Company News

United States Patent Application No. 7,989,069 discloses an organometallic coating deposited from a metal alkoxide composition under conditions sufficient to form a polymeric metal oxide coating with unreacted alkoxide and hydroxyl groups. The invention also discloses a method for applying the organometallic coating to a substrate.

"One of the key focuses for our technology is to increase hydrophobicity and oleophobicity on surfaces and the use of organometallic coatings deposited from a metal alkoxide composition to achieve this is a very interesting application of our technology. We believe that this technology fills a significant gap where alternative hydrophobic and oleophobic treatments have failed to treat certain difficult to treat substrates," comments Edward Hughes, CEO of Aculon.

For more information about Aculon's products and technology or details regarding the patent, call the company headquarters at 858-350-9474 or contact us .

United States Patent Application No. 12,080,058 discloses the process required for applying organophosphorus acids having a fluorinated constituent to cutting tools and razors. The organophosphorus fluorinated material can either be adhered directly to the metal edge or indirectly to through an intermediary organometallic layer. The invention also provides for a method of depositing the organophosphorus fluorinated material as a self assembled monolayer or as a multilayer treatment.

"We believe that this technology offers a significant advantage to the current thick polymer based treatments currently available for cutting tools such as razor blades." comments Edward Hughes, CEO of Aculon.

For more information about Aculon's products and technology or details regarding the patent, call the company headquarters at 858-350-9474 or contact us .

United States Patent Application No. 8,025,974 discloses the process required for applying fluorinated hydrophobic layers to inorganic substrates. The fluorinated material can either be adhered directly to the metal substrate or through an intermediary organometallic layer. The invention also provides for a method of depositing the fluorinated material on an inorganic substrate surface, allowing for a level of hydrophobicity and oleophobicity thought unachievable on numerous inorganic substrates.

"Inventions that avoid our customers spending their resources on capital equipment are very valuable. We believe that our approach offers a superior alternative to existing PVD film technologies, offering manufacturers an easy to apply technology without the need for complex and expensive vacuum deposition equipment," comments Edward Hughes, CEO of Aculon.

For more information about Aculon's products and technology or details regarding the patent, call the company headquarters at 858-350-9474 or contact us .

"This year we received a record number of new product nominations…This year's finalists represent some of the strongest new products produced locally over the past eighteen months. These companies deserve to be recognized for their entrepreneurial spirit and the contributions their products are making to our city's economy," Said Duane Roth, chief executive officer at Connect.

"It is a great honor to be selected as a finalist in the Connect MIP awards. Taking technology from a university benchtop and scaling into it products sold by the millions around takes hard work and perseverance. The Aculon technology team sees opportunity in every difficulty, so it great for them to recognized for their work."

The winners of the Connect MIP Awards will be announced during the Connect MIP Awards luncheon at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines on December 9th.

For more information about Aculon's products and technology or details regarding the contest, call the company headquarters at 858-350-9474 or contact us .

United States Patent No. 7,740,940 discloses the process required for applying an organometallic film on substrates, particularly polymer substrates, in which the metal of the organometallic has "f" orbital electrons. Aculon's novel organometallic films represent a breakthrough in hydrophobic and oleophobic film technology, allowing for a level of hydrophobicity and oleophobicity thought unachievable on numerous substrates.

"We are delighted that our invention has been granted a United States patent. We believe that this approach offers a superior alternative to existing PVD film technologies, offering manufacturers affordable hydrophobic and oleophobic films without the drawbacks associated with traditional film deposition," comments Dr. Eric Hanson, Vice President of Technology.

For more information about Aculon's organometallic film products and technology or details regarding the patent, call the company headquarters at 858-350-9474 or contact us .

United States Patent No. 7,625,149 is for a pen-shaped applicator containing a hydrophobic composition for application to various surfaces. Aculon's unique pen-based hydrophobic applicator offers consumers an efficient and convenient method for applying hydrophobic coatings to polymer, glass, and metal surfaces.

Aculon also owns a variety of patents that apply to hydrophobic and oleophobic promoting nanotechnology coatings. The technology allows manufacturers to modify surface characteristics, significantly increasing the hydrophobicity and oleophobicity of glass, polymers, metals, and many other materials. The issuance of this patent presents a unique method for successfully delivering this technology directly to the consumer.

Aculon will start producing new innovative pen-based applicators for customers in late 2010.

For more information about Aculon's pen-based hydrophobic products and technology or details regarding the patent, call the company headquarters at 858-350-9474 or contact us .

