NCD Technologies

NCD Technologies, founded in 2009 by Dr. Patrick Heaney, operates at the intersection of materials science and nanotechnology, specializing in the development and application of diamond and diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings. The company's inception is directly tied to Dr. Heaney's doctoral research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he developed the novel technology that forms the company's foundation. He launched the venture concurrently with defending his Ph.D., leveraging his extensive background in vacuum system design and coating engineering to address material science challenges.

The firm provides custom-engineered coating solutions rather than off-the-shelf products. Its business model revolves around research and development collaborations to design thin diamond films tailored to specific client applications. This involves a deep understanding of various vacuum processing techniques like HF-CVD, PIID, and PECVD, coupled with world-class surface science characterization. Initially focused on the micro and meso tooling market, NCD's technology enhances the longevity, precision, and efficiency of extremely small tools. The company has since diversified its market reach, serving sectors such as aerospace, biomedical, defense, automotive, and performance sports.

NCD's core service is the engineering of advanced coatings that harness diamond's superior properties—like hardness, transparency, and biocompatibility—for various materials. For the defense industry, these coatings improve the reliability and lifespan of firearms. In the medical field, their inert and biocompatible properties are leveraged for devices and implants. Another key application is producing non-toxic hydrophobic coatings that improve the performance and shelf life of materials like infrared obscurants for the Department of Defense. The company's revenue is generated through these custom development projects, consulting services, and grants, including support from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the U.S. National Science Foundation. NCD Technologies has received recognition for its work, including an R&D 100 Award in 2013.

Keywords: diamond coatings, diamond-like carbon, DLC coatings, thin-film deposition, materials science, nanotechnology, surface engineering, micro-tooling, vacuum coating, custom coatings, R&D services, hydrophobic coatings, biocompatible coatings, aerospace materials, medical device coatings, wear-resistant coatings, surface science analysis, PECVD, HF-CVD, materials engineering, industrial coatings, optical coatings, defense materials