldrich has customers in life science companies, university and government institutions, hospitals, and in industry. Over one million scientists and technologists use our products. The Company operates in 36 countries and has 8,000 employees providing excellent service worldwide. Sigma-Aldrich is committed to Accelerating Customer Success through Leadership in Life Science, High Technology and Service.

For more information about Sigma-Aldrich, please visit its award-winning website at www.sigma-aldrich.com/.

About SouthWest NanoTechnologies:

SWeNT produces three lines of carbon nanotube products using the patented CoMoCAT® catalytic method, widely recognized for its quality and scalability. The Company was founded in 2001 to commercialize nanotube technology developed at the University of Oklahoma by Daniel Resasco, a professor of chemical engineering and world-renowned expert in the fields of single-wall carbon nanotubes and catalysis. In June 2008, SWeNT moved to its new $3.9 million, 18,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Norman. With approximately 10,000 square feet of 32-foot high-bay production space, SWeNT can produce at least 100 times more product than at its previous pilot plant location.

For more information about SWeNT, visit www.swentnano.com/.

CONTACT:

Sean Battles of Sigma-Aldrich, +1-314-286-7616, sean.battles@sial.com

Web site:

http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/ www.swentnano.com/

Source: Sigma-Aldrich

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