Extended Biography

Robert Mehalso, Ph.D.

Dr. Robert Mehalso has over thirty-five years' experience in academia and industry in research, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing with emphasis on process development, fabrication, implementation, commercialization, and business development of micro and nanosystems. These years have included roles as Vice President of Business Development for Kionix, Vice President of Technology and Business Development and Chief Technical Officer for DT Industries, Executive Vice President and General Manager for AMTX, General Manager of Advanced Microtechnology for Xerox, and Engineering Manager for RCA at the Sarnoff Research Center in Princeton and Consumer Electronics Division in Indianapolis.

In his leadership role with AMTX, Dr. Mehalso implemented his vision to capitalize on the micro and nanofabrication philosophy of building small precise parts and assemblies to commercialize micro/nano/biosystems. This company, which he established in 1989, was the first corporation in the country dedicated to the commercialization of micro- and nanosystems. AMTX grew to over 200 employees in four years and was acquired.

In 1993, Dr. Mehalso founded Microtec Associates as a consulting company providing micro and nanotechnology intellectual property, engineering, manufacturing, and business development expertise to universities, governments, and industry. He has been a strategic advisor to over 100 companies on the commercialization and business of micro/nano/biosystems. Dr. Mehalso develops strategies with corporate management to establish a vision of the future on business development, mergers, and acquisitions, and with product engineering groups to develop new products using advanced micromanufacturing technologies.

He co-founded Ardesta, LLC in 2000. Ardesta is accelerating the micro/nanosystems industry with the establishment of a $100 million venture fund, Small Times media operations, and a micro/nano/bio start-up incubator. He is focused on identifying potential new products and markets, aggregating intellectual property, and forming and funding new start-up companies and businesses in micro- and nanosystems.

Dr. Mehalso is currently a Partner in New Hill Management and Full Circle Investments providing technology and market due diligence as well as credibility to fundraising activities.

He is well known in the United States and internationally for his pioneering and innovative approaches to the micromanufacturing vision and commercialization of micro/nano/bio-based products. He has developed businesses in and directed the development and implementation of high-volume micromanufacturing processes for fuel injection nozzle structures, ink-jet print heads, the CD ROM, medical diagnostic devices for blood analysis and catalytic sterilization, and optical and wireless communication devices.

Dr. Mehalso has served on the faculty of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Louisiana Tech University. He is an active participant in academic planning and industrial support activities at the Pennsylvania State University and has been a member of the staff at the Center for Automation Technologies at Rensselaer.

Dr. Mehalso holds a B.S. in Ceramic Science from the Pennsylvania State University and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a Fellow of the Pennsylvania State University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has received numerous honors and awards. Dr. Mehalso serves on the boards of several academic and financial institutions and on the boards of several early-stage companies.

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