Abingdon (UK), 11 May 2020: Due to the continuing success in the research and development of its innovative coating technologies, Oxford nanoSystems (OnS) has today announced the appointment of Dr Ian Russell to the position of CEO.  Ian will report to the board of directors of OnS and, in addition to overall management responsibility, he will focus on developing and executing ONS’s commercial strategy. Ian will succeed Dr Alex Reip who will move into the role of Chief Technical Officer and will continue to lead OnS’s highly innovative research and development activities, in addition to overseeing the ramp up of production capabilities.

Ian has over 20 years’ experience managing early-stage business ventures in electronics, wearable technology, wireless communications, digital media, and software development. During this time, Ian has built and led international organisations covering product development, marketing, sales and service. Ian holds a B.Sc. in Electronic Engineering/Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering, both from the University of Birmingham. Ian joined OnS in the role of Chief Business Development Officer in January 2020.

Alex, a founder of OnS, has led the development of the company’s technology since its formation in 2012. With an M.Sc. in Chemistry from The University of Reading, he also has a Materials Sciences Ph.D. from Brunel University and has recently become a fellow of the RSC. He has successfully grown the company over the past five years through engaging with customers, raising equity investment and winning multiple grants and awards.

Alex stated “This is a hugely significant step for OnS. Our nanoFLUX® and nanoPROTECT coatings are now proven and primed for commercial applications. I have been incredibly grateful for the opportunity over the last five years to lead OnS through the transition from a fledgling company to business with extremely compelling technology proposition and outstanding prospects in a number of very large markets. Adding Ian to the team will ensure we have the commercial experience and leadership needed to capitalise on the opportunities in front of us.”

On being appointed Ian commented: “I am thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to lead OnS at such an important time in its development. OnS has world leading technology, an exceptional team and a very exciting market opportunity. I am looking forward to building on our successful research and development, and to delivering the rapid growth that we anticipate.”

About Oxford nanoSystems

Founded in 2012, Oxford nanoSystems have spent eight years developing a ground-breaking coating technology which has shown substantial enhancements in heat transfer capabilities when applied to heat exchangers and other two-phase systems.

The goal of Oxford nanoSystems is to enable the production of higher value and more efficient products which consume less energy, limit environmental impact and reduce costs for consumers and manufacturers. The coatings have been independently assessed by world-leading thermal engineers at Brunel University and displayed heat transfer coefficient increases of over 524% compared to untreated surfaces.

Established by experienced academics and business professionals from the Oxford community, OnS is based at Blacklands Way, Abingdon Business Park, and has a vision to implement its coating technology onto components which have been fully manufactured onsite within existing production facilities, improving efficiencies, sizes and cost structures for those manufacturers.

An idea that turned into a positive for Oxford Health, to share with you. Chief executive Dr. Alexander Reip explains: “We had recently scaled up our processes and required new protective equipment for our team, so our existing stock of protective suits became redundant. We realised they could be useful for the NHS so got in touch with Oxford Health and dropped them off.”

The full suits are reusable, resistant to chemicals and of course to pathogens. They are needed in patient care if staff are performing aerosol generating operations, for instance in dentistry.

As the debate around climate change heats up the International Energy Agency warns air conditioning is ‘one of the most critical blind spots in the energy debate.’ TechTribe Oxford writes about how Oxford Nanosystems is aiming to make its nanospiked coatings, which dramatically increase the efficiency of heat exchangers, part of a global solution to the challenge of energy use in cooling systems [https://oxford.techtribe.co/cool-technology-developed-in-oxfordshire-could-be-part-of-global-solution-to-air-conditioning-challenge/].

The world needs and is demanding, new affordable, lightweight, robust and durable composite materials. This demand is being driven by the transportation and other high-value industries that want to improve performance, functionality and efficiency.

South Korea, the world’s 11th largest economy, is investing heavily to stimulate international collaboration in this field.
This October, Oxford nanoSystems together with 13 other advanced materials companies from across the UK will travel to South Korea as part of the next Global Business Innovation Programme (GBIP). The GBIP helps organisations to commercialise their technology by facilitating introductions to international partners interested in R&D and technology transfer collaboration opportunities or investment.

The companies will be supported through a structured and tailored programme of support before and after the visit. During the five day in-country programme they will meet South Korean officials and companies in Ulsan and Busan and attend ADEX Seoul 2019 with the aim of creating opportunities for technology collaboration.