Cr+6 is a known human carcinogen and can cause kidney and liver damage, nasal, skin and stomach irritations, and convulsions. Exposure to high levels of Cr+6 can even lead to death. Until now, the law had a temporary exemption for uses where there was "no feasible alternative" (California Health & Saf. Code, §25214.14(d)). Aculon's SAMP is that alternative, the company says.

The use of SAMP in lieu of toxic substances enables manufacturers to adhere to the strictest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Union (EU) regulations, the company says.

"Our SAMP technology has proven adhesion properties and we've worked to develop this new formulation to address the needs of manufacturers in complying to strict EPA regulations on the use of heavy metals," says Edward Hughes, Aculon's CEO. "Where paint and other spray on applications do not adhere to the advanced materials used, many manufacturers turn to hexavalent chromium to prime the surface, which is a horribly toxic metal and industrial process. We have now formulated that 'feasible alternative' the EPA requires."

Founded in 2004, Aculon specializes in inventing and commercializing unique molecular-scale surface and interfacial coatings leveraging nanotechnology discoveries made at Princeton University.

The event, now in its eight year, is hosted by The NanoBusiness Alliance. the Alliance's mission is to create a collective voice for the advancing nanotechnology industry and develop a range of initiatives to support the nanotechnology business community. Among the NanoBusiness Alliance’s goals are the development of research and education programs, public policy and lobbying initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and industry support networks. The NanoBusiness Alliance has locations in New York, NY and Chicago, IL and soon will be opening an additional office in Washington, DC. The conference will be held in Chicago, IL, September 8-10.

For additional information, please visit http://www.nanobusiness.org.

Xconomy.com
By Bruce Bigelow 7/17/09

After getting a briefing last month from Aculon CEO Ed Hughes, I would not have thought of the five-year-old San Diego startup as a cleantech company. Nanotechnology? Yes. Materials Science? Absolutely. Cleantech? Nah, not really.

Yet Aculon is announcing today that it has developed a formulation of its proprietary nanocoating technology to replace certain applications of hexavalent chromium, a toxic, cancer-causing heavy metal used to make anti-corrosion coatings, as well as stainless steel, dyes, and wood preservatives, among other things. Hexavalent chromium was found in the drinking water of Hinkley, CA, a small desert town made infamous by Erin Brockovich, who was in turn made famous by the namesake film starring Julia Roberts. Suffice to say it is a nasty toxic substance, and a known human carcinogen via inhalation. It can cause kidney and liver damage, along with nasal, skin, and stomach irritations. Read more

"Aculon's SAMP technology has a great back story and benefits for customers and potential partners," said Edward Hughes, Aculon Chief Executive Officer. "This new website tells that story and showcases our propriatary technology in a consistent manner."

"Jon's experience in the technology and venture space will prove invaluable to Aculon’s strategic growth initiatives," said Edward Hughes, CEO Aculon, Inc. "In particular our portfolio of patented performance coatings enable adhesion promotion and have a wide spread number of applications in electronics. Jon can bring tremendous insight and knowledge to this sector."

"I am excited about joining the Aculon Board, the company has great technology targeted at big markets with a strong team in place to lead them though a period of rapid growth," said Jon Huberman, President of Consumer and Small Business Products Division at EMC Corporation. "I look forward to helping them secure growth capital and introducing them to electronic partners."

After leading publicly traded Iomega Corporation as Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board, Mr. Huberman accepted the position of President of the Consumer and Small Business Products Division at EMC Corporation following EMC's acquisition of Iomega in June 2008. In his current role, Mr. Huberman oversees Iomega as well as other brands and technologies included in the Consumer and Small Business Products Division at EMC. Mr. Huberman's years of experience compliment Aculon's board of directors and adds a well-seasoned perspective as Aculon continues innovation and growth in nano-coatings.

Prior to coming to Iomega, Mr. Huberman was a Managing Director at aAd Capital, a hedge fund focused on investing in small to mid-sized public companies. Prior to aAd Capital, Mr. Huberman was a General Partner with Idanta Partners, a private equity affiliate of the Bass family interests. During his more than nine years at Idanta, Mr. Huberman made private and public investments in many sectors including a variety of hardware, software and services companies across the information technology value chain. In addition, while at Idanta, Mr. Huberman served as CEO of two of Idanta's portfolio companies and on twelve Boards of Directors.

Prior to joining Idanta, Mr. Huberman was a case leader with the Boston Consulting Group, a strategic management consulting firm, where he focused on the high technology and consumer products industries. Mr. Huberman also served as Special Advisor to the Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) from 1999 to 2001.

