Engineering Nanotechnology for Real-World Impact

Our Mission

NanoHorizons develops and produces state-of-the-art nanotechnology products and processes for near-term biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, and microelectronic applications. We transform scientific advances into manufacturable solutions that solve genuine business challenges across diverse industries.

Founded on a portfolio of patents and invention disclosures from Pennsylvania State University, NanoHorizons bridges the gap between academic research and commercial application. Our approach combines rigorous scientific methodology with practical engineering to create products that work reliably in demanding real-world environments.

Technology Leadership

Nanoscale Engineering Expertise

While scientists generally describe nanoscience as beginning with particles measuring less than 100 nanometers, our team works at even smaller scales. Our proprietary processes engineer particles measuring less than 15 nanometers, where unique material properties emerge and conventional physics gives way to quantum mechanical effects.

This expertise enables us to optimize material performance in ways simply impossible at larger scales. Surface area increases exponentially as particle size decreases. At 15 nanometers, our engineered silver particles achieve surface area generation 300,000 times more efficient than conventional approaches. This efficiency translates directly to superior antimicrobial performance with minimal material use.

From Research to Manufacturing

Many nanotechnology concepts never escape the laboratory. NanoHorizons specializes in the challenging transition from proof-of-concept to scalable manufacturing. Our unique high-density plasma technique develops nanostructured semiconductor thin films at temperatures as low as 100 degrees Celsius, making our processes compatible with heat-sensitive substrates and cost-effective production.

We’ve built production capabilities that deliver consistent quality at commercial volumes. This manufacturing expertise ensures our customers receive reliable products that perform as specified, batch after batch.

Business Units

Textile Division

Our textile business unit leads the global market for antimicrobial fiber and fabric additives. The SmartSilver brand has achieved worldwide recognition among performance apparel manufacturers, textile finishers, and fiber producers seeking to differentiate products through permanent anti-odor and antimicrobial protection.

We work with natural and synthetic fiber manufacturers, providing masterbatch formulations, staple fiber options, and finishing technologies that integrate seamlessly into existing production processes. Our technical team supports customers from initial trials through full-scale manufacturing, ensuring successful implementation and optimal results.

The textile unit serves athletic wear manufacturers, outdoor performance brands, healthcare linen suppliers, and industrial fabric producers. Each application benefits from SmartSilver’s permanent protection, preservation of fabric properties, and proven antimicrobial efficacy.

Healthcare Solutions

Healthcare applications demand the highest standards for safety and efficacy. Our healthcare business unit develops antimicrobial solutions for medical textiles, device components, and specialized materials where microbial contamination poses clinical risks or operational challenges.

SmartSilver’s safety profile builds on silver’s long history in medical applications, from newborn eye care to burn wound treatment. Our nanoengineered approach maximizes antimicrobial effectiveness while minimizing silver content, addressing both performance requirements and regulatory considerations.

We partner with medical device manufacturers, healthcare textile suppliers, and specialty material producers to develop customized solutions for specific applications. This collaborative approach ensures our technology integrates effectively with complex medical products and stringent manufacturing requirements.

Consumer Products

Consumer markets increasingly value products that stay fresher longer and resist odor development. Our consumer business unit brings SmartSilver technology to footwear, home textiles, storage solutions, and other applications where antimicrobial protection enhances product value and customer satisfaction.

We work with brand owners and manufacturers to differentiate products in competitive markets. SmartSilver provides a scientifically validated benefit that consumers appreciate, backed by independent laboratory testing and real-world performance. The permanent nature of our protection ensures the antimicrobial benefit lasts for the product’s lifetime, not just the first few uses.

Industrial Applications

Industrial environments often combine challenging conditions with antimicrobial control requirements. Our industrial business unit develops solutions for filtration systems, polymer components, coatings, and specialty materials serving diverse sectors from HVAC to automotive.

SmartSilver’s permanent bonding and resistance to harsh conditions make it suitable for industrial applications that defeat conventional antimicrobial approaches. Whether in high-temperature processing, chemical exposure, or outdoor weathering, our nanoengineered particles maintain effectiveness throughout demanding product lifecycles.

Scientific Foundation

Penn State Partnership

NanoHorizons’ technology foundation rests on extensive research conducted at Pennsylvania State University under the leadership of Dr. Stephen J. Fonash, Director of Penn State’s Center for Nanotechnology Education and Utilization. Dr. Fonash’s research group pioneered manufacturable approaches to producing nanoscale materials and structures.

In March 2002, NanoHorizons licensed an extensive portfolio of invention disclosures and patents from Penn State Research Foundation. This intellectual property covers unique high-density plasma techniques, nanostructured thin films, gas and vapor sensors, and nanoscale device manufacturing processes.

