ApNano
ApNano was an Israeli nanotechnology company focused on inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide materials and tribological applications.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
ApNano was an Israeli nanotechnology company associated with the development and commercialization of inorganic nanomaterials, especially inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide, commonly abbreviated IF-WS2. The company was founded in 2002 by Dr. Menachem Genut and Aharon Feuerstein. Genut served as president and chief executive officer, while Feuerstein served as chairman and chief financial officer, until 2010. The company’s technology centered on nanoscale tungsten disulfide particles with a hollow, approximately spherical morphology. These particles were described as inorganic fullerene-like materials because their layered cage structure resembles, in broad geometric terms, the molecular form of carbon fullerenes. The technology originated in research at the Weizmann Institute of Science, where Professor Reshef Tenne discovered inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles in the early 1990s. ApNano and its later parent company were associated with commercial-scale manufacturing under an exclusive license covering inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide particles. IF-WS2 particles were positioned for demanding industrial applications involving friction, wear, impact, and high mechanical loads. Their concentric, cage-like layers were intended to allow the particles to act as solid lubricants and to form protective tribofilms on contacting surfaces. Compared with conventional platelet-shaped solid lubricants, the spherical particles were promoted for their ability to move between surfaces, fill microscopic irregularities, reduce friction, and limit wear under high pressure. Public descriptions stated that primary particle diameters could range from approximately 20 to 280 nanometres and that the materials could withstand severe mechanical conditions. ApNano’s activities extended beyond basic material research. The company was described as having research and development, manufacturing, blending, and packaging capabilities in Yavne, Israel, and Avenel, New Jersey, United States. Its materials and formulations were intended for use in industrial lubricants, greases, metalworking fluids, coatings, paints, and polymer composites. Potential application sectors included mining, marine equipment, heavy machinery, power generation, aerospace or space-related equipment, and military-industrial uses. In 2012, ApNano was described as wholly owned and operated by the American company Nanotech Industrial Solutions, or NIS. Other published accounts identify the subsidiary relationship as becoming effective or being publicly described in 2013. After the ownership transition, NIS executives and ApNano operational personnel were associated with the business. In late 2018, ApNano and NIS underwent substantial structural and product-line changes. The product name NanoLub was changed to IF-WS2 Formulated, reflecting a revised presentation of the company’s lubricant-additive and tribological-product range. The available record establishes ApNano’s historical technology, ownership relationship, facilities, and named executives during particular periods, but does not reliably establish its present operating status, current management, current ownership beyond the documented NIS relationship, or an active official website. It is therefore best characterized as a historically documented nanotechnology company whose later status requires verification.
History
ApNano was founded in 2002 by Dr. Menachem Genut and Aharon Feuerstein as an Israeli nanotechnology company. Its work was connected to inorganic fullerene-like materials, a class of nanostructured compounds whose discovery is associated with Professor Reshef Tenne and research at the Weizmann Institute of Science. The company’s principal technical focus became inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide, or IF-WS2. The particles were distinguished by their nanoscale, near-spherical form and hollow, multilayered cage structure. This morphology was intended to provide tribological advantages over conventional solid lubricants with platelet-like structures. Under pressure, IF-WS2 particles could function as rolling or protective elements between contacting surfaces, while their layered shells could contribute to the formation of protective films. The proposed results included lower friction, reduced wear, improved resistance to impact and high load, and lower operating temperatures in machinery. During its early corporate period, Genut served as president and chief executive officer and Feuerstein served as chairman and chief financial officer. Both held those roles until 2010. ApNano later developed a broader operational footprint, with research and development, manufacturing, blending, and packaging activities described in Yavne, Israel, and Avenel, New Jersey, United States. The commercial strategy involved supplying IF-WS2 materials and formulations for industrial uses rather than limiting the company to laboratory research. Applications described in public material included lubricant additives, greases, metalworking fluids, coatings, paints, and polymer composites. The target markets were technically demanding industries such as mining, marine operations, heavy machinery, power generation, and space- and defense-related equipment. The commercial manufacturing relationship was linked to Nanotech Industrial Solutions, which was described as holding an exclusive license to manufacture inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide particles on a commercial scale under patents from the Weizmann Institute. In 2012, ApNano was reported as wholly owned and operated by NIS; another account identifies the subsidiary arrangement in 2013. Following the transition, NIS chief executive Dr. George Diloyan and chief financial officer Steven Wegbreit were named alongside ApNano personnel including chief operating officer Dr. Alexander Margolin and global sales and marketing vice president Itsik Havakuk. A later product and organizational revision took place in late 2018. The company changed the NanoLub product name to IF-WS2 Formulated and updated the associated product line. The formulations were offered as additive packages or dispersions in oil, water, and solvent, with the stated purpose of improving lubrication and tribological performance in industrial systems. The historical sources do not provide a reliable account of ApNano after these developments. Current operations, present management, active facilities, and ownership status therefore remain uncertain. The company’s documented historical identity is that of an Israeli-origin nanomaterials business focused on commercial applications of IF-WS2 technology.
