AEB and Ideon LLC discuss opprortunities for modular electron beams in the Radtech Report. Download Article here.

Dave Icke, Vice President of Marketing and Engineering at Advanced Electron Beams (AEB), will present today at the Clean Technology and Sustainable Industry's 2008 Conference.

The presentation, based off a paper titled Benefits of Compact Electron Beam Adoption in Industrial Processes: Case Studies on Energy and Water Savings and Reduced Pollution Output and Chemical Use, summarizes an analysis focused on three fundamental ways in which compact electron beams contribute to clean and sustainable business practices:

• Improves Industrial Efficiency: case study of metal coil coatings and the energy and environmental savings associated with innovating the curing process
• Enables More Sustainable Products: case study of PET bottle sterilization and the enabling of lighter weight products with less carbon footprints
• Simplifies Process: case study of pharma web sterilization and the time and efficiency benefits of bring the sterilization process in-house

To view a copy of the presentation, please see: Benefits of Compact Electron Beam Adoption in Industrial Processes.

ONdrugDELIVERY features Scott Ross, Product Manager at Advanced Electron Beams (AEB), in their current issue focused on pre-filled syringes.

The article, titled Current Considerations and Future Directions for E-Beam Sterilisation in the Pre-Filled Syringe Market: an Overview, discusses the history of electron beam sterilization and the increasing adoption of the technology in the pre-filled syringe market.

To view the article, please see ONdrugDELIVERY's current issue: Pre-Filled Syringes: the Container of Choice for Today's Injectables.

Dr. Anne Testoni, Director of Marketing and Applications Development at Advanced Electron Beams (AEB), spoke last week at the Radtech Association's 2008 UV/EB conference. 

Her technical presentation, titled Challenges of Using Radiachromic Films as Dosimeters for Low Voltage Electron Beams, focused on the innovative work perfomed at AEB to develop industry standards and methods for the measurement of low energy electron beams.

To view a copy of the presentation, please see: Challenges of Using Radiachromic Films as Dosimeters for Low Voltage Electron Beams.

Dave Icke, Vice President of Marketing and Engineering at Advanced Electron Beams (AEB), recently presented at the PETnology 2008 Conference in Dusseldorf, Germany. 

The presentation, titled New Commercial Applications for Cold, Dry Sterilization Using Compact Electron Beams, focused on the economic and operational benefits of utilizing AEB's compact electron beam technology for aseptic food and beverage packaging over traditional methods.  Additionally, the presentation emphasized the environmentally sustainable nature of this technology application and the related substantial reduction in energy, water, and chemical use.

To view a copy of the presentation, please see: New Commercial Applications for Cold, Dry Sterilization Using Compact Electron Beams.

Wilmington, Mass. (February 12, 2007) - Advanced Electron Beams (AEB) today announced that it has entered into a sponsored research agreement with the Department of Plastics Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.  Considered the premier plastics engineering program in the United States, the UMass department will explore the effect of low energy electron beams on polymers and plastics.

Under the direction of UMass Lowell professor Stephen McCarthy, Ph.D., and aided by AEB's technical representative Somchintana Norasetthekul, Ph.D., the sponsored research project will enable UMass Lowell to investigate low energy industrial electron beams at atmospheric pressure, and the effect that the beams have on polymeric and plastic materials. To maximize beneficial project results, the research team will study a wide range of substances, under varying conditions.

"Working with AEB will enable research that will expand the department's understanding of electron beams and their benefits to industrial processing," said McCarthy. "The information we gather and co-publish will examine methods for manufacturers to reduce energy consumption and eliminate the use of dangerous chemicals during their industrial processes."

Involving graduate student research, this one-year project marks the beginning of a long-term innovative relationship between the UMass Lowell and AEB. During the course of this relationship, graduates will explore the chemical, physical and mechanical changes to the surface and thin film properties of a variety of polymeric and plastic materials under radiation, analyzing and documenting the results.

"This exciting partnership demonstrates the University's dedication to helping support the local innovation economy, said Mitch Tyson, CEO, Advanced Electron Beams. "We are committed to fund research and innovation that will expand the uses and resulting benefits of electron beam technology to improve industrial energy efficiency and reduce waste and pollution."

"Through the sponsored research agreement with AEB, UMass Lowell students and researchers will have the chance to explore new avenues in plastics engineering. We expect the findings that result will benefit not only the University and AEB, but the entire field," said UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan.

To learn more about the various benefits and industrial uses of electron beams, please visit Advanced Electron Beams at http://www.aeb.com/.

