(The following article appeared in the Clarion News and was written by Rodney Sherman.)

WASHINGTON , D.C. - U.S. Rep. Glenn “G.T.” Thompson has asked for a $4 million earmark in the federal budget for domestic production of nanodiamond for military applications through NanoBlox, Inc., of 800 Wood Street , Clarion.


That address is a little misleading, however. The requested earmark is aimed at helping NanoBlox establish a nanodiamond manufacturing facility at Trinity Point in Monroe Township .

Thompson said the “ United States military will be well-served by creating a domestic nanodiamond production infrastructure to produce and supply this strategic and tactical material.

“Additionally the U.S. and local economies would benefit from the creation of jobs resulting from the development of a domestic nanodiamond industry.”

What’s a nanodiamond?

“A nanodiamond is a particle of carbon with a diamond core and a graphene shell,” explained Charles Picardi, chief technical officer for NanoBlox.

Picardi said nanodiamonds are processed for applications in medicine, lubricants, metal plating and multiple military applications.

Picardi said the process is environmentally safe.

“The process of manufacturing nanodiamonds eliminates the need for environmentally risky demilitarization of some weapons,” said Picardi. “They usually explode outdated munitions. We can convert those without the risky process of exploding them.”

Picardi said the Trinity Point facility will be the number one nanodiamond producer in the United States .

Picardi said NanoBlox is using 800 Wood Street – essentially Clarion University -- as an address until their 2,500-square feet office is completed this year at Trinity Point.

Trinity Point office

Clarion University recently announced the Gregory Barnes Center for Biotechnology Business Development is closer to establishing the applied nanotechnology research laboratory, thanks to the receipt of a $130,000 Keystone Innovation Starter Kit program grant.

“The Clarion University KISK Grant will establish an applied nanotechnology research laboratory related to nanodiamond product development and commercialization,” Robert Huemmrich, program director, Clarion University Center for Biotechnology Business Development, said recently. “The lab will be located in the Gregory Barnes Biotechnology Business Center at Clarion University , which is a 22,000 square-foot facility to be completed in Fall 2009, that will also house the Clarion University Small Business Development Center and a business incubator with KIZ status.

“Nanotechnology, and specifically nanodiamonds, represents unlimited potential with commercial applications of lubrication, coatings, composites, drug delivery and medical imaging.”

Earmark importance

Picardi said the $4 million earmark requested by Thompson is very important to the success of the nanodiamond project.

“There’s been a lot of bad publicity about earmarks lately,” said Picardi. “But in a case like this, that earmark can really help us. With the support of the Congress, we can be up and going in three to six months. Doing it privately, well, it could take years.”

Picardi said China , Russia and Iran are working on nanodiamond technology with government funding, putting those nations at an advantage over the United States .

Picardi also said the Trinity Point facility will employ 10 to 15 people in its first year and could grow from there.

Thompson and NanoBlox

Thompson and some of the NanoBlox leadership are not complete strangers.

According to the website CampaignMoney.com, Charles Picardi with a listed address of Souderton , Pa. , identified as an executive officer with NanoBlox Inc.; and Arthur and Ellen Pollack of Palm Beach Gardens , Fla. , each donated $2,300 -- $6,900 in total – to Thompson’s 2008 general election campaign.

Arthur Pollack is listed as the chairman and CEO of NanoBlox Inc., while Ellen Pollack is listed as a homemaker.