NT is entering a whole new world of technology, and that world is only a billionth of a meter big. Nanotechnology deals in the production of components that handle electricity and power. And the production of these components starts at the molecular level.

"Nanotechnology is the study of structures at the level that measure in the billionth of a meter," said Don Henley, associate vice president of research and technology. The field of nanotechnology is still unexploited, according to Henley. "We're kind of on the cutting edge in that area," he said. Currently, the research NT is dealing with is in carbon nanotubes.

"They are basically a small set of microscopic structures," Henley said. "They are extremely small structures composed entirely of carbon. There are a number of different unique characteristics: they conduct electricity very well. They are capable of emitting light when photons strike them, and they are extremely strong and extremely lightweight."

The nanotubes can be used in different applications, Henley said. The nanotubes can be used to make several devices such as flexible displays to transistors and memory storage devices. To develop the technology for commercial use, NT recently partnered with NanoHoldings, an investment company that works with universities to develop their technology for commercial production.

According to NanoHoldings' Web site, part of the company's partnership with universities is the formation of a new company that will develop the new technology.

The partnership has resulted in NanoStar Inc., a small technology company and one of the many businesses Henley hopes will result from the business incubator that will be located at the research park. Henley said that NT would license its technology to the companies in the business incubator.

"Basically, the incubator will take small companies that will develop either UNT developed technology or technology that they acquire somewhere else," he said. "It would facilitate the development of small technology companies that would grow and contribute to further the economy of the city, county and state." NT is an equity partner in NanoStar Inc.

However, the business incubator is not limited to the sole development of nanotechnology. "It'll be open to other areas of research. As other technologies are developed, we will license it out to other companies," Henley said.

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