About Advanced Electron Beams

Advanced Electron Beams (AEB) has developed one of the world's most efficient and clean forms of industrial energy. AEB captures the power of electron beams in a cost-effective, compact form factor, enabling customers to use this clean energy source in industrial applications ranging from surface sterilization to pollution abatement to printing and polymer treatment and beyond. As a result, these customers are improving productivity, developing new products and processes, and reducing their dependency on energy sources and chemicals that result in pollution. Based in Wilmington, Mass., AEB is backed by top-tier investors Atlas Venture, General Catalyst and RockPort Capital. For more information about AEB, please visit: http://www.aeb.com/

About UMass Lowell

UMass Lowell, with a national reputation in science, engineering and technology, is committed to educating students for lifelong success in a diverse world and conducting research and outreach activities that sustain the economic, environmental and social health. UML offers its 11,000 students more than 120 degree choices, internships, five-year combined bachelor's to master's programs and doctoral studies in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Management, the School of Health and Environment, and the Graduate School of Education. http://www.uml.edu/.

Wilmington, Mass. and Schaffhausen, Switzerland (November 26, 2007) - Advanced Electron Beams (AEB) today announced Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Cilag AG is leveraging AEB's revolutionary compact electron beams in its next-generation electron beam sterilization tunnel. Manufactured by Metall + Plastic GmbH, Radolfzell, Germany, this fully automated, GAMP-compatible electron beam tunnel disinfects the outer surface of tubs containing prefillable syringes in Cilag's filling line and provides validated log 6 bioburden reduction at production throughputs. The unit has successfully passed Operational Qualification and Performance Qualification and is gearing up for volume manufacturing.

Until recently, pharmaceutical manufacturers have had to rely on some combination of laminar flow, alcohol wipe down, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, or UV-C light to reduce incoming bioburden to barrier isolator filling lines. These conventional approaches suffer from inconsistency, low kill rates, and long cycle times that are incompatible with pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements. Electron beams offer superior kill rates, demonstrated on bacterial spores and validated with thin film dosimetry that represents a leap forward in risk management.

To learn more about this next-generation approach to disinfection and sterilization, please visit Advanced Electron Beams at http://www.aeb.com/.

About Advanced Electron Beams

Advanced Electron Beams (AEB) has developed one of the world's most efficient and clean forms of industrial energy. AEB captures the power of electron beams in a cost-effective, compact form factor, enabling customers to use this clean energy source in industrial applications ranging from surface sterilization to pollution abatement to printing and polymer treatment and beyond. As a result, these customers are improving productivity, developing new products and processes, and reducing their dependency on energy sources and chemicals that result in pollution. Based in Wilmington, Mass., AEB is backed by top-tier investors Atlas Venture, General Catalyst and RockPort Capital. For more information about AEB, please visit: www.aeb.com.

Boston Business Journal - by Jesse Noyes Journal staff

No one doubts the clean technology sector in the Bay State is booming. Since 2001, more than 116 green tech companies have been founded here and venture capital investment is on the rise.

In fact, Massachusetts is second only to California when it comes to the amount of investment poured into the clean tech industry -- but it's a very distant second in total investment dollars deployed. Some say the commonwealth also lags its West Coast rival in terms of support from state officials.

Local experts said California has imposed mandates and created incentives to encourage the growth of the burgeoning industry, and Massachusetts leaders would be wise to take note and adopt similar measures.

"In Massachusetts we're starting to see a lot of (incentives and mandates) come together, but California is already starting to implement a lot of it," said Rob Day of @Ventures, the affiliated venture capital group of Waltham-based CMGI Inc.

In California there's been a clear signal of support, including aggressive energy consumption policies, said Day, who left working in that state's green tech sector to become a principal at @Ventures. Day pointed to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's signing of a bill last year to impose limits on greenhouse gas emissions.

Between 2001 and 2007, Massachusetts clean tech companies have amassed $566.35 million in investment dollars, representing 14 percent of total investment in the sector nationwide, according to Dow Jones VentureOne. But over the same six years, California has seen more than $1.9 billion invested in its green tech companies, representing 48 percent of the money raised.

Massachusetts stacks up well when its green tech investments are measured on a per-capita basis; last year, investments in Bay State companies equated to $94 for every state resident, nearly double the $54 per resident registered in California.

"I think there are all the pieces of that here in New England, but California has just had a head start," said Andrew Friendly, at Advanced Technology Ventures in Waltham and a fellow transplant from California.

Mitch Tyson, CEO of Wilmington-based Advanced Electron Beams Inc., said additional tax credits should be awarded to companies that make investments designed to cut energy use by 50 percent. Those credits would be on top of the 3 percent tax credit for investments in tangible property and would encourage more local companies to purchase products from region's clean tech cluster. "What's unfortunate is all of our customers for our products are outside of Massachusetts," he said.

