Over the last decade, the world has seen a tremendous growth in the field of nanotechnology. During that time, Kansas State University has become a recognized leader in Nanoscale particle research and commercialization.
With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Dr. Kenneth Klabunde, University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, devised a new nano-engineering technique that allowed for the production of a novel family of high performance metal oxides that possess unique and uncommon characteristics, including: high surface area, increased porosity, unique morphologies, and superior chemical reactivity.
In 1997 KSU founded NanoScale Corporation as an independent commercial Research and Development organization that would further develop Dr. Klabude's technology. Since its inception NanoScale has grown its business from the point of delivering bulk nanomaterials for research purposes to a point at which they now currently have several branded products on the market. One such product is their Fast-Act (First Applied Sorbent Treatment-Against Chemical Threats) product which won a Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award in 2005 for its ability to neutralize chemical-warfare agents and many other industrial chemicals.
Alongside the work of Dr. Klabunde and NanoScale, KSU continues to be an innovator in the world of nanotechnology. In late 2006 an interdisciplinary team of researchers was awarded a four-year $1million NSF grant to conduct curiosity-based nanoscience and technology research, and aside from this work there are currently nanoscience based research projects being conducted in such areas as Semiconductors and Electronics; Drug Delivery; Biological and Chemical Remediation; Advance Materials and Composites; Biomedical Devices; Energy and many more.