Project aims to scale-up commercial platform for DNA marking of bearings
Applied DNA Sciences Inc. is commencing production-scale DNA marking of bearings with a global leader in the manufacture of 
bearings, at a domestic manufacturing facility. The work will be performed under the newly awarded Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) contract issued by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) on behalf of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and reflects Applied DNA’s efforts to commercialize processes and methodologies developed for the Department of Defense and apply them to commercial OEMs.
This production-scale project is a follow-up to a successful pilot conducted under Applied DNA’s prior OSD RIF contract, completed in August of 2016. Through collaborative efforts led by the R&D team of the US-based bearing manufacturer, along with DLA Aviation’s subject matter experts from Richmond, VA, Applied DNA scientists tested and qualified blending SigNature DNA into preservative lubricants used in the manufacturing of bearings. This innovative solution for DNA marking of bearings should provide little to no impact on the manufacturing process, which will be confirmed in the initial phase of production testing.
The immediate goal of the project is to assist in securing the Department of Defense supply chain, but Applied DNA believes the platform can easily be leveraged by commercial stakeholders, globally. Preservative lubricants are used in wide-ranging industrial applications, tool manufacturing, pneumatic equipment and small arms.
Mr. Bob MacDowell, Applied DNA Director, Government and Military Program Sales, commented: “Our DNA-based solutions provide significant value in many different applications, allowing traceability to source along a supply chain. The most effective deployment of the DNA is at the point of manufacture, which creates the broadest platform possible and enables all stakeholders to benefit from the solution.”
“Agriculture, industrial equipment and the automotive industry are all focus markets for the bearings industry at large, which align well with Applied DNA’s road map for current markets to penetrate. We are hopeful the success of this production, will secure DLA’s bearing supply chain, and lead to larger opportunities in additional markets where both the bearing manufacturer and their customers can mutually benefit,” stated Dr. James Hayward, President and CEO of Applied DNA.
The aerospace bearings market was valued at $7.88 billion in 2016 and is projected to reach $11.19 billion by 2022. The overall global market for bearings, currently valued at greater than $84 billion, is projected to grow by 67 per cent to $140 billion by 2022.