-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 T8tKbXEei4NVHfjlEEj2fxvLNCYznvPqx/yY2pNTWKxmFjkeL6UrdkrWfg8UqGl2
 i4uw3dW1Xlnwjp600c05RQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-08-158144.txt : 20080725
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-08-158144.hdr.sgml : 20080725
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080725171527
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-08-158144
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080724
ITEM INFORMATION:		Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080725
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080725

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NANOPHASE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000883107
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS PRIMARY METAL PRODUCTS [3390]
		IRS NUMBER:				363687863
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22333
		FILM NUMBER:		08971429

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		453 COMMERCE ST
		CITY:			BURR RIDGE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60521
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6303231200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		453 COMMERCE STREET
		CITY:			BURR RIDGE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60521
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="line-height:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="3"><B>Washington D.C., 20549 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P
STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>Form&nbsp;8-K </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Current Report </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Date Of Report (Date Of Earliest Event Reported): July&nbsp;24, 2008 </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>NANOPHASE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
its Charter) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Commission File Number: 0-22333 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Delaware</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>36-3687863</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(State or Other Jurisdiction of</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Incorporation or Organization)</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(I.R.S. Employer</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Identification No.)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>1319 Marquette Drive, Romeoville, Illinois 60446 </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(630)&nbsp;771-6700 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Registrant&#146;s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><U><A NAME="toc"></A>TABLE OF CONTENTS </U></B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="99%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><A HREF="#tx95148_1">Item&nbsp;5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers
</A></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><A HREF="#tx95148_2">Item&nbsp;9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits</A></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><A HREF="#tx95148_3">Signature(s)</A></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Nanophase Technologies Corporation 2008 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2 </FONT></P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Items to be Included in this Report </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><A NAME="tx95148_1"></A>Item&nbsp;5.02.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On July 24, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company approved and adopted the Nanophase Technologies Corporation 2008 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan
(the &#147;Plan&#148;). The Plan is intended to align the financial incentives of key officers with the financial objectives of the Company&#146;s shareholders. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Plan will be administered by the Compensation and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, which will have the sole authority in making all determinations affecting the Plan and its participants. All
officers of the Company, including officers who are members of the Board of Directors, will be eligible to be considered by the Committee for participation in the Plan. The Committee will establish the amount of an award, its maturity period and
other restrictions at the time an award is granted. When an award has matured, a settlement equal to the amount of the award will be payable in cash. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The foregoing summary of the Plan is qualified in its entirely by reference to the full text of the Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><A NAME="tx95148_2"></A>Item&nbsp;9.01.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">Exhibit&nbsp;10.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nanophase Technologies Corporation 2008 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3 </FONT></P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">
<h5 align="left"><a href="#toc">Table of Contents</a></h5>

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B><A NAME="tx95148_3"></A>Signature(s) </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pursuant to the Requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="43%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="9%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="43%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="3"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Nanophase Technologies Corporation</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Date: July&nbsp;25, 2008</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ JESS JANKOWSKI</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">JESS JANKOWSKI</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4 </FONT></P>

</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>dex101.htm
<DESCRIPTION>NANOPHASE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION 2008 LONG-TERM PLAN
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Nanophase Technologies Corporation 2008 Long-Term Plan</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 10.1 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>NANOPHASE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>2008 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The purpose of the Nanophase Technologies Corporation 2008 Long-Term Cash Incentive Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) is to attract and retain key officers of
Nanophase Technologies Corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;) and to align financial incentives of those individuals with the financial objectives of the shareholders. The Company believes that the Plan will encourage the officers to contribute
materially to the growth of the Company, thereby benefiting the Company&#146;s shareholders. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE I </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B>Section 1.1 <U>Administration</U>. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(a) </B><B>Committee.</B> The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation and
Governance Committee of the Board of Directors (the &#147;Committee&#148;). The Committee shall consist of three or more persons appointed by the Company&#146;s Board of Directors (the &#147;Board&#148;), all of whom shall be &#147;outside
directors&#148; as defined under Section&nbsp;162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the &#147;Code&#148;), and related Treasury regulations, shall be &#147;non-employee directors&#148; as defined under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) and shall be &#147;independent directors&#148; as defined in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4200(15), as amended. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(b) </B><B>Committee Authority and Determinations.</B> The Committee shall have the sole authority to (i)&nbsp;determine the officers to whom awards
shall be made under the Plan, (ii)&nbsp;determine the timing and amount of the awards made to each such individual, the conditions relating to settlement of awards, the duration of any applicable restrictions or maturity periods, and any waiver,
acceleration or expiration of such restrictions or transferability or forfeiture periods based in each case on such considerations as the Committee will determine including, but not limited to, a change in control, and (iii)&nbsp;make all
determinations about any other matters under the Plan. The Committee shall have full power to administer the Plan, make factual determinations, and adopt or amend such rules, agreements and instruments for implementing the Plan and for conducting
its business as it deems advisable, in its sole discretion. All the Committee&#146;s determinations under the Plan shall be binding on anyone having any interest in the Plan or any Awards under it. All the Committee&#146;s powers shall be executed
in the Company&#146;s best interest, not as a fiduciary, and in keeping with the Plan&#146;s objectives. The Committee&#146;s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform as to similarly situated individuals. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Section 1.2 </B><B><U>Awards</U>.</B> Awards under the Plan will consist only of grants of cash as described in Article II (&#147;Awards&#148;). All
Awards shall be subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and such other terms or conditions consistent with the Plan as the Committee deems appropriate and specifies in writing in a grant instrument (the &#147;Award Instrument&#148;) or an
amendment to it. The Committee shall approve the form and provisions of each Award Instrument. Awards under the Plan need not be uniform among the award recipients (the &#147;Grantees&#148;). </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Section 1.3</B> <B><U>Eligibility for Participation</U>. </B>All officers of the Company, including officers who are members of the Board, shall be
eligible to be considered by the Committee for participation in the Plan. </FONT></P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE II </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>LONG-TERM CASH INCENTIVE AWARDS </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Section 2.1</B> <B><U>Award Amount</U>.</B> The Committee shall
establish the amount of the Award, its maturity period and other restrictions at the time the Award is granted. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Section 2.2</B>
<B><U>Maturity</U>.</B> An Award shall mature at the end of the maturity period specified by the Committee in the Award Instrument. An Award shall be subject to such other restrictions as may be specified in the Award Instrument, including without
limitation, requiring that during the maturity period, the Company achieve a specified number of consecutive or non-consecutive reporting quarters of one or more of the following business criteria: pre-tax profit, positive GAAP earnings, a specified
level or levels of return on equity or return on assets, or positive EBITDA, or positive adjusted EBITDA. Awards also may include such partial payment provisions as the Committee deems appropriate. The Committee may accelerate the maturity of any or
all outstanding Awards at any time for any reason. Upon maturity, Awards are payable only if the Grantee has been continuously employed as an officer of the Company during the period from the date of the Award Instrument through the date that both
the maturity period has ended and all applicable restrictions have been satisfied. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Section 2.3 </B><B><U>Award Settlement</U>.</B> When
an Award has matured, the Grantee shall receive in settlement of such Award an amount, payable in cash only, equal to the amount of the Award. All Award settlements shall occur within sixty (60)&nbsp;days after both the maturity period of an Award
has ended and all applicable restrictions have been satisfied. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ARTICLE III </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>GENERAL MATTERS </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Section&nbsp;3.1 <U>Amendment and Termination of the
Plan</U>. </B>The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time in accord with applicable law; provided that the Board may not amend the Plan without the approval of the shareholders, if such shareholder approval is required by applicable law or
exchange rules. A termination or amendment of the Plan that occurs after an Award is made shall not materially impair the rights of a Grantee unless the Grantee consents or the amendment is required by applicable law. The termination of the Plan
shall not impair the Committee&#146;s authority over an outstanding Award. Whether or not the Plan has terminated, any outstanding Award may be terminated, modified or amended pursuant to the Plan or agreement of the Company and the Grantee
consistent with the Plan. The Plan shall be the controlling document. No other statements or representations, oral or written, may amend the Plan. The Plan shall be binding upon the Company, its successors and assigns.<B> </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Section&nbsp;3.2 <U>Miscellaneous</U>. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B>(a) Funding.</B> The Plan shall be unfunded. In no event shall interest be paid or accrued on any Award. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(b)</B> <B>Rights
of Participants.</B> Nothing in the Plan shall entitle any officer or other person to any Award under the Plan. Neither the Plan nor any action taken under it shall give any individual any right to be retained or employed by the Company. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(c) </B><B>Tax Withholding.</B><I> </I>The Company is authorized to withhold from any payment relating to an Award such amounts or withholding and
other taxes due with respect to an Award, or any payment thereunder, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company and Grantee to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and
other tax liabilities relating to any Award. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2 </FONT></P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(d) </B><B>Effective Date. </B>The Plan shall be effective immediately upon approval by the Board.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(e) </B><B>Grants Outside of the Plan.</B> Nothing in the Plan shall limit the Company&#146;s right to grant other compensation outside
of this Plan. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(f) </B><B>Compliance with Law.</B> The Plan and the obligations of the Company to issue Awards shall be subject to all
applicable laws and approvals required by any regulatory agency. The Company does not intend any Award, Award Settlement or payment relating to an Award under the Plan to constitute &#147;long-term compensation&#148; within the meaning of
Section&nbsp;409(A) of the Code. The Committee may revoke any Award if it is contrary to law or modify an Award to bring it into compliance with applicable law. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(g) Successors.</B> All the Company&#146;s obligations under the Plan and Awards granted under it shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether by direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise, of all or substantially all the business or assets of the Company. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>(h) </B><B>Governing Law.</B> The validity, construction
and effect of the Plan and Award Instruments issued under it shall be governed in accord with the laws of the State of Delaware. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3 </FONT></P>

</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
