1. REQUEST # 67713
Novel Particles for use in Transparent PET Films
RESPONSE DUE DATE: December 9, 2011
MANAGER: Ted Kanaya
SOLUTION PROVIDER HELP DESK
EMAIL: PhD@ninesigma.com PHONE:+1-216-283-3901
Opportunity
Product supply, Technology Licensing, Joint/Contract research
(click buttons above)
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
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION Anti-Blocking Requirements
NineSigma, representing a multi-billion dollar The particles will be dispersed in PET resin. When
materials manufacturer, invites proposals for a transparent PET film (25μm to 200μm thick) is
particles with high affinity for PET for use in manufactured by biaxial stretching, the following
transparent PET resins. The particles will be requirements must be met to create the preferred
incorporated into PET films to create a slight characteristics (see Figure 1):
surface roughness, in order to prevent  Particles create a slight roughness or
blocking (films adhere to each other and do not irregularity on the top and bottom surfaces of
separate easily). the film (2μm to 5 μm) (see Fig. 2). Particles
may follow the biaxial stretching, but should
The client is particularly interested in new types of not follow completely or become too flattened
particles that are compatible with PET and that (see Fig 3) to create the desired surface
may have anti-blocking properties. Proposals for texture.
innovative uses of traditional anti-blocking agents
such as silicas or calcium carbonate also are of
interest.
Particle Requirements Fig. 2: View of particle arrangement
 Particle diameters: 0.5μm to 4μm
 The particles maintain continuous wetting of
 Index of refraction: 1.5 to 1.7
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. 1: Preferred form (particles not too
flattened, irregularities/roughness formed at
the film surface with good wetting)
Fig. 3: Undesired forms (particles too flattened,
or voids formed around the particles)
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com
RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2011 NineSigma, Inc

2. NineSigma Request # 67713 Particles with High Affinity for PET Resins Page 2
Proposals will not be considered if the particles ○ Porous, flexible particles, such as silica
cannot create surface irregularities that prevent particles
film blocking or cannot produce a transparent,
defect-free film. APPROACHES NOT OF INTEREST
 Anti-blocking additives based on particles of
BACKGROUND silicas or calcium carbonates that are widely
NineSigma’s client manufactures PET films. If used at present have already been
blocking occurs after a PET film is manufactured, investigated and therefore will not be
the film becomes difficult to handle. Anti-blocking considered at the present time
additives are used to prevent film layers from  However, even if such particles are used as a
adhering to each other. base, proposals will be considered if they
contain a creative technology
At the present time, the client is using existing
particles that prevent blocking, but there are ANTICIPATED PROJECT PHASES OR PROJECT PLAN
problems. Voids occur when the film is stretched The client will review the proposals, possibly ask
(stretching by a factor of approximately 2 to 6 clarifying questions or request supporting
times), or the particles become completely experimental data before selecting the most
flattened so that they are not able to create a suitable candidates for collaboration. The client will
rough surface. execute non-disclosure agreements (NDA) with
selected respondents, seek further information
In addition to the particles they have used as disclosure, and discuss specific supply or
blocking inhibitors, the client believes that particles development targets. The client will select the best
from other technical fields may be added to PET to candidate through evaluations of supporting
prevent blocking, so they have issued this request information, samples, face to face meetings,
for technology. conference-call, etc.
POSSIBLE APPROACHES The client will execute necessary agreement(s)
Anticipated approaches include but are not with the selected respondent(s) and kick off the
necessarily limited to the following: project to establish the technology within 1 year.
Specifics of any collaboration will be determined
 Core-plus-shell particles:
through consultation with the concerned parties.
○ Hybrid particles: inorganic (core) plus
organic (shell) (image A on Page 1)
○ Hybrid particles: organic (core) plus
ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL
inorganic (shell) (image B)
○ Hybrid particles: organic (core) plus Responses should use the following template
organic (shell) (https://www.myninesigma.com/sites/public/_layout
 Particles used to prevent blocking: s/ProposalTemplates/Response_Template_67713.
○ Existing particles that prevent blocking doc) and include the following items:
and that can satisfy the requirements
above  Overview of the proposed particles
○ Particles with projections attached to their (applications, size, material, index of
surfaces to increase their sliding and refraction)
lubrication ability (image C)  Development stage of the proposed particles
○ Particles where a core particle is wrapped  Conditions for providing samples
in a waxy material so as to increase the  Requirements concerning collaboration with
amount that they follow along with the the client
stretching of the film (image D)  Overview of the proposing organization
 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
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com

3. NineSigma Request # 67713 Particles with High Affinity for PET Resins Page 3
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.
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com