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UNIDYM HISTORY
1985 Dr. Smalley discovers the first fullerenes. He publishes his landmark paper announcing the discovery of "buckyballs" (C60) 1995 Dr. Smalley's team discovers the laser oven process, providing the first useable amounts of single-wall carbon nanotubes, and research on samples sent to researchers throughout the world verifies their revolutionary mechanical, electrical and chemical properties. 1996 Discovery that single-wall carbon nanotubes can be grown by chemical vapor deposition. 1996 Dr. Smalley wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry. More about Dr. Smalley ![]() 1997 Discovery that single-wall carbon nanotubes can be made very pure and have other molecules bonded to their ends. Molecules bonded to nanotubes ends provide chemical "handles" that allow, for example, the assembly of nanotubes into structures. 1998 Dr. Smalley's team discovers gas phase HIPCO® process, that allows the production on high-quality single-wall carbon nanotubes in large quantities. 2000 Formation of Carbon Nanotechnologies Incorporated (CNI) 2002 CNI begins operation of HIPCO® pilot plant 2003 CNI begins operation of first MGP2 pilot plant 2005 Nanopolaris founded 2005 Nanopolaris gains exclusive licenses to university CNT patents 2006 50th patent issued or allowed 2006 CNI's customers launch initial commercial products 2006 Nanopolaris acquires Unidym assets and name 2007 Unidym merges with CNI 2007 70th patent issued or allowed 2007 $10.4 million Series C financing, including participation by Tokyo Electron and Battelle Memorial Institute |