The ongoing relationship with Penn State’s research community keeps NanoHorizons connected to advancing nanotechnology science while maintaining our focus on commercial applications and manufacturing scalability.

Materials Science Innovation

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, precise control of material properties at the nanoscale enables revolutionary advances in diverse fields. Our team leverages this principle across our product portfolio, from antimicrobial additives to specialized sensing materials.

Research published by the National Institutes of Health demonstrates nanosilver’s antimicrobial mechanisms, confirming that silver ion release provides the primary antimicrobial action. NanoHorizons’ engineering optimizes this mechanism by maximizing surface area and controlling particle characteristics for sustained ion release.

Management and Leadership

NanoHorizons combines scientific expertise with business acumen and manufacturing experience. Our leadership team brings together advanced degrees in materials science and engineering with decades of commercial experience in technology companies.

Dr. Stephen J. Fonash serves as Chairman and Chief Technology Officer, bringing over 18 patents in related fields and decades of nanoscale materials research. Under his technical leadership, NanoHorizons maintains its position at the forefront of commercial nanotechnology.

Our management team includes executives with extensive experience developing corporate organizations, bringing new technologies to market, and building sustainable manufacturing operations. This combination of scientific depth and business capability enables NanoHorizons to translate research advances into profitable commercial products.

Visit our management page to learn more about the leaders guiding NanoHorizons’ technology development and business growth.

Quality and Manufacturing

Production Excellence

NanoHorizons operates production facilities designed for consistent quality at commercial volumes. Our manufacturing processes incorporate extensive quality control measures, from incoming raw material verification through final product testing and validation.

We maintain detailed documentation of production parameters, batch records, and quality metrics. This disciplined approach ensures reproducibility and enables rapid identification of any process variations that could affect product performance.

Customer Support

Our technical team supports customers throughout the product development and manufacturing cycle. Initial consultations help identify optimal SmartSilver formulations for specific applications. Trial quantities enable customer testing and process validation. Commercial production brings ongoing technical support to ensure consistent results.

We view customer relationships as partnerships. Your success with SmartSilver technology depends on effective integration into your products and processes. Our team brings both nanoscale engineering expertise and practical manufacturing knowledge to support your goals.

Safety and Environmental Stewardship

Responsible Nanotechnology

NanoHorizons recognizes the importance of developing nanotechnology responsibly. We maintain rigorous safety protocols for material handling, manufacturing processes, and workplace exposure control. Our employees receive comprehensive training in nanomaterial safety and proper handling procedures.

SmartSilver’s permanent bonding to host materials minimizes environmental release. Silver remains in products rather than washing into water systems, addressing environmental concerns associated with conventional antimicrobial treatments that release active ingredients during use.

Regulatory Compliance

We work proactively with regulatory frameworks governing nanomaterials and antimicrobial products. Our technical team maintains current knowledge of evolving regulations in key markets and incorporates regulatory requirements into product development and manufacturing processes.

SmartSilver formulations can be adapted to meet specific regulatory requirements across different regions and applications. This flexibility enables customers to address both performance needs and compliance obligations.

Innovation Continues

Research Pipeline

While SmartSilver represents our most commercially successful technology, NanoHorizons continues to develop new applications and enhanced capabilities. Our research pipeline explores adjacent antimicrobial applications, improved processing methods, and novel nanoscale engineering solutions for emerging market needs.

We invest in fundamental understanding of nanoscale phenomena alongside applied product development. This dual focus ensures our commercial products rest on solid scientific foundations while maintaining our capability to develop next-generation solutions.

Industry Collaboration

NanoHorizons actively collaborates with industry partners, research institutions, and technology developers. These relationships accelerate innovation by combining our nanoscale engineering expertise with partner capabilities in specific applications or markets.

Whether through joint development projects, licensing arrangements, or technical partnerships, we seek opportunities to extend nanotechnology benefits to new applications and industries. Our technology platform provides a foundation for diverse applications beyond our current product portfolio.

Looking Forward

The nanotechnology revolution continues to unfold. Materials engineered at the molecular level enable capabilities impossible through conventional approaches. NanoHorizons stands at the forefront of this revolution, translating scientific advances into commercial products that deliver measurable value.

From our origins in university research to our current position as a global leader in antimicrobial nanotechnology, we’ve maintained focus on practical solutions to real-world challenges. This commitment guides our ongoing innovation and business development.

As industries evolve and new challenges emerge, NanoHorizons continues engineering tomorrow’s solutions today. Our combination of scientific expertise, manufacturing capability, and market knowledge positions us to serve growing demand for nanotechnology-enabled products across diverse sectors.

Whether you’re developing advanced textiles, innovative healthcare products, differentiated consumer goods, or specialized industrial materials, NanoHorizons brings nanoscale engineering to your specific challenges. Contact us to explore how our technology platform can enhance your products and strengthen your competitive position.