dustry segments. I was able to interact with the faculty to get a footing in understanding those industries." Noro-Moseley's Jack Kelly says MicroCoating's process will be used to coat computer chips and the catalytic elements in fuel cells. Coatings are also used on windows and doors to cut down on energy loss. "They have some very interesting technology in the applied-science area, particularly as it relates to enabling technology for applying coating to all sorts of materials and different applications, and they have relationships with various companies in different fields," Kelly says. Kelly says MicroCoating's process saves money and time by letting the coating process take place in the open air instead of in a vacuum. A vacuum requires a vacuum chamber, which means the coating can't take place on
the production line. "It allows coating to be applied to surfaces that were impossible before," Kelly says. "MicroCoating has relationships with 12 companies for the catalytic elements for fuel cells used in home heating and some in automobiles. This process can offer a coating for the catalytic element that is much superior to the present way." A former chief operating officer of Scientific-Atlanta, Kelly sits on MicroCoating's board of directors. MicroCoating, in part, owes its birth and youth to Georgia Tech. Hunt's patented process was invented at Tech, while he was working on his doctorate. For the next three years, the company was based at Tech's renowned high-tech incubator, the Advanced Technology and Development Center, nest to such highflying technology companies as
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MindSpring Enterprises and Ciena. While at the ATDC, Hunt was able to use elaborate equipment owned by Tech without having to buy it. Now Hunt is giving back to the university a bit. He is chairperson of a $500 million capital campaign for the materials science and engineering department. The campaign, which has raised $411 million so far, ends December 2000. Hunt has contributed to Tech fund-raising campaigns in the past as well. "1 would not have my company and my education if it were not for what 1 learned at materials science and engineering," Hunt says. "I believe it's very important, and I'd like to see Tech's program end up being No. 1 in the nation." GT Mark Clothier is an Atlanta freelance writer.
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