- 2018
NanoLub renamed IF-WS2 Formulated
[1]A substantial product-line and organizational revision replaced the NanoLub name with IF-WS2 Formulated.
- 2013
Subsidiary structure documented
[1]ApNano was described as a wholly owned subsidiary of Nanotech Industrial Solutions, with executives and operational leaders identified for the combined structure.
- 2012
Reported acquisition by Nanotech Industrial Solutions
[1]ApNano was described as becoming wholly owned and operated by American Nanotech Industrial Solutions.
- 2010
Founding management period ends
[1]Genut’s tenure as president and CEO and Feuerstein’s tenure as chairman and CFO ended around 2010.
- 2002
ApNano founded
[1]Dr. Menachem Genut and Aharon Feuerstein founded ApNano as an Israeli nanotechnology company.
- 1992
Discovery of inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles
[1]Professor Reshef Tenne at the Weizmann Institute of Science discovered inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles, the technology family later associated with ApNano’s IF-WS2 materials.
Products and positioning
Specialized nanomaterials and tribological solutions for reducing friction, wear, operating temperature, and mechanical damage in demanding industrial environments.
Nanomaterials
IF-WS2 nanoparticles
Inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide particles with hollow, near-spherical, multilayered structures. Public descriptions identify primary particle diameters of approximately 20 to 280 nanometres. The particles were developed for demanding tribological environments where their geometry and layered shells could help reduce friction and wear, tolerate high loads, and improve resistance to impact.
Industrial lubricant additives
NanoLub
A historical product name associated with lubricant additives and tribological packages based on IF-WS2 particles. The materials were intended for use in lubricants, greases, metalworking fluids, coatings, paints, and polymer systems, with the goal of reducing friction and mechanical wear in industrial equipment.
Tribological formulations · 2018
IF-WS2 Formulated
The revised product-line name introduced in late 2018 for formulated IF-WS2 products. The formulations were available as dispersions in oil, water, and solvent and were intended to lower friction, operating temperature, and wear. Described applications included industrial machinery, mining, marine equipment, power-generation systems, coatings, and polymer composites.
Brand decisions
2018
Rename of NanoLub to IF-WS2 FormulatedOtherBackground
ApNano and Nanotech Industrial Solutions underwent structural changes and updated the presentation of their IF-WS2-based product line.
Action taken
The NanoLub name was replaced by IF-WS2 Formulated, with products positioned as formulated lubricant additives and tribological packages.
Aftermath
The revised line continued to target friction and wear reduction in industrial lubricants, coatings, and polymer-related applications.
2012
Transfer to Nanotech Industrial Solutions ownershipM&ABackground
ApNano’s nanomaterials and commercial manufacturing activities were connected with Nanotech Industrial Solutions and its licensed IF-WS2 technology.
Action taken
ApNano was described as wholly owned and operated by Nanotech Industrial Solutions from 2012, with the subsidiary relationship also reported in 2013.
Aftermath
NIS executives and ApNano operating and commercial personnel were subsequently identified in the combined organization.
Recent events
- 2018
NanoLub product line renamed IF-WS2 Formulated[1]
Product generation
ApNano and Nanotech Industrial Solutions undertook structural and product-line changes, replacing the NanoLub name with IF-WS2 Formulated for products based on inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide.
- 2013
ApNano becomes part of Nanotech Industrial Solutions[1]
M&A · Leadership change
ApNano was described as a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Nanotech Industrial Solutions, with NIS executives and ApNano operational leaders identified in the company structure.
Sources3 sources
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