WALTHAM, Mass. -- CyTerra Corporation, a high-technology company that specializes in developing innovative products for the health and safety industries, announced that it has launched an initiative for the development of nanophase materials. The company recently opened a nanophase materials development laboratory at its Waltham, Massachusetts headquarters. In addition, it has acquired two important patents, based on an innovative spark-erosion process. The key personnel who developed the spark-erosion technology have joined CyTerra to pursue new applications of their work. CyTerra will focus on the manufacture of tailor-made nano-sized particles from virtually any metal, alloy, crystalline material or semiconductor for use across a wide range of industries. The company expects to start producing and selling these specialized materials commercially by the end of 2001. "Nanophase materials have the potential to revolutionize a number of areas of societal importance. The spark erosion process gives CyTerra the ability to produce an extremely wide range of nanomaterials to meet the needs of research, testing and commercial applications. Our focus will be to convert the nanomaterial promise into viable commercial products," states David H. Fine, President and CEO of CyTerra Corporation. Projected uses of CyTerra's nanophase technology are the development of particles for optical network switching materials and photonic materials for flat panel displays, production of materials for highly targeted delivery of medication, advanced magnetic materials for power and communication applications, mixed metal catalysts for the fuel cell and automotive industries, and high energy alloy particles for energetics. CyTerra welcomes inquiries to foster the establishment of partnerships to further develop specific applications for spark-eroded materials. CyTerra Corp.