Scientists and researchers from the Nanotechnology Center at UALR hosted an Industry Day Monday to showcase what the center can – and is – doing for state, national, and global businesses.

Several Arkansas based companies attended the event and saw first hand the world-class instrumentation and services that the Nanotechnology Center can offer to better their business processes and products.

The market for nanotechnology-enhanced materials is predicted to grow 31 percent annually, a growth potential that holds enormous promise for Arkansas’ economic development. UALR’s Nanotechnology Center is already applying its research by creating new products and services in the marketplace.

“We are taking every piece of information (from the research) and working to turn it into a company,” said Tom Walker, director of the center.

The center’s research has netted six patents in nanotubes with one more in the writing stage, and one patent in tissue engineering with two more in the writing phase. Four more patents in other areas are in the works.

“We would have had to stand in line at Stanford or Berkeley to get the research we need in order to advance our products,” said Kurt Pfluger of 4DS in Silicon Valley, Calif. He was one of several business executives testifying about their successful collaboration with the Nanotechnology Center.