DiPole Materials Announces CRADA with the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center
DiPole Materials will develop composite materials with potential to help protect US soldiers from chemical and biological attack July 23, 2020, Baltimore, MD – DiPole Materials, an electrospinning company that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing, has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (CCDC Chemical Biological Center). “The CCDC Chemical Biological Center technology developments are very impressive, and we are excited to collaborate with them to utilize Dipole Materials' capabilities in nanocomposites fabrication for enhanced protection systems to be used by US military personnel,” said Scott Gaboury, CSO with DiPole Materials. Under the terms of the CRADA, DiPole Materials will utilize its expertise in nanofiber design and manufacturing to develop composite fibers from blends of polymers and inorganic materials capable of abating various toxic chemicals. These DiPole-manufactured composite fibers will have the potential for use in a range of textile materials that can provide enhanced chemical and biological warfare protection for US Army soldiers. "Last year, when we partnered with the Maryland Department of Commerce to form the Maryland Defense Technology Commercialization Center (DefTech), we wanted to help unlock the economic value of the brilliant work going on in our state's military research facilities,” said Ken Malone, CEO with DiPole Materials. “This CRADA is another step in that direction and couldn't have happened without the help of DefTech.” The CCDC Chemical Biological Center is the nation’s principal R&D resource for chemical and biological protection to US soldiers. The CCDC Chemical Biological Center’s activities span the life cycle of chemical and biological defense research and product development. About DiPole Materials: Dipole Materials is an electrospinning company, based in Baltimore, MD, that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing to meet a range of industry applications, including cell culture, tissue engineering, water filtration, technical textiles like piezoelectric yarns, catalysis and more. DiPole Materials’ off-the-shelf product suite includes patented BioPaper technology that serves as a 3D nanofiber-based cell scaffold for 3D cell culture and bioprinting. Learn more: www.dipolematerials.com Media Contact: Ken Malone DiPole Materials 410.692.8605...
DiPole Materials and Gemstone Biotherapeutics Team Up to Accelerate Production of Filters for Medical Masks
DiPole Materials and Gemstone Bio expert staffs collaborate round-the-clock to fuel urgent nanofiber production for medical masks for healthcare workers April 7, 2020, Baltimore, MD – DiPole Materials, an electrospinning company that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing, is teaming up with Gemstone Biotherapeutics, a biotech company developing novel, bioengineered products for scar-free skin regeneration, to rapidly accelerate production of filters to meet emergency demand for medical masks. DiPole Materials’ and Gemstone Bio’s teams are collaborating to manufacture cuts of continuous roll-to-roll production of nanofiber filters. This material then gets cut into small, mouth-sized squares which are then mounted into medical masks. Gemstone Bio’s expert team brings its practical knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices and wet lab skills to help ensure and maintain manufacturing quality controls. “Our team is eager to contribute to the production of materials needed now for rapidly scaled medical mask manufacturing,” said Emily English, PhD, CEO of Gemstone Bio. “Partnering with DiPole Materials is seamless and demonstrates the depth of Baltimore’s biotech and advanced materials’ prowess. As a team, we embraced the opportunity to help our region and the nation during the crisis.” DiPole Materials’ nanofiber filters are the type used in N95 respirators, which provide high end protection for critical medical needs. The combined teams are working with cut and sew shops, makers spaces and engineering companies in Maryland to integrate newly produced filters into their masks to increase the protection provided to healthcare workers and first responders. “We couldn’t ask for better partners with Emily and the Gemstone Bio team,” said Ken Malone, Chairman of DiPole Materials. “Time is of the essence in this crisis. With Gemstone Bio and our other Baltimore partners, we’re able to ramp up mask filter production and speed manufacturing to get masks in the hands of medical professionals.” About Gemstone Biotherapeutics: Gemstone Biotherapeutics is a Baltimore-based, biotech company developing innovative, evidence-based products for scar-free skin regeneration. Gemstone’s products have been bioengineered to target the healing cascade that stimulates rapid skin regeneration to restore healthy, stretchy, scar-free skin. The Company’s platform technology has the potential to transform the dermatology market with high-impact, functional and aesthetic benefits for patients and cost savings for the health care industry. Learn more: www.gemstonebio.com About DiPole Materials: Dipole Materials is an electrospinning company, based in Baltimore, MD, that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing to meet a range of industry applications, including cell culture, tissue engineering, water filtration, technical textiles like piezoelectric yarns, catalysis and more. DiPole Materials’ off-the-shelf product suite includes patented BioPaper technology that serves as a 3D nanofiber-based cell scaffold for 3D cell culture and bioprinting. Learn more: www.dipolematerials.com Media Contact: Ken Malone DiPole Materials 410.692.8605...
DiPole Materials Begins Manufacturing of Nanofiber Filters for Medical Masks Production
DiPole re-tools its nanofiber production line to address urgent COVID-19 need for medical masks for healthcare and hospital workers March 27, 2020, Baltimore, MD – DiPole Materials, LLC, an electrospinning company that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing to meet a range of industry applications, has started production of filters to help address the urgent need for medical masks and respirators in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. DiPole Materials’ nanofiber filters are the type used in N95 respirators, which provide high end protection for the most critical medical needs. DiPole’s scientific team is working with cut and sew shops, makers spaces and engineering companies in Maryland to integrate the DiPole Materials’ filters into their masks to greatly increase the protection provided to healthcare workers and first responders. DiPole Materials’ team currently is working around the clock making cuts of continuous roll-to-roll production of the filters. This material then gets cut into small, mouth sized squares which are then mounted into medical masks. “We’re seeing tremendous partnering among manufacturers and maker communities in our region to address the COVID-19 epidemic,” said Ken Malone, Chairman of DiPole Materials. “We’re eager to deploy our electrospinning manufacturing capabilities to join in accelerating production of critically needed medical masks.” About DiPole Materials: Dipole Materials is an electrospinning company, based in Baltimore, MD, that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing to meet a range of industry applications, including cell culture, tissue engineering, water filtration, technical textiles like piezoelectric yarns, catalysis and more. DiPole Materials’ off-the-shelf product suite includes patented BioPaper technology that serves as a 3D nanofiber-based cell scaffold for 3D cell culture and bioprinting. Learn more: www.dipolematerials.com Media Contact: Ken Malone DiPole Materials 410.692.8605...
DiPole Materials Announces Hiring of Expert in Materials Science
Mike Pallotta, a chemical engineer, to help support and grow DiPole Materials’ custom materials manufacturing capabilities and product line February 11, 2020, Baltimore, MD – DiPole Materials, LLC, an electrospinning company that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing to meet a range of industry applications, today announced the hiring of Mike Pallotta, a chemical engineer with corporate experience developing novel products across a range of fields including biomaterials and textiles. In his new role, Pallotta, as Application Engineer, will bring his significant engineering expertise into DiPole Materials’ custom materials manufacturing and product suite. Pallotta previously was Chemical Process Engineer with Corning, Inc. where he designed and implemented experimental systems to enhance production plant efficiencies. As part of this work, he also conducted full-scale economic analyses of future payback on amended chemical processes. In addition, Pallotta established a series of experiments to optimize an emerging process to be used for a variety of Corning products. “Mike broadens our expertise in our custom materials work by bringing strong process engineering thinking,” said Ken Malone, co-founder and CEO of DiPole Materials. “We’re fortunate to add Mike to our team.” Pallotta is a graduate of Bucknell University where he earned a BS in Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Materials. At Bucknell, Pallotta also served as Teaching Assistant for Material and Energy Balance, assisting first-year chemical engineering students with projects in the laboratory section of Bucknell’s chemical engineering courses. About DiPole Materials: Dipole Materials is an electrospinning company, based in Baltimore, MD, that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing to meet a range of industry applications, including cell culture, tissue engineering, water filtration, technical textiles like piezoelectric yarns, catalysis and more. DiPole Materials’ off-the-shelf product suite includes patented BioPaper technology that serves as a 3D nanofiber-based cell scaffold for 3D cell culture and bioprinting. Learn more: www.dipolematerials.com Media Contact: Ken Malone DiPole Materials 410.692.8605...
DiPole Materials and Elmarco s.r.o. Launch Formal Business Partnership
DiPole Materials and Elmarco to collaborate on active program to drive new US business opportunities for nanofiber equipment and materials capabilities January 29, 2020, Baltimore, MD – DiPole Materials, LLC, an electrospinning company that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing, and Elmarco s.r.o., the industry′s leading electrospinning equipment supplier, today announced the launch of a formal partnership to drive mutual equipment and nanofiber materials opportunities in the US. Under the terms of the partnership, DiPole Materials – which deploys the Elmarco Nanospider™ for its custom nanofiber manufacturing – and Elmarco will collaborate on a dynamic program to accelerate co-promotion of the DiPole team’s expertise in materials science blended with Elmarco expertise in nanofiber production equipment. As part of this program, DiPole Materials and Elmarco will host a regularly scheduled series of workshops at the DiPole Materials laboratory while collaborating on a range of cross-promotion efforts across the US. “This is an exciting milestone for us at DiPole,” said Ken Malone, co-founder and CEO of DiPole Materials. “With the Elmarco Nanospider™, we’ve been able to expand our market reach in custom materials science. We now have a great opportunity to cross-promote our respective strengths to take advantage of the growing demand for quality nanofiber manufacturing equipment and production.” “This partnership represents a true opportunity to accelerate distribution of our Elmarco product line as well as drive the overall nanofiber industry,” said Miloslav Masopust, CEO of Elmarco. “Since our founding, we’ve focused on designing and building equipment that delivers the highest quality product to meet the wide range of industry’s nanofiber needs. We look forward to partnering with DiPole Materials to leverage our common areas of focus and accelerate new business opportunities.” About Elmarco s.r.o.: Elmarco s.r.o, based in the Czech Republic, is the electrospinning industry´s leading supplier of industrial scale electrospinning equipment. Founded in 2000, Elmarco´s product suite is based on needle-free Nanospider™ electrospinning technology designed for effective, industrial-scale production of the highest quality nanofibers. Learn more: www.elmarco.com About DiPole Materials: Dipole Materials is an electrospinning company, based in Baltimore, MD, that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing to meet a range of industry applications, including cell culture, tissue engineering, water filtration, technical textiles like piezoelectric yarns, catalysis and more. DiPole Materials’ off-the-shelf product suite includes patented BioPaper technology that serves as a 3D nanofiber-based cell scaffold for 3D cell culture and bioprinting. Learn more: www.dipolematerials.com...
DiPole Materials & Elmarco Present Free Workshop on Elmarco’s Nanospider TM Electrospinning Technology
Electrospinning technology has been around for more than 100 years. Yet with today’s precision engineering capabilities and rapid advances in materials science, we’re in the midst of a new golden age for electrospinning and nanofiber manufacturing. Plus, an array of industry nanofiber needs is creating significant demand for DiPole Materials and Elmarco’s expert capabilities. With this dynamic, DiPole Materials and Elmarco are delighted to host a free Workshop, Tuesday, October 22, demonstrating first-hand Elmarco’s new Nanospider TM NS LAB electrospinning product and related equipment. Our Workshop Agenda: Introduction to DiPole Materials and Elmarco Introduction to Elmarco equipment and scaleup Process optimization procedure on Nanospider TM technology Live demo of electrospinning processes with polyamide 6 polymer Layer evaluation techniques Intro to Elmarco’s new NS LAB model and optical microscope system What: Free Workshop on Elmarco’s new NanospiderTM NS LAB equipment Where: DiPole Materials Lab, 1100 Wicomico St., Suite 600, Baltimore, MD 21230 When: Tuesday, October 22, 10:00am-12:30pm EDT RSVP: Email Elmarco’s Katerina Rubackova: katerina.rubackova@elmarco.com We look forward to having you with us!...
Shangtong Li, Recent MICA Graduate, Joins DiPole Materials as Facilities Technician/Design Associate
August 20, 2019, Baltimore, MD – DiPole Materials, LLC, an electrospinning company that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing to meet a range of industry applications, today announced the hiring of Shangtong Li, a recent graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), as Facilities Technician/Design Associate. Li, who recently earned a BFA degree in Interdisciplinary Sculpture at MICA, has extensive experience in digital fabrication and bio fabrication, both of which are key functions in nanofiber manufacturing. With DiPole Materials, Li will focus on the preparation of chemical formulations through various processes as well as the operation and maintenance of DiPole’s electrospinning equipment and laboratory space. “We’re truly thrilled to have Shangtong join our growing team at DiPole,” said Ken Malone, co-founder of DiPole Materials. “As a Baltimore-based company, it’s especially exciting for us to have Shangtong’s creative and design skills, developed during her years at MICA, for the benefit of our customers.” At MICA, Li worked as a technician in the institute’s Digital Fabrication studios and Materials Library. She also served as a Teaching Assistant for MICA Professor Ryan Hoover’s “Intro to Digital Fabrication” class and co-taught a Workshop at Open Works on “3D Printing Sustainable Materials.” Li also served as the 2018 Extreme Arts intern for the Hopkins Extreme Material Institute/MICA Extreme Arts Summer Project/Internship. In this program, Li completed an independent material research project in three months by working collaboratively with the research professor and students at Johns Hopkins University's Kang Lab. About DiPole Materials: Dipole Materials is an electrospinning company, based in Baltimore, MD, that specializes in custom nanofiber manufacturing to meet a range of industry applications, including cell culture, tissue engineering, water filtration, technical textiles like piezoelectric yarns, catalysis and more. DiPole Materials’ off-the-shelf product suite includes patented BioPaper technology that serves as a 3D nanofiber-based cell scaffold for 3D cell culture and bioprinting. Learn more: www.dipolematerials.com Media Contact: Ken Malone DiPole Materials 410.692.8605...
Q&A with DiPole’s James Dolgin on the Future of Nanofibers
James Dolgin, DiPole Materials’ Director of Business Development, is steeped in the business of custom nanofiber manufacturing. With a degree in Polymer Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and a current Venture for America fellow, James focuses his time on what’s around the corner for nanofibers and industry applications. With this in mind, we recently talked with James about his work at DiPole Materials and his thoughts on the future of nanofibers. What are some current industry and market trends for nanofibers? What's grabbing on most to nanofibers right now is the biomedical field, which is taking advantage of the small-scale interactions nanofibers can have with cells. One of the biggest problems with creating a better cell environment is actually mimicking the extracellular matrix, which nanofibers do in a way that’s highly customizable and biomimetic. You can control how cells differentiate and grow with far more accuracy using electrospinning. In addition, we’re seeing a lot of ways in which the nanofiber structure can aid cell growth in-vivo for applications like wound healing, wound dresses, internal replacements for large volumetric muscle loss. Not just lab studies, but actual medical applications. Beyond that, in general, there's a huge shift in several industries toward nanofibers like the textile industry and the filtration industry – both air and water. We’ve seen the need to largely decrease the diameter, and increase the surface area, of textile fibers so you're getting an interaction between fibers and molecules. This way you can use them for their ability to bind with additives and embedded nanoparticles. What's great about nanofibers is you're still preserving the mechanical properties of the bulk material. In fact, in a lot of cases, nanofibers increase tensile strength and elastic modulus. The challenge right now is scaling ideas in this space. And this is the challenge we're addressing at DiPole Materials every day. The need for nanofibers is growing exponentially, and the research to address this need is too. The missing piece is bridging that gap – and that’s where we come in. Let’s dig deeper into how DiPole plays a role in this industry. Describe DiPole's core product suite and industry focus. What DiPole provides to this shift in focus to nanofibers is working with people for whatever level of interest or expertise they're coming in with and taking their projects from an idea about using something for nanofibers to a reality. Dipole also manufactures BioPaper scaffolds that bring the benefits of nanofiber substrates to the hands of tissue engineers and biologists. And we created PiezoYarn, yarn that generates electricity for wearable sensors simply through being stretched. We’ve learned a lot about custom projects through our own product development, and we feel pretty comfortable with ideas at all stages of development. We've had customers come to us with ideas ranging from published studies to ideas on the back of a napkin and we've worked with them to actualize their vision. This can be proof of concept or scaling a proven idea. We’re really just taking ideas both in academia and industry and bringing them to the rest of the world. You hear quite a bit how nanofibers are the future, but there's a huge imbalance between how much research there is out there about the benefits of nanofiber technology and actual implementations and applications. DiPole is here to make that happen and move them down the pipeline. Peering around the corner, do you have a sense what the next five years may look like for industry needs and nanofiber technology? I think we’re going to keep seeing an influx of research in the cell scaffolding, textile and increasingly so, electronics fields. The need for advanced materials is ever-growing and nanofibers are the next frontier of this field. Five years down the road you're going to see a lot more inter-industry collaboration especially as wearable technologies become increasingly important and symbiotic with industries like the Internet of Things. I'd also say we're going to learn a lot about how nanofibers work in real life and keep iterating. There will be a lot of researchers who start to look back on their nanofiber research and say "I want to take this into the real world and I want to start a business with this.” That’s where we come in. Baltimore, our company’s hometown, is a great place for a company like ours since we have such a robust biotech field with Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, Baltimore and UMBC. We’ve had great success collaborating with customers on the east coast, from Philadelphia to North Carolina. Dipole is moving forward Baltimore’s two biggest strengths: medical and manufacturing. We’re putting the city front and center in the nanofiber manufacturing eruption....