In addition Sir John M. Thomas, professor of Chemistry at the Davy Faraday Research laboratory, The Royal Institution (RI), Great Britain, London, and Honorary Research Associate at Cambridge University, received an Honorary Doctoral degree from Clarkson University during the Symposium. The degree was given in recognition of Thomas’ contributions to catalysis, solid-state chemistry and surface science. Sir Thomas also delivered one of three plenary lectures. He has given more than 100 name and plenary lectures and has been recognized with honors that include the Davy Medal and the Rutherford Lectureship of the Royal Society, the Messel Gold Medal of the Society of Chemical Industry, the Willard Gibbs Gold Medal, and the first recipient of the award for Creative Research in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis from the American Chemical Society, among many others. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and an Honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has authored or co-authored more than 850 original papers and reviews.

Clarkson University has been a pioneer in colloid and particle science and engineering. “Clarkson scientists Stephen Brunauer and Egon Matijevic’ formed the Clarkson Institute of Colloid and Surface Science in 1965, the first of its kind in the United States,” remarked Janos Fendler, Distinguished CAMP Professor of Chemistry and chair of the Symposium. Dr. Matijevic’, the world’s foremost pioneer and expert in the science and engineering of uniform particles, is the Victor K. LaMer Professor of Colloid & Surface Science at Clarkson University.

Although colloid science initially arose in chemistry, Professor Matijevic’ and other researchers soon recognized that detailed and fundamental theoretical knowledge of colloidal behavior is possible only through a combined application of physics, chemistry, mathematical physics, and chemical engineering, together with an understanding of biological structures and processes. This interdisciplinary approach to research helped Clarkson’s Institute of Colloid and Surface Science evolve into the Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP). In 1987 CAMP was designated a New York State Center of Advanced Technology (CAT). A major goal of the Center is to transfer material technology from the laboratory to business.

Research between CAMP and APEX Results in New Company

The first abrasivejet system was delivered to Clarkson in June of 2005 and became operational in Peyton Hall by the end of that month. The first testing projects are currently underway to optimize abrasivejet technology. Also these newly found common laws can be used in other material processing technologies and areas of research.

Although United Materials is a startup company, it inherits the strong background of its founders Atomic Scale Design and APEX Technologies. Atomic Scale Design started its successful activity in 1992-1994 in Brookhaven National Laboratory in the frame of CREDA, while developing first nano-composites, diamond-like composites of atomic scale, and later revealing QUASAM materials (a synergetic form of ultra-light weight hard carbon) by combining the strongest features of both diamond and graphite. APEX Technologies was established in 2002 for commercialization of 98% energy efficient ultra high pressure intensifiers, based upon 15 years of industry experience in supersonic abrasivejet and waterjet technologies.

The new Laboratory at Clarkson has a fully functioning abrasivejet system along with supporting equipment donated by APEX. Also Atomic Scale Design donated necessary instrumentation such as a high resolution optical microscope, a microindenter, analytical electronic balances, an interferometer, and a broad spectrum of rare materials and computer equipment.

There are also two other industrial partners associated with United Materials that will create new jobs as a result of the new technology. EverFab (located in East Aurora, NY) is a manufacturing supplier that produces the most critical components for the new technology. Nuclear Alloys Corporation (located in Wilson, NY) serves as a beta site for the new transforming technology and is expanding its existing facilities. It is anticipated that another branch of the new Laboratory (Synergetic Thermal-Impact Activated Synthesis) will be established in the near future in cooperation with New York State industry.