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| Our People  Joseph Sprengard
JOSEPH E. SPRENGARD, JR. is President & CEO and one of three founders of General Nano, LLC, a nanotechnology company specializing in growing and spinning Carbon Nanotube arrays into multifunctional thread, wire, ribbon and yarn. Joe oversees all aspects of General Nano, includes strategic planning, business development, capital formation, intellectual property, commercialization and joint development partnerships.
Joe has led General Nano since inception in September 2007. During his tenure, the company has secured over $1.2MM in funding, completed exclusive license for CNT patent, protected its intellectual property in foreign markets, executed strategic partnerships with manufacturing and Fortune 500 commercialization partners, and developed a multi-year business plan that is currently ahead of schedule.
Most recently, Joe has focused his efforts on cost modeling, human resources, market-entry strategies and commercial-scale manufacturing. Prior to founding General Nano, Joe's professional background includes expertise in economic development and strategy consulting, corporate banking, and public policy.  Vesselin Shanov
VESSELIN N. SHANOV, Ph.D., is a senior research engineer at General Nano. Dr. Shanov graduated with his masters in Electronic Materials from the Technological University of Sofia, Bulgaria, and a Ph. D. in Solid State Chemistry from the University of Regensburg, Germany, and Technological University of Sofia, Bulgaria. He has gained a vast amount of experience in a short time serving as an associate professor at the Technological University of Sofia, a visiting professor at the Universities of Heidelberg, Regensburg, and Cincinnati. Currently he is associate professor at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Shanov has international experience and engineering knowledge in the development of facilities and technologies for processing nano-structured materials and thin films. He has also won several prestigious awards, including the Fulbright Award for Research and Teaching in USA, German Academic Foundation (DAAD) Grants, and the Bulgarian Patent Office Award for Distinguished Patent. His current research is focused on synthesis, processing, characterization, and application of nanostructured materials with emphasis on carbon nanotubes. His research, particularly his nano-science and engineering related studies have attracted attention from the scientific community: www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=108992&org=NSF&from=news. Additional topics related to his current research include: smart nanostructured materials for actuators, biosensors, contrast agents and other applications for nanomedicine and aerospace applications. Dr. Shanov is actively involved in advanced nanoscience research and education at the University of Cincinnati. He has published more than 145 papers, 14 patents, 3 books, and has been a part of more than 38 funded proposals including many with NSF, NAVY and industries. His previous research is related to synthesis of nano-crystalline diamond films; CVD, laser, and plasma processing of semiconducting materials and hard coatings. Currently, he co-directs the UC Nanoworld Laboratories with Dr. Mark Schulz. This unique facility performs the complete cycle of synthesis, processing, and device fabrication using nano-structured materials. Dr. Shanov is part of an interdisciplinary faculty team teaching several nanotechnology classes for undergraduate and graduate students. E-mail: vesselin.shanov@generalnanollc.com
 Mark Schulz
MARK J. SCHULZ, Ph.D., P.E. is a senior research engineer at General Nano. He led a Phase I SBIR project with the Air Force to spin carbon nanotubes into thread for electrical power conduction applications. Dr. Schulz is also a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He develops highly collaborative interdisciplinary research programs encompassing: (a) Nanoscale smart materials, sensors, and actuators for structural/biomedical applications, (b) Artificially intelligent structures using biomimetics, and (c) Applied/basic research developing Structural & Human Health Monitoring systems. Mark Schulz is the director with Vesselin Shanov of the Nanoworld and Smart Materials Labs at UC. He has co-authored over 150 total conference, journal, book chapters, and has also edited two books.
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