Southwest Nanotechnologies

Southwest Nanotechnologies (SWeNT) was established in 2001 as a specialty chemical company to commercialize carbon nanotube (CNT) manufacturing technology developed at the University of Oklahoma. The firm focused on producing high-purity single-wall and specialty multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Its manufacturing process, known as CoMoCAT®, was designed for scalability and allowed for superior control over the structure of the nanotubes. David Arthur, who holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Tufts University, an M.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Connecticut, and an MBA from Northeastern University, served as the company's CEO from 2005 to 2015. His extensive background in commercializing advanced materials at companies like Rogers Corporation and A.T. Cross was instrumental in guiding SWeNT's strategy.

SWeNT operated as a privately-held entity, securing $19.3M in funding from investors including Berwind Private Equity, Insight Technology Capital Partners, SOSV, and i2E. The company's business model revolved around manufacturing and supplying these advanced materials to a range of industries, including electronics, composites, and energy storage. The product lineup included printable inks and CNT-coated fabrics, targeting applications such as printed/flexible electronics, photovoltaics, and improved energy storage solutions. The company developed specific products like SMW100, a specialty multi-wall CNT, to offer enhanced electrical and mechanical performance for applications in conductive polymers and lithium-ion batteries. SWeNT's offerings were tailored for clients in the displays, healthcare, and composites sectors, providing materials with high thermal and chemical stability.

In a significant development, CHASM Advanced Materials, a company co-founded by David Arthur in 2005, acquired substantially all of the assets of Southwest Nanotechnologies in 2016. This acquisition integrated SWeNT’s manufacturing plant in Norman, Oklahoma, into CHASM's operations, positioning the merged entity as a leading supplier of high-quality carbon nanotubes. The Norman facility, combined with CHASM's headquarters and application development center in Canton, Massachusetts, enhanced the company's capabilities in producing and tailoring CNTs for various applications. Following the acquisition, David Arthur became the CEO of CHASM Advanced Materials, continuing his work in the development and commercialization of carbon nanotube technologies.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes, specialty chemicals, nanomaterials manufacturing, single-wall carbon nanotubes, multi-wall carbon nanotubes, CoMoCAT process, printed electronics, conductive polymers, energy storage materials, composite materials, advanced materials, nanotechnology solutions, CNT inks, flexible electronics, photovoltaics, lithium-ion batteries, David Arthur, University of Oklahoma spin-off, CHASM Advanced Materials, nanotube synthesis