AGC to Invest in Advanced Nanotechnology Startup in U.S.
April 6, 2012

AGC America Inc. of Alpharetta, Ga., has invested approximately $2 million in Rolith Inc., a California-based developer of nanostructured coatings. AGC intends to combine its proprietary glass-coating technology with Rolith's own nanostructure formation technology to strengthen its value-added glass development and products.

Nanostructures feature uniformly bumpy patterns measuring about several hundred nanometers (one nanometer equals one billionth of a meter), according to AGC. Rolith's nanostructure formation technology involves large-area nanopatterning based on lithographic exposure using revolving cylindrical photomasks, which enables glass substrates to be infused with nanostructures over large surface areas within a short period of time.

"Combining the AGC Group's coating technology with Rolith's nanostructure formation technology will enable us to produce high-function glass for advanced application envisioned in fields such as electronics, solar power, automotives and architecture," says Naoki Sugimoto, general manager of Global Technology Networking for AGC America. "Meanwhile, AGC will continue to develop its own coating technologies to apply functional layers to glass surfaces for extra functionality."

Subscribe to USGlass magazine.
Subscribe to receive the free e-newsletter.