A lifelong scientist with a background in applied physics, EVŌQ Nano Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer William Niedermeyer values focused research. He has led several research and development programs within instrumental ion physics in the private and corporate sectors, applying his physics background in several groundbreaking technologies. When the events of 9/11 suspended his doctoral studies in high-energy physics at the University of Utah, Niedermeyer pivoted to the burgeoning nanotechnology field, intrigued by its potential applications in medicine, renewable energy, and microelectronics.

With proceeds from his first company, in 2001 Niedermeyer started a small laboratory to investigate nanoparticles and their properties. Early efforts were frustrated, however, by recurring problems with nanoparticle impurity, uneven size distribution, agglomeration into large clumps, low energy emission, and colloidal instability. Plus, purchasing diverse nanoparticles in bulk to conduct research was incredibly expensive.

Motivated to remedy these limitations, Niedermeyer engineered his own nanofabrication process using modified laser equipment and parts from the previous Star Wars program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. To his amazement, this invention produced nanoparticles unlike any he had studied. They were uniformly sized, surfactant-free, with consistent spherical morphology, and no ion emissions under standard and stressed conditions – properties that represented a significant advancement in nanoscience with the potential to enable new applications.

In 2011, Niedermeyer and his team patented the unique laser-based nanofabrication process and the resulting “Niedermeyer Particle.” Starting with 3 initial patents, the company has grown its intellectual portfolio to include 39 issued and 39 pending patents as of 2023.