A native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Huberman graduated with a BA in Computer Science from Princeton University, and received an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Aculon, Inc., is a leading developer of nanotechnology solutions using its proprietary molecular-scale surface and interfacial technologies. Aculon created an eyewear treatment application for Hilco so that consumers could apply an easily cleaned anti-smudge coating to protect their lenses and enjoy greater acuity.

A key indicator of smudge-resistance and easy in cleansing on a lens surface is Water Contact Angle (WCA). WCAs at above 90° correspond to surfaces that will be the easiest to clean and the most repellant to fingerprints, grease, water, dust, and dirt.

"As an early stage emerging nanotechnology company , it is terrific to have our technology validated and win an award of excellence," said Edward Hughes, CEO of Aculon, Inc. "We work very hard to make our business partners successful, and we congratulate Hilco on receiving such a terrific award."

OLA Awards of Excellence were presented at that organization's annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Hilco's Shield Lens Protection System took home top honors in the Accessory Products category.

Aculon's nano-scale treatments enable unique performance, process simplification and excellent value across a broad range of metal, plastic and glass surfaces and interfaces. Whether it be non-stick hydrophobic/oleophobic or adhesion-promoting functionality, Aculon nanotechnology offers manufacturers and consumers new opportunities beyond traditional surface coatings. Aculon has commercial applications and development programs in several fields, including optical, packaging, stainless steel appliances, and electronics.

Aculon, Inc., a leading developer of nanotechnology solutions using its proprietary Nanoscale molecular-scale surface and interfacial technologies, announced the appointment of Edward Hughes as Chief Executive Officer.

Hughes has over 15 years of experience managing consumer and technology businesses. He most recently served as founder and CEO of PowerMetal Technologies in Carlsbad, California. PowerMetal Technologies is a leading manufacturer and supplier of advanced nanotechnology-enabled products and sub-components targeting the sporting goods and consumer products industries.

"We are extremely delighted to have someone of Edward’s stature and reputation in nanotechnology lead the team at Aculon," said Frank Archinaco, Chairman of the Board. "His experience and knowledge make him the best person to spearhead the growth of our company."

Prior to Hughes' term with PowerMetal, he served as Senior VP and GM for TaylorMade-adidas Golf, heading up the North American business division and Global Marketing. Edward was part of the team that turned around TaylorMade's performance by growing sales and doubling profits. Previously, he was instrumental in the turn around of Maxfli Golf as Vice President and General Manager before selling the company to TaylorMade.

Hughes serves on the Boards of several San Diego based nonprofit organizations which include Harvard Business School Club and the San Diego Girls Scouts Organization. He earned his Masters Degree from Cambridge University, England and his MBA from the Harvard Business School, where he was a George F. Baker Scholar.

Aculon's nano-scale treatments enable unique performance, process simplification and excellent value across a broad range of metal, plastic and glass surfaces and interfaces. Whether it be non-stick hydrophobic/oleophobic or adhesion-promoting functionality, Aculon nanotechnology offers manufacturers and consumers new opportunities beyond traditional surface coatings. Aculon has commercial applications and development programs in several fields, including optical, packaging, stainless steel appliances, and electronics.

Aculon, Inc., a leading thin-film coatings company, today announced that Richard Elkus, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Operations at Extrameasures, LLC, was elected to the company's board of directors.

"Richard's experience in finance with high-growth, early stage businesses will further strengthen the board as we enter a period of rapid growth,” said Edward Hughes, CEO Aculon, Inc. "In addition, his extensive electronics experience including his 20-year tenure at Hewlett Packard, will accelerate our growth us in this key market."

"I've been an investor for the past four years and am excited to join the board of directors," said Elkus. "I am passionate about U.S. competitiveness and believe that we need to maintain our technological advantage. Aculon is a great example of a U.S. company commercializing technology developed at U.S. universities."

In his present position as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Operations at Extrameasures, LLC, Elkus oversees finance, administration, I.T. and program operations for the stored-value issuing company. His past posts included multiple divisions within Hewlett Packard including roles as VP and CFO of Phogenix Imaging, a startup professional commercial printing manufacturer (HP/Kodak joint venture), where he was an initial founding member of the management team and the Secretary to the Board of Directors. Other positions held within HP include Controller in HP's $1.2B All-in-One Division; Financial Operations manager of the HP InkJet Supplies Business Unit, and financial management positions in Site Services and HP Printed Circuit Board Division.

Mr. Elkus graduated with a BA in Management Science from the University of California, San Diego, and received his MBA from the University of Oregon. He also serves on the board of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, along with past community involvement with the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce and the University of California Youth Ranch.