The New England Energy Innovation Collaborative and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Council are forming a trade association that could step up lobbying efforts. And some state's leaders seem open to creating broader incentives for the sector.

Ian A. Bowles, secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said larger incentives for solar power adoption could be rolled out toward the end of the year.

RockPort Capital Partners Leads Round Joined by Atlas Venture and General Catalyst Partners

WILMINGTON, Mass. (March 27, 2007) - Advanced Electron Beams (AEB) today announced it has received $17.5 million in a Series B funding round led by RockPort Capital Partners, with participation from existing investors Atlas Venture and General Catalyst Partners. The funding will be used to accelerate AEB's efforts to commercialize one of the world's most efficient, clean and cost-effective forms of industrial energy.

“Advanced Electron Beams is making a huge breakthrough in the use of a clean and compact energy alternative for all kinds of industrial processes,” said Chuck McDermott, general partner, RockPort Capital Partners. “AEB has the potential to make an enormous impact by helping manufacturers save energy and reduce chemical pollution, creating a cleaner, healthier environment for all of us. Combine that technology with the talent of its management team and their passion to disrupt billion-dollar markets, and it is only a matter of time until AEB becomes a pervasive form of clean industrial energy.”

Compact electron beams for a cleaner environment
Electron beams are an extremely efficient form of energy for industrial processes that reduce fossil fuel dependency and reduce the need for harmful chemicals that result in pollution. While electron beams have been used in some industrial applications to date, conventional systems are large, expensive and complex to maintain, making them impractical — or even impossible — for use in many commercial applications. AEB challenges the conventional model by delivering electron beam technology in a form factor that is an order of magnitude more compact and less expensive. The small size of AEB technology allows customers to bring the beam to their processes for simple production integration. Additionally, AEB’s plug-and-play approach makes for much simpler and less costly field maintenance as compared to conventional electron beam systems.

“AEB has already validated its technology value proposition in initial target markets, which is leading to production-level adoption by a number of Fortune 500 companies,” said Jeff Fagnan, partner at Atlas Venture. “Many companies in large industries are very interested in reducing manufacturing costs, saving energy and eliminating pollution; and that is the opportunity that AEB presents.  We are extremely excited about the company’s prospects.”

Transforming industries
AEB is making it possible for manufacturers across a range of industries -- including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare, food & beverage, printing and packaging -- to utilize electron beams to power their industrial processes. Today customers worldwide use AEB for applications that include sterilization, pollution abatement, curing and polymer treatment. AEB’s application roadmap includes plans to address a range of advanced applications spanning from destroying airborne viruses and bacteria, to generating hydrogen for fuel-cell vehicles, to extending the shelf life of food, to removing hazardous gases (SOx/NOx) from fossil-fuel burning power plants and diesel vehicles, and beyond.

“We have the technology, the vision and the passion to support the new wave of major industrial companies that are now looking to go green,” said Mitch Tyson, CEO, AEB. “Using our technology, these companies can replace their current thermal and chemical processes with clean electron beams – saving energy while reducing operating costs, chemical consumption and environmental emissions.”

About Advanced Electron Beams
Advanced Electron Beams (AEB) has developed one of the world's most efficient and clean forms of industrial energy. AEB captures the power of electron beams in a cost-effective, compact form factor, enabling customers to use this clean energy source in industrial applications ranging from surface sterilization to pollution abatement to printing and polymer treatment and beyond. As a result, these customers are improving productivity, developing new products and processes, and reducing their dependency on energy sources and chemicals that result in pollution. Based in Wilmington, Mass., AEB is backed by top-tier investors Atlas Venture, General Catalyst and RockPort Capital. For more information about AEB, please visit: http://www.aeb.com

About RockPort Capital Partners
RockPort Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Boston that invests energy and power technologies, advanced materials and process and prevention technologies. The firm manages $386 million and is committed to companies with breakthrough technologies that deliver significant economic value to large potential markets. On the Web: http://www.rockportcap.com/

About Atlas Venture
Atlas Venture is a leading early-stage venture capital firm that invests in technology and life sciences companies. Since inception in 1980, Atlas has helped build over 300 companies in more than 16 different countries. In the past decade, 44 portfolio companies have been acquired and 47 are now public companies with an aggregate market capitalization of over $15 billion. The firm is currently investing from its seventh fund and manages over $2.5 billion in committed capital. For more information, please visit www.atlasventure.com.

About General Catalyst Partners
General Catalyst Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in exceptional entrepreneurs who are building the technology-based companies that will lead innovation and transform industries. General Catalyst has approximately $1 billion under management and is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. For more information, please visit: http://www.generalcatalyst.com/.