Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2011 NineSigma, Inc

REQUEST # 67713

Novel Particles for use in Transparent PET Films

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION

NineSigma, representing a multi-billion dollar materials manufacturer, invites proposals for particles with high affinity for PET for use in transparent PET resins. The particles will be incorporated into PET films to create a slight surface roughness, in order to prevent blocking (films adhere to each other and do not separate easily). The client is particularly interested in new types of particles that are compatible with PET and that may have anti-blocking properties. Proposals for innovative uses of traditional anti-blocking agents such as silicas or calcium carbonate also are of interest. Particle Requirements

Particle diameters: 0.5μm to 4μm

Index of refraction: 1.5 to 1.7

Fig. 1: Preferred form (particles not too flattened, irregularities/roughness formed at the film surface with good wetting)

Anti-Blocking Requirements The particles will be dispersed in PET resin. When a transparent PET film (25μm to 200μm thick) is manufactured by biaxial stretching, the following requirements must be met to create the preferred characteristics (see Figure 1):

Particles create a slight roughness or irregularity on the top and bottom surfaces of the film (2μm to 5 μm) (see Fig. 2). Particles may follow the biaxial stretching, but should not follow completely or become too flattened (see Fig 3) to create the desired surface texture.

Fig. 2: View of particle arrangement

The particles maintain continuous wetting of PET resin, so that no voids (microscopic gaps around particles) form (see Fig. 3). Voids can lead to optical defects in the clear film.

Fig. 3: Undesired forms (particles too flattened, or voids formed around the particles)

RESPONSE DUE DATE: December 9, 2011

(click buttons above)

MANAGER: Ted Kanaya

SOLUTION PROVIDER HELP DESK

EMAIL: PhD@ninesigma.com PHONE:+1-216-283-3901

Opportunity

Product supply, Technology Licensing, Joint/Contract research Timeline

Phase 1 – Proof of concept: 1 year Phase 2 – Implementation: 1 year after phase 1 Financials

Expected purchasing amount: Depends on application If additional development is required: up to USD 100,000 per year, details to be discussed

NineSigma Request # 67713 Particles with High Affinity for PET Resins Page 2

Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com

Proposals will not be considered if the particles cannot create surface irregularities that prevent film blocking or cannot produce a transparent, defect-free film. BACKGROUND

NineSigma’s client manufactures PET films. If blocking occurs after a PET film is manufactured, the film becomes difficult to handle. Anti-blocking additives are used to prevent film layers from adhering to each other. At the present time, the client is using existing particles that prevent blocking, but there are problems. Voids occur when the film is stretched (stretching by a factor of approximately 2 to 6 times), or the particles become completely flattened so that they are not able to create a rough surface. In addition to the particles they have used as blocking inhibitors, the client believes that particles from other technical fields may be added to PET to prevent blocking, so they have issued this request for technology. POSSIBLE APPROACHES

Anticipated approaches include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

Core-plus-shell particles: ○ Hybrid particles: inorganic (core) plus

organic (shell) (image A on Page 1) ○ Hybrid particles: organic (core) plus

inorganic (shell) (image B) ○ Hybrid particles: organic (core) plus

organic (shell)

Particles used to prevent blocking: ○ Existing particles that prevent blocking

and that can satisfy the requirements above

○ Particles with projections attached to their surfaces to increase their sliding and lubrication ability (image C)

○ Particles where a core particle is wrapped in a waxy material so as to increase the amount that they follow along with the stretching of the film (image D)

Inorganic particles with an index of refraction close to that of PET (1.60 to 1.64), or such particles with modified surfaces (image E): ○ Barium sulfate particles ○ Calcium sulfate particles ○ Calcium carbonate particles (if it has

uniqueness) ○ Talc

○ Porous, flexible particles, such as silica particles

APPROACHES NOT OF INTEREST

Anti-blocking additives based on particles of silicas or calcium carbonates that are widely used at present have already been investigated and therefore will not be considered at the present time

However, even if such particles are used as a base, proposals will be considered if they contain a creative technology

ANTICIPATED PROJECT PHASES OR PROJECT PLAN

The client will review the proposals, possibly ask clarifying questions or request supporting experimental data before selecting the most suitable candidates for collaboration. The client will execute non-disclosure agreements (NDA) with selected respondents, seek further information disclosure, and discuss specific supply or development targets. The client will select the best candidate through evaluations of supporting information, samples, face to face meetings, conference-call, etc.

The client will execute necessary agreement(s) with the selected respondent(s) and kick off the project to establish the technology within 1 year. Specifics of any collaboration will be determined through consultation with the concerned parties.

ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL

Responses should use the following template (https://www.myninesigma.com/sites/public/_layouts/ProposalTemplates/Response_Template_67713.doc) and include the following items:

Overview of the proposed particles (applications, size, material, index of refraction)

Development stage of the proposed particles

Conditions for providing samples

Requirements concerning collaboration with the client

Overview of the proposing organization

NineSigma Request # 67713 Particles with High Affinity for PET Resins Page 3

Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com

RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST

NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE

By submitting a Response you represent that the Response does not and will not be deemed to contain any confidential information of any kind whatsoever. Your Response should be an executive summary (about 3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the technical approach and provide information on technology performance, background, and description of the responding team and their related experience. A Response Template is available from our website. By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that NineSigma’s client reserves the sole and absolute right and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of the Responses received for this announcement. NineSigma’s client also may choose to select only specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine all award amounts.

RESPONSE EVALUATION

NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the

following criteria:

Overall scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach

Approach to proof of concept or performance

Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the technology novel or protectable)

Economic potential of concept

Respondent’s capabilities and related experience

Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates

The client will contact respondents with highly responsive proposals for next steps.