nanoScience Engineering expands into Westland, plans to hire

The partners behind nanoScience Engineering are planning for a big growth spurt as they get ready to commercialize their new nanotechnology.

James L. Braddock and Dave Burnett started the firm in 2004 after inspecting the emerging research at Wayne State University that could be commercialized. The pair have since licensed that and turned it into four jobs and enough extra work for independent contractors. The West Bloomfield-based firm also recently opened up a 3,000-square-foot lab space in Westland.

nanoScience Engineering is now finishing the research and development portion of the process and building prototypes of the plastic polymer. It expects to create another 3-5 jobs within the next year as it gets into the manufacturing stage of commercializing the technology.

"When we get into production, we anticipate hiring 50-100 people," says Braddock, who serves as nanoScience Engineering's chairman.

The start-up is creating a nano composite from exfoliated and evenly dispensed clay that will be used in plastic and rubber polymers. The idea is to improve the barrier properties and strength in plastic components used in everything from automotive parts to food packaging to cosmetics.

Source: James L Braddock, chairman of nanoScience Engineering
Writer: Jon